Bouncing on a Bike - Hanging Around

2000

The first day of the photo shoot proper, after a day of recovery and location scanning, we arrive in the green SUV to pick up Troy, who we find polishing his bike tires. Good man!
Ron and I had spun around a bit finding his apartment - Umbarto's Italian food will be our landmark. We also use Einstein's bakery as another - since I finally find it has cafe decaf mocha and more or less know how to make it. It becomes the bagel and coffee stop on the way to Troy's thereafter.
We let Troy take the wheel since we are already late starting and he knows the area. We make our way to a park where we can have him ride the bike fast enough.
It is hot (brutal) and windy (very).
We have water bottles (all three of us - it becomes a daily ritual - get water).
I put on sun block - because I feel it on my shoulders. Troy rubs it on my back where I can't reach. I am still post-op and while I can move fairly freely, I still have swollen incisions and can't stretch that much. (That was very nice! Nice hands!) Maybe I'll need help tomorrow!
I forget the backs of my knees. I will learn this later.
In the meantime, Troy and Ron and I walk around in the park and decide on locations where we can shoot. The brightness of the sun is a problem. As is the wind, which likes to put Troy's hair in his face at the worst possible moments.
They decide on a rock for a "jump" and Troy proceeds to build a bit of a ramp - up or down is not certain.
He runs a few test trials and I get shots off as he hops parking barriers and loops the drive. Then it is time for reality. The jump is hard to shoot because the drop after the shot is jarring and we catch more than a few grimaces rather then smiles. After enough of these to exhaust most humans, we relocate to an easier track.
Now it is my turn to move dead branches. I am a country girl. I can do this.
We discuss life on a farm while hauling things out of camera view.
We sip water constantly.
When we feel we have had it with the bike, we load up and head for the Rock climbing - Coral Cliffs. It is indoors (good) and we pick up lunch (chicken sandwiches) and Matt, who will act as assistant to Troy while he climbs the walls.
We have planned this during lunch at Troy's. We are also bounded by his work schedule which I am trying to honor.
Matt must help because you never, ever climb alone. Even in an indoor setting.
First, we need to get in. Troy and Matt went in first because Troy knows the people. While he signed Matt in, I handed over my credit card. And was told to wait! Wait a minute - I'm with them! Guess I confused them. I'm not blonde.
After sorting that out, we get our cameras ready.
Troy must spend several minutes (like half an hour) training and checking out Matt on the rope procedures. They have to have approval that safety is being followed before we can get him all tied up and in the ropes. Dropping him from the top of the wall by accident would be detrimental to the rest of the photo shoot. Very.
Hmmm. Man in harness and all tied up. Interesting concept. And he does it to himself!
Ron and Troy discuss where Troy will climb up the walls. Where we can hang him off the floor. What positions will work for a horizontal calendar format.
We try this several times in several wall locations. Luckily, it is not crowded and the people there keep clear while we are shooting. They were very nice people.
At one point, we decide on a ladder. A big ladder.
The woman who works there and I decide we cannot possibly move this. It will need several people. On the suggestion that he help Matt, Troy just scoffs.
"He can do it."
Matt drags it into position all by himself. (I momentarily forgot about young men and testosterone. They have so much more strength than little old ladies do. I should know this from my sons. It's just hard to admit to being so weak!)
When Ron climbs up, I stand on the other side of this dusty - it is a bit rickety. This allows a down or level shot of Troy hanging from the wall.
This is not an easy thing for him - to get into position and hold it. And stay there long enough to drop his hat occasionally for a second shot with hair flying (my request). He has to be in superb condition to hang around like that - especially after jumping the bike about 26 times. Yikes!
After enough of this (when Troy has finally become tired), the boys return the ladder to its original location (not before leaving and having to back up). We return Matt and Troy to their respective places for work and depart.
We find a photo place to drop off test rolls (a processing lab - not a one-hour camera store). And then Ron and I head back for the hotel.
It has been a busy day.
I can't wait to see how my legs react to the activity.
I am not in superb condition!