CCCX Downhill Race #2 Pictures

[Rick_R]

CCCX Downhill # 2 Pictures from Sunday, Sept 17th

OK: my pictures from the second CCCX Downhill race are posted. A warning though, the dark shadows and bright highlights make for some cruddy exposures when the flash did not fire (which was often).

I was only on the bottom of the course and spent most of the race at a nasty left-hand turn with a water bar into sand. There was at least three good crashes there and many dabs and swearing. Plate # 17 especially ate it in the dust.

Photos from the race:
http://bikeguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1904189

Photos of the awards:
http://bikeguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1904090

Photoshop Note: if you are going to use the pictures, they may need some major adjustments either in Level or Curves to bring out the shadows. Most of the histograms show that the detail is there, but it will take some work to bring it out of the shadows. Next time, I should remember to bring the freshly charged batteries for the flash, that I left at home. Most of the photo’s are 1600 X 2200 so they should print pretty well once the exposure is corrected.

Random Notes; The last guy (#714) to finish that tacoed his wheel right in front of me and then walked to the finish line should get an award for persistence. This race was harder on the bikes than the last one. I saw at least two bikes with derailleurs ripped off and three flats (two being ridden on) and three dropped chains (all with chain guides) and the one mentioned taco wheel.

If you would like the larger file (approx. 2.8 ~ 3.8Mb) of the pictures, email me at bikeguy@charter.net and I’ll send them to you.

Enjoy
Rick

[downhillnews]

Rick your pics look good as usual! This is Ian I am friends with Jody anyway found 1 of Jeff Kendall-Weed did a little editting though not much!!!

THANKS FOR TAKING THEM AND I WILL SEE YA OUT AT THE RACES!

[Rick_R]

Ian: Thanks for taking the time to edit the photo. I talked to the rider after the race a bit as we were both leaving. Nice guy, went through the corner really quickly. I was really pissed at myself for grabing the wrong battery pack, the recycle time was not anywhere near what I wanted.

Are you riding or shooting at Parkfield ? I think we'll have at least seven of our local people racing there. If you're racing, I'll try to make sure I get some shots of you.

We also four of the kids on pimped out Pixe's. Stop by for some liquid refesements if you there.

Regards
Rick

[downhillnews]

Yeah we will be there shooting as well as racing! I know the course well but they have added a few things so maybe 2 practice runs and I will be good! I will say whats up and maybe take ya up on the refreshments!