How I film myself while Cycling

I love riding my bicycle, and I love taking videos of those rides.

I started cycling about seven years back. Back then, I didn't carry any fancy cameras, just my mobile phone. I'd snap a bunch of photos and was pretty happy with them. But I always wished I could actually record some of my rides. I really love looking back at those memories, and there's something about the creative process of editing the video that I just cherish. Sometimes, it even motivates me to get out and do more rides.

So, in this post, I'm going to explain you exactly how I record my videos while I'm cycling. Let's get into it!

Action Camera

The first thing you'll need to start is an action camera. I bought my first one quite late into my cycling journey, and honestly, I wish I'd done it sooner.

My first action camera was a GoPro Hero 10 Black, which I still carry around. I absolutely love the video that comes out of this camera; it records super stable footage. However, I don't actually recommend a GoPro now. I faced a lot of issues while using it. It used to stop recording randomly, get stuck, and I even had to get a replacement from GoPro Singapore.

Instead, I would recommend the DJI Action 4. Now that the Action 6 is out, you might even snag a good discount on the Action 4. I've recorded extensively with the Action 4, and it never got stuck, not even once. The video quality is remarkably better than the Hero 10 that I owned.

If you get the Action 4 with the adventure combo, you'll get a battery case, three batteries, and a super long selfie stick – that selfie stick is a game changer. The other big advantage with the Action 4 is its magnetic mount system. You can easily switch the camera from the selfie stick to a chest mount, and this magnetic system just makes it a joy to use.

Accessories

Once you get the action camera, it’s time to focus on accessories. You will definitely need a chest mount. I tried the GoPro chest mount once, but it draws way too much attention while you're cycling. It's honestly very uncomfortable. What I recommend instead is a Neck Mount. This is a game changer; it's super comfortable to wear, and people don't really notice it a lot.

You will also need a mini tripod leg so that you can attach it to your selfie stick.

Apart from these, you'll need a water bottle bag that attaches to your handlebars.

How to Shoot

I typically don’t use the chest mount unless I'm going downhill. For normal shots, I prefer to do them handheld. I attach my action camera to the selfie stick. For quick access, I use that water bottle bag. Whenever I'm done with shooting, I just place my camera inside the bag. As an introvert, I don't want to draw too much attention while riding, and this setup really helps with that. As a bonus, you can even use the selfie stick to scare off any aggressive dogs!

I don’t record everything on the ride. It becomes very difficult to store all that footage and make an edit if that's the case. I take short clips, usually 15-30 seconds long. I also try to change my angles on the bike so the video doesn't become too static and uninteresting.

To record myself, I angle the action camera around 45 degrees and extend the selfie stick, holding it on the handlebar. To get an even wider shot, I extend it further. This long selfie stick enables a unique perspective that I really like. If you angle it just correctly, the selfie stick won't even be visible in the shot.

Next comes the chest mount. Whenever you need both hands on the handlebar, like when you're going downhill or navigating traffic, I tend to use the neck mount. I invert my camera on the mount to get a lower angle. I also record in 4:3 aspect ratio on the DJI Action 4 to get a wider shot or to make a vertical edit later. The neck mount also captures great footage of the group in front of you.

I did try a handlebar mount a few times and found it to be uninteresting. Even to record myself, the lower angle just doesn't appeal to me.

You can also use the tripod base to place the camera on the ground, and cycle into the frame. These shots add a unique perspective and are definitely worth doing for that extra flair.

I always try to do these when I'm safe on the road. I have a mirror so that I can see if there are any fast-moving vehicles behind me.

If you've been thinking about recording your rides, I hope this helps you get started