They say a lion's mane is an intimidation tool, used to show it's size and prowess over its competition. This rider's hair was unique among all others, as most cyclist remove as much hair as possible to reduce weight and wind-drag.
However, Zackary Davis #27 finished 24th overall, the highest placed rider that I took pictures of that day. Perhaps he's on to something? Maybe the wind blowing through his hair makes him feel faster, thus motivating him to peddle harder? Perhaps it makes him feel lion-like as he chases down the riders in front of him? Whatever the reason, he looked pretty cool in a sea of shaved head riders....Ride On Zach-Attack!!
As mentioned on my earlier post, as I was shooting this race I became more aware and interested in the expressions of these riders versus the bikes themselves, even though I'm an avid bike rider. That's why I decided to crop the bikes out of the picture. In this shot, I liked the way the setting sun spotlighted Erik Mulder #67, but shadowed Baily McKnight, who actually placed 40 spots higher by the end of the race. No posing here folks. These are real expressions. Ride On!!
Bike races are great to watch. Unlike motorized races, cycling events make very little noise as they whip past, like a stealth animal hunting down a prey. All you can hear is the clicks of their gears changing, and the wind swooshing past their aerodynamic bodies. Even their crouched sitting position and their determined expressions reminds me of a predatory animal. Look at the beast-like tongue sticking out on Scott Zwizanski (rider #13)!!
Photographically, all the different colours and logos and stream-line clothing and equipment makes for a great picture. I noticed many photographers with big zoom lenses, but they weren't getting any successful shots. I would recommend getting as close as possible and shoot with a prime (non-zooming) lens. I shot with my 35mm F1.4 and a cropped sensor Sony A700, and I just panned my images. Many were asking me what I was doing panning so quickly, and how could I shoot with such a small lens, and why I wasn't using a flash. I just smiled and showed them my pictures. I had a few conversations with other amateur photographers that evening.......
I could only stay for about 20 minutes so I didn't get too many pictures. Lots of fun though.... Ride On Burnaby!!
