Cycling Experiences…

Last December and early this January, I broadcasted live video from the setup on my RANS Citi Crank Forward Bike [Faye]. It worked rather well, once I made a stable platform. I used my OWLE Bubo with my iPhone 3GS.

I have modified the mount and I’m not currently using my OWLE—waiting for a bumper case to securely mount the iPhone 4 into the OWLE. In the meantime, I adapted my tripod mount to the mount I made for Faye. I can now easily go from tripod to bike and vice-versa. I also moved the mount from the handlebar to the center mount for my DiNotte 1200 Lumen Headlight. Perhaps, I’ll get to record a short video using the new iPhone 4 App, iMovie. I used it for the videos I recently recorded of Maria Parker’s ride [vid1 & Vid2]. Now, if I can figure a way to use my “Camera Bike” to get special shots of Maria during her 100-mile record attempt. That would be so cool!

Well, Captain Creeg and Ashley Guy both have drawings to show for their diligent work. Yes, I’ve been blogging, answering forum questions and making comments here and there. I have posted a few pictures and I’ve offered concept and direction for the quadricycle I want.  Other than the wonderful work of others, I do not have a lot to show for it.

Okay, now it is my turn. I’ve spent the last several days working on my quad videography setup. Based upon my experience rendering [see, I can do that also] live video streams to the Internet from my RANS Citi CF and my Catrike 700, I have a boom arrangement that should facilitate some interesting motion shots. The question will be whether my setup can withstand the forces of riding from Maine to Florida. To lessen the stress, I’ll remove the boom extension when the camera is not being used. I’ll also tether [in the event of failure] and bungee the setup to help with load distribution. I took a few pictures today to show you I’ve been working too. BTW, I picked up Fargo’s boot today.

The camera [iPhone 3GS in OWLE Bubo hangs to not fight gravity. The base is attached to the boot [trunk] with a bolt and two screws into the base from inside the boot lid to preclude rotation. I will seal with Silicon to retain water resistance. Now, if there remains space for the boot after Ashley determines where and how my SON Hub Dynamo [mechanical power for the quad] will be integrated into the drive train. I’ll have a short article on it later today.

flickr set

If you watched my iPhone live streams yesterday, you saw my camera fall several times and heard me say I’d likely get a RAM Mount to resolve the problem. A RAM handlebar mount for a bike cost $34.50 plus shipping. RAM has very good mounts. I have several.

I do not think this is the best solution where a rider needs to adjust the phone’s position to shoot video. Loosing the handle releases friction on the balls, the phone moves, as well as the mount.

I looked for another solution and the possibility of  saving $45 – $50 and is safer to operate. So RAM—NOT!

Going to my resource of non-throwaways, I retrieved one of my cheap tripods [used it last to hold my tablet PC; removed the  tripod head; and then began to figure out how to make it work for me. I want functionality for the quad, my uprights, and my Catrike 700—Silk. Well, I think this will work. The quad setup has to be tested. I’ll use a boom to allow for both near and somewhat distant shots. More on that later.

For the Citi, here are more pictures: [also flickr]

of course, there’s more…

These are the most reads since Anniversary Day—11/30, which was 391.

Here are your top pageviews [only 263 of the total] and referrers:

Below is a short vid that was streamed [introduced earlier today] live to the Internet [USTREAM] from my iPhone 3GS using my wireless router [in the black trunk at my WrkSta] as I rode on the street in front of my house. December 9, 2009, USTREAM’s  Live Broadcast was released 12/09/09. My iPhone streaming has a dedicated page—Video via iPhone.

[]

Read the rest of this entry »

Earlier this month Apple approved a Ustream App that allows for non-jailbreak video streaming to the Internet from iPhones [The iPhone Finally Gets Live Video Streaming With Ustream Live ...]. I’ve set up a new blog page [Video via iPhone]  just for my iPhone Streaming.

The EXCITING part of this is that when cycling [like my tour this summer], I’ll give you live [real-time] video from the ride. I think that is the ultimate in my ability to share the cycling experience with you from my blog. At the moment, I’m having a problem with the OWLE microphone. Yes, OWLE Bubo will be used to hold the camera.

In my last vid-short Umbrella in Motion], you saw a video from WebCam #2. This video [taken with my iPhone mounted in my OWLE Bubo, with a 37mm 2.0x Telephoto Lens] is of the AutoMate Panohead, Logitech Webcam Pro 9000, and my 64″ Golf Umbrella. This video simply shows the rotation of the 3 components.

The 64" Golf Umbrella that I had on order, that is. I received it after dark yesterday and then spent the better part of 3 hours modifying, fitting, and finishing it for SCEPTER.  Please note my cat still strides across the umbrella. I am very pleased with the results.

I have spent several hours taking pictures this morning and have not taken the shots I want to best show the rig with the umbrella atop. There is just too much going on in the background. Of the 4 sets I took, this shot from set #3 is the best, yet too busy.

I’ll shoot a couple of videos later. One from the on-board WebCam [the WebCam that watches the Web Cam] and one from my iPhone, using the OWLE Bubo.

I think the umbrella will give sufficient rain protection. Its design makes it practical in windy conditions. We will have to see just how far that goes. The equipment will have UV protection. Again, I am pleased with the result. One day, I’ll have to get a personal 64" Golf Umbrella.

Video1 is up ~ Umbrella in Motion

Video2 is up ~ Umbrella—Outside View

Photos from my iPhone 3GS, using the OWLE Bubo showing images with no cropping.

Standard Lens 37mm Wide Angle Converter Lens 0.45x/w Macro 37mm 0.5x Wide Angle Lens 37mm 2.0x Telephoto Lens

I took this series of photographs to show one function of the OWLE Bubo—lens holder. It adds versatility to the phone—oh, it is a phone. As a reminder, I received a call during the photo shoot. I did not answer. It was a 888 caller anyway.

The reason for these pictures is that I replaced my initial Creative Labs Live! Cam Optia AF WebCam with a Logitech Webcam Pro 9000. It has superior resolution and frame rate. In addition, I can zoom, and have other nice to have features. What to do with the original WebCam—use it to take vids of the AutoMate [the robot] at work. I have a 29-minute video on Livestream that shows the movement of the AutoMate Robot as taken by the little Creative WebCam. Actually, they can take vids of each other—cute.

This preparation is to give me the capability to live blogcast cycling events such as the Trifecta of World Records in Maria Parker’s 12 hour ride. Next week, I hope to integrate my Tablet PC for WiFi connection with SCEPTEER. The TPC will run both boom WebCams.

SCEPTER Photoset at flickr

‘BentRider Online Post

Likely one of these. Got my e-mail with tracking number this evening.

Related posts

This is a video that you’ll want to watch. If you have [or may get an iPhone], you may want an OWLE. I did…