From mountains to the sea...

[metallyguitarded_imp]

San Diego, which is often thought of as perpetually sunny, actually suffers through two months of frequent and thick cloud cover. Locals refer to those two months as May Grey and June Gloom. Admittedly, we are rather spoiled the balance of the year. Inland areas stand a better chance of year-round blue skies but along the coast, the marine layer tends to linger during these two months.

This past Sunday provided warm temps and blue skies in our local mountains and deserts. I nice long ride on the CB was way overdue. I filled up the tank and hit the road. I traveled the 94 East to Jamul, passing through Cameron Corners and some of my favorite winding roads then north towards Sunrise Highway which leads up and over Mt. Laguna. I stopped before proceeding up the mountain to send my wife a quick message, informing her that I was going to be a bit longer than initially expected when I heard a man calling out to me. A tow truck driver was parked across the road and asked if I could help him load a Yamaha R6 onto his flat bed.

There was no rider in sight. As I got closer, I could see the damage to the bike. The bike had definitely slid for some distance on its left side. The bars were bent, levers broken, plastics missing, scrapes to the engine covers, mirrors broken off. What really caught my attention was the blood on the gas tank. Dark brown, mostly dry stains about the size of a small salad plate. It felt odd taking hold of the bars and steadying the bike as the tow driver operated the lift bringing me and bike off the ground and level. I then pushed it forward to the spot where the tow driver tied it down, shook his hand and waived goodbye. I then proceeded up the mountain.

I thought of the rider and wondered how bad off he was. The tow driver told me the rider had been taken to the hospital. I asked if he had been alone and the tow driver didn't know. I had noticed a very bald rear tire on the Yamaha and wondered if that had contributed to the crash. Not the best images and imaginings as I started my way up and over Mt. Laguna. It wasn't long before my attention was back on the road with its many twists and turns.

From Mt. Laguna, I made my way into the town of Julian and enjoyed a slice of their famous apple pie. After a short rest there, I decided to head west towards the coast. Once in Carlsbad, I turned south and with the ocean to my right, began the final push for home. In total, I rode approximately 187 miles. I filmed three of the four hours I was out and, out of that three hours, I distilled the footage down to just over three minutes! And so, here is a very small sampling of what was a beautiful, enjoyable, Sunday afternoon ride:





I hope you enjoy it! I'm still experimenting with placement and settings on the camera (Drift Stealth 2) and discovered too late that I can take photos while shooting video; something I'll have to try next time out. I found out by accident this time around.

Edit: There's an odd pulsing to the image which is the result of using YouTube's image stabilizer. Next time, I'll forego that and live with the normal bounce that come from a helmet mount.

[Novice_imp]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Seeing the reality of a crash up close and personal without actually being the one on the ground is always a stark reminder of the hazards of riding and a reminder to keep your head in the game.

[flynrider]

Great video! Nicely edited.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

I echo Novice's thoughts regarding the accident.

That is a very nice video, well edited and the right length. I will have to go to school off you as I have recently been given a GoPro4 and, although I did take it to the NC rally, haven't yet come to a complete understanding of its full capabilities. I have used the GoPro editing tool and have found it adequate but a little clumsy (or is it me?). I believe Adobe make a good editing tool I am curious as to the tool you used as the transitions that you use don't seem to be available on Go Pro.

As for mounting positions on the CB, the indicator posts, inboard of the rubber bits, are good for front, rear and up and down views. Otherwise I use a helmet chin mount. The rear pegs are also available. I rented a FJR for the rally and found that mounting points were scarce unless using a suction mount, in which case there was plenty of choice.

Cheers

[redbirds_imp]

Very nice video MG and enjoyed Hendrix accompaniment.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Seeing the reality of a crash up close and personal without actually being the one on the ground is always a stark reminder of the hazards of riding and a reminder to keep your head in the game.

Thanks Novice. I completely agree. I've ridden a couple times with a local sport riding group and, for the most part, they are a bunch of enthusiastic, fun loving, good people. I was struck by something that was shared early on by one of the group's leaders and that was the fact that on average, they have one rider go down each outing. I remember being shocked at such a statement and it made me rethink whether group riding was for me. That told me that people in the group were prone to riding beyond their limits and, no doubt, feeling pressure to either keep up or prove something. I obviously don't know what caused this particular rider to go down but thoughts of pushing limits certainly crossed my mind.

Great video! Nicely edited.

Thank you!

[the Ferret]

Nice MG. I liked how you could see where you are going AND in the mirror where you had just been.

I'm so suprised my generations music, a symbol of freedom and rebellion to millions of us who tuned in and dropped out, has almost been turned into elevator music.

Edit... I love hearing it though... Good stuff.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I echo Novice's thoughts regarding the accident.

That is a very nice video, well edited and the right length. I will have to go to school off you as I have recently been given a GoPro4 and, although I did take it to the NC rally, haven't yet come to a complete understanding of its full capabilities. I have used the GoPro editing tool and have found it adequate but a little clumsy (or is it me?). I believe Adobe make a good editing tool I am curious as to the tool you used as the transitions that you use don't seem to be available on Go Pro.

As for mounting positions on the CB, the indicator posts, inboard of the rubber bits, are good for front, rear and up and down views. Otherwise I use a helmet chin mount. The rear pegs are also available. I rented a FJR for the rally and found that mounting points were scarce unless using a suction mount, in which case there was plenty of choice.

Cheers

I was really torn with whether to go with the GoPro or the Drift. I opted for the Drift because of the small profile. I've seen some side-by-side video comparisons and I believe the GoPro actually shoots better quality video. But, it's a bit more expensive and for what I'm doing, just goofing off and capturing memories, the Drift seems more than adequate. I think you'll really enjoy the GoPro.

As far as the editing software, I used the standard Windows Movie Maker that came with my laptop. It has a limited number of editing options including the transitions you see on my video and the ability to splice the video, save projects, add music, some special effects. It's fun. I'm sure there are other programs that offer more but I've enjoyed this one. One drawback is that it does take some time to upload your video to the movie maker program then, once you've done your edits, effects, etc., it takes a while to save it into a movie format. I don't know how much faster the other programs are and I have the feeling I'm better off not knowing. Haha.

Thanks for the mounting positions. I'll play around with them on my commute to work. I've put the curved adhesive mounts on each of my helmets with the exception of my Bell Bullitt (I just couldn't bring myself to put a camera on it). Most are on the side of the helmet but I affixed a mount to the top of my RS-1 helmet. I have yet to try that one. The Drift has a rotating lens that allows you to mount the camera at odd angles but then rotate the lens to keep the image level. That opens up a lot of possibilities.

[Novice_imp]

Don't want to hijack your thread, but I agree with the hesitation in regards to group riding. I went on one that ended up with TL1000 rider getting cited for riding a wheelie by a state trooper and a super hawk in a ditch. I'm happy going solo, but I would like to ride with ferret and the members here someday.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Nice MG. I liked how you could see where you are going AND in the mirror where you had just been.

I'm so suprised my generations music, a symbol of freedom and rebellion to millions of us who tuned in and dropped out, has almost been turned into elevator music.

Edit... I love hearing it though... Good stuff.

<Gasp!> Elevator music?!

Very nice video MG and enjoyed Hendrix accompaniment.

Thanks redbirds! One of my favorite tunes.