I started editing my first »magic rides« imagery at the end of 2020, in the second lockdown. Mountain biking - or better fat biking in all weathers - was at that time the replacement for my closed martial arts school and sport studio. Today my fat bike is an integral part of my fitness program as well as my creative work to give it its much needed photoshop exercise in for freelance designers still kind of »complex« times.
Wherever I am with my fat bike, almost always there is also one of my »very special insta pets« or mythical creatures near by. Often enough, I am then able to capture it with my GoPro and make it visible in the image on my Mac with a »quick« photoshop editing – a good and necessary exercise for every creative. Also to the delight of my steadily increasing number of Instagram followers who follow my personal account.
How it started?
While I was shooting me and my fat bike end of Nov 2020 with my GoPro a hiker with his dog was passing by - and I thought, as many other people in this lockdown times too, it would be nice to have a dog as company. Even if I more of a cat guy.
Back home on my Mac, viewing my shots, suddenly the basic idea came into my mind. And yes, honestly spoken, it was the idea of the child in me – 😁 – why not a cool dinosaur as a pet?
And who is the coolest dinosaur beside a T-Rex to have as an insta pet, plus has more the right size to walk or run on your side? Of course, there is only one choice: A velociraptor! And yes, before you ask - I call him »Blue«, how else …
On this day the »magic« in my rides was still far away, only a little gloss at the horizon - but it started with this image - the first here to view – waiting patiently for a passing »lunch« in the woods.
Thank you for viewing this gallery of my »magic rides« and for your Panda »Like«. A bit of short story behind this images, beside the headlines here, you find on my website.
There is still a lot for me to experience as to tell – and at every corner there is always the chance that one of my insta pets lurking behind. Thank you very much if you decide to following me on my personal Instagram account @stevenflier to stay tuned.
And yes - as a freelance creative in »interesting« times I’m always looking out for jobs or offers. Thanx in advance to contact me. Business Instagram: @stevenflier_design
Creativity doesn't stop when you leave your desk as a creative. It should even be the case that you sometimes have to force it to go to sleep, put it in an imaginary basket, so to speak: »That’s where you're staying now, and tomorrow morning the two of us will go out again.« Whereby creativity is also not considered the most obedient of all human qualities.
About my »Muscle SUV« as I call it sometimes: It is a 2018 »Silverback Bikes Scoop« with a carbon fork. Customized and optimized for my magical rides by myself: Other breaks and dropper post. In the now almost two years I ride my Scoop on a mostly daily basis it never let me down. Always brought me back home. Even when I crashed it in one of my photo safaris. In other words: It’s built like a tank.
Ride on and fortune may with you – to see a dragon for yourself.
Steven Flier - fat bike enthusiast
More info: stevenflier.com
How my magic fat bike rides started in Nov 2020 - The first edit: Waiting for a passing lunch
Winter wonderland. Exploring a pond hidden away in the middle of the woods.
An urban late eve magic ride around my home base L.E. near Stuttgart.
Enjoying the lake view after a magic ride with my velociraptor. Location: Pfaffensee, Stuttgart.
In the footsteps of King Arthur. A magic ride with Camelot view.
A dirty and muddy selfie with a baby dragon.
The winner of todays winter hunting games in the woods.
Crossing a creek in the woods watched over by a dragon near Siebenmühlental.
A magic ride between the mountains with an angry dragon coming by.
An urban magic ride my velociraptor and waiting - again - for a passing »lunch«.
A magic ride in a galaxy far, far away. Or, a typical Star Wars postcard idyll.
Magic ride in black & white and a selfie ninja style.
A magic ride on the lake, having small talk with a dragon.
Exploring a hidden cottage ruin with a #breakfree Graffiti on the wall.
Meanwhile in Middle Earth.
Sleeping beauties – or, having a nap with one of my special insta pets.
An urban magic ride and personal motivation in ninja style.
Introducing my »cathedral of street art«. One of my top urban magic ride locations.
An early morning magic ride in the fog.
Middle Earth parking spot: The Skull Tree. Owned by dwarfs: Reasonable fees and 24/7.
Riding one of the darkest forest trails downhill direction Stuttgart – and a little dragon photobombing my »hero« image.
An early morning magic ride to to clear the head. I call it a »free your brain ride«.
One of my personal and very hidden magic ride lookout points into another universe.
A magic ride and dark thoughts about the golden crows in cages, worshipped by the masses.
A detail shot of my »cathedral of street art«. One of my top urban magic ride locations near my home base.
Crossing the hidden »Troll Bridge« into »no mans land« near Ditzingen / Germany.
My personal »Tigerland«. A predator who almost hunted me down in 2021.
Again in the footsteps of King Arthur. A dusty magic ride arena near Ditzingen.
I love cookies! So - I love the cookiemonster too!
Don’t fight your inner dragon. Play with him.
First image of a man’s classic - sending compliments with flowers to your love.
Second image of a man’s classic - sending compliments with flowers to your love.
Most important question: Where is the mother of this cute?
More a magic walk than a ride. And why? Easy. Because there is a tree to walk.
There is always the chance to view the legendary Swabian »Kraken«!
Another of my magic ride lookout points: The »Dragon Bridge« near Stuttgart-Vaihingen.
Caught this T-Rex on the roof of the »Neues Schloss« in Stuttgart.
A magic ride in the woods having an armchair politics chat with one of my velociraptors.
Run with big cats and stay free.
Selfie - and I love to ride my fat bike, or as I call it: My »Muscle SUV«.
