I thought I was on an M Train, but it turned out to be a train that doesn't go where I need to be. So I get off at Church Street Station, a stop early and start hiking up towards 21st and Castro. It's a hike, straight up a big hill--a San Francisco hill. I am enjoying it though and when I arrive I see my subject sitting on the steps, wearing his bike gear and holding his road bike. I wave and instantly start shooting photos. I am talking the whole time. I ask him about his trip. How long did it take to ride 2,979 miles across the United States? I ask him about tires, weather, camping and fatigue.
When I finish the shoot, I start to break down my lighting gear and he says "I want to show you something." He walks upstairs and then reappears with a triptych of his grandfather, his father, himself and his son, all with bicycles. I ask to shoot some more photos and he is thrilled that I asked. I love these shoots. The walk down the hill is much easier and I am practically skipping.
