paddling with a camera

Tag: bike

  • Train or Relax with my POV video – paddling, rowing, biking

    Train or Relax with my POV video – paddling, rowing, biking

    Over the past year, I’ve been recording POV (point-of-view) footage from my outdoor adventures – mostly paddling, rowing, and biking. These videos offer a first-person view of real workouts in some of the most scenic areas of northern Colorado.

    So far, I’ve filmed in places like: Boyd Lake, Carter Lake, Horsetooth Reservoir, and Boedecker Reservoir and bike trails around Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor.

    I use a DJI Action 5 camera mounted with RAM mounts – on my bike’s handlebar, inside the cockpit of my Sea Wind canoe, or just above the mirror on my Liteboat rowing shell. Occasionally, I test other setups using SeaSucker or Neewer suction mounts to capture new angles. In the past I used GoPro cameras. Sometimes, I am using Sony RX0 II camera, but mostly for still images or static video, especially, with a partially submerged camera.

    • Waterproof DJI Action 5 camera mounted with RAM mount on a decked expedition canoe.
    • Cockpit of touring e-bike, Superdelite by Riese-Muller with a biking computer and DJI Action 5 camera mounted on handlebar.
    • DJI Osmo Action 4 camera mounted with GorillaPod on a bow of packraft – Horsetooth Reservoir in northern Colorado.
    • rowing mirror and action camera with suction cup mount
    • Sonmy RX0 II
    • DJI Action 5 camera mounted with RAM mount onan decked expedition canoe, dusk winter scenery on Horsetooth Reservoir in Colorado.
    • GoPro Hero 10 black, waterproof action camera mounted with a popular articulated RAM mount on mountain bike handlebars against river landscape.
    • GoPro Hero 10 action camera mounted on a paddleboard
      GoPro Hero 10 waterproof action camera mounted with RAM mount and Seasucker suction cup on a deck of paddleboard or kayak.
    • GoPro Hero action camera mounted with Seasucker suction cup and RAM mount on a stand up paddleboard by SIC SUP.

    These recordings have evolved into four categories of video content, shared on YouTube and Kinomap:

    1. Outdoor Scenery for Indoor Workouts

    If you enjoy the idea of “training through nature,” this playlist might be for you. These longer videos (up to 1 hour) feature real paddling, rowing or biking sessions with ambient sounds (paddling/rowing), some text commentary and music from Epidemic Sound. Ideal for indoor rowing, cycling, or just watching to feel immersed in nature.

    2. Virtual Training with GPS and Heart Rate (on Kinomap)

    These are interactive, data-driven training videos for use with rowing, cycling, or running machines. Each session includes GPS tracks and HRM (heart rate monitor) data, synced with the video in real time. No music – just the natural sound of the activity and terrain.

    3. 10 Minutes of Relaxation (YouTube Series)

    My newest video series is designed for quick, calming breaks. These 10-minute POV videos combine real paddling or rowing footage with the soothing sound of the paddle or oars, gentle ambient music, and peaceful scenery. Great for stress relief, quiet focus, or simply unwinding.

    4. Inspirational Shorts for Aging Athletes

    I also create short 2–4 minute videos exploring themes like realistic optimism, resilience, self-forgiveness, and movement as medicine—all from the perspective of an aging athlete and active senior. These include paddling or biking footage, reflective narration, and motivational ideas.

    My most recent paddling footage comes from training sessions for the Missouri River 340 (MR340) – a 340-mile nonstop endurance race I’ll be paddling this July. It’s a major challenge and a key part of my training and motivation this year.

    If you’re using any of these videos for your indoor workouts, mental breaks, or just to connect with nature from home, I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to leave a comment or message me directly.

    Thanks for following along in this journey.

  • Boyd Lake at dusk: bike and canoe adventure

    Boyd Lake at dusk: bike and canoe adventure

    I love photographing Boyd Lake at sunrise and sunset. This year I visited this State Park twice.

    Gravel biking

    First time it was in late January. The lake was covered by a solid ice and there was a lot of ice fishing going on. I rode a gravel bike, Trek Checkpoint, from my home in Fort Collins opting for one of several routes ranging from 22 to 26 miles, primarily on dedicated biking trails. For added variety, I occasionally incorporate sections of bike routes on residential streets. While these trails are mostly paved, it’s possible to find dirt paths along the shores of Boyd Lake.

    • senior male cyclist with his gravel bike on a frozen lake in Colorado - Boyd Lake State Park
    • lonely male figure on a frozen lake at dusk in Colorado - Boyd Lake State Park
    • dusk over frozen lake in Colorado - Boyd Lake State Park
    • lonely male figure on a frozen lake at dusk in Colorado - Boyd Lake State Park

    Canoe paddling

    The second visit was in the middle of March with Seawind canoe. The lake is opened for boating or any form of paddling this year on March 11th. It looks that there are no winter restrictions for paddling on lakes within Larimer County parks: Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake.

    I paddled a 8.5 loop around the lake starting a the rowing beach. It was a good workout with some wind. Seawind canoe is my strongest candidate for 340 Missouri River race this year. The lake was pretty full (88%), but I couldn’t reach the dam structure in southeastern corner, so we need a little bit more water. I was paddling too slow and missed beautiful sunset color by 10 minutes at my launching and finishing spot. However, I shot some pictures at blue hour. What is the blue hour?

    decked expedition canoe on a calm lake at dusk in Colorado - Boyd Lake State Park

    Blue hour

    Blue hour refers to the period of twilight before sunrise or after sunset when the sky takes on a deep blue hue with a soft, diffused quality of light. It occurs when the sun is below the horizon, and the indirect sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths more effectively than longer red wavelengths. As a result, the sky appears predominantly blue during this time, creating a unique and visually appealing atmosphere for photography.

    Photographers often cherish the blue hour for its atmospheric qualities, soft lighting, and vibrant colors. It’s considered an ideal time to capture landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural shots, as the gentle, diffused light can add depth, mood, and a sense of tranquility to the images. Additionally, during the blue hour, artificial lights such as streetlights and building illuminations become more pronounced, further enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the scene.

    Dawn and sunrise

    Later in spring and summer the lake will become very busy and crowded with all sort of power boats including jet ski. It may be a good time to practice stand up paddling skills in waves and chop. But, I will be rather driving to Boyd lake before sunrise when it is still calm and quiet. Here is a selection of old pictures and a video clips from early mornings on Boyd Lake.

    • summer dawn over Boyd Lake and Front Range of Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado
    • sunrise silhouette of a man with a fat mountain bike on a lake shore, Boyd Lake State Park in northern Colorado
    • sunrise over Boyd Lake and Front Range of Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado with a long stand up paddleboard on a shore ready for paddling
    • dawn over a swimming beach at Boyd Lake State Park, Colorado
    • silhouette of a male stand up paddler watching sunrise and flying geese over a calm lake, Boyd Lake State Park, Colorado

    Royalty free images

    The pictures above were shot with Sony A7R5 mirrorless camera with 24-105 zoom lens on a light travel tripod. It is my standard gear for biking and paddling. As usual, I am adding all pictures to my stock photography portfolio. There are available for licensing as royalty free images from Adobe stock and other agencies online. My portfolio currently includes: 30,000+ still images, 1000+ video clips, and growing stock of conceptual vector illustrations.

    Feel free to explore the paddling and rowing playlists on my FitOver67 youtube channel for more content.

  • 10 pictures from Fat Bike Riding in Northern Colorado

    10 pictures from Fat Bike Riding in Northern Colorado

    I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Of course, paddling in different flavors (SUP, kayak, canoe, packraft) comes first. It includes long distance racing. But, there is also biking, hiking, inline skating, drone flying and 4WD driving. The common theme here is a camera. I always have camera (or cameras) with me. It may be a small waterproof Olympus Stylus TG-5 or GoPro Hero5. Whenever possible I am hauling one of my mirrorless Sony cameras, A7R2 or A6000 with a light tripod.

    After ChattaJack, my last paddling race, I shifted more towards hiking and biking. I’ve got a new toy: a fat bike, 2017 Salsa Mukluk GX1, ordered online from REI. It is my first bike with a carbon frame. As expected, it’s a lot of fun to ride that monster.

    I started riding my fat bike in lower trails of Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. Then, I continued to explore Red Mountain Open Space and Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.

    More pictures and, probably, video clips will come, but here are 10 images from my first 2 weeks of fat biking in northern Colorado. All pictures were shot with Sony A7R2 camera on a tripod.For selfies I use that camera with time lapse application.

    fat bike Lory State Park
    First ride in Lory State Park – Hogback Overview trail

    fat bike Lory State Park
    A little weight lifting for cross training

    fat bike Red Mountain Open Space
    Mahogany Loop in Soapstone Prairie Natural Area

    fat bike Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
    Sunset over prairie foothills from Mahogany Loop in Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.

    riding a mountain fat bike over a cattle guard
    Crossing a cattle fence on Cheyenne Rim trail in Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.

    fat bike Red Mountain Open Space
    Patches of snow on the Cheyenne Rim in Red Mountain Open Space

    Cheyenee Rim Trail requires some climbing, but offers magnificent views of the Big Hole. It is difficult to be there around sunrise or sunset for the best photography light.

    fat bike Red Mountain Open Space
    Ruby Wash in Red Mountain Open Space

    fat bike Red Mountain Open Space
    Contemplating a tough and long ride through deep gravel on the Big Hole Wash Trail in Red Mountain Open Space

    fat bike Red Mountain Open Space
    These fat tires really attract cactus needles …

    Should I treat my tubes with Slime Sealant or just go straight for tubeless?

    I have not been riding the Soapstone for a couple of years. Recently, I revisited Mahogany and Pronghorn Loops, and Cheyenne Rim Trail. There are some new features. (1) The lower, 3 mile portion of the Cheyenne Rim trail was rerouted to make room for bisons. Now, it is all a single track, a little bumpy due to rocks and cattle footprints. (2) Most of numerous gates are now equipped with cattle guards, so you don’t need to stop.

    Red Mountain and Soapstone will be closed December-February, so I hope to get a few more rides there in November.

    Soapstone is my favorite location for mountain biking nowadays. Red Mountain offers betters photography opportunities. I love trails in the Horsetooth area, but somehow, they became steeper and more rocky than they used to be 25 years ago …

    I’ve found REI MTB Project a very useful resource for planning biking trips. I added a few pictures from my recent riding to their gallery.

    Are you riding a fat bike in Fort Collins area? What are your favorite trail in northern Colorado?