Bikepacking
28 Nov
And now for something completely different to ‘The Chop’. I went off with my riding buddy Benji Haworth on a 2 day bikepacking trip to Snowdonia. The trip was supported by Madison who supplied Genesis bikes and GoPro cameras. The brief was simple. Go for an adventure on bikes, sleep out somewhere and make a Natox video. Benji did all the camera work and editing and proved that GoPro films can be good if you choose your shots carefully and use plenty of static shots.
Special mention goes to Alpkit who once again provided the excellent bike frame bags. We also used their brilliant sleeping bags, mats, titanium pans and torches.
Comments (8)
28 Nov 20:51
Ed,
That. Is. MEGA.
Can’t believe the weather you had on the first day – what a touch. Also, loving the Bladerunner (?) music for the morning after scene. Out of interest, what kit does your man Benji use for static and panning shots on the Go-Pro?
Cheers,
Buzz.
28 Nov 22:49
Hiya Buzz.
I use a Joby GorillaPod Video for both static and panning – http://joby.com/gorillapod/video/
I use a K-Edge Go Big GoPro Saddle Rail Mount for the on-bike ‘tailgunner’ footage.
A spare regular battery.
A big piggyback battery.
And… that’s about it.
I try to mount the tripod off-the-ground where possible (fence posts, gates, laid-down bikes, rocks etc etc). Which means you can see more of the general scene rather than loads of ultra-close foreground.
I also recommend digging around in the GoPro controls and setting the white balance to be permanently 5500k (ie. daylight) for consistent colour and tone.
I took an extra regular battery and also a big piggyback battery out with us on this adventure. Was just about enough power.
Glad you liked the vid. It was fun to do.
28 Nov 22:56
Oh, I recommend using high quality memory cards on GoPros. Lost a lot of trial/practice footage (corruption) by using cheapy cards. Was fine with Kingston cards.
Music:
‘Isi’- by Neu!
‘Blade Runner Blues’ by Vangelis
‘That’s A Fact Of Life’ by Joan Harris
29 Nov 20:24
Benji,
You’re a gent.
Much obliged.
Buzz.
16 Dec 20:44
How did Ed get on with the Genesis Fortitude? Considering one for bikepacking duties but have been discontinued!
16 Dec 23:19
It was quite fun to ride and turned really well. It was tough having all my gear on the bike rather than having some on me as well. Certainly compromised handling in the more techy bits. For more mellow trails the bike just trucked on and it was lovely not having a pack on. Those forks are pretty stiff. Not a bike for everyone, but for someone who understands what it is, it is pretty cool.
30 Dec 12:01
Hi Guys,
Is the route you used published anywhere?
I’d like to give it a go in the spring.
I’d like to find the pie shop too.
03 Jan 00:30
Hi Trev
We started up the Marin trail.
We punctured at Llyn Glangors (behind Hafna Mine).
Sausage roll valhalla was Trefriw.
We started again from Llyn Crafnant.
Then it was up and over to Capel Curig.
Llyn Cowlyd is the lake in the opening titles.
Then we rode alongside a big black water pipe for awhile.
Then up to the bothy (yep, Dulyn bothy). Next to Dulyn and Melynllyn reservoirs.
Next day marsh yomp over to Tal-y-Bont.
Then push and a play in juicy Gelli Plantation.
Finishing with spoil heap playtime at Hafod Arthen.