I have nothing to share other than a mild obsession with panorama images made with the PhotoMerge tool in Photoshop. I’m like a little kid who stumbles across a curious toy and plays with it over and over and over again until it looses its attraction. Combine the obsession with the panorama friendly turns and curves in the central Pennsylvania mountains and you end up with me posting panorama after panorama. I promise that I will move on soon.
The picture above was made on Rock Road which runs along Spring Creek, a trout stream of some note. I’ve twice seen bicyclists wipe out on this curve because they underestimate the curve, the reverse banking, and the frequency of gravel in the road.
This picture was made on the way up Purdue Mountain and is typical of the long sweeping turns as roads make their way up towards the ridge tops.
This photo along Unionville Pike is nearly a 180-degree turn. Lots of cool roads like this to make pictures of. And ride on.I always wonder what kind of roads others get to ride on.
Tarmac is a dream.
Dirt track, baked mud, gravel. Roads where I have to calculate the ratio of angle of turn in relation to the amount of gravel to work out my chances of survival.
I always wear a helmet. Unlike most people here. If only so people can’t see the sweat on my brow and my gritted teeth when I get to a bend.
I have to say, I prefer seeing your scooter to seeing your panoramas.
u r blog Is very nice
Photo logging is one my all-time passions when on any distant trip on a scooter. The unique places where only a person on a two wheel vehicle (small enough) that can access unique locations for a perfect picture. Someday when GPS-SLR combo cameras are available, that will be a perfect day – picture log stamp on “time and place” on my photos.
The last one is stunning in small format. It would make a nice header.
I sometimes shoot some panoramas while riding, be it for fun or while working, here they are:
Villa del Barone
where you can spot my Vespa if you look accurately…!
and this one:
Poplars
have fun, Vespa riding is a joy!
Ale-
L’Insetto Scoppiettante
The pic on Rock Road, is that at the curve with the old bridge? The panorama kind of distorts it, and I can’t place it for sure. I love riding Rock, Pike, and Branch roads. All the way from 150 out to 45 and back is my favorite ride. I haven’t seen it in all seasons yet, but it has been very cool to watch the change of seasons on that run.
I have always wanted to tour the Martin guitar factory in Nazareth and had hoped one day to take a MC weekend to do it.
Now I’m considering stetching it into a week and spending some quality time riding in central PA.
Doug, I’m a fellow guitarist! I’d really like to visit Martin factory.
I have a Backpacker, maybe the funniest of Martin’s guitars…!
Steve, what do you think of re-shooting the Unionville Pike picture with the Scooter to the left of center with just a tiny bit of space from its rear to the beginning of the guard rail. Their colors match just right and it would be as if it were a trailing statement… Email me if I’m not making myself clear.
You have created a focal point for serenity.
john: Riding seems more mentally active than driving and no more so than when calculating in turns. It is in part what makes riding so appealing to me.
Scooter instead of panoramas…. well, I almost have them out of my system.
jacob: Thanks!
pvino: The technology no doubt has made it easier to document things. I figure it won’t be too many years until I can blog and write with just my camera…
ale: I couldn’t spot your Vespa. First I was thinking of the shadows but couldn’t make it out. Then small and obscured.
I failed. Perhaps new glasses are in order.
anonymous (jz): Yes, the curve by the old bridge. In that shot because of the broad sweep of the turn it looks different than when you drive or ride straight through it. But stop sometime and pan your head through the curve and you’ll see how it looks.
doug c: I’ve never made it down to the Martin factory. Have heard much about it and have thought about learning to play. Another thing on a long list of dreams.
Let me know if you ride through this way. I can point you to some great rides that you might not find.
anonymous: Focal point of serenity. That’s what I’m after.
I think I understand what you mean about the scooter and the guiderail. Next time I am out that way I’ll give it a try. All the leaves will be gone though…
Steve: I put a note on my photo to help you spot my Vespa!
just hover above the image and you’ll see the note! it’s just a shadow of the mirror!
Simply beautiful.
Ronman