Riding The Edge Blog

The Rider

5/5/2019

Steve Lundeberg, right, and Ed Patton stop on the Whitehorse Ranch Road in south eastern Oregon, to adjust their cargo during the On The Edge Project.

The Whitehorse Ranch Road in south eastern Oregon. Not a great road for street bikes.

Recently I've been looking through old pictures and videos from motorcycle trips I've taken over the years. I have fond memories of the times I use to set out on motorcycle adventures with friends, Ed, Steve and Rick. Every year we would take a week and travel around the western United States. We camped, ate good food, drank good beer and shared the camaraderie of the open road. I was reminded of a portrait project of riders and their motorcycles I had been wanting to do back then but never got around to starting the project.

Ed Patton, left and Rick Matson stop for a break after crossing the Whitehorse Ranch Road on a hot day in south eastern Oregon.

The bikes parked in front of Maryhill Stonehenge, a replica of England's Stonehenge located in Maryhill, Washington, during a trip around the state of Washington.

I've always felt a deep connection with my motorcycle and the cycling lifestyle. Looking back I realize so much of my identity was shaped by riding year round on a motorbike, in fact, the name of my website and photography business, Riding the Edge Photography, came from those years in the saddle. Eventually I ended up putting near 100,000 miles on my little 750 sport bike and just wore it out. I haven't had a motorbike in quite a while but I still feel that yearning to get back out on the road for another adventure.

Steve and Rick taking a break somewhere in Nevada, on the way home from Moab, Utah.

Steve riding through Arches National Park, Utah.

I may not be able to get on a motorcycle and head out for a ride but I can start that portrait series and live vicariously through the lovers of life on two wheels.
This personal project is called The Rider, I envision The Rider as being a black and white portrait series that I would like to print in a magazine format, over time becoming a coffee table book. I'd love to photograph a wide variety of motorcyclist and their bikes, cruisers, sport bikes, dirt bikes, trikes, both males and females of all ages.

If you or someone you know has a love for motorcycles and would like a free portrait session with some digital images and would be willing to help me out with this project, email me at ridingtheedgephotography@gmail.com

From Left, Rick Matson, Steve Lundeberg, David Patton, and Ed Patton at the end of their first weeklong adventure riding around the perimeter of the state of Oregon.