Today's ride at the Snip...

[Jisch]

I know, broken record, Jisch likes to ride at the Snip... Slider, Paul and myself did an excellent (despite today being NETRA's day through there). The trails faired much better this year as they were mostly frozen and dry. I've seen the NETRA event tear this place up in the past.

Slider on the ramp near the road:

[Jisch]

Paul demo'd the new Maverick Helium today. Its a new concept in MTBing - lighter than air bikes. It looked like a lot of fun, but not very technical ;D

(...and yeah we warned him about the helmet...)

[Jisch]

If it doesn't hurt - its not fun...

More pics at:
http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?14@146.khcGaslXYAg.3@.efda69f

(cut and paste)

[Rich]

Hey Jisch,

That is one killer photo and launch pad. What camera was that taken with? It is crystal clear!

[Jisch]

Thanks. Its a Fuji FinePix 2650 (2M). Actually not all that great of a camera. I've been trying to get that pan technique down for some time. This is the first picture that actually came out ok. You pan the camera at the same speed as the rider is moving. If you do it correctly, the biker is clear and the background is blurry, as it worked out in this pic. Most times I end up with a blurry biker AND a blurry background.

Overall the camera has worked out just ok. Even in the brightest sunshine, the shutter is too slow to stop motion without it getting blurry. There's no manual adjust on the shutter speed. The thing that really kills this camera (from what I hear its a common cheap digicam problem) is the shutter lag between when I hit the shutter button and when the picture is actually taken. Its really hard to time, I was trying to get a shot of Slider in the air, and I took about 5 pics to get 2 that were decent (still didn't get any of him in full air).

I got it for Xmas, so I can't really complain too much.

John

[Rich]

Hey, well thanks for the info. Awful sharp for only 2m pixels. I've heard about the shutter lag thing on digicams. But then, panning is difficult with any camera. I'm going to get me one of those so perhaps will be posting some pics soon. That stuff in Conn. looks fine!

Rich

[jsb2dc]

Most digitals have a point that you push the shutter button down to where the camera focuses but does not take a picture. If you pre-focus (like on the rock) and hold the button down the camera will take the picture right away once you push the button down all the way. You can even do the pan technique since the focus position stays the same as long as you don't let up on the shutter button.

I have only been to the Snip one time. Lucky for me i went with people who knew their way around. That rock ramp by the road is the best natural jump i have ever been on. I think i hit it like 6 times before the rest of the group were ready to move on. I wore my helmet of course. I am encouraged to see the Maveric design being used in this manner also. I hope with mine i can do as well.

An chance you guys do the trail going down from the fire tower. How does the Maveric fare on that rocky decent?

bill
(anxious for his new Palomino)

[Jisch]

We didn't do that descent off the top. Its a great trail, but I have a hard time justifying the climb to the top on the road to get to it. We usually just ride around the bottom of the mountain. We start off Hopkins Road, so we hit Soapstone about mid way through the ride.

Honestly, Paul (who is riding the Maverick), could ride a rigid bike down that trail and make it look easy. Paul likes the Maverick and regularly does some pretty serious launches with it. I think the only problems he's had is he has bent 3 or 4 derraileur hangers and has also broke the magnesium part that the Bottom Bracket sits in (that was kind of serious).

I'll have to try pre-setting the focus with the camera. I know it did that pre-set focus thing, I guess its obvious that would cut the shutter lag. DOH!

If anyone wants the "Tour de Snip" I know the trails pretty well.

John