Each year on this last day of December I like to look back at all the photos I’ve taken over the past year. While I could never remember every day of 2012, it’s amazing how I can remember in fairly vivid detail the circumstances of every photo − where it was, what bike I was riding, how I felt, what I saw….what I tried to capture.
As usual, it was difficult to narrow down hundreds of pictures to only a handful − especially when there were many that may not have been the best photos, but had some emotional feeling attached. I also discovered that I had never posted some of these, so they are unveiled here for the first time.
12.I love beautiful bike parts, and they don’t get much more beautiful than this Suntour hub. Enough said.
11. It’s rare that Lake Michigan is this peaceful. I was out for a ride and stopped on the stretch of the Lakefront Path between Oak Street and Navy Pier. How could I not stop and take this?
10. We went to New York in May for a best friend’s wedding, and @BaughbLabs immediately found this spot on the windowsill overlooking the city. I loved the light here.
9. This demolition site at California Avenue and the expressway revealed something new every day that I passed it. On what was to be the final day, this sign was revealed. I thought it was fantastic…it had been hidden for so long with the structure that was there.
8. Chicago has one of the most spectacular collections of public art that I’ve ever seen. I love this installation along Michigan Avenue. I was out on my bike and had never stopped here before. What is particularly great is that you can get into the middle of this and really experience it from within.
7. Every year on July 4th, I ride out to Navy Pier very early in the morning. I love going to that furthest point and seeing the sun rise. It seems fitting somehow to go out there. (I also ran into the most extraordinary man this year who offered me half of his breakfast; I wrote about that here.)
6. Another beautiful bike component, made more spectacular at the hand of an artist who has a particular passion for cycling. This hand-drilled Campagnolo crank hangs on his wall as true art should. I snapped one picture and loved the result.
5. I love getting up early for a Sunday morning ride and heading into downtown. The streets are empty: no buses…no cabs…no people rushing to work. Just me, riding in the middle of deserted streets. The city is all mine. This is LaSalle Street, looking towards the Board of Trade.
4. This year, I watched @BaughbLabs work on my Seven, and was fascinated at the attention to detail and precision that he takes at every step. Of course, I love the results, but what I loved more was witnessing the process. (Read more here about the build.)
3. This year, I added to my “stable” with a mountain bike. I’m still a rookie, but working on the skills and stamina that riding off-road requires. On Christmas, it started to snow big, beautiful flakes, and I couldn’t wait to take it out. I rode around for a while, then headed over to Palmer Square, where I stopped to take this.
2. I think this photo represents everything that I love about New York. We were out walking during our May trip and I looked up and saw the “LOVE ME” graffiti. I had this shot blown up and framed for my friends whose wedding we attended. Nothing says love like some New York graffiti.
1. This year ended on a sad note for me as I lost my sweet Lucy on Christmas Eve. As difficult as it was to let her go, I’m happy that she is no longer in pain. I took this picture not too long ago, and the way she is looking at me makes me melt. I miss her and wish she was still here.
Happy new year everyone. I look forward to sharing 2013 with you.