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As most will know, this year the Tour has Lance Armstrong making his come back to professional cycling - the result is the crowds will be huge compared to years gone by. The first Sunday night will give us 31 opprotunities to get it right and we will get another go the following Sunday. The Saturday down at Willunga, McLaren Vale will get you 5 opportunities. Rest of the days will see you with a max of 2 goes. I am suggesting a Sunday evening meet followed by the Sunday day meet. As I live near the track for Saturday it is a given I shall be there for that as well. Hands up those who are interested?

I'm interested.
I wonder how much more the crowds will be? I could see more interstate people being there, but surely only the usual number of locals would come.

The tracks:
Sunday 18 January 2009
Sunday 25 January 2009

Daniel

Big V - I'm in for both Sunday events.

fozzie

Hi, how could I resist the opportunity to photograph buff men in tights - count me in
Deb T

Daniel, I think more than usual will turn up as the Lance factor is pretty big. All accomodation from Gawler to Victor Harbor is gone for that week. The police have requested that Astana give their warm up ride route to them so that they can block the roads so that no harm comes to Lance and to prevent traffic jams caused by the fans trying to follow on their bikes or cars - not that those on the bikes could keep with him once he starts climbing!!!

I was thinking that same corner as last year would be good - nice light and there was a bit of room to play with

Big V wrote:Daniel, I think more than usual will turn up as the Lance factor is pretty big.

They are certainly doing a serious advertising campaign.

Big V wrote:I was thinking that same corner as last year would be good - nice light and there was a bit of room to play with

I'm not sure which corner we were on last year. What I remember doesn't match up with this year's race circuits.
In 2007 we were on the inside SE corner of the East End loop, but that gave us some tree shadow problems didn't it?

Daniel

There will be a lot more than locals there, for example my son and his partner are flying down from Brisbane. This event will be big.

Outside of the track the year before was better, so I think you are right as shadows were a problem last year. So same corner as our first meet there..

Big V wrote:Outside of the track the year before was better...

For those who weren't there previously, or like me couldn't remember, the best place to shoot is the Rundle and Dequetteville corner on the outside of the track. See everyone there.



Daniel

Hi Guys - what lense selection do you recommend ?
DebT

DebT - I am going to travel light and with fast Nikkor glass:

1- AF-S 70-200VR f/2.8

2- AF-S 17-55 f/2.8

fozzie

17-40mm and 100-400mm

Thnaks guys
I'll do similar 70-200 2.8 & 17-55 2.8
Sorry forgot to ask - what time ? 9ish ?
DebT

DebT wrote:Sorry forgot to ask - what time ? 9ish ?

Huh?
You do know the race starts at 7pm?

I'll probably be there between 5:30-6:00pm, with my 80-400 and 18-200.

Daniel

Thanks Daniel hadn't even checked out the astart time ...
OK so I was going to get an early start and a good spot ...guess I'll see you a bit closer to race time
(I'll be the one looking lost and embarassed)
DebT

I will be in position at 5:30pm.

fozzie

What an awesome event with the biggest crowd ever. Managed to find Fozzie, Daniel, Dave, Robert but no Deb. Here are my shots whilst in cougar mode!!!


note that Lauren is the tour Down Under girl

Forgot to add that Robbie won the race!

and this is wht makes this event so special, the way in which the riders go out of their way to interact with the crowds

are they being a bit too friendly here?

Big V - great cross section of shots from the day. I do not know about you, but I am exhausted, just as well I have a 'RDO' today . Probably getting back to base at 11pm did not help. But what a day, it had everything.

Hope to look at my shots sometime this afternoon and will tag along in this thread.

fozzie

A small sample from the day's shooting:


D2x + Nikkor 70-200VR f/2.8


D2x + Nikkor 70-200VR f/2.8


D2x + Nikkor 70-200VR f/2.8


fozzie

Great shots guys , congratulations on getting close enough and managing to pick Lance from the crowd.

I was running really late and never quite made it - from what I saw of the crowds you must have really josstled for a good spot. Probably catch up next Sunday
DebT

Deb, I was in cougar mode which means I was on the track with the media! did not have to battle the crowds until I decided I needed a drink and left the media area. Then went down to the corner with Fozzie and Daniel. Fozzie had staked out his spot early, so he was right on the fence...

Nice shots guys.
I actually found it quite challenging with the increased crowds (for those of us who didn't get on the track... )
I'm still processing my shots. I'll post some later in the week.

Daniel

OK, here are a few of my shots...

Lance


A panning shot


The main field


Robbie McEwen, winner of the 'Classic


Better late than never.

Daniel

Daniel, you didnt hit Robbie at Mawson Lakes did you?
Whilst I was visiting the tour viallge yesterday I ran into this bloke at the Hilton - he was good enough to come over and have a quick chat..

I bet he was asking if yours focused properly, cause his didnt.. right??

Big V wrote:Daniel, you didnt hit Robbie at Mawson Lakes did you?

No, I just assumed that it was you.

I wonder who it was who stuck their lens out? It must have been a big whack.
But today's police bike was worse...

Big V wrote:Whilst I was visiting the tour viallge yesterday I ran into this bloke at the Hilton - he was good enough to come over and have a quick chat..

Like everyone else he probably just assumed you were a member of the media...


Anyway, so where's the best place to meet on Sunday?
Last year at the southern end of King William was good. But it could be packed this year.

Daniel

Daniel I was speaking with the organiser of the security today and he informed me they are employing 150 extra security guards for Sunday as the crowd is expected to be huge. Given that I am proposing we meet earlier than normal, say 11 at the horse statue and then make our way down to the intersection of King william, Memorial Drive - that way we can shoot long and shoot pan all from the same spot. For saturday I am going to be at Willunga Hill near the top as I figure this will give the best chance of catching the riders with painful expressions on their faces as they try to catch the leader.. Bets on Lance taking the lead in climb two up the hill?

Big V wrote:they are employing 150 extra security guards for Sunday

Big V wrote:as the crowd is expected to be huge.

Big V wrote:Given that I am proposing we meet earlier than normal, say 11 at the horse statue

OK, see you at the Boer horse.

Daniel

I will be there at 11:01am

fozzie

fozzie wrote:I will be there at 11:01am

Since we're being accurate, I'll be there at 11am +/- 2.3%

Daniel

Hmm 2.3% could be a large variance, as you didn't state what the basis for the percentage was.

For instance 100 +/- 2% is easy: 98-102, assuming that the basis for it is 0. But 11am doesn't have a basis - it could be midnight, or it could be the start of the year, or life ... hmm - I'm thinking though you will be there within a short time frame of 11am

Chica and I'll be there a little later, would love to be there at 11, but will be probably closer to 12.xx something

Hi,
I'm planning on being there but in case I miss the 10:59 -11:01 timeframe don't wait around for me ...but please ring me on 0427799009 and I'll find you

DebT