Too bad the thread got hijacked - I was really hoping to learn how others here combine bicycling with photography. It might help me resolve a long-standing dilemma.
Since I am almost exclusive a day-trip roadie - I rarely carry a camera while cycling. My intent with riding is to keep pedalling - I rarely stop during a ride except if we deliberately plan a ride to start with a breakfast at a nearby diner. However, even on those rides, once we re-mount the bikes we don't stop until the ride is done (except perhaps to get more water).
As a result, there is little opportunity given our (i.e. my wife and I) riding style for me to also take photographs while biking. One compromise I've been trying lately is using rides to scout out shooting opportunities which I can then return to with my gear in the car.
Years ago, we did do a lot of long-distance, loaded-bike touring. In those days I used my trusty Nikon Nikkormat FT-2 plus 28mm, 50mm and 105mm lenses. All of this, with clothing as padding, was packed into one of my rear panniers with other photo-related gear. The camera and lenses, plus film etc. were also double packed in plastic baggies for weather protection.
The problem I found was that when I would stop to take some photos - it became a major time delay on the tour. You had to unpack, set up, shoot, dissemble and re-pack etc. Fortunately, I ride faster than my wife so I would sometimes get a sufficient lead that I could shoot and have her pass me while I re-packed. Then I would be able to catch up to her.
But, truth be told, while I loved being able to shoot while touring - it was a major PITA to do so. And it's certainly dissuaded me from carrying gear on my more usual day-trips.
Any thoughts on how to combine the two activities w/o diminishing either one would be very welcome. The one thought I had was to do more "destination riding" to a photo op locale. But then again, there is the problem of wanting to ride "light" but knowing I'd want to bring tons of gear!
