On bike video and on the state of Dublin roads !

For a long time now I've been wanting to do a video of some of my cycling journeys. The road is full of unexpected encounters, happenings and intriguing behaviours !

Despite having spent lots of time capturing Talbot street's best and worst of Dublin inhabitants (in a black and white 35mm series) and Grafton street (in medium format and with fully aware and consenting victims), I've never considered to have the spirit of a true street photographer like these guys  or this one. I guess I care too much about people's feelings...

There's something about a street video - though - that makes the exercise more appealing to me, as the maker. We get to see the lines of motions, how they cross each other, how the city is living.

Anyway, I naively thought my first post on my experience of bike video would go beyond the technicality of the recording to observe the street life ... and it's time for me to go back to earth and just document the experimentation phase first.

So here we go, in a nutshell, a review of Hama bikepod, video recording with Canon G11,and  the state of Dublin Roads (especially after the heavy snows) ...

When I found out that Hama had released a bike mount for cameras for less than 20€, I jumped on the opportunity without thinking twice. Reviews were good, though not extensively demonstrated... Well, I had acquired a G11 that is pretty small, my Giant mountain bike is quite a standard one so it was all planned to fit in fine !

Needless to say I was already looking forward to the fun videos I could start making while cycling and the great shots I'll get too but my naive expectations were quickly forced to land back to earth when I did some quick fitting tests.  Turns out the combination of the G11, the Hama mount, my handlebar (same sleek metal as on the picture above...) AND the war-like state of the roads make it all just the wrong mixture : The G11 seems to be too heavy for the mount, should I ride my bike on any surface that anything but smooth, whether I put a damp sponge between the mount and the handlebar for extra grip or not. 

I started recording a vid from Charlestown to Dublin (my 2GB card only lasted until Glasnevin !) on one typical overcast morning, that was quite an ordeal...

Vibrations from the rough road surface on the handlebar made the camera point down slowly but steady... worst but less sneaky, the many unavoidable potholes and manholes made the camera behave like a gentle flower under an extreme sun ... Poooff ! Pointing down at the wheel...

Have a look at the first few minutes...that's my treat !

So  there's no way I can use Hama Bikepod safely without turning it into a real custom made or DIY project ! By the way...the video quality of Canon G11...not that impressive either, especially the auto exposure.

Coming soon...a plan to make this work and a test with the Zoom Q3 (HD yeay!) ... and in the meantime all suggestions are open, especially regarding what type of fabric or "thing" to use between the handlebar and the mount. Right now I'm thinking velcro on handlebar &mount,  poor bike ! Tks for reading.