Irony? An old man with an action camera?

The Fly12 combined front light and camera squeaked itself to death. It had been playing up for some time – not holding it’s charge well. Then, one day on the ride out past Nile, it started a cheeping noise – like a very small nearly dead bird. It would not stop until eventually it karked it on the kitchen bench top.

I decided to replace it with a proper action camera and spent many an hour researching the various models available. Each one has it’s ardent admirers and vicious detractors. Torn between GoPro Hero 7 (or 8) and DJI Osmo, I eventually forked out for the OSMO. Even though GoPros have the best images, there were just too many reports of them freezing up! Osmo produces high quality images, has a good range of filters available and was “On Special”.

The above picture is a sample of the Osmo’s Photo quality. The wide angle image is something to get used to. Zooming close-ups are done by walking closer!

Regarding videos, footage taken at the highest resolution (4K) is probably great quality but my aged laptop can’t handle it – too much information. The video below was taken at 1080p and the production software was able to develop it. 2.7K is just about doable. NB: I must learn more about uploading to YouTube as the quality on the loaded item isn’t as good as that on the laptop.

Cleaning up the Norfolk Plains or “Get them Possums off the road”.

Hopefully we will get the hang of talking to the camera but, for now, too many years of still photography have us forgetting this important bit!

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Challenges. My monthly and annual distance challenges for 2019 remain on track.

My October challenge is done – which is lucky as this week will be a bit slow on the riding front. Too may other things to do including participating in celebrations for our 50th Wedding anniversary (Crikey!!). Plus it looks like a bit of rain is being forecast.

The overall 2019 challenge distance is well on the way too with less than 900k to be pedalled in 2 months. There are a couple of overnighters planned as the weather warms up. They should help eat into the remaining total.

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Recent riding has been around the Norfolk Plains, mainly on routes well travelled by trike. However there was one ride that sticks in the memory above the rest.

I have ridden this route a few times over the past several years. How enjoyable it is entirely depends on the wind direction! Colin wanted to get some distance in for his Charity Ride for Kids with Cancer so he wanted to cycled to CT, camp and continue to Oatlands. I offered to ride to CT with him.

The day dawned with quite a breeze blowing. Unfortunately it was the wrong way and would be a headwind. I returned from Liffey Falls the day before and had recharged battery, lights, phone etc overnight and was ready to go. We met up and set off.

I think it was sunny but all I remember clearly is the headwind. We chugged along and I was surprised at the speed Colin was going, carrying tent and camping gear. When I rode that same trike to Adelaide c/w gear I was quite a bit slower. I found out afterwards that Colin was also carrying an injury gained by lugging his heavy bandsaw around in his shed the previous day. I doff my hat – impressed.

We pushed on and eventually reached the point where Colin met me last year when I was coming back from Ross. He turned his trike around to pinpoint the spot, U-turned too quickly and ended up doing a graceful lift of the outside wheel almost to tipping point. After saving the situation and Red Magnum back on 3 wheels, we discussed centre of gravity on trikes when loaded with extras. Note to self: keep weighty things low!!

We pushed on some more and eventually reached Campbell Town. I was really feeling it in the legs by then and can’t work out how Colin managed to keep up seeing as how I had a motor and he had luggage! By the time we head off to Victoria I will be the anchor at the back.

In Campbell Town we headed for Zep’s Cafe, met our better halves and had a much needed coffee. Sue then took me home while Colin went down to the camp grounds by the river and set up his tent.

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Birds. Birdlife has been interesting the past couple of weeks. There are plenty of birds to be seen carrying food back to their nests. Usual sightings include Tasmanian Ravens, Kookaburras, Goldfinches, Skylarks, Native Hens, Ducks, Swamp Harriers, Magpies and Masked Lapwings. The last two are often seen driving off the Harriers who are hungry.

The Masked Lapwings have been dive bombing a little to keep cyclists (and anything else) away from their young. Magpies have given no trouble so far – unlike in Victoria where they are a real pest for a couple of months in Spring. Fellow cyclist Emily has been interacting with Victorian Magpies as noted in her blog. (Emily kindly allowed me to link to her story). I ask you, nineteen attacks in one go!! That’s one determined Magpie.

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Plans for November. I will attempt another S24O using my 2 person tent and see if the greater width inside is easier with my crook shoulder. Some days the shoulder is good and others it isn’t. Worth another overnight camp to test it because it has to be right to go to Victoria in the Autumn! I feel another trip to the needle doc coming on.

That’s it till next time.

Ah… BTW. Thank You Old Bob from Queensland. You spotted my mistaken Tag of the year 2109. I don’t think the trike will be going then! Thanks also for the camera advice.