Photography on bicycles (was Re: Non-nasal identification of 'off' gumarabic solution)
I agree- I did't have a bike when I traveled to Paris, London, Berlin and other cities but next time I'll fly with my bike... As a photographic tool, I think my bike was a much better place to spend money than an expensive lens or camera, if I could afford only one. In Boston, one can bring folding bike in all subway, bus and commuter rail lines, regardless of rush hours, if it's folded. That includes Green Line, which prohibits regular bicycles (but generally Green Line is rarely faster than bicycle anyway). One problem I have had so far is lack of an easy and reliable way to carry a monopod or tripod. I'm still thinking about a way to stick in a 1/4" screw and a small ballhead to seatpost or somewhere on the bike... Equipment is another issue... Ideally I want a well padded Pelican case that can securely mount on the rear rack... But my current padded and insulated rear rack holds 4 cans of Guiness or Belhaven (sorry neither is from England) most of the time and cameras go into a Lowepro backpack or a small handlebar bag. On Fri, 06 Oct 2006 10:38:28 +0100, "Peter Marshall" <petermarshall@cix.co.uk> said: > Hi Ryuji, > > If you ever come to London it's the best way to get around in the centre > here too, especially in the rush hour. If I'm not in a hurry and feeling > lazy I can take my Brompton on the underground too. I don't think I've > ever taken my 6x12 camera out without the bike as the front carrier is > great to carry this and other photo gear. Its particularly handy for > stopping on bridges and overpasses etc which often don't allow > pedestrians, but I find I can just pull up the bike and photograph > without problems (probably I've moved on before the traffic police > bother with me.) I bought the bike as a photographic accessory so this > is perhaps not entirely off-topic. > > You can take it on all the trains here, although theoretically it should > have a cover for some services. I carry a lightweight one but have never > yet been asked to use it. > > Peter > > Peter Marshall > petermarshall@cix.co.uk > _________________________________________________________________ > My London Diary http://mylondondiary.co.uk/ > London's Industrial Heritage: http://petermarshallphotos.co.uk/ > The Buildings of London etc: http://londonphotographs.co.uk/ > and elsewhere...... > > > > Ryuji Suzuki wrote: > > Speaking of regulation (not the public regulation though), I had some > > experience to share... especially for cyclists and people who visit > > NYC at least occasionally. > > > > I went to pick up my Amtrak tickets the other day and asked the clerk > > about bicycle regulations. My bike is folding bike that folds down to > > a size of a suitcase and this is indeed smaller than someone's > > camera. The clerk had no idea and sent me to the luggage handling > > department. Although the guy there didn't anticipate any problem with > > me carrying my folding bike to the passenger train, he didn't know > > about the Amtrak regulation on folding bikes, and he told me to tip > > red cap generously and tell him that this is a wheelchair parts to > > help my disabled brother in NYC. He literally told me to lie. > > > > When I came home... I googled on Amtrak and folding bike. It is > > allowed to bring to passenger trains just like regular luggage. It > > goes without saying that I printed out a bunch of copies of this page > > and highlighted the applicable clauses and had it ready together with > > my tickets... But there was no trouble at all both ways, and I didn't > > have to show my printout, but I don't think anyone there knew the > > folding bike regulation. > > > > It was actually a good idea to bring my bike to NYC... The drivers in > > Manhattan are a bit more predictable than Boston drivers (though > > traffic can be a bit worse) and bike is actually MUCH faster to get > > around in the city than taxi during rush hours. Plus, unlike Boston > > area, there's no hills and you don't need 5 years of experience to > > know the road. I didn't have any problem bringing bikes into > > restaurants and bars (but I was ready to tell them this isn't a bike > > but wheelchair parts). Maybe next time I'll try to get a trailer for > > bike taxi so that I can move around with my friends... > > > > > >
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