Cycling Notes #3: Why Bother with Filming?

As I briskly pedaled along a quiet, winding road toward Hadano, Kanagawa, the Odakyu Romance Car burst into view, close enough to touch… At least that’s how the ultra-wide angle of my GoPro lens would have portrayed it, if I had been quick enough to hit the record button to capture it.

Next time, I’ll be better prepared…

Capturing this shot definitely would have made today’s video more interesting…

As these thoughts welled up in my mind, I realized yet another benefit of cycling. Cycling keeps me fit, clears my head, and serves up the pure joy of exploration. Now, I know that cycling is also making me a better video producer, motivating me to plan — and later edit — shots more consciously than ever before. For example, the need to edit videos regularly, with little time to do so, motivated me to learn new software to get the job done more efficiently, with better results.

I initially started filming my rides to portray Japan to friends and family as I experienced it — something I have been doing, primarily through photography and prose, for nearly 17 years. A secondary goal was simply to create a way to relive my cycling adventures when the inevitable time comes when I can no longer ride.

Now, however, filming my rides is part of a James Clear-esque habit stack. When I hit the streets and trails on my bike, I’mdeveloping physical, creative, and mental skills, all concurrently.