EDDLESTON VIA SHIPLAW

Part Two.

2012-02-06T21:55:00.020Z

Going on my own and others opinions that i've heard and read over the last week, not having another event on this "proper cyclocross" course would be an injustice to say the least. It would also give me the opportunity to spend less time pissing about in the forest and get round to the cobbled section. Go on, dig in mate.

Dig In Around The Dock.

2012-01-29T20:56:00.005Z

Great event put on by the DigInMate gentlemen today in Boness, won by James McCallum of Rapha Condor Sharp, more to follow.

DigInMate.

2012-01-28T20:13:00.004Z

You could spend tomorrow locked up indoors watching the Cyclocross World Championships via some illicit stream on the internet or ... you could spend the day freezing on the banks of the Firth of Forth watching some of Scotland's finest instead.

David Hamill photographed at Hallocross 2011.

Canned Heat.

2012-01-27T21:25:00.008Z

Glad to be back to the joys of Scottish winter cycling after ten weeks of enforced layoff.

9 1/2 Weeks.

2012-01-13T22:18:00.003Z

Slow Club.

2012-01-01T17:20:00.004Z

"Got to be outside to get caught in the rain."

Slange Var.

2011-12-31T19:02:00.006Z

"Healthy, i'm working out in the pub. These eyes, they saw the light they saw the truth, i swear i saw Jesus but i don't have the proof."

Still.

2011-12-07T21:18:00.004Z

Recuperation.

2011-11-12T19:59:00.003Z

Not Lost.

2011-11-03T23:22:00.006Z

"The journey is the destination."

Hallocross Extract.

2011-11-01T23:01:00.006Z

More images to follow at The Tri Centre, great night.

The Ronde Condor Saturday Social.

2011-10-30T23:12:00.012Z

Verward/Confuso.

2011-10-29T20:29:00.001+01:00

Reccy.

2011-10-26T00:46:00.007+01:00

Dan Martin.

2011-10-18T22:15:00.003+01:00

New...

2011-10-09T20:46:00.004+01:00

...limited edition framed print, available in Ronde soon.

"my Garmin says go right"

2011-10-07T20:24:00.002+01:00

Winnings?

2011-10-03T21:50:00.004+01:00

Ronde Trui.

2011-10-02T17:04:00.003+01:00

Luke Durbridge.

2011-09-19T21:43:00.007+01:00

Under 23 TT World Champion and sometime Bicycleworks rider.

Photographed at The Rapha Nocturne 2010.

Observations.

2011-09-14T21:08:00.013+01:00

From the office.

The Captain...

2011-09-12T20:27:00.004+01:00

...couldn't help but salivate at the size of Mark Cavendish's legs and then i thought, what if he went to Garmin instead of Sky, Cav that is not The Captain.

Photos shot on The Captain's iphone.

Jens.

2011-09-11T20:52:00.013+01:00

Verlassenheit! Although i enjoy the odd rough surface and a bit of non-hospitable weather now and again the safety aspect of the Tour of Britain still leaves a lot to be desired, only a man trained in the art of road furniture avoidance like Lars Boom could circumnavigate an unmarked traffic island like the one in Moffat at that speed (see ITV4 player). Unfortunately Jens paid the price today but it seemed more of a freak incident rather than ropey marshaling. Weider gut.

Jens Voigt photographed at T.O.B. 2011 Stage 1, Peebles, Scotland.

The Old Engine Road.

2011-09-09T23:10:00.005+01:00

Proceed with caution.

The Pigeon's New Wheels.

2011-09-01T21:40:00.005+01:00

and the Fox's new mitts.

New Throughway, Six Pockets.

2011-08-29T21:53:00.008+01:00

I live in hope that we may still get some summer but in keeping with the current weather i've started my autumn/winter reconnaissance.

Rapha Jersey Pockets Competition, Winner.

2011-08-24T20:09:00.007+01:00

Shot this before a ride to Innerleithen last Wednesday, forgot to mention when listing my pocket contents in the competition entry that i was also carrying a Donor Card, pretty grim when you think about the personal implications but extremely worthwhile nonetheless. And now on a lighter note, I wonder what the salami sandwich capacity of the Rapha Essentials Case is?

John Paul, Junior World Sprint Champion!!!

2011-08-22T20:36:00.004+01:00

The Meadowbank Velodrome Project, Scrapbook 3.

Hulde.

2011-08-16T22:28:00.004+01:00

West.

2011-08-14T21:54:00.004+01:00

Despite our lovely weather washing half the countryside onto the roads with effects detrimental to the smooth passage of cyclists, fun was had, the sun did appear and we managed to make it back to Ronde without the DS getting lost. More snaps here.

Renner Ronde Cafe Ride.

2011-08-11T21:29:00.004+01:00

Far be it for me to lead anyone into a false sense of security, but if you think you can trust this gentleman to lead you westward on Saturday morning feel free to follow this link.

Chapeau!

2011-08-09T23:21:00.007+01:00

To Steve McCaw for breaking various records at Meadowbank tonight, the details of which i will not publish without confering with my technical adviser, so as not to break any hearts.

Meadowbank Project, Dreich!

2011-08-08T21:54:00.009+01:00

All images from The Meadowbank Project.

Scottish Track Championships.

2011-08-05T22:44:00.005+01:00

Was honored with the luxury of sitting in the stand bathed in dying sunlight this evening at Meadowbank. Kilo done and dusted, full weekend program if weather permits...

East Coast.

2011-08-03T21:23:00.004+01:00

I don't tend to venture in this direction much but it has it's benefits, weather back to normal now though.

Top photograph courtesy of Captain McBrides iphone.

OS85.

2011-08-02T23:08:00.021+01:00

Never before have i had so much fun on one OS map, on a road bike that is.

Vakantie.

2011-07-31T22:45:00.003+01:00

Renner Autumn / Winter.

2011-07-15T20:28:00.008+01:00

Spent the day in the studio today shooting some new Renner products for autumn/winter. Available from the Renner website whenever Mr Anderson manages to extract himself from Belgium, probably some time next year.

Shorts, Jersey Unzipped, No Gloves.

2011-07-14T21:57:00.007+01:00

And to finish coffee, cakes and Le Tour at Ronde, if it wasn't for the crazy drivers it could almost have been a perfect day, i suppose i should be thankful that i wasn't sideswiped by a French television vehicle.

Phonecamera

Ronde Bicycle Outfitters.

2011-07-11T21:01:00.006+01:00

Serving the public from tomorrow onwards, official opening shindig to be announced, yippee.

F**king Disaster.

2011-07-08T22:03:00.008+01:00

Bradley Wiggins photographed at the British Road Race Championships 2011.

Ronde Bicycle Outfitters.

2011-07-08T12:35:00.011+01:00

opening soon!!!

Bandit Country.

2011-07-07T21:56:00.009+01:00

Old School.

2011-07-07T01:09:00.002+01:00

Call me a hippy but...

2011-07-04T21:14:00.008+01:00

...although i've been into this lark for a good ten or so years now i've never been one for the group ride, partly i suppose because i thought grown men hanging around outside swimming pools was a tad suspicious but more so probably because of my skateboarding upbringing, me and the wind man. Don't get me wrong i have partaken in the odd sportive where large numbers were present but mostly i was passing or being passed rather than riding within. Saturday's Renner Cafe Ride allowed me the joint pleasures of feeling the drag of riding in the wheels, eating one of the best date slices i've ever tasted courtesy of the cafe at Dawyck Botanic Gardens, enjoying the craic while traversing some interesting roads at a good pace but not one that had my eyeballs popping out and here comes the hippy bit, the sound man the sound of the wheels. Thank you Mr Anderson, more snaps here.

Camera Test.

2011-06-30T21:15:00.003+01:00

My trusty jersey pocket camera has given up the ghost just in time for Mr Anderson's Renner Cafe Ride on Saturday, test camera courtesy of the faither-in-law.

Ronde Bicycle Outfitters...

2011-06-28T23:22:00.008+01:00

...work in progress.

British Road Race Championships.

2011-06-27T17:27:00.002+01:00

Had a great day in and around Stamfordham yesterday, more of my photos on the Rapha Blog.

BICCC.

2011-06-21T21:51:00.004+01:00

Shot a roll of film when the BICCC visited Meadowbank a few weeks ago but have been finding it hard to get darkroom time at the moment, more to follow.

Omerta.

2011-06-16T22:10:00.006+01:00

Tyler Hamilton photographed at The Tour of Britain.
Lance Armstrong jersey framed for Le Mod.

Ronde Bicycle Outfitters...

2011-06-09T22:09:00.008+01:00

to be continued...

Richard Moore Website.

2011-06-06T19:13:00.006+01:00

Richard Moore of In Search of Robert Millar and Heroes, Villains and Velodromes fame has recently launched a website to promote his two new books.

Richard shot as part of The Meadowbank Velodrome Project.

Backwoods.

2011-06-04T20:01:00.006+01:00

Sorry, i was getting my seasons muddled up.

Velodrome Debacle.

2011-05-31T22:43:00.005+01:00

Seems as though the spectating situation at Meadowbank is on its way to resolution.

Riding The Long White Cloud.

2011-05-30T21:28:00.007+01:00

Been around for a while but its just what you need after three weeks in Italy, part one of a great film shot by and featuring old skateboarding friends having fun. Follow the Vimeo link to John Rattray's Predatory Bird for further footage. Cheers Russ. Enjoy.

David Millar.

2011-05-29T22:31:00.002+01:00

Not even a course change could get in the way of Morrissey's determination to win a stage of the Giro.

Recreational Hazard.

2011-05-29T21:26:00.001+01:00

Found.

2011-05-25T22:34:00.003+01:00

R.I.P.

2011-05-09T21:59:00.006+01:00

Wouter Weylandt photo from www.lesamyn.be

Ronde.

2011-04-23T20:21:00.006+01:00

Een open geheim.

Embrocation Cycling Journal.

2011-04-21T21:48:00.003+01:00

Nice little heads up from Jeremy Dunn on the Embrocation site.

Renner Sport.

2011-04-20T20:18:00.003+01:00

Officially launched at the bike show this past weekend resulting in a glowing write up on twmp.

Surely Not?

2011-04-19T23:20:00.004+01:00

This evening i was informed by Meadowbank officialdom that i was unable to rest my posterior on the luxurious seating in the velodrome spectators stand as it was...
a. a fire hazard
b. had been condemned
c. was closed due to the fitting of new armchairs in the executive box
d. none of the above

Eyeballs...

2011-04-18T20:39:00.006+01:00

...out. After 10 miles of struggling to hold the wheel of a new acquaintance from Aberdeen i was beginning to regret my decision to eschew the bike show in favor of joining Captain McBride on a recce ride of the Etape Caledonia route. I could swear the first section of the route was flat when i rode it a few years ago but after the initial shock i eventually found my legs and was rewarded with the most beautiful ride of the year so far, not a day for stopping for photos though. Cheers Captain.

The New Black.

2011-04-15T20:01:00.001+01:00

worldcyclingchannel3 Because of recent copyright claims and other requests (by now we got a claim from about every major source), it has become impossible to maintain a 'world cycling channel' on YouTube this way. So this is where the story ends. Symbolically we've changed the background of our logo to black. Thank you for being with us in the past years. There will be some limited uploads on C11. http://www.youtube.com/user/channelC11

Solution?

2011-04-10T19:59:00.003+01:00

Spring Classic, not bestseller.

2011-03-19T20:33:00.011Z

You're listening to The Streets.

Middle photo shot on Mr McBride's iphone.

Mixed Feelings.

2011-03-09T21:02:00.002Z

Gifford Sup6r Six.

2011-03-05T21:57:00.009Z

A brief visual report.

Joan As Police Woman.

2011-03-01T19:55:00.009Z

The Ride featuring my Meadowbank article and a contribution from Chris at Dynamoworks alongside articles by David Millar, Graeme Obree, and Michael Barry available now from the good folks at Analogue Books and The Tri Centre, for other stockists click the Journal link to the right.

Happy Mondays.

2011-02-28T20:19:00.008Z

Although personally i was more of a Roses fan.

Gallery.

2011-02-23T20:46:00.007Z

Winter Escape.

2011-02-18T20:09:00.000Z

WINTER ESCAPE 1•1•11 from Gavin Turnbull on Vimeo.

Meeting Spoils.

2011-02-08T10:31:00.001Z

New To Me.

2011-02-06T00:02:00.007Z

But obviously a path traveled, with a lovely twisting decent.

Fordel Dean.

2011-02-05T23:15:00.003Z

...closed to through traffic, cross diversion optional.

Renner Website.

2011-02-03T20:35:00.002Z

Teaser website online now www.rennersport.com

Dave and Brian shot in the Scottish Borders, late 2010.

Smile.

2011-01-23T21:49:00.009Z

Michael Barry and Dominique Rollin in the Girona sunshine, expand and enjoy.

From Michael Barry's YouTube channel.

Needs Must.

2011-01-22T20:08:00.002Z

Matt Goss.

2011-01-21T20:06:00.004Z

For the last few years as the Tour de France graces our screens and it fails to excite as it did in the past, i wonder if it's just the fact that i've watched too much racing at the start of the year and vow to abstain the next year until at least Paris Nice, so here we are in January and i find myself following the Tour Down Under, and there aren't even any proper mountains in it, are there? Cheesy portrait of one of the men of the moment in Austrailia.

Matt Goss photographed at The Rapha Nocturne, Edinburgh 2010.

Coming Soon...

2011-01-19T21:13:00.003Z

...The Ride Journal V featuring a selection of photographs from my Meadowbank Velodrome project.

Rolling.

2011-01-06T22:32:00.005Z

Spent the 2nd of January with Chris from Dynamoworks and The Mod doing a bit of filming in the Lammermuirs for Gavin Turnbull. Main climb still pretty sketchy from a riding point of view but doable apart from one section of ice. Good day out, for some.

Photo courtesy of Neil Turnbull, GTMP.

Sketchy.

2010-12-28T22:06:00.002Z

But the new Crud Roadracer mudguards work a treat.

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men...

2010-12-24T19:28:00.002Z

Gang aft a-gley.

Renner Location (Part 2).

2010-12-23T22:03:00.005Z

Finally got some time to work on more of the Renner photographs that i shot last month.

Not as bad as predicted...

2010-12-16T21:36:00.007Z

..but my route ideas for the week commencing December 23rd aren't going to plan so far.

Phonecamera.

Meadowbank Project, Winter.

2010-12-06T22:22:00.001Z

Dan Tag (a slight digression).

2010-11-29T23:15:00.004Z

It's only been two days of non-hospitable bike weather and my mind is starting to wander, not that you could skate in this weather either mind you. Found this while digging for a present.

Dan Tag photographed at Livingston Skatepark in the early 1990's.

The Meadowbank Velodrome Project.

2010-11-25T20:28:00.008Z

Just bought a domain name and hosting package for my Meadowbank project in anticipation of an upcoming article in issue five of the The Ride Journal. Holding page only so far, www.themeadobankvelodromeproject.co.uk .

Reconnaissance.

2010-11-23T21:19:00.004Z

Mill climb a beauty from the south John, cheers.

Thanks...

2010-11-17T21:44:00.002Z

...to Hugh at The Tri Centre, Ayesha and Jill at Amber Arts and my art-collecting Ironman benefactor.

Winter Bike Time.

2010-11-15T20:43:00.005Z

On Tour, Bradley Wiggins (Photographs By Scott Mitchell).

2010-11-10T20:04:00.015Z

When it was first mentioned that there was a possibility of me getting my sneaky hands on a book to review i was flattered but a few things crossed my mind, the first being that i am a photographer not a writer, would i have the credentials to comment on anything other than that. Two, would i be able to put aside my prejudices about Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins, i've always been a fan of Spanish climbers, Belgian hardmen and crazy lone attackers (read Vino, oh lord forgive me for my sins), not superteams. And three, what if i didn't like it, would i be able to stick to my morals and tell the truth?

Thankfully, once inside, i was instantly visually attracted to the book, black background double page spreads, jumping to white with room for the photographs to breathe and then into a slightly chaotic mix. I enjoyed the look of it and the further i delved the more it jumped around and it made me think this is what i imagine the Tour is like, organized chaos. The photographs are stunning, just how Scott managed to capture what he has without an official press pass is beyond belief. Apart from capturing Bradley Wiggins tour he has managed to somehow be at the right place at the right time to document many of the iconic moments of this years tour, Lance suffering, Contador climbing behind Schleck with a look of pain in his face, Cav's last burst in Paris, and also many other images which have nothing to do with racing but are just as important to build the story of the Tour, i could go on.

Bradleys story is equally as interesting and refreshing given the fact that he did not fullfil the dream of a podium place, although failure is not a word that i would use. At first i wondered whether a straight daily diary of his Tour could hold my attention to read in one go as i only had the book for a day, i am a photographer remember, however like the visual layout it tends to jump from personal diary to insight on many other things Tour related, then back, organised chaos again? I loved the fact that he dosen't hold back on naming names and dosen't agree with certain unwritten peloton rules, i loved the fact that he admits that he got things wrong personally, i loved the fact that he agrees that there is a place in the Tour for crazy days of chance like the pave, i loved the fact that he admits he got things wrong from a teambuilding point of view and i loved the fact that he admits he has a soft spot for Stephane Auge.

As far as i know the idea for the book was Bradleys own and what has been achieved is something that lives up to the Tour books of yore that he admits to enjoy leafing through himself. Basically i loved the book and i will be going out to buy a copy even though i know a man i could probably blag a copy from, however i feel it would be unjust to not mention a couple of things that are nagging at me. I don't know Bradley Wiggins personally but what i saw of his tv interviews from last years Tour he seemed extremely passionate and firey as opposed to the more measured Bradley from this years interviews, this also comes across in the writing, personally i enjoyed that fire but i admit you can't judge someones character based on tv interviews conducted seconds after stage finishes. Also from a photographers point of view there seems to be quite an inconsistency in the reproduction of the images from a tone and contrast point of view, that being said the book is still worth more than the fifteen quid that it costs.

One other thing i loved was the fact that i spent four hours in the sunshine on my bike with Scott today, oops, does that give away how i managed to get my hands on a copy pre-release. On Tour is available to buy tomorrow.

Top photograph of Bradley Wiggins courtesy of Scott Mitchell.

Renner Location.

2010-11-09T19:42:00.002Z

Renner Studio.

2010-11-02T21:54:00.002Z

The last few weeks have been spent indoors and off the bike but at least todays indoor stint was bike related. Renner website coming soon... ish... hopefully.

Sunday Best.

2010-10-03T21:49:00.010+01:00

Ok I was way out with the worlds result but delighted for Hushovd none the less. And in another show of power lets just say the MTS Cyclesport Kinesis guys were ...dominant. Great day of cross at Meadowmill.

Silver!

2010-09-30T23:11:00.009+01:00

I love when Millar sets his heart on something and gives it everything even when it doesn't work out, performances like that seem to justify why i continue to follow professional cycling amid all the controversy. Talking of controversy i would have gone for Vino trying a breakaway near the end on Sunday but he's not on the start list so i'll go all patriotic and say Hunt and Millar working themselves to the bone for a Cavandish win. ...mmm those climbs don't look easy though.

David Millar photographed at The Tour of Britain 2008.

Worlds photo by Roberto Bettini, cyclingnews.com.

Next...

2010-09-28T00:07:00.004+01:00

First cross race of the official season at Meadowmill this coming Sunday. Shame the organisers didn't consider the multi genre fan when they placed the event on the same day as the Mens Elite World Championship road race. Maybe i'll not bother flying to Austrailia after all.

Something Borrowed.

2010-09-27T20:24:00.006+01:00

I've spent the last couple of weeks perusing an intimate portrait of Belgium by photographer Stephan Vanfleteren who i first heard of in the pages of Rouleur magazine. Although the subject matter is none too uplifting it is one of the most inspirational books i've seen in a long time, reminiscent of when i first saw In our Time by the Magnum photographic collective. Thanks Dave.

Image and quote from Belgicum by Stephan Vanfleteren.

Inside The Outskirts.

2010-09-21T20:49:00.002+01:00

I've a couple of my Meadowbank shots in a group show at Amber Arts in Abbeyhill, all welcome.