Afton Cyclocross Racing

I covered another race this last weekend. Actually got to race this one, and it was fun. Afton is a local ski hill, so any event there is bound to contain some elevation. Race course planners sent we unfortunate racers up a rather large "run-up". A run-up is essentially what it sounds like. You run up it, rather than ride. You are carrying your bike slung across your shoulder. Pain soon follows. Most run-ups are short little interruptions to a bike race, but this was a monster. It was about 75 feet of 25% grade hill. It was also thick, wet grass. Sounds like fun, eh?

Here's the write-up/images on Generation Oudoors: CLICK ME

More Cyclocross racing & Generation Outdoors

I was approached by the guys who operate Generation Outdoors, a new outdoor news, review, social site thing. They wanted to get my help to cover outdoorsy happenings in the area. So, I went to the Hudson Big Ring Flyers Cyclocross race and shot some of the action and did a short write-up. In my quest for total coverage, I was forced to dodge high-speed racers and scale 8' chain-link fences. My kind of job!

Go have a look.

Black Elm Custom Furniture

It's no secret that I love well designed, unique furniture and architecture and the companies that are passionately committed to them. So, it brings me joy to tell you about another company I've had the pleasure to work with. Black Elm Woodworking is a Minneapolis based custom wood working shop.

Owner, Kris, has a knack for building ridiculously well crafted furniture. In a era where most furniture is a glorified cardboard monstrosity, or 72 piece afternoon assembly project, Black Elm represents the antithesis. Each piece is custom, made of 100% hardwood and highly detailed.

Have a look around his site and if you appreciate well made, distinctive furniture, give Kris a call. I think you will find his prices are modest for the level of work he's doing.

Freeriding Pt. 2

One year ago I spent a day shooting freeriding at Dave B's place (which he calls Snake Trails) Somerset, Wisconsin. I'll save the elementary explanation of what freeriding is. Have a look at the photos, visit the link above and most of all enjoy living vicariously thorough the guys in the photos.

Ely, MN - the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

I've wanted to go to Ely, MN since I was 18 years old- long before I wanted to be a photographer. I had read the article on Jim Brandenburg's photo project where he took one photo a day for a period of (I believe) 80 days. They images were fantastic, and I developed a new idea of what great outdoor/nature images should look like. This far away (I was in N.C.) place called Ely fascinated me.

Fast forward a bit to this summer when I got the call to visit Ely, MN and photograph it for a section that the New York Times calls " Havens". Havens is essentially a post card look at a town, highlighting its best features and characteristics. I spent two days climbing bluffs, riding in motorboats, etc to get the shots I needed. I got a lot of nice images. It is a beautiful community. In the end the Times ran one image. This is the whole reason I started this blog was to show some of the images that never get published. So here are a few from that trip that have never made it off my computer until now.

Here's the accompanying article by Greg Breining if you'd like to read about the place.

Fairest of the Fairs

I'm a bit late on the draw here, but wanted to post these images anyway. The Minnesota Fair happened about a month ago. I was hired to go shoot some images of things that sum up the fair. One priority was to photograph people eating things on a stick - which has definitely become the calling card of the MN State Fair. I witnessed 14" corndogs (known around here as "pronto pups"?), alligator, hotdish (tater-tots and meatballs, with gravy), ostrich and homemade nut rolls - all on a stick.

Then there were the usual sightings of people winning and carrying giant stuffed animals, the warehouses full of farm animals and the midway chaos. I am not really a fan of the fair like most Minnesotans. I didn't grow up with the tradition and generally wrinkle my brow at events that cost me $40 and leave me with a stomach ache. I really cannot complain about getting hired to go to the fair though, can I?

If you'd like to read the article, go here.

Knut Design - Furniture

Oh how I love well designed, well made furniture. Especially it it is made of metal,stone or rough wood. Knut Design must have read my diary, because here is a table that meets two of those criteria and does it supremely well.

You might remember the acid etched samples I showed months ago from Knut. Here, Nathan (owner, designer, etc...) takes a neighbors downed walnut tree and some raw steel to create this beauty. I can't think of anything else to say other than how awesome it is. I did nearly separate a shoulder moving it into the house to photograph. Good thing Nathan is a strapping gent - maybe he'll consider doing deliveries for customers?

Check back to his site if you haven't. There some new content and a few new jobs that have been completed and documented. Keep an eye on this guy.

Cycling Paradise?

This is a first. I may have never linked the word "Paradise" to a conversation about Wisconsin. And to be truthful, it really is not paradise - because there is no such thing. But, the Trempealeau County area of Wisconsin is a mighty fine place to be a road biker. This Spring, Stephen Regenold, my dynamic adventure journalist partner and I rode in the area for two days. I had heard the hype and was expecting it to be overstated, but what I found was truly special. The area combines a seemingly endless web of backcountry farm roads with the (almost complete) lack of motorist traffic. To some cyclists that might just equate to cycling paradise - especially if that cyclist lives and rides in the Minneapolis area like I do. Potholes, trucks, glass, traffic lights, people in a rush - all these things are absent in paradise, er, I mean Trempealeau.

Go read the full article and maybe try to squeeze in a fall weekend in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. You'll thank me.

NY Times Story

Be on the lookout!

These two are wanted for rabble-rousing and chocolate stealing. They have many alias's ("Jelly face Jones", and "Action Jackson" to name a few) and disguises (see photos). They may be hanging around wherever ice cream trucks can be found and are generally keeping a low profile by staying mobile. Their primary means of transportation is bicycle. If you see them, keep them busy with knock-knock jokes and call their parents immediately.