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cyclingshot-blog · 6 years ago

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Why Cycling Shot?

My photographic adventure started out with a borrowed (yes borrowed) Canon EOS 350D and a Tamron 18-200mm lens I had purchased. This was subsequently upgraded (is it an upgrade if it is not yours?) to a Canon EOS 50D and the purchase of a Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 and a Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 both non-OS versions. Some great shots were captured with this combo from landscapes to aviation to sports with some shots featured on online editorials.

Then came my disenchantment with photography and my newfound love of cycling. I was no longer looking forward at making the effort of going out for photography but rather spend those fresh crispy mornings on my MTB. I decided to sell the bulkier 50D with the extras and make a move to the Sony ILCE-6000 with the kit lens which would be a better camera system for when travelling. Some of the perks that made me change were:

· Smaller & lighter,

· Records HD video,

· No loss of image quality, higher resolution,

· Wireless transfer of images to mobile device.

The A6000 purchase was not coincidental but rather well thought out having been watching videos on YouTube from talented artists like Jason Lanier and Trey Ratcliff to name a couple. They had also switched from big name brands to the Sony Alpha system with no loss to their image quality.

My cycling continued to progress and with it I was venturing to locations reserved for more experienced riders. Whilst on rides I would often glance at possible shots with my photographic mind still being very active and on occasions stopping to better digest the photographic possibilities now available to me. More often than not a snapshot would be taken with my mobile device (currently iPhone 7+) with no further thought into how both passions could be combined.

Time continued to fly by. I upgraded bicycles, bought a turbo trainer and then made the jump into road cycling. My photography had been left parked although my photographic mind continued to be used actively through the lens of my iPhone. I still continued to progress in cycling to the point I was now being coached and planning on racing. Then disaster struck in June 2018 when I suffered a nasty fall midway through a race and suffered a shoulder dislocation and AC Joint separation.

This fall left me feeling fear of riding my MTB through certain areas and whilst not being able to use any of the bikes, I started editing photos again. This break from the cycling world relit the photography spark with more planned out shots being taken on the iPhone once I was able to ride again. This led to the creation of Cycling Shot on Instagram. A page were I was meant to post just that, a cycling shot every so often and compliment my personal Instagram page.

Out came the A6000 and whilst I was playing with the settings (watching one of many tutorials on YouTube) it hit me. Why not combine photography with cycling and showcase the locations I visit? Whilst at the same time give as detailed information to other cyclists on how to get there. I checked to see if Cycling Shot was available and luckily for me it was.

Once everything was setup, came another learning curve for me. Off I went on a mission to gather the data/images required for our first post. I had a plan, knew where I was going to but had no experience in blogging. My first and biggest mistake, I recorded everything on the same day. This meant there wasn’t any solid structure to the shots I was taking. Following day I was editing photos, writing the blog and mashing everything together as I needed some content for the website.

Mistake number two, don’t rush into it. I could have deleted and reposted a better blog post but I want that post to remind me that I need to plan my outings better and spend time digesting and putting everything together for everyone to be able to enjoy what we experience on the road.

Our next post shall be of a road route we rode for the first time a few days ago. You travel through nature and encounter different sceneries and landscapes. Hopefully we continue to improve our postings and you continue to enjoy them or even visit these beautiful locations. Cycling Shot

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cyclingshot-blog · 6 years ago

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Pinar del Rey - Easy Trail

Pinar del Rey is a natural park of approximately 338 Hectares in the municipality of San Roque, Cadiz, Spain. This forest was planted by the Spanish Naval service in the 1800s when Spain required wood for the building of naval ships. Areas of interest within this natural park are the Fuente de La Alhaja, Aula de Naturaleza, Arroyo de Alhaja, Tajo del Pajaracco and Cerro del Aguila.

Pinar del Rey - Basic MTB & Hiking Route

Pinar del Rey is filled with trails suitable for MTB or trekking. These trails have been naturally made by wild animals, cows or cyclists/trekkers over the years. There is however a basic route which needs to be learnt for you to be able to enjoy Pinar del Rey to its full potential. In these 12km, beginners will be able to practice their MTB skills with small climbs, some technical areas and sandy patches. The route is full of fauna, birds and the occasional shy wildlife making an appearance from wild pigs to deer. Do be considerate as there will be other users of these trails be it walking or on bicycles and collect any waste you might be tempted to leave behind. If we don’t take care of our habitats, who shall do it for us?

Where to go

A .gpx file can be downloaded from our Strava account on the following link https://www.strava.com/activities/1842448805. This file will provide you with a track for your navigation system or if a Strava user, just follow the route on your mobile device.

We start the route at the entrance to Pinar del Rey, where there is ample parking facilities for you to leave your vehicle (details on how to get there provided at the end of the post). From here you enter Pinar del Rey and immediately get onto the trail system. You will observe a trail network from the very beginning but it is recommended to learn the basic route of Pinar del Rey before venturing into the numerous off shoots.

After a small climb you shall reach an open area used by day goers for picnics. Stay to your right (close to the property fencing) to avoid the sand patches along the middle. Continue through the trees following the worn trail to a small descent (mind the holes) and continue until you reach a small gate with a white hut on the other side to your left.

Follow the trail (you have a small river to your right, through the trees) until you reach a split path. Keep left as the entrance to the next part of the route is on top of it. Once you get to the top, look for a small opening between the shrubs to your left and continue along this trail until you reach a white hut (we see a pattern developing). Here you reach a junction where a fire break crosses through the trail. Continue straight into the woodland following the only trail available to you. You shall now be nearing the Pinar del Rey ring road which takes you to the top picnic area. Do not get on it but rather follow the trail to your right where you will reach a small parking area. There is a sandy path which you will need to follow to get out of the woodland area and onto the next part of the trail.

Follow the hard packed path on the fire break until your reach an electrical mast at the end. There turn left and you’ll see a trail indicator in the dense grass (wood post with green top). Once on this trail, you will need to turn off after approximately 5 metres to your left again. This trail is a little overgrown as it is not known by many but very easy to follow. Continue on it into a beautiful landscape of shrubs and flowers which will lead you to believe for those few minutes you are in another country. There are a few photo opportunities within this trail so keep your eyes peeled!!

This trail will exit onto the main picnic area at the top of Pinar del Rey. Follow the car track up to the guard house and exit it to your left. Follow the trail into the shrubs (shall be more visible in autumn/winter once people and bicycles use it again) and exit onto what is known as Escalones del Pinar (Steps of Pinar). These small slopes will lead you onto another trail which you shall exit to your left. This off shoot will take you back to the picnic area through the shrubs and trees. Do be careful as more often than not you will find cows roaming in this area.

Follow the fire road to a wooden gate and enter it. You will find a map of Pinar del Rey and your location on it to your right. Again follow the fire road making a bearing for Cerro del Aguila. Still a bit of climbing left to be done!! The terrain will level off and give you numerous options of trail networks. Ignore them for now and continue on the fire road for a final climb to the highest peak of Pinar del Rey.

As you are reaching the summit of Cerro del Aguila, you’ll find a trail leading off to your left. Follow this path as it shall take you back to the fire road and on your way back to the picnic area of Pinar del Rey. There are a few other trail networks which start on this path which we shall leave for another post. Once on the fire road, mind the sand patches and the holes on the fire road as this time you’ll be getting some speed going downhill.

Once on the ring road, head back towards the Escalones del Pinar but this time look for the opening that leads to the basket and football pitch to your right. Once identified travel through it and look for the white hut. Pass by the right of the hut and follow the path to a small “up and down” where a stream used to pass through. This will lead you on to the main path used by cyclists an trekkers alike and will get you on your way back to the entrance. Retrace the original path to finish the trail or make a loop of the route and double the km to be done.

How to get there

Pinar del Rey can be accessed by car, cycling or on foot. Below we provide three access points to it;

Lessons learnt

This trail has helped us identify some areas we need to improve on and how to further develop the project. We would value your feedback (public or private) and any tips you may have. We are passionate about cycling and photography but are on a learning curve when it comes to blogging and video editing.

We hope you have enjoyed this post and the direction we want to take this website in.

Happy cycling!!!

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