Gazelle CityZen and a more fully restored ProTour Madison
Camera(s) Used
GoPro 11, Nikon Z Fc with Viltrox 13mm f/1.4
Software Used
Final Cut Pro with C2 SliceX, Motion, QGIS, OmniGraffle, Numbers
Subscribers when released
878
Trivia/Background:
Well, here it is, the 2023 Around The Bay entry. The result certainly wasn’t what I expected or hoped for, but it was fun nonetheless and I made it around. Next year, something different.
Video:
Description:
I’m doing the Classic again - a 210-ish km ride around Port Phillip Bay, from Albert Park, back to Albert Park. 14kg less on the bike, and 7kg less on me, a whole bunch of training and it’s back to Around The Bay 2023. Will it all pay off, and will this be enough to get a faster time than last year? Watch, and find out!
A quick “half-assed” video on Walmer Street Bridge, as it opened in time for Christmas! Was supposed to be more half-assed but I got carried away!
Also, edited in the native 8:7 from the GoPro 11 (I thought it’d be something interesting to try - and the camera was pointed down a little far to easily just crop it) - making it so far the first DropTableAdventures video not to be 16:9 jokes about 2.35:1 and its instantly recognisable cinematic look aside.
Video:
Description:
A quick out of sequence video showing the newly re-opened Walmer St Bridge - finally opened after 16 months into an 8 month project to replace only two thirds of a relatively short pedestrian / cycle bridge.
It’s been a bit irritating because this is the sole rideable/walkable route across the river for a few kilometres - making bike paths north of the river annoying to access, and preventing thousands of local residents from walking across the bridge to get to Victoria Gardens and the 109 tram into the city.
DIY Bosch charger, a 1988 ProTour Madison (not very restored), a knee with patellofemoral tracking issues
Camera(s) Used
2x GoPro 8, GoPro 11, Nikon Z FC with Viltrox 13mm f/1.4
Software Used
Final Cut Pro, OmniGraffle
Subscribers when released
861
Trivia/Background:
Preparation for Around The Bay 2023. Some info here about the Bosch charger and how it works - and how to DIY your own (surprisingly simple!)
Video:
Description:
In this video, what did and didn’t get used of what I brought along for Around The Bay, how to build a Bosch charger yourself (not recommended or approved by the manufacturer!), how it’ll all be packed this time, and the clever plan to have someone else bring me more battery power. And after the machine’s in order, a small human issue that threatens to derail everything.
You can see from the filename that this was meant to be part 3 of Hills and Huts, whereas what actually happened was that this was the sole video with that title. The first two didn’t feature enough hills and/or huts to warrant that title - but this one sure did!
And yes, that is a real dingo. It is not, however, a wild one - do not ever approach or feed wild dingoes, it will end badly for both you and them.
Video:
Description:
In the final part of our adventure, we explore some of the High Country’s huts in the Mansfield area. Visiting Tomahawk hut, we bend the side steps looking for a level spot, camp at Pineapple Flat around some unauthorised cows, visit one particular very famous hut - although it’s not actually the one, visit the summit of Mt. Stirling (if you can see it), see the Howqua Gap hut(s), Bindaree Falls, Flat Spur, Pike’s Flat Hut, the Bluff Hut, Craig’s Hut, then take the Bluff track down into the Jamieson valley for a look at a couple more huts, a recap of our adventure, and a little preview of what’s to come.
Hills and Huts Pt 2 (Billy Goats Bluff in the wet…).mov
Date Filmed
2023-12-29 - 2023-01-01
Date Released
2023-11-15T07:07:07Z
Location(s)
Billy Goats Bluff Track, Horseyard Flat, Dargo, Licola, Jamieson and Mt. Buller
Notable Equipment
A bathtub
Camera(s) Used
GoPro 8, GoPro 11, Z Fc
Software Used
Final Cut Pro, Motion, QGIS
Subscribers when released
824
Trivia/Background:
So I cut the video here because I wanted this to be at the start of this one…
Video:
Description:
Well, you knew it was coming. In the next instalment of our adventure, we head up Billy Goats Bluff track, ominous storm clouds overhead, but the forecast telling us that it won’t rain any time soon. Spoiler: it did. A full on thunderstorm with hail, as we ascended one of the steepest tracks in Victoria.
We head to Horseyard Flat, before deciding to just press on and camp along the river near Licola for New Years. Then we run out of gas - and take a three hour detour to buy another cylinder. We traverse over to Jamieson, seeing some amazing views on the way, then head up to the summit of Mt. Buller - ski resort by winter, but in summer, just a mountain.
Next part in the series - but why I cut it there was of course to put what comes next at the start of its own video.
You’ll note that this one was originally named “High Country Hills and Huts” - but after it was finished it was found that it doesn’t really feature much of the latter… they’re coming.
Bit of a drop-off in views and subscribers. I did hit 800 but I haven’t had any new ones in a week, and views on the last video have been unexpectedly low.
Almost like a whole bunch of people have decided to spend a lot less time on the platform for some reason…
Video:
Description:
Time to tackle some of the High Country’s 4WDing classics - first by traversing the Gunns Range via the Gunns Track, before a trip down Dargo High Plains Road, in order to head up Mt. Blue Rag to the famous trig point via Blue Rag Range Track. After that, we get into a traffic jam with some cows, and head down the crazy steep Conway Track to Wonnangatta Road, to get us in place for the next part of our adventure… hopefully the weather holds out!
For some reason my Around The Bay video got a lot of views lately… well when I did Around The Bay this year I found out - many watched it for instructional purposes.
Pace of subscribers has slowed down a little over the past two weeks, but I’m almost at 800…
This series ended up in one more part than originally intended… you’ll see what’s coming.
Oh, also, this is the 128th video - happy 2^7!
Video:
Description:
In the next instalment of the High Country trip, we visit Mt. Buffalo National Park. Climbing through the Chalwell Galleries - half walk, half cave - and then the similar Old Galleries track. We then drive to the top of the park to climb The Horn, a peak which although it pales in comparison to Kosciuszko or Bogong, has far more spectacular views just due to how pointy it is. After that, we swim in a freezing cold river, and then get a fire going…
Wheelers Creek Campground to Mt Bogong, surrounding area
Notable Equipment
None
Camera(s) Used
GoPro 8, GoPro 11, Nikon Z Fc with Viltrox 13mm f/1.4
Software Used
Final Cut Pro, Motion, OmniGraffle, C2 SliceX
Subscribers when released
771
Trivia/Background:
I wanted to provide a map of exactly how many peaks remain as you increase the minimum promimence value. Annoyingly, I never found any at the time, but days after the video’s release found this which would have been perfect!
Oh well…
Video:
Description:
In this video, we climb Mt. Bogong, the highest mountain in Victoria and the second highest* mountain in Australia. But we do it with a bit of a tricky 4WD shortcut via Granite Flat Spur, which has the highest trailhead of any route up the mountain, resulting in the shortest walk to the summit.
*: But isn’t that Mt. Townsend? We need to talk about prominence, and how maybe… the entire Kosciuszko Range could be argued to only be a single mountain.
After that, a quick talk about the State 8, what it is, and our current progress in it - and what will be required to progress further.
Yarrangobilly Caves, Tom Groggin, Mt. Anderson, Wheelers Creek
Notable Equipment
13mm f/1.4
Camera(s) Used
2x GoPro Hero 8, GoPro Hero 11, Nikon Z Fc with Viltrox 13mm f/1.4
Software Used
Final Cut Pro
Subscribers when released
751
Trivia/Background:
This was the first time I really made good use of the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 lens. It’s pretty dark inside Yarrangobilly Caves, so it was useful. But with no IBIS on the Z Fc, you have to hold the camera very steady… and I kept forgetting to ensure it was in focus.
Also, I’m out of Shorts. Will make another batch later, it may have been worth it… but am definitely focusing on longer form content for now, as it’s what I actually want to be making. X-Title Importer may now possibly be broken on current OS X as well - maybe I just edit the shorts in FCP and use CapCut to put the subtitles on…
Video:
Description:
In the first video of a new series, we visit the High Country. Travelling out to the far NSW side, our first goal is to climb Mt. Kosciuszko, detailing all the different ways it can be done, some easier than others. And at the same time, explore exactly how this was named after a key figure in Polish history with seemingly no relation to Australia.
And although this is the highest point on the Australian mainland, it’s far from the highest in Australian territory. We explore how the other high points compare - but they are a lot harder to get to.
Another shorts moment recycled. This one did really well initially then dropped out of the Shorts Feed before midnight, which is about when my shorts get peak views… didn’t perform very well. But on the other hand, it’s continuing to get views, unlike most of the others?
Video:
Description:
The amazing swimming hole at Blackdown Tableland.
This will be the last short for a while - I made a bunch in advance. Some have involved more effort than others, but the performance has been a bit random… currently trying to get further in front on the long form video. But I may well make a second batch later on.
