Lighthouse Cycling Tour Day 1

Michelob ULTRA Lighthouse Cycling Tour of Puerto Rico -- Day 1
151.1 miles -- Old San Juan to Ponce

Day 1: Leaving way before sunrise (6:00 am fast riders - 6:10 am group riders ... remember LIGHTS REQUIRED), we will ride east bound to Fajardo where a late morning breakfast (between 8:30-10:00 am) awaits right by the Seven Seas and Las Croabas beaches. This breakfast will give you a stunning view of the eastern horizon where it is not unlikely to see the Island of Culebra and St. Thomas with the naked eye. From there we will ride southbound towards Guayama, not before crossing over “Camino Nuevo”, considered the challenge of the day. Have your camera handy for the spectacular views from this 1000 foot hilltop. Before arriving Guayama, we will stop at the Punta Tuna Lighthouse (circa 1892) in Maunabo where lunch will be served and you will be able to get up close and personal with this great historic building. We will then symbolically pass by Arroyo's Lighthouse (out of view). After a quick hydration and snack stop in Guayama we will wind up the day riding into one of the the most historical towns of the south; the Ponce Town Core. Those lucky enough to have booked a room within one of the town core options will have a chance to walk around the beautiful Plaza and its surroundings wrapping up a long day.

Day 1 started off with a bang...actually a buzz. It was the alarm on my phone vibrating. A 5am wake-up call to begin a long day arduous day. The forecast called for an unbelievable 84 degrees with slight cloud cover and no wind. A perfect day for riding. Even better yet, a perfect day for pictures. But first things first: we need to know where we are going. I mean, we know WHERE we are going routewise, but what vehicles we were going to go in remained a mystery. We had a pickup truck, 2 EMS vehicles, several SAG Vans and a motorcycle. Lots of choices, but only one with the capability to document the race entirely: the motorcycle. Riders gathered, headlights were turned on and car horns beeped. We were off into the darkness of the morning. Nearly 300 riders, a pack of extremely fit and not so fit people, descending down San Juan's streets. It was a sight to be seen. And in case you didn't see it, here you go.

It's difficult for a hand cyclist in general, but when the rest of the peloton slows down, you must let Keane keep going. You don't slow down a hand cyclist, you let him keep going.


Today's Hero: The Police.
All around the island the tour had a police escort. You certainly couldn't do this tour in the states.


My favorite photo of the day.
This guy had an accident and was getting stitches.
OUCH!


Who wouldn't want to bike around this island?


This picture was the center of a full page spread in the main Puerto Rican newspaper on Sunday.


Though the police were providing a safety convoy around the island, hills will always providing a problem for the cyclists. A long uphill mountain breaks up the peloton and on a mountain like this, all hell breaks loose.


I'm proudest of this picture. It was taken from inside the lighthouse.








The mountain gets even the best of us.








For more photos, check out:

KIP PIERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.kippierson.com

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Michelob ULTRA Lighthouse Cycling Tour

This past weekend was a special weekend for me: I got to return to Puerto Rico to participate in the Lighthouse Cycling Tour. Not as a cyclist, but as a photographer. Awhile back, Executive Director William Medina was on Facebook of all things and noticed a few photos I posted online. Unbeknownst to William, he was about to stumble upon his official photographer for the 2009 Tour and I was about to get a gig that was beyond my wildest dreams. An avid cyclist, a fan of the sun and a big believer in what the tour is and will become, I jumped at the chance to hang up my bike shoes and capture what is in my opinion, one of the best cycling events/tours the world has to offer. If you don't believe me, just take a look.

The 2009 Michelob ULTRA Lighthouse Cycling Tour of Puerto Rico is a 3 day, 375 miles tour covering 9 historical lighthouses of Puerto Rico. The three day, recreational, non competitive cycling adventure will circle the entire Island of Puerto Rico passing through 43 coastal towns and everything in between. Day 1 ends in Ponce, Day 2 leads to Mayaguez with Day 3 coming full circle to the city of Old San Juan. It's a breathtaking ride. But don't get too comfortable, they're are plenty of hills...lots and lots of hills. Tons of hills. (Did I say there were hills?)

So, I flew in Wednesday afternoon, checked into the Casablanca Hotel and promptly realized I left my Macbook Pro on the plane!!! A $3,000 computer blindly left in the magazine holder in the seat in front of me as I left the plane...needless to say, the scariest moment of my life. Hundreds of files potentially gone, hours of work to be redone and of course I would need to buy another computer. ARGHHH!!! Panic pulsed thru my veins and it was a mad dash to the phone. As I called so did the desk clerk at the hotel, and would you believe it, I get an answering machine at baggage claim. An answering machine!?!?!? I needed help now. Who knows what would happen if that plane takes off. Plus, without the computer, editing photos or downloading them would be impossible. And at that very split second of thought, the desk clerk says they have it. Apparently, whatever number she called, put her in touch with the on duty supervisor who at that very moment was handed the computer seconds before she answered the phone. WOW! Crisis averted, I paid the $40 round trip cab ride back to the airport and eventually readied myself for Thursday's meet and greet ride followed by a press conference and the registration, concluding with a nice pasta dinner. Day 1 was going to be tough and I was nervous, but today was going to give me a chance to work with the motorcycle/driver in order to coordinate the best possible scenario for taking some great photos. I kept my fingers crossed.

This family-run bakery and coffee shop was founded in 1902. The counter is long and the booths are many, but you have to get there as early as you can to avoid waiting in line. The shop fills with locals trading gossip and slowly eating their breakfasts. You have to try the mallorca con mantequilla (a round, flat pastry dusted with confectioner’s sugar and served with butter). On Thursday morning, LCT had a special "get to know each other" ride for their friends from out of the country and we all met here.



A large map of Puerto Rico.


Michelob ULTRA -- the official sponsor of the Vuelta de los nueve faros.
(William was very proud of these posters around the island)

It doesn't get any prettier than this.

We had a group of about 40 Thursday morning.

Keane West
(World recorder holder for going the futherest distance in 24 hours by a hand cyclist)


San Juan
Willie
(either the oldest or 2nd oldest cyclist in the group)


Executive Director - William Medina showing off the new jerseys for this year's ride.




I guess it's not every day that students in Puerto Rico get to see a hand cyclist, but today was there lucky day. Keane was gracious enough to spend some time with the students answering questions and showing them how he moves and brakes with the chair.

(If you'd like to see more photos from Thursday at LCT, check out the photo album on Facebook)


Thursday LCT Photo Album

Brian & Katie::: MARRIED!

Back in October I got to go along with a good friend and fellow photographer Kim Seidl to the Rose Hill Manor in Leesburg, Virginia for Brian and Katie's wedding. The weather was great, the sky was blue and they both looked fantastic. Special thanks to Kim for letting me tag along. Love ya Kim!

And here's a shout out to all the wonderful vendors:

venue: Rose Hill Manor
catering: RSVP Catering
DJ: Michael Rease
florist: Darla Creekmore
officiant: Rev. Norma Jean Peyton

For more photos, check out:

KIP PIERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.kippierson.com

Become a FAN of Kip Pierson Photography on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kip-Pierson-Photography/44089848971

The dress looked simply beautiful on Katie.



The whole wedding party.


Love this shot.




This is her little Dance Fever moment.

If I remember correctly, one of the cupcakes was PUMPKIN! Uh...yeah!



These two kids were cracking me up on the dance floor. Such little hams!


The place was gorgeous!


You know what time it is kids. That's right!
Time for the Slideshow!!!

For more photos, check out:

KIP PIERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.kippierson.com

Become a FAN of Kip Pierson Photography on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kip-Pierson-Photography/44089848971

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

This past year I've had the fortune of meeting and working with some extraordinary photographers in the DC area. From weddings to workshops, social gatherings and dinners, we've come to know each other pretty well in a professional and personal way. It was from these friendships (particularly Sarah Hodzic, Mary Kate McKenna and Julia MacInnis) that have brought me to my newest adventure/charity: NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP FOUNDATION. Of all the things I've done in this lifetime, I can say that being apart of this organization ranks right up there with being a guide for disabled athletes in the NYC and Marine Corps Marathons.


Pregnancy and birth are miraculous journeys. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.

But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of almost 6,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and twenty-five international countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby.

Our entire network of affiliated photographers graciously donates their time and talents to our families and we are proud to be able to offer our services at no cost. And now I'm proud to say that I am one of these photographers for the Washington, DC area.

So ladies, thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful gift.

If you would like to donate or learn more about this organization, please visit there website: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

Update: Ryan Fishwild for President?

Yesterday, I received a call from my sister, Lisa, informing me that my nephew Ryan would be on the 5 o'clock news. What? Apparently, FOX 2 News came to his Montessori school yesterday to interview the kids about Tuesdays historical inauguration. In there words:

It can be tough to stay up on current events, especially if you're just 5 years old. FOX 2's Lee Thomas was curious what kids know about our new president, so he went looking for answers at the Ferndale Montessori Center.

Of course as you would suspect, Ryan didn't that much air time and was naturally disappointed even though you can see Ryan trying to get in the shot several times---but the best part was when they asked some toddlers who was the last president. When they responded with George Washington, you can hear (according to my sister) Ryan yell out BUSH! That's Ryan for you. Here's the clip: LOCAL KIDS KNOW ALL ABOUT OBAMA.

UPDATE: FOX 2 NEWS took down the video...sorry.