Tuesday, September 11, 2012

No Clouds

The sun is rising notably later just in the past week. When I left this morning, the sun was just barely peeking over the horizon. It was one of those very clear, cloudless days with the north and south peaks of Mt. Mckinley just visible above the horizon. They are not visible in these photos as it would be just a small dot. These two iPhone photos were made with two different apps, the first with the standard camera app and the second with ProHDR. The colors  of  the Alaska Range is rendered more accurately in the first photo but the foreground shows up better in the second. In both cases I cropped out most of the sky and the immediate foreground which I found distracting. I'm not sure which of the two shots I prefer so I included both.

Apple Camera App
ProHDR App

Our leaves have all completely changed and are starting to drop covering the walking paths and trails. I have been trying to limit my longer walks as the Equinox Marathon is coming up this Saturday. My goal is simply completion within the ten hour limit. Earlier in the week, it snowed on part of the course at the top of Ester Dome but it should be gone by race day.

The morning temperatures are now dipping a little below freezing (28°F) but as long as the roads are dry, I'll continue to ride in. I've noticed that my gas mileage has been dropping over the last couple thousand miles so I ordered a carb rebuild kit for both carbs. One of the other local airhead owners offered to help with the cleaning, rebuilding and tuning. I have never dug into constant velocity carbs before so I appreciate the offer to help. Maybe next month after the bike gets stored.

18 comments:

  1. Richard:

    I've found that the ProHDR is superior to Apple's, I use manual mode to select the high and low points, but I mainly use the HDR mode on my NEX-5n as you can select greater exposure variances +/- 2 EV usually.

    I also rode to work today. only 8°c but refreshing in the cooler air. Easier to put stuff on, I installed the jacket liner. I know nothing about carbs, but if I were closer I would have loved to watch over your shoulder(s)

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. I haven't pulled the carba apart yet. Maybe next month after the bike is parked. The first shot wasn't in hdr mode as I don't care for Apple's implementation either.

      I have been using the heated liner in the mornings but I noticed that the heated grips no longer work. Last May when I went to Anchorage they seemed to work but not now. Something else to dig into.

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  2. Dear Richard:

    Digging into the carbs must be very satisfying. While I am still recovering from the disaster that was the spring and summer of 2012, I'm sure my next bike will be another fuel-injected "K" bike. I just love they way they sound.

    Fall is a special time of the year for me, and I am both looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time.

    I just switched off the air conditioning in the house here. But I am glad the temps have not dropped to 28º yet.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack/reep
    Twisted Roads

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    1. If I picked a bike by sound ir would probably be a Harley of some sort. I like the sound of the uneven exhaust pulses. The Japanese v-twins just don't sound the same. After my last road trip, things like ABS and FI are starting to sound better.

      I am finding that I'm not really looking forward to winter this year as much as I have in the past. Skiing doesn't have the same attraction as it has in the past.

      i hope that your overall health is quickly improving.

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  3. Both pictures are beautiful, but I think I prefer the second one. I like the brightness of the colors.

    Good luck on the Equinox marathon this weekend. I bet you will be tired, but have fun.

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    1. Thank you, I like the brightness but it lost the mountains lost their eerie appearance.

      About now I'm really starting to wonder why I signed up for the marathon....

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  4. When you talk about your winter, I appreciate mine more...

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    1. That's what I'm here for;-)

      I keep thinking that a sidecar will change my view of winter...

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  5. I agree. Both photos are beautiful. And the top one more dramatic. I hope you do go ahead with the marathon. Winter is so hard on the body- good idea to take this opportunity to be outside and active!

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    1. I thought of making a comment about how this photo was completely contrary to the goals of the Cloud Appreciation Society. There wasn't a single cloud horizon to horizon.

      I will probably do the marathon since I signed up for it. I felt the same way last time but easily finished it.

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  6. Richard I think I like the first photo for the drama. There's always a twinge of the lazies just before a big event but just think how great (and tired) you'll feel at the end of the marathon ... Can't wait to hear a report of the walk.

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    1. The last time i did the marathon, I actually prepared for it by walking everywhere all summer. Not so much this year...

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  7. I, on the other hand, can't wait for the third week of October when we should get our first snow.....must introduce Valencia to it you know.

    I like the second picture better as well, the leaves are starting to turn here as well but no dropping yet.

    Dom

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    1. If the snow waits until October to finally "stick" that would be fine. The leaf dropping has only just started so it hasn't turned that drab grey that makes everyone look forward to snow to at least brighten things up.

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  8. I can see the attraction of both photos. The leaves for the bottom one, but I am a sucker for the deep blue sky.

    Rebuilding the carbs should be interesting and educational. Let you get your hands dirty over the winter. But I'm gonna say that a sidecar would probably be beneficial... ;)

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    1. I really agree about the sidecar. I think I've drunk the Kool-Aid though it may take a while to find something suitable. For a while I was convinced that the only real solution was a late model Ural but after much thought, I think that a sidecar on my R100 is the way to go.

      My only reluctance with messing with the carbs is that the bike starts and runs pretty reliably. But I guess anything could be improved.

      BTW, we get a lot of the deep blue skies around here. Most of the winter in fact...

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  9. The mountains are beautiful in the first. In the last one they sort of play second fiddle to the glorious foreground.
    Either way a beautiful day!

    Best of luck on the marathon!!

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    1. Thank you! I just hope I survive the weekend. The more I look at them, the more I like the look of the mountains and the first photo. That's what got me out there in the first place attempting to capture an reasonable image...

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