Thought I would share some pictures from my ride this morning.
Headed out to the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, with the target destination being West Head Lookout. From West Head lookout, you can see Broken Bay on your left, Pittwater on your right and Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse in front.
The road to the lookout is a 14km piece of the best tarmac in existence. Rumour has it that a prominent politician who likes to don the lycra on the weekends commissioned it to provide Sydney cyclists with a safe and quiet place to ride. Being part of the National Park, the road is only open during daylight hours.
While it is a magnet for the lycra warriors, it is also motorbike heaven. Hardly any cars come through here, and other than having to keep an eye out for cyclists, it is like you have the place to yourself.
The speed limit is 80km/h, but the racetrack like surface begs you to go faster.
After enjoying the 14kms of winding road, what greets you at the end of the trip is the most breathtaking view I have seen in NSW. My average phone pictures don't do it justice. Do yourselves a favour and head out there. Next time I plan on taking my DSLR to capture some better photos.
For all those riders in NSW, I am planning on leading a ride out here early next year. Plan will be the head from North Sydney, going through to West Head via McCarrs Creek Road, then through to Palm Beach and back. Ride is probably about 200kms...and a good couple of hours with breaks.
After enjoying the 14kms of winding road, what greets you at the end of the trip is the most breathtaking view I have seen in NSW. My average phone pictures don't do it justice. Do yourselves a favour and head out there. Next time I plan on taking my DSLR to capture some better photos.
For now, enjoy the view.
Craig
It seems that where you ride is more important to you than what you ride, as it is with me. Some great shots.... with a nice bit of motorcycle porn to end with.
I'll be interested to see what you can capture with a DSLR.
At the moment I am using a water and drop resistant point and shoot, which is easy to carry, and I have enjoyed using it in a range of situations. On sale to clear out stock for the new model I picked it up for a song. However, unlike the rangefinder film cameras I had years ago to shoot relatively unobtrusively, the lens is mediocre, the sensor is tiny (compared to 35 mm film) and the minimum aperture is quite large..... not to mention considerable shutter lag.
A big lens, a small aperture (f16 or f11 where possible), and a decent sized sensor can capture detail a lot more sharply. I have been photographing some sports events (and have often had pictures used in the local newspaper), but with the shutter lag capturing the moment is more down to chance than anything.
Sooner of later I will go for something better, with an optical viewfinder. Something like the Fuji X10 or the Canon G 15 would retain the unobtrusiveness, and ease of carrying, though would not be as rugged as what I have now.
A DSLR would be still more delicate, and quite bulky to carry and use. On the other hand with a full sized sensor, good sized lenses that can be changed, range of adjustment available and lack of shutter lag, they have some distinct advantages. Over the medium term I'll have to make a choice, but in the end I could well land up with both!
__________________ there are old motorcyclists and bold motorcyclists,
but you seldom meet an old bold motorcyclist
It seems that where you ride is more important to you than what you ride, as it is with me. Some great shots.... with a nice bit of motorcycle porn to end with.
I'll be interested to see what you can capture with a DSLR.
At the moment I am using a water and drop resistant point and shoot, which is easy to carry, and I have enjoyed using it in a range of situations. On sale to clear out stock for the new model I picked it up for a song. However, unlike the rangefinder film cameras I had years ago to shoot relatively unobtrusively, the lens is mediocre, the sensor is tiny (compared to 35 mm film) and the minimum aperture is quite large..... not to mention considerable shutter lag.
A big lens, a small aperture (f16 or f11 where possible), and a decent sized sensor can capture detail a lot more sharply. I have been photographing some sports events (and have often had pictures used in the local newspaper), but with the shutter lag capturing the moment is more down to chance than anything.
Sooner of later I will go for something better, with an optical viewfinder. Something like the Fuji X10 or the Canon G 15 would retain the unobtrusiveness, and ease of carrying, though would not be as rugged as what I have now.
A DSLR would be still more delicate, and quite bulky to carry and use. On the other hand with a full sized sensor, good sized lenses that can be changed, range of adjustment available and lack of shutter lag, they have some distinct advantages. Over the medium term I'll have to make a choice, but in the end I could well land up with both!
There are some clear advantages in using a point and shoot - size and ease of use being the main ones. Size is obviously a massive factor when travelling...especially on a bike. If my point and shoot (a cheap Canon...but still does good work) was charged, I would have used that instead of my phone.
I have a Canon 7D with an 18-135mm Canon lens. As you mentioned, the bulk factor is the biggest issue. I was going to take it on the ride yesterday, but with my back protector in, the slingback bag I use just wouldn't sit properly. A satchel bag would have been better.
Overall though the DSLR definitely has features that make it worth the hassle. The ability to change aperture, shutter speed and ISO can be the difference between a good shot and a great shot. I have used my 7D in a range of situations, from motorsport to macro. Perhaps we should start a photograph thread (if there isn't one already) and share some photos.
There is some definite panorama potential at this lookout that's for sure.
Will do mate. As I said, I reckon I will organise a ride out here for next year. Would be a good group ride wih some awesome views all the way along the route.
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1973 Mazda 808
2012 Honda CBR250R
West Head Road, NSW
