I was there two weeks ago, it is fabulous and your photo does it justice in spades - great shot

Like many PU members I am not only a photography nut but also a “ cycling / fitness nut” and on my birthday this year I decided ( my wife decided ) I would get a very nice carbon touring bike as I had been planning a rather long trip doing the entire coastal path(s) of West Wales (150 miles +) armed with my photo bag and an IPhone.

Anyway, researched it all an went down to order the bike and pay the deposit – it was breathtakingly expensive for me but my wife insisted as it was my “ S….th birthday” she wanted to make sure I had a special present.

So we paid the deposit and were to wait two weeks for delivery; however I was passing by some days later and just dropped in to see what lightweight clothing they had in stock.

While I was pottering around I noticed a couple of clients and staff surrounding what looked like a very beautiful and special bike. I wandered over to take a look and asked what the fuss was, to be told this was the latest Cube 500 ”All Road”( Gmbh) touring bike.


The assistant could sense my interest and asked me if I would like a test ride but when he told me it was electric I got all macho and turned it down on the grounds it was not real cycling.

He was quite amused and said, I know you have a carbon tourer on order but if you take a ride on this I guarantee you will be not only be surprised but smiling from ear to eat; well, the rest is history.

it is simply marvellous and because you can go up hills twice as fast if you pedal hard enough you can go twice as far twice as fast and clearly in doing so you get the same workout because your distances increase

So what as this got to with photography ?

The bike will go anywhere literally, off road, green lanes proper roads. It has several power modes that help if needed but the three big advantages are;

1: Adding significant weight of photography equipment to the rear rack does not impair the performance of the bike or the rider on hills ?

2. The bike takes a special Photographic pannier mounted bag to store your kit; it is made by Topeak and locks onto the special rear pannier rack by means of a dovetail slide mount and spring catch so no bungy straps needed or possibility of insecurity.

3. A day out taking photos also means a good fitness workout too

The weatherproof bag will take a body and lens with two other lenses and the side compartments will take the usual camera accessories and waterproof clothing ( even another small lens)

(Typically K1, 24-70, 200m DA* and a 100macro, Metz 26 flash, filters batteries etc – if you are taking an APS body it will take more )

In fact the two side pockets will roll out to convert into two full size panniers that are bottomless ( if needed) and will easily take a big body and long lens in a xxl zoom case (K1 150-450 or DFA 70-200).

It is a remarkable piece of kit ( see photos)

Biggest question always ; battery range; Iin eco mode 120 kms at least, in other modes less, but the Gower Peninsular where we are has very few (if any) flat roads and many long brutal hills, but I regularly potter around from dawn till dusk and clock up 59-60 miles without loosing the battery when I need it; on a long run last week with normal roads I did over 80 miles and still had 40% battery left when I got home; remember you don’t use the battery all the time ( voluntarily or involuntarily)

There is also an EMBT mode ( electric mountain bike) because the bike has a special “ all terrain” battery, and coupled with the hybrid road/ trail tyres, you can get off road and “ into the undergrowth” at will.

It is not a “hard nosed” mountain bike but is an all terrain bike in every sense of the word and on normal roads it is like a “ Lexus”

Anyway, see photos and I hope you don’t mind me sharing this on PU but I consider it now my most important and practical photographic aid next to a body and lens.

So for any cycling photographers this is a total blast and opens up so much more opportunities.

Photos

1. The Bike






2. The Pannier / Photo Bag




3. The side compartment Expanded to a deep pannier bag (for big lens)






4. The bag is locked on to a dovetail sliding mount and locked

Great shots with a fabulous lens

Very nice set of well taken images with very interesting observations.

The dry hot weather has not helped the larger species as you commented in one of my posts last week.

Of particular note for me is the very “tatty buddleia“ usually very abundant and blooming in late summer that should be coming into peak condition in August .

In my area it is actually dying back and with it the chance to capture the bigger more colourful species on camera that would normally populate it.

Maybe some much needed rain might revive some of these “ butterfly attracting plants” before the summer is passed.

I am finding butterfly activity is a little better in the warm shady areas along the canals but still depleted of red admirals , peacocks commas and what were such abundant species but have increasingly seen marsh fritillaries, painted ladies and comas in woodland and open fields over here in west Wales.

I am hoping to get a lens on them through August, but hoping is the operative word.

In the meantime I really appreciated your post and look forward to seeing how your butterfly exploits go through the late summer too.

Lovely set, excellent captures taken very skillfully

Greenery


Red Admiral (not seen many this years so far)


the "Beautiful Damselfly" ( Either Female or immature not sure)

Great set Gareth, looks like eveything came together so you could showcase your talents with the new kit.

Well done

Brst Regards

Totally the one single problem and potentially imminent killer blow for Pentax ( nothing else needs to be resolved)

This is wonderful photocraft David,enhanced with your fascinating , informative notes.