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NPS03 Downhill July 2004

 Progravity Redbull Project Downhill

Length 1800m Elevation Fall 1000m

Neil Donoghue exits the Bombhole

Neil Donoghue exits the Bombhole. There were a few spills on this part of the track during practise sessions. Being launched at the top of the hill, bikers are faced with a steep drop to a sharp right-hander (above). The corners here are steeply banked and almost double back to run in parallel during this last stage of the run.

I've never photographed mountain bikers in action and this NPS downhill race at Innerleithen was an ideal opportunity. With top class riders in attendance, I was guaranteed some good action shots. 

This was round three of the National Points Series and its great to have a top class mountain bike event in the Scottish Borders. 

514 Alasdair MacLennan launches himself at the Bombhole The photos are just a selection of those taken on the day and given that I've never photographed mountain bike action before, I'm reasonably pleased with the results. 

There was a pro there on Saturday and he was using wireless flash and expensive Canon gear. The fill flash is great for freezing the action, separating the cyclists from the background and reducing shadows. 

Flash with a slowish shutter speed also enhances motion blur in the background whilst outlining the subject. I learned from watching this chaps set-up and positioning to give the classic type of shot seen in magazines.

None of my shots feature flash and with the light on Saturday varying from poor to OK, my Canon 10D was shooting at 400 and 800. All of the photographs have been processed through Photoshop which I've customised to generate the galleries. Saves loads of time.
514 Alasdair MacLennan launches himself at the Bombhole. Aptly named I guess.  

 

 
With equally gutsy performances from the ladies, I was impressed by all who took part. Kamikaze springs to mind and I'm undecided whether or not they are all nutters. 

The steepness and potential for collision with trees, roots stones and rocks make this an extremely dangerous sport and I can see why they have to pad up like American footballers.

I knew little about mountain biking and less about photographing this action packed sport but have learned much. I can thoroughly recommend such events for a day out, just watching or otherwise. They are well organised, run on time and great entertainment.

To view many other photos of mountain bikes in action at this NPS Downhill event in Innerleithen, select the link below to be taken to another 30 or so photos.

More Mountain Bike photographs here

 

 58, One of the 'Elite' women has to work hard to avoid this earler crash.

End.

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