Event Photography: Spring 2012 Bicycle Swap Meet
April 17th, 2012This spring marks the debut of the Tucson Bicycle Swap Meet's new location. Now covering four city blocks instead of three, the new venue features a trolley track-free shopping experience.
Said trolley tracks are the reason for the swap meet's move. The Modern Streetcar construction project on 4th Avenue is underway -- and will be for quite some time.
Probably just as well. The swap was starting to feel a bit cramped on 4th Avenue. And those middle-of-the-street trolley tracks didn't make for a safe walking or biking experience.
Enough said about trolley tracks and construction projects. Let's enjoy one of the highlights of the Tucson Bicycle Swap Meet experience. That would be chatting with new and old friends...
You may be wondering about the wheel diameter on Keener's big bike. The answer is: 36 inches, and he's used this bike in several 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo endurance races.
Let's get a closer look at this built-by-Keener creation...
Keener's bike wasn't the only unique ride at the swap meet. Care for a self-powered, four-wheel experience? Get on board the quadracycle...
Tucson's popular Ordinary Bike Shop is right smack in the middle of the swap meet's new venue. So, why not open the store for a Sunday sale and invite the official shop dogs to participate?
One of the most interesting things about the bike swap is that it doesn't just attract people from Tucson. There was quite a contingent from Mexico and other U.S. states.
Speaking of visitors, here's a cross-country bicycle tourist who just had to check out the festivities...
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Bicycle Photography: Riding with the Mayor
April 9th, 2012Well, here we are at the start of Bike to Work Week here in Tucson. And what's a work-at-home bike-tographer to do?
The answer is: Set the alarm for oh-dark-hundred, gather up the photo gear, then head over to the University of Arizona campus.
Sounds a lot like the seven years that I spent employed on said campus. When bicycle commuting was considered a bit odd, if not subversive. After all, I worked for the University of Arizona Foundation, where image was oh-so-important. How dare I show up on a beat-up Cannondale instead of a Cadillac?
The answer was: Because my job didn't pay very well, and I didn't want to go into debt just to keep up appearances. Then, as now, I have a certain fondness for being solvent.
Well, I'm here to tell you that said Cannondale is still my bike, it's even more beat up, but that didn't stop KOLD-TV 13 reporter David Gonzalez from borrowing it for his story...
David, me, and a lot of other people were at the UA campus for the Mayor's Ride. The star of the show was Tucson's recently elected mayor, Jonathan Rothschild.
There was a bit of a wait before the mayor arrived, and there was much speculation over the amount of riding that he actually does. I certainly hope he does ride often, but I hope he does so more safely than former Washington, DC mayor Adrian Fenty, who pitched over the handlebars of his time trial bike in July 2008.
Here's David Gonzalez again, interviewing Mayor Rothschild...
Channel 13 wasn't the only TV station on the story. Here's the mayor giving another interview to KVOA-TV 4...
The media attention directed at the mayor meant that the rest of us had plenty of time to hang out, talk to each other, and check out all the bikes. Hey, what's this? A bike that has even more stickers than mine! Amazing!
The combination of being ridden by a TV reporter, encountering another bike with even more stickers, and meeting the mayor's City Bike proved to be too much for my venerable old Cannondale. Poor thing just couldn't keep from swooning...
My ride report consisted of my finding that I'd mis-set my bike computer. The time I spent fiddling with it enabled the rest of the group to open a sizable lead. Which was made even bigger by the slowwww traffic light that stopped me at University Boulevard and Euclid Avenue.
Green light, and I'm off in a sprint through the West University Neighborhood! I finally catch the group as it's rolling downhill toward the intersection of 7th Avenue and 6th Street.
We safely arrive Downtown at City Hall, the mayor stays around to chat for a few minutes, and then he announces that it's time to go inside and get to work...
Jonathan Rothschild is certainly not the glad-handling schmoozer that his predecessor, Bob Walkup, was. And I think that's a good thing. This city needs a mayor who takes the "get to work" part of his job seriously.
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Bicycle Photography: Riding to the ADDY Awards
February 21st, 2012Last month, I received word that my recently published bike-tography book had won an ADDY Award from the Tucson Advertising Federation. What kind of ADDY? A Gold, Silver, or Bronze? The notification e-mail didn't say.
But, since bike-tography is the act of combining bicycling with photography, I embarked on a bike-tographic expedition to the Fox Tucson Theatre. The goal: To uncover the type of ADDY being awarded...
In keeping with the minimalist, "use what you have on hand" philosophy of bike-tography, I traveled light. Just one camera and lens in that pack...
Since my ride to the ADDYs was a solo journey, I had to take my own photo. The bike's rear view mirror came in handy for such a shot...
Looks like it's starting to get dark, and the area around the Fox Tucson Theatre isn't the most hopping part of Downtown. So, what's up with the jam-packed bike rack?
I couldn't find a place to park on Congress Street to save my life. The bike ended up at one of the few racks on Stone Avenue near Congress.
Into the Fox I went. Found my book among all the other entries, and guess what? It won a Silver ADDY...
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Bicycle Photography: UA Criterium 2012
January 23rd, 2012I'll admit to feeling sad while at a bicycling event. Why? Because we may have seen the last UA Criterium on Saturday.
The closed-course race around the University of Arizona never attracted huge numbers of spectators. But if you were into cycling, you just had to be there. No way could you miss it.
Several streets used by the UA Criterium course are going to become part of Tucson's Modern Streetcar route. And mixing racing bicyclists and streetcar tracks is never a good idea. Not to mention the race organizers. Several of them are about to graduate.
Such is the life of a collegiate bicycle race -- short, sweet, and fun while it lasted.
Here's a look at this year's event...
UA Criterium 2012 - Images by Martha Retallick
And here's a look back at my photos from races past:
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Bicycle Photography: The Pedaling Arborist
December 9th, 2011Being the owner of a middle-aged house that I'm slowly fixing up, I've had the need for more than a few tradesmen and women. Many of them have arrived in huge pickup trucks.
Imagine my surprise when I heard about a local arborist who plies his trade by bicycle. Time to do something about that mesquite tree in the front yard. Thing's developed a much too cozy relationship with the house. Whenever the wind blows, the tree branches lovingly caress my roof. Sounds like a haunted house in here.
An e-mail to Aleck MacKinnon, The Pedaling Arborist, resulted in a on-site consultation and a very reasonable estimate. So, we scheduled a haircut date for the mesquite tree.
Aleck's company bicycle is a sturdy tandem that he and his wife have ridden from Tucson to Vancouver, British Columbia...
Here's Aleck, taming my unruly mesquite. This tree has huge thorns, which makes a tree trimming job all the more challenging. And I speak from personal experience when I say that wearing a hard hat is a very good idea. I've been poked in the head by this tree...
After the excess branches were removed, I had Aleck pile them in one of my water harvesting basins. This basin could use a bit more mulch, and the leaves from those branches will more than suffice.
The branch pile will serve as a winter refuge for birds and lizards. In the spring, I'll use those branches for other projects around the yard...
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Bicycle Photography: El Tour de Tucson 2011
November 22nd, 2011This past Saturday was one of those gray, windy days that offered more than a hint of rain. By Tucson standards, it has been a wet month -- almost an inch of rain so far -- so looking for more wasn't out of the question.
Fortunately, the rain held off until after the weekend. And that was a good thing, because more than 6,300 bicyclists were riding all or part of the way around the perimeter of Tucson. The occasion? The 28th annual El Tour de Tucson.
As I have for the past three years, I headed down to the finish to catch the action. Here's a photographic roundup...
El Tour de Tucson 2011 - Images by Martha Retallick
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
Related Posts
- Bicycle Photography: El Tour de Tucson 2010
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Event Photography: Fall 2011 Bicycle Swap Meet
November 13th, 2011Well, it's mid-November in Tucson, and that means it's time for another bike swap meet. Yesterday, thousands of bicycle enthusiasts converged on 4th Avenue for a day of buying, selling, and trading bikes and accessories...
Does your bike need a crankset? Plenty to choose from at the swap...
Or maybe your taste runs more toward vintage bicycles...
Perhaps bicycle-themed jewelry is on your holiday shopping list...
Can't have new jewelry without a new bicycling outfit...
Although many people set up shop along 4th Avenue, there are plenty of bike sellers who prefer a more mobile approach...
A lot of people come to sell at the bike swap because they need to clear out the garage. Or they just plain need the money...
Of course, there are some items that just aren't for sale. Like this vintage Russian spaceman's jacket...
Another roving bike seller encountering a human and canine friend...
Looks like Elmer the Bassett Hound is getting a bit bored with the bicycle swap meet. Guy appears ready to go home...
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Event Photography: All Souls Procession 2011
November 7th, 2011Yesterday was one of those cool, breezy days that offered a hint of the Tucson winter to come. And since it was the first Sunday of November, it was time for Tucson's annual All Souls Procession.
This year's edition featured a new route: From 4th Avenue and University Boulevard, go straight down Fourth to Congress Street, then head west to Mercado San Augustin. Couldn't be any easier than that.
Since All Souls is a high-energy commemoration of those who have passed, it brings forth a lot of creativity. Here's Max Morris with his rolling memorial to Tucson bicyclists who have died after being hit by cars...
Each of the 20 crosses shows the rider's name, crash location, and date of death...
Since All Souls is such a colorful event, it draws more than a few photographers. Here's a multi-skulled marcher getting the full paparazzi treatment...
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Nature Photography: Rain, Rain, and More Rain
September 14th, 2011For the past week, Tucson's weather has done a pretty convincing imitation of the Pacific Northwest. We've had nearly 2.5" of rain. As I write this, thunderstorms are moving into the area.
Many of our recent storms have started slowly. Subtly. You don't think that much will come from them. Take, for example, this dampening of my front porch...
Then the weather really gets motivated. And I'd say that it's about time to finish my garden by planting some seeds in it...
All of this moisture has made for joy and feasting in the plant world. My front yard barrel cactii are getting downright plump...
Then there was the Infamous 2nd Saturdays Downtown Storm. This one stomped into Tucson just as things were starting to hop at my favorite monthly gathering. I had plans to visit a couple of art shows and an open house, listen to Latino music, and enjoy some good eats, courtesy of all those local food vendors.
Well, the storm forced me and bike under a cigar store awning. Which leaked. Badly. I was very glad that I'd left the camera at home.
When the rain slowed down, I headed for home. Thanks to continued storminess, heavy street flooding, and numerous detours to high ground, getting here took an hour. Once I arrived, I went onto autopilot: Park the two-wheeler outside so it can dry off, hit the shower, then launder all the soggy clothes and bike gear.
The Morning After? Bright and sunny, but not cloudless the way it was a decade ago. For the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I had to put the flag out...
A quick check of the back yard rain gauge showed that it was half full. What an optimist!
The official tally: 1.8" of rain fell at my place on September 10, 2011. Most of this rain came down while I was trying to make it home from 2nd Saturdays Downtown.
Time to stop procrastinating. I need to clean and lubricate that dirty bike. That is, until the next storm...
Storm update: KXCI Community Radio's emergency alert system is going nuts. And did I mention that I was down at KXCI last night? It's the fall fund-raising drive, and I was answering the pledge phone.
Guess what I rode through on the way home? If you guessed "thunderstorm," you're right! So, the bike got another cleaning and lube job this morning.
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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Bike-tography: The Book
September 1st, 2011When I was in my early twenties, I set the goal of bicycling through all 50 of the United States. I accomplished this over a twelve-year period, traveling more than 15,000 miles in the United States, plus a bit of Mexico and Canada.
Traveling without the protective bubble of a vehicle provides a wonderful opportunity to see, hear, feel, and smell the world around you.
Add to this the minimalist nature of bicycle travel. Having limited carrying space forces you to rely on as little photographic equipment as possible. On my bike, I only had room for one camera body and one lens. So, that's what I worked with.
Bike-tography: Combining Bicycling with Photography presents a collection of photos from my bicycle travels and from 'round-town rides in my hometown, Tucson, Arizona.
Tucson cycling aficionados will enjoy images from these major events:
- 4th Avenue Bicycle Swap Meet
- Cyclovia Tucson
- El Tour de Tucson
- Old Pueblo Criterium
- UA Criterium
The book also offers photos from 10 of the 50 states that I pedaled through:
- California
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Washington
Preview Bike-tography: Combining Bicycling with Photography:
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
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