So last summer, I bought an HD Hero camera that takes pictures and records video and audio from http://gopro.com/. I started taking videos of my rides with the idea to post them into Google Earth as YouTube videos the whole world could access. The files were HUGE, like 4Gbs huge for each 30 or so minutes. So I thought I'd just store them and later, come winter, I'd have more time to work on posting segments of these videos. Things got busy and before you knew it, winter thundered into existence (only we don't get a whole lotta thunder in these parts). Now the days are getting longer but the weather is still a crap shoot. I've actually videoed my commutes in the dark, fog, rain, and frozen bliss. I don't know that people will wanna see all of that but I also have some of our event and trail rides that I'm pretty sure people will wanna see.
Currently, you may have noticed a YouTube gadget parked to the right of my blog post section. It's under a new counter I just installed that for some reason has a different count than my hit counter. I think it counts each page/blog post viewed instead of just each time someone views this post. Anyway, I've directed the YouTube gadget to my channel, "Counter Cog TV" by RandallCamPA.
With the advent of the Dry Creek Pedestrian/Equestrian/Bike Bridge being installed this past December and since this opens a new route for my commute to work, I've decided to post these videos first. These videos are not audio swapped with music because the camera was mounted to my handlebars and the transference of sound from Jack-Jack (my single speed all weather commuter bike) I felt it would provide additional information as to the roughness of the terrain via the audio. This spring, the Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) and their generous volunteers will be working to prep the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) along this segment with the blessings of the City of Port Angeles (eventually).
I encourage you to view these 3-5 minute videos and rate them as "Like" (please). I've been trying to get them onto Google Earth and I think there's something to do with ratings that gets them posted for all to see. Anyway, as you can see and hear, this portion of the trail is NOT road bike ready by any stretch of the imagination. Mud, puddles, mud puddles, giant puddles of mass destruction, exposed buried rock sections, a bizarre access point from the end of Milwaukee Way and 10th St. where you actually have to use some one's gravel driveway (which was built in the right of way) and navigate around a berm AND a rather unfriendly gate at Milwaukee and 18th (watch out for the barbed wire) are just a few of the impediments along this route.
If you haven't had the chance to use this trail and cross the new bridge, be sure to bring a mountain bike or cruiser bike, don't forget to bring shoes you don't mind getting wet and muddy and your sense of adventure. If you fall over, you may want to bring a cell phone with GPS capabilities as some of these puddles--did I mention that these are "giant puddles of mass destruction?", they are--could swallow you whole. Also, the ultra mud laden segments just before and after the bridge are seeded with hay to keep one from being sucked into the mire. Still, some sections are rather swampy especially during and after significant rainfall. In fact, bringing along some rope with a grappling hook may be a good idea too. Rider beware.
I'll continue to report on the progress of this trail section and work on my video editing skills. Additionally, I'm anxious to post the video I captured on he inaugural Hurricane Hill Climb as well as STP, RSVP, Rapsody and other rides we did this past summer. So stay tuned bike fans. Don't miss each exciting video post on your favorite station, "Counter Cog TV" by none other than your favorite blog poster RandallCamPA (a.k.a., The Man from A.T.A.P.A.).
