Hiking or Biking for Summer Photo Adventures?

This is The Digital Story Podcast #958, July 30, 2024. Today's theme is "Hiking or Biking for Summer Photo Adventures?" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Two popular summer activities for outdoorsy types are hiking and biking. The days are longer and the air is warmer, tailor-made for both forms of exercise. But what if we want to combine our favorite year-round hobby, photography, with these pursuits? Which is better? On today's TDS Photography Podcast I'll take a look at the pros and cons of each. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 958

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Having grown up in Southern California, hiking and biking have been part of my life since I was a kid.

At first, biking. Any boy worth his salt had a set of wheels by the time he went to school. For us, a bicycle was freedom. Since parents in those days didn't think much about their kids until the nosecounts at dinner time, boys and girls with bikes could roam the earth freely until the street lights came on.

Riding a bike is second nature for me. I don't really think about it any more than I do breathing or walking. The magically stays upright as I move from place to place. Even while waiting at traffic lights I can balance with feet on the pedals for a short time.

These days, when I ride to work, I'm traveling between 18 and 22 MPH. That's a lot of ground compared to 3-4 MPH walking speed. My office is 6.5 miles from home. With traffic lights, I get from one place to the other in about 25 minutes. That's a nice commute. If I were to walk it would take 2 hours.

So you'd think that biking would be great for photo adventures. Yes and no. Let's look at the pros and cons.

Biking Pros for Photography

Can cover more ground. If you're exploring somewhere like wine country, where locations are spread out, then a bike allows for a wider variety of photo opportunities.

Can carry more weight. I prefer bike trunks to panniers, but even a midsize trunk can transport a decent amount of photo gear that isn't on your shoulders. Plus bottle cages secure your water for the day.

Bikes provide a variety of options. If you're riding on trails, choose a mountain bike, rough surfaces a gravel bike, and strictly asphalt, go with a nice hybird. Plus now you can supplement your peddling with an electric motor, further increasing your range and conserving your energy.

Biking Cons for Photography

I pass up too many shots. Once I get going on a bike, I don't want to stop until I reach my destination. So if I'm gliding along at 20 MPH and see a potential photo subject, I contemplate for a few seconds, and typically keep peddling.

Cycling requires looking forward, not gazing at the surrounding landscape. He who does not watch the road is doomed to disaster. Even on routes I know well, there are potholes, debris, and of course, cars.

Hiking Pros for Photography

It's easier to scope out shots, and once you see them, you'll actually take the time to photograph them.

Photography provides natural breaks from hiking. If I'm trudging up a hill and ready for a break, I'll scope out a scenic overlook and make that my goal. Not only do I have a chance to catch my breath, I often get a lovely shot.

Day hiking requires less gear. There's no bike to lock up and worry about, and the odds of a flat tire are much lower with boots than wheels.

Hiking is more social than biking. If you have friends joining you on a photo walk, it's so much easier to converse than group bike rides.

Hiking Cons for Photography

You have to be in better shape for hiking than biking.

All of your gear must be carried on your back or waist.

You can cover as much ground as with a bike.

Bottom Line

In my opinion, bikes are best to get you to locations in a point A to point B fashion. But once you're there, it's best to get off the bike, lock it up, then explore your photo opps on foot.

I love the freedom of riding a bike. It's the closest thing I've experienced to flying like a bird. I like that bikes don't pollute the atmosphere. And you can combine biking with public transportation - buses and trains.

But I've learned that for photography, I have to get off the bike if I'm going to fall into a creative zone and make good pictures. Because otherwise, I'll just keep riding, and riding, and riding.

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Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.