2024 - in pictures

Words and photos by Rupert Hartley.

In sitting down to write this, I’m always forced to look back. It’s been a really busy year, but only when I come to think about this piece specifically, do I get to see how much time I was able to spend taking pictures. Sometimes it feels like I hardly touch a camera.

I’ve been lucky enough to have some good adventures this year on the bike. Some on my own time, some whilst ‘racing’ an event, and some whilst on trips designed around photographing kit being put to use. I’ve decided to give myself the freedom to show more than one image from a trip, rather than try and use one to sum it up. Sometimes that just doesn’t do it justice.

LANZAROTE, MARCH

This year I’ve really leant in to trying to make all my images from the bike. I’m a big believer in the authenticity of that. It challenges me personally too when it comes to equipment choices. I have to travel light. I appreciate the simplicity of that.

I joined Jack and Weronika in Lanzarote for a field test for the new spring products.

A couple of long days out, feeling the sun on the skin for the first time in months. Good company, some roadside picnics, couple of cold beers, riding into the night. All good things. The more I get to explore places on mixed terrain, the more crazy I think it is to go places and stay on the tarmac.

FURTHER EAST ON FILM, SEPTEMBER

I’ve photographed all the various Further events over the years, some multiple times. At Further East this year I really wanted a different challenge, and decided to use film. Whilst it doesn’t really stay in step with the need for instant imagery these days, I still wanted to do it.

My friend (and fellow Albion co-founder) Charlie was riding, and went on to finish first. It’s always great to get a front row seat to your friends doing cool things, and it added an element of joy to the weekend for me. He looked pretty f*cked at the end, as is usually the way, but I like the above frame, because he just looks really happy.

I’d been trying to get an old Nikon of my dad’s to work for some months, and was delighted I got it to come to life just before the event. I’d wanted to shoot a portrait of Charlie when he finished, and so had timed getting a roll of black and white film into the camera for the end of the race. Another of the ‘fun’ challenges of film.

I enjoyed getting to photograph Further over the years. The importance and personality of the start and finish spots has often made the mundane seem characterful. The meadow at race HQ where riders must camp before East certainly creates an atmosphere of unique togetherness.

HIGHLANDS, MAY

Spending time with my friend Chris in the Highlands has become a nice tradition. Twice I’ve used a few days away with him as a springboard for events I had planned. The truth is I enjoy these trips as much as the event I’m aiming at.

Chris knows his native Highlands as well as anyone, but couldn’t stop us having to bush-wack along a river bank when the usual crossing place was too swollen, to find somewhere shallow enough to cross. In the end we found a spot where it ran shallow enough to shoulder the bikes and walk across. And we then spent another considerable chunk of time checking our legs over for ticks.

Riding bikes gives you the opportunities and friendships to go off on adventures. I’ll never take that for granted, I hope.

MOLLY/SEUN ON FILM, MAY

One of the challenges I set myself this year was to shoot more film. It’s a bit of a vanity project, but I like being forced to slow down. When we were in Wales shooting the traverse jersey, I stuck my dad’s old Nikon FM2 in my bag. I only shot a few frames, but I look back on them with pleasure.

BRIGHT MIDNIGHT, NORWAY, JULY

Riding the Bright Midnight was my ‘goal’ for the year. The headline of endless daylight and beautiful Norwegian highlands and fjords, does not tell the full story. There was rain, lots of it. But it was truly spectacular.

The reason for including this picture of the sheep with my bike is it was the moment I had discovered I had a crack in my rim. I’d wandered away to think what to do when they came over to inspect my bike. This wheel situation would go on to define my ride, and will be the thing I always remember about this adventure. At this moment I didn’t know that the next 15 hours would test me so much. Following their complete breaking the next morning, I had to walk, somehow source new wheels in a town, and then return to the course and finish. It’s something I’m really proud of.

MOROCCO, NOVEMBER

I’d said goodbye to Weronika in Lanzarote airport, and little did I know we’d next be meeting up 6 months later in Marrakesh airport.

Taking the new Zoa Mountain Jacket on adventure was the opportunity to visit the High Atlas Mountains, somewhere I’d always wanted to go.

George and I threw ourselves at the mercy of Weronika’s planning and excitedly set off for Morocco.

There are so many images I could show of this. But I can’t do it all. So instead I’ll capture this simple moment, where we descended towards Imlil in the rapidly fading light, trying to find somewhere to stay. The light was blue, and the clouds parted as the last bit of warm light hit the mountain peaks. Hundreds of goats were being shepherded off the hillside as the call to prayer echoed up the valley. It isn’t something I’ll forget in a hurry.

AT HOME, JUSTINAS, NORWAY, NOVEMBER

The return to Tolga…

In November I headed back to see Justinas at home in Norway. The last time I’d been there had been the height of summer for the Bright Midnight. When I got off the train this time it was dark, ice and snow that greeted me along with Justinas’ big welcome smile.

The plan was to do some riding near his home, putting the new Zoa Rain wear through it’s paces.

Going back to where I’d ridden in the summer, and seeing it in such different conditions and circumstances was a lot of fun. We climbed up part of the Bright Midnight course as far as the snow line, put some more layers on and then descended.

Since I’d last been there Justinas had completed the incredible US bikepacking Triple Crown, taking over two days off the record time, and it was great to just get to spend some time, and chat over pedalling and sharing some coffee/beer and hearing stories from his incredible year.

SNOW DAY WITH MOLLY, NOVEMBER

I’d had the idea of spending time with Justinas and Molly separately, near their homes as we put the Zoa Rain wear to use. The different personalities, contexts, and landscapes could show the versatility of the kit, I hoped. After the days in the Norwegian snow, it was certainly a surprise to return to the UK and be met with snow in Wales that day Molly and I were riding. These are things you can’t control. We had a fun time exploring the trails up above Abergerveny.

Sometimes I feel the internet makes us feel every situation or story needs some sort of profound comment or takeaway. Sometimes a nice day out is just that. And that’s ok.

WALES AW FIELD TEST, SEPTEMBER

Exploring around Talybont for our AW field test. We’d experienced all weather, and I’d managed to get my camera wet, and so it was misted up and not useable, meaning I was just down to the pocket camera I usually take with me on the bike by the end of the day. I like this picture. Mainly because it reminds me that usually on trips or shoots, the good light happens suddenly and fleetingly. And really the camera you have in your hand is the one for the job, whether it’s what you planned, or not. I’m more relaxed about those things these days.