Saturday 11 September 2010

A Film From Natasha.....

If you haven't yet seen both the videos on my last post, then you MUST go have a look!

Charlie6 and his lovely wife Martha had very kindly invited me to stay at their house for the night which I gladly accepted. After riding up Mt Evans earlier in the day, I was tired, but Charlie6 and I stayed up talking for far too long and I then slept like a log!

The next morning saw Charlie6 and I making plans for the day. It was Labor Day and there was a “Taste of Colorado” event happening in downtown Denver, so we discussed going to see that. I didn’t mind where we went, as long as I got a ride in the sidecar of Charlie6’s Ural outfit, Natasha!

After a little more discussion, we decided central Denver it was to be and we soon headed out. I like riding in sidecars, but you have nothing in front of you, it feels like riding a bike, but with no handlebars! I wore a helmet. I looked left and right at junctions. I felt the wind on my face, all just like riding a bike, but you just sit there, not doing much. A strange feeling!

The really good thing about being in the sidecar is you get to use both hands for your camera. I decided to take my GoPro video camera but its battery was flat, so I used my point and shoot camera to take some video. The results were not great, but I decided to have some fun with the few short clips I did take.

Here is a short video I put together from riding in Natasha.... I hope you enjoy it.... I guess Miles and Patrick will.....TURN YOUR SPEAKERS UP!....



I also took some still pictures....

This is approaching downtown Denver....














More Denver buildings.... Having spent a career constructing buildings, you would think I would have no interest in them, but I do....













































We stopped behind two scooters and looking at this picture, it raised a few questions in my mind....




















Why don’t scooters have license plates?
Would I ride a scooter with a broken indicator (US = turn signal)?
No matter how hot it got, would I ride in shorts?

Somebody might answer the first question for me and the answer to both the others is no.

Government buildings are sometimes bland and boring, but occasionally they are very special. Take a look at this one. It is something like the “Denver Post Office and Federal Building”. I am not sure I have remembered the name properly, but what a beautiful building!....


























Charlie6 then remembered a building we should go see. It was a conference centre (US = center) and he said something about a bear....

The bear was splendid – it is standing outside the building in a position that makes it seem the bear is looking into through the glass wall of the centre. Unluckily, at the time, the bear was half in the sun and half in the shade, making a good photo difficult, so I went underneath and looked up....


















Next we went to see the State Capitol building, a resplendent structure built in a very traditional style.... so I took a very traditional picture of it.....


















I knew I wouldn’t like that picture, so I walked around the building, trying to find a better picture.... here are a few....

I liked the way this dog walker bent over to try to stay out of the picture....


























Then there was a statue in front of the building....


















I like the angles in this picture....


























Another couple of views....



















































I found this memorial stone in the grounds of the Capitol Building. Considering this was written back in 1983, I thought they were very poignant words for the World Trade Center in New York....


























Then I saw this and I thought of Bill Clinton....


















I liked this mural. I think it must have been the car that attracted me....


















Sometimes you see things that surprise you. I saw this logo on a police car. Charlie6 said it was probably the police motorcycle logo. I liked it....


























Here is Charlie6 and the famous Natasha.... He is very good about ATGATT....


























We then parked the bike and walked for a while around the “Taste of Colorado” event. It was a warm sunny day and it had bought out the crowds. It seemed though that this cannon was about to take out some of the crowd....


















I hope this was a temporary tattoo....


















Some of the crowd enjoying a dancing demonstration....


















There were some birds of prey on display....













































A strange statue nearby....


























A covered walkway that reminded me of a similar structure in front of the Vatican in Rome....


























My favourite picture from the event. There was a trapeze swing that kids were launching themselves from. Most simple fell onto the air mattress, but this kid gave it everything he had, twisting through the air..... Good for him!....


















This guy had a quite a few tattoos. He told me he was in a band that were soon to go on stage.....


























We grew weary of the crowds and soon enough, we climbed back onboard Natasha and went back to Charlie6’s house where he made noodles for a late lunch and soon I had to be on my way. Before we left though, we introduced Natasha to the Leading Ladies....




















I had a great couple of days with Charlie6. Thank you to both him, Martha and their kids for being so hospitable. Now, if you ever get to London.....

Finally I must say hi to Mark and Jude and their children Dan, Tim and Nikita. Mark is my cousin and they live in New Zealand, not too far from where the recent earthquake hit. I was relieved to hear that you are all ok and not affected by what sounds like a bad one. Take care your five!

8 comments:

Geoff James said...

Gary
I too am pleased for your cousin and family. Only heard just this morning that at least 2500 private homes will have to be condemned. The Kiwi spirit and "can do" in the region is nothing short of amazing - very moving.

Unknown said...

RE, The Natasha video.... Gary is this going to be your new career..... Rock Music video producer?????

redlegsrides said...

Gary

great video and pictures....I really liked the unique perspective you used on the Blue Bear.

that software you use for editing your movies, I like the features you can introduce....especially the "negative image" look you gave to the video.

truly a great thing for me and the family that you were able to visit with us, definitely some great riding with you....

anytime you're in Colorado....drop on by.

dom

Redleg'sRides

Eve said...

Loved the video Gary! Great work! Glad you had such a great time with Charlie6 and family! The photograpy of the buildings are quite good. The commnet on Bill Clinton gaged me.....did I say that! hahahaha! Glad your cousin and family are safe!
Ride on!! Ride safe.....never wear shorts, never!

Chessie (Chesshirecat) said...

FAN-frickin-TASTIC!

I'm so green with envy. I can hardly stand myself...or trust myself not to sound like a whining spoiled kid. I like your stuff Gary. Glad you're having a great time and wow...your editing software is gorgeous.
I've been talking with a few people who are in New Z. where the quake hit...and all those darn after quakes...wow...solid people who are living there...for sure!
Be safe on the road Gary...I'm looking forward to reading more adventures and watching more great vids...

FLHX_Dave said...

Awesome Gary! I have not been commenting on every one but the favorite part of my day is logging on and checking out where you have been.

Love the video. I'll say it again...You are living my dream right now. Thanks for taking me along. It's a gift Gary, Just an awesome f'in gift.

Did they fix the damned potholes on the freeways around Denver? Those holes were as big as crock pots last time I was there.

KenB said...

Gary, the reason those scooters don't have plates is because they are less than 50cc. You can ride without a motorcycle license and don't have to have plates if under 50cc. Can also park on sidewalks and other places like a bicycle.

Gary France said...

Geoff – It is incredible what a nation or it’s people can do when moved to react to a major event. One can think of Londoner’s reaction to the blitz, or the USA’s reaction to 9/11. I am glad the Kiwi spirit has the same characteristics.

Steve – LOL. I am not sure about that, but I did have a lot of fun making it.

Charlie6 – Thanks! I enjoyed seeing Denver with you. I liked playing with the different techniques the software (Adobe Premier Elements) lets you use. If and when you visit London..... a bed is always waiting for you and your family.

Eve – What never wear shorts, never! Not even on the beach? I enjoyed making the video, but it did take some time!

Chessie – LOL, that made me laugh. I am glad you like what I am doing. I like telling the story of my tour and it gives me a lot of pleasure to share it with everyone that are kind enough to read it. The software allows the user to so much in manipulating the clips– probably too much!

Dave – Thank you! A few people have said they like reading my posts each day. I try to get something done every day and I only give myself a day off from posting when I just cannot find the time. Yes, it is a dream. Today I rode some fantastic back roads and I was in awe of what I was seeing. I have a new favourite road that I will write about in a day or so (I am about two days behind in my posts now).

Ken – I like the idea of that, but it must cause a legal nightmare. What happens if there is an accident? Do the riders of these small scooters have to have insurance? There cannot be a lot of difference between getting hit by a scooter of this size and a small motorbike.