Perspective2

perspective2 from David Alden on Vimeo.

Friends Don't Let Friends Buy Department Store Bikes

I'm NOT a bike snob. I think that any bike that any person has is a good bike. I've seen many, many, many inexpensive bikes with decades of service, miles and miles of history, and with the right rider, used more proficiently than any boutique bike.

That being said, department store bikes are crap, and it's an insult to any consumer that bike companies even try to market these bike-like contraptions. Forget the fact that most bikes in department stores are assembled in a manner to make them--at best--a bitch to ride--and at worst--considerably dangerous to ride.

Kingdom Trails

I used to hit Kingdom Trails in Vermont several times per year. The 3+hr drive, each way, wasn't really a problem, and trails are awesome. But, over time, other priorities came up, my schedule changed, and I just haven't gotten up there as much any more. That's a shame, because the riding is amazing. I HAVE been up there a few times over the past couple of years, but I don't think Jean has been up for at least two years... that finally changed this weekend.

Great Glen Mountain Bike Trails

I hadn't been to Great Glen for many years... I think the last time I was there was when a buddy and I raced in the two-man single speed category in the 24hr race. My back seized up sometime in the weeee hours of the night, but we still somehow pulled off a 2nd place finish. Anyway, from what I remembered, the trails were pretty fun, and I thought it would make a good destination for Jean and I...

Late Summer Old School BMX Jam

If you're viewing on an iPhone or iPad, you'll have to go here for the pics...

2014 Flatland Fracas

Rick MacDonald did it again--pulled off another great event! The slideshow below won't come up on iPhone or iPads, so go here.

Otherwise, you can read about the event on Flatmatters and check out some other pics on Tables & Fables.

XLV

Forty five? ... How did that happen? Getting older isn't great, but there's really no good alternative. And while there are many aspects to my life that I could focus on here at this junction (family, career, etc), of course, I'm going to focus on my renewed and continued passion for BMX.

WTY-Vet Ramps

Some pics from Kevin Robinson's K-Rob Festival, from Veteran Ramp. If you're on an iPhone or iPad, follow this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/106830954281038650735/WisdomToYouth2014VetRamps?authuser=0&feat=directlink

2nd Annual MDI YMCA Acadia Half Marathon

Perfect weather and a beautiful course--that's how I'd describe the 2nd Annual MDI YMCA Acadia Half Marathon. I'm certainly not fast, but I had a good time, and Jean and JoAnne finished strong--all in all, a great day! The video is a little bit wobbly, as you can imagine, running with the camera doesn't provide the most steady images... oh well, enjoy!

http://www.mdiymca.org/index.php?page=acadia-loop-half-mara
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/me/Jun1_Acadia_set1.shtml
https://www.facebook.com/events/176050095923033/

And, by the way, Jean chose this race because it was "flat"...

Some Big Shoes to Fill

There are many ways to measure success in life. Fame and/or money are two of the standard measures most commonly used in today’s society and I’ve often held both in disdain. 

Success, in my mind, has always meant being a good person, helping others, and showing plenty of love to those around you. So with that in mind, the most successful person I’ve ever met was also one of the most humble; a quiet man who’s actions truly showed who he was in his heart and soul. That man, I’m proud to say was my father, Ralph Cronin.

Without getting into details, I didn’t get to know my father until fairly recently. We had been learning a bit about each other, and by all marks, he seemed like a good guy. He’s got a great family, he worked hard, he volunteered in the community, and he took time off the be with family and loved ones. But there was more. More than I could have ever imagined. Read more...

BMX Trickery

Despite what you see at about :55, I DID ride out, but I was a little too aggressive in my "trimming" of the video. Although, I did liberally edit some stuff at around 2:00...

Much Anticipated Video: Hiking and Mountain Biking in and around Zion National Park

You already saw *some* of the photos from this trip (here, here, here, and here), but now, I finally sat down to work on the video... enjoy! Oh, and more pics are coming soon...

NEPW B&W Photo Workshop

Sorry for the extra click, but use this link to head on over to my photography page to see the fruits of my labor from the weekend's B&W photo workshop with these guys: http://www.nephotoworkshops.com/

The Helmet

It’s true, I’m probably the only flatland rider that chooses to wear a helmet.

Dorky? Maybe, but I’ll tell you one thing, I’m a 44yr old man riding a small bike in circles; a helmet is not the only thing that will push me over the edge from cool dude to dork. Read more.

Interbike 2013

Ah, Interbike... the US' biggest bicycle trade show… To the average cyclist, this is nirvana... a chance to see MOST of the bike industry's latest and greatest stuff (I say "most" because some bike companies: Trek, Cannondale, and others have found it more cost effective to hold their own events). To those in the industry, it's a chance to maybe see some old friends, but it's really about work. You're selling your products to dealers, discussing new innovations to the media, and standing on your feet for 9hrs, while spending WAAAAAAAAY too much on convention food. Dealer margins, pre-season orders, sales spreadsheets and credit terms are co-mingled with discussions about the most recent ride, or upcoming trips. It's about bikes, and bikes are fun, but this is a business convention. Read More...

Kingdom Trails

If you need the link to view on an iPhone/iPad, go here.



I had just enough time for a quick trip... here are some pics. I've got some video coming too... stay tuned...

Zion--Day 4

Angel's Landing from the valley floor.

On our fourth day in Zion National Park, Jean and I went on one of our favorite hikes--up to the top of Angel's Landing. This hike is one of the hikes that first had us fall in love with Zion NP. It's relatively short, but is essentially straight up. At one point, you're just walking up a giant zig-zag to ascend quickly up these man-made switch-backs, and then at another point, you're clinging to chains embedded in the rock to prevent you from being flung off of the 1500ft cliff wall. It's awesome. Read more...

Zion--Day 3

Day Three started with some breakfast--always a good way to start the day, followed by a short hike up to Canyon Overlook. Canyon Overlook trail overlooks the canyon. Crazy, huh? We looked over the canyon and then took the bikes out for a spin… See more...

Zion--Day 2

After we got settled in to Springdale, it was time to start planning the assault. Mike and Jo were visiting from Arizona too, so we had decided on hiking up Hidden Canyon and then after lunch, heading over to the other side of the park to check out Kolob Canyon.

Here are some pics from the day...

Zion--Day 1

Way back in May, Jean and I went on vacation to one of our favorite spots--Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah. It seems so long ago, and, I guess, it was kind of. I'm usually a little bit better about going through my photos, but when I got back from this trip I was working, working, working, and if I wasn't working, I was working on lecture and presentation material for a summer class. Read More...