Tag Archives: helmet

Motorpacing the Women’s Keirin – American Velodrome Challenge

Motorpacing the Women's Keirin - American Velodrome Challenge

Motorpacing the Women’s Keirin – American Velodrome Challenge. Hellyer Park Velodrome, San Jose, California. June 26, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

The group drafts a motorcycle in the early laps of a women’s keirin event at the American Velodrome Challenge, Hellyer Park Velodrome, San Jose, California.

Just so people don’t start to think that I can only make blurry photographs of bicycle racing, here is a more straight-ahead bike racing shot from a preliminary round in the women’s keirin race at the American Velodrome Challenge. (I think this photo also demonstrates that the light does matter in sports photography, too – this was just just as the sun was about to drop below the horizon, so the light is golden and warm.) Here the group is being "motor-paces" by the fellow on the motorcycle for the first few laps as the riders remain in his draft and he gradually brings them up to speed. After a few paced laps the motorcycle pulls off and there is a very short, intense, and high speed finish.

This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

keywords: bike, bicycle, racing, track, velodrome, national, professional, san jose, california, usa, rider, racer, competitor, women, hellyer, park, santa clara, county, keirin, motor, pace, motorcycle, draft, american, challenge, helmet, sunglasses, handlebars, wheel, proman, century, uscf, shadow, afternoon, evening, stock

The Sprint – American Velodrome Challenge

The Sprint - American Velodrome Challenge

The Sprint – American Velodrome Challenge. Hellyer Park Velodrome, San Jose, California. June 26, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

The pack in the sprint at the night races of the American Velodrome Challenge at the Hellyer Park Velodrome, San Jose, California.

Here is something a bit different – nighttime elite-level bicycle track racing. On Friday I went to the evening events of the American Velodrome Challenge at Hellyer Park Velodrome in San Jose, California. I had a flash, but I decided that it would be more interesting to play with motion blur and shoot the pack close up at high ISO (up to 3200) and slow shutter speeds.

This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

keywords: bike, bicycle, racing, track, velodrome, national, professional, san jose, california, usa, santa clara, county, motion, speed, blur, rider, racer, cyclist, pack, peloton, sprint, sports, bissel, helmet, fixed gear, fixte, stock, action, speed

Fabian Cancellara, 2009 Amgen Tour of California

Fabian Cancellara, 2009 Amgen Tour of California

Fabian Cancellara, 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Sacramento, California. February 14, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Stage winner Fabian Cancellara of Team Saxo Bank in the first turn of the prologue time trial stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, Sacramento, California.

Cancellara is seen here coming through the first turn and looking up the long straightaway heading back toward the starting area in the prologue time trial stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. He ended up winning this stage.

This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

keywords: fabian, cancellara, team, saxo bank, bell, specialized, red, black, white, prologue, time trial, stage, race, turn, lean, bank, helmet, amgen, 2009, tour, of, california, sacramento, usa, professional, pro, bicycle, bike, road, stage, sports, capitol, state, athlete, stock

Andy Schleck, 2009 Amgen Tour of California

Andy Schleck, 2009 Amgen Tour of California

Andy Schleck, 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Sacramento, California. February 14, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Team Saxo Bank rider Andy Schleck rides the route before the prologue time trial of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California professional bicycle race in Sacramento, California.

Among the good times for getting close shots of Tour of California riders is during the hour or so before the prologue time trial stage when the teams are out warming up on the course. While these shots don’t have the same intensity of those shot while the riders are actually doing the time trail, you do have the advantage of their lower speed and much less hectic shooting conditions.

This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

keywords: andy, schleck, team, saxo bank, amgen, 2009, tour, of, california, professional, pro, bike, bicycle, cyclist, race, stage, prolog, prologue, road, sacramento, usa, time trial, sports, helmet, glasses, bokeh, stock, person