[Special Note: I have a "Music Player" gadget, 4th down to the right. You may run audio from it or the video as you see fit by pausing the music player or muting the embedded video. Enjoy!]
I've finally finished editing my Tour de Grove race video. This one took some time for several reasons. One, I had to finish the race the day before this one. Two this race was very long (scheduled 89miles) and so was the video footage. I have almost 5 hours of footage if you count the front and back together. Additionally I had some technical problems to deal with. My front camera fell off my bike while racing. Actually the camera stayed mounted to my SRM device, and the SRM device fell off (which is even worse). My camera/SRM device was happily recovered. The SRM device is fully operational and the camera did have a badly scratched lense (which is replaceable for only $20). I did lose one video file (related to the fall/impact or the camera). It recorded, but won't open with my current software.
I didn't finish with the main group, which I find to be a bummer. Not only does it mean not placing well, but it means I don't have finishing video. So, in order to account for this I tried something new. I used photos taken by Paul Pate to tell the complete story of the race. I personally feel that it is FANTASTIC! I sooooo appreciate that Paul took these photos for many reasons. Not only are the photos great, but they collectively tell the story of the race. And of course they fill in for my missing video. Thank you sooo much Paul. Great Job!!!!
Now a little about the race: This was a Professional and category one Bicycle race. This was also the biggest money race in Missouri this year ($25,000 cash & prizes). The turn out (both competitors & spectators) was low. The competitors was low because this was a first year race and another NRC (National Racing Calendar) was scheduled on the same day in a different part of the country. The spectators was probably low due to the weather....... 93 degrees which turned into a heavy rain storm during the race. Still it was very well operated.
I was still hanging on. The final two nails in my coffin were almost concurrent. It started to rain and I was already spooked in the turns and then I noticed that my front camera and SRM device had fallen off my bicycle. The combined replacement for these items is about $1000. That was it. I fell off the pace and began searching for my equipment as I rode around the course in the driving rain.
That leads me to my second thing. As I was riding (sometimes hard) around the course in the rain by myself during the closing laps I had an unique experience. Spottedly around the course from under umbrellas, and doorways of buildings I heard shouts of encouragement. This really surprised me. I was basically out of it. I was just trying to find my stuff and finish the race. I thought I was completely unnoticed. These race fans were genuine and sincere. I really didn't think I deserved their support, yet some of the things they said really hit me in the heart. I really really appreciate that.
Thanks all, and happy biking!
To learn about the best video camera in the world for videoing cycling (which is the cameras that I use for my videos) click here.
