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To make ‘GPS art,’ these athletes use San Francisco’s street layout as their canvas

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To make ‘GPS art,’ these athletes use San Francisco’s street layout as their canvas


Jakub “Kuba” Mosur has biked throughout San Francisco so many instances that its steep, unforgiving hills don’t trouble him. As he pedals up the slopes, his thoughts is on one thing else fully — his artwork.

Mosur, 46, is a part of a group of native athletes who use location-tracking software program that data their each transfer as they bike or run town’s streets to create pictures akin to animals, individuals, symbols and phrases. They journey well-plotted-out routes, and the ensuing pictures seem on the software program’s maps, which they then share on social media to show their “artwork.”

In essence, San Francisco’s panorama is a canvas and the artwork is a large-scale contour drawing primarily based on the athlete’s actions. For San Francisco’s GPS artists, biking or operating up and down hills is just a part of the inventive course of.

“It’s wholesome, clearly, and it’s enjoyable,” stated Lenny Maughan, 61, a distance runner whose hundreds of Instagram followers know him because the “Human Etch A Sketch.”

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“Distance and size are completely irrelevant,” he stated. “I make a design and do no matter it takes.”

A pattern of the “GPS artwork” that San Francisco resident Jakub “Kuba” Mosur has created. He’s a part of a group of native athletes who make “GPS artwork” by utilizing software program to report their actions as they cycle or run pre-planned routes.

Supplied by Jakub “Kuba” Mosur

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The pastime — some name it “GPS artwork,” others “operating artwork” or just “run-art” — lends itself to creativity and adaptableness. As a result of it’s a comparatively new medium, the group is basically decentralized, with little construction, no expectations and plenty of room for low-stakes experimentation.

Native GPS artists have digitally plastered San Francisco with phrases, quirky symbols and different squiggly designs representing all the pieces from individuals and animals to pictures and phrases that decision consideration to present occasions.

“It’s natural and everybody type of does their very own factor,” Maughan stated. “This isn’t one thing that somebody could make a paint-by-numbers package and let you know what to do. In that case, what’s the purpose?”

What the artists have in frequent is their obsession with accuracy. With location-tracking apps akin to Strava, MapMyRun and Relive chargeable for “drawing” the road that the artists fastidiously plan, precision is all the pieces. One flawed flip or misplaced beginning or ending level and the entire drawing will be ruined.

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A sample of the "GPS art" that San Francisco resident Jakub "Kuba" Mosur has created. He is part of a community of local athletes who make "GPS art" by using software to record their movements as they cycle or run pre-planned routes.

A pattern of the “GPS artwork” that San Francisco resident Jakub “Kuba” Mosur has created. He’s a part of a group of native athletes who make “GPS artwork” by utilizing software program to report their actions as they cycle or run pre-planned routes.

Supplied by Jakub “Kuba” Mosur

“You do not have to be quick to make the run-art; you simply need to not make the flawed flip,” stated Frank Chan, 49, a Russian Hill resident who began making run-art across the begin of the pandemic.

Earlier than lacing up his trainers, Chan makes use of Photoshop or related software program to sketch the design he has in thoughts over a digital map of San Francisco. It may be a painstaking course of, generally requiring a number of revisions to clean out bumpy traces, scale back or improve the size of the route or regulate the path to keep away from buildings and different constructions.

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“For those who’re doing it proper, it normally takes longer to sketch out and plan than to run the rattling factor,” Chan stated with amusing.

As soon as his design is prepared, he prints out the map, straps on two Garmin watches in case considered one of them fails to trace his motion, and heads out. More often than not, he doesn’t want instructions; having run each road in San Francisco helps him know the place to show, he stated. Maughan, who’s near conducting that feat, uploads his design to a Kindle and reads the picture like a paper map. Mosur, his fingers on the handlebars, has a small Wahoo GPS clipped to his customized bike.

A sample of the "GPS art" that San Francisco resident Jakub "Kuba" Mosur has created. He is part of a community of local athletes who make "GPS art" by using software to record their movements as they cycle or run pre-planned routes.

A pattern of the “GPS artwork” that San Francisco resident Jakub “Kuba” Mosur has created. He’s a part of a group of native athletes who make “GPS artwork” by utilizing software program to report their actions as they cycle or run pre-planned routes.

Supplied by Jakub “Kuba” Mosur

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The deliberate routes will be dozens of miles lengthy — the longer the route, the clearer and smoother the picture. It might take a number of days to complete operating or biking the longest ones. However in some methods, these prolonged runs or bike rides are what the pastime is all about, the artists stated. Some crave a runner’s excessive — “it’s a must to earn it,” Maughan stated. Some benefit from the feeling of connection they get with town or use the artwork kind as a manner to boost their exercises.

As they zip by way of neighborhoods, previous waterfronts and over hills, the artists get a different sampling of the very best — and worst — of San Francisco. On a single run or bike trip, they may go elegant multimillion-dollar Victorians one minute and folks battling homelessness and drug dependancy the subsequent.

“It may be a method to form of power sure interactions with the world,” Chan stated. That was particularly essential, he famous, when the pandemic started.

For Mosur, the GPS artwork can really feel ethereal, he stated, like a picture drawn within the sand earlier than waves wash it away. A historical past buff — his bike is called Le Vizir after Napoleon’s trusty steed — Mosur stated his work satirically reminds him of a few of humanity’s earliest artwork varieties, akin to cave work and geoglyphs just like the Nazca Strains in Peru. When he rides his bike, often in a Napoleon costume for enjoyable, he looks like he’s telling a narrative, he stated.

A sample of the "GPS art" that San Francisco resident Jakub "Kuba" Mosur has created. He is part of a community of local athletes who make "GPS art" by using software to record their movements as they cycle or run pre-planned routes.

A pattern of the “GPS artwork” that San Francisco resident Jakub “Kuba” Mosur has created. He’s a part of a group of native athletes who make “GPS artwork” by utilizing software program to report their actions as they cycle or run pre-planned routes.

Supplied by Jakub “Kuba” Mosur

“I type of need to create this historic narrative throughout chronological time, but in addition I’m doing it to type of encourage others which may be into artwork or could also be into biking to think about their train another way,” Mosur stated. “It doesn’t need to be simply me shifting my legs on a motorcycle pedal, however slightly it could possibly be only a completely different expression and a manner of speaking with the remainder of the world.”

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The artists share their work on Instagram, Strava and different on-line platforms, and have developed a group of like-minded athletes enthusiastic about GPS artwork as a inventive outlet. A few of them do group rides or runs and have collaborated on some bigger tasks. Chan and Maughan labored collectively to recreate Michelangelo’s well-known “The Creation of Adam,” with Chan operating the road that might turn out to be Adam’s hand and Maughan creating God’s, the 2 fingertips assembly within the Haight-Ashbury.

“Artwork is abruptly — to my delight, and to not my expectations — a part of my life once more,” stated Maughan, who as a child would doodle caricatures of his buddies, impressed by the artwork in Mad Journal.

Maughan is retired now however plans to maintain on operating till he can’t anymore, he stated. Whereas his operating artwork is nothing greater than a private problem, he stated, it does make him joyful to know that he could also be inspiring others to assume artistically.

Maybe others can discover a excessive in making operating artwork, too.

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“You’ve gotten a canvas,” Chan stated. “It’s best to do one thing with it.”

Andy Picon (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle workers author. E mail: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon





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San Francisco, CA

5 things to watch when Patriots play San Francisco 49ers

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5 things to watch when Patriots play San Francisco 49ers


FOXBOROUGH – This isn’t where the Patriots wanted to be, but after two losses in a row, the show must go on.

On Friday, the Patriots left New England for a cross-country trip to San Francisco to take on a talented 49ers team. After a strong start and upset win, to start the season, Jerod Mayo’s team is coming off a blowout loss to the New York Jets.

Now, they’ll take on the NFC favorites, on the road.

The 49ers have a roster full of elite players but are also dealing with health issues. San Francisco’s offense will be without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and Pro Bowl receiver Deebo Samuel. On top of that, four Pro Bowlers – tight end George Kittle (hamstring), tackle Trent Williams (illness), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps), and quarterback Brock Purdy (back) – were on the injury report this week.

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The Patriots must turn the page and forget about their performance in New York.

“What I will say is the challenge for us is just in the front: offensive line and defensive line. I don’t want to sound repetitive, but they are a do-what-they-do type of team, and we know what they’re going to do, the fans know what they’re going to do, but you still have to stop them,” Mayo said. “They have a lot of good players on that team, offensively and defensively, All-Pro-caliber players almost at every level if you really look at the roster. So, it’s definitely a challenge, and I think the guys – I tell them all the time, look at it as an opportunity to go out there and perform.”

Here are five things to watch when the Patriots take on the 49ers:

Brandon Aiyuk

This matchup is like when you see someone in public who once rejected your advances and hope to show them what they’re missing.

The Patriots had a trade in place with the 49ers to acquire All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk. They even had a contract offer on the table that would’ve reportedly made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

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Instead, Aiyuk rejected the Patriots, used them as leverage, and ended up re-signing with the 49ers for less money.

Ouch.

The Patriots will get a chance to see Aiyuk on Sunday. It’ll be fascinating to see if Christian Gonzalez can slow down the receiver. Aiyuk clearly didn’t think much of the Patriots roster. We’ll see how they respond.

Jacoby Brissett

The Patriots passing attack is ranked last in the NFL, averaging 102 passing yards per game. Of course, the team is also ranked first in the NFL in interception rate (0.0%).

Jacoby Brissett has a tough job. He’s being used as a piñata this season, taking hits from opposing defenses while keeping the seat warm for Drake Maye. The veteran hasn’t exactly lit up the stat sheet this season, but he’s also not making too many egregious mistakes.

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Out of all quarterbacks, who’ve started three games, Brissett is last in the NFL with 368 passing yards, but his interception percentage of zero is tied for first. The 49ers are ranked 20th in the NFL in passing defense. They’ve allowed 217.7 passing yards per game.

We’ll see if Brissett can put together a better effort this time.

Offensive line

Brissett has been sacked at an alarming rate this season.

Entering this week, he’s fourth in the NFL in sack percentage (the times sacked on plays where he’s supposed to pass the ball). Last week, he was sacked five times and hit 12 times overall.

That won’t work on Sunday. San Francisco has one of the better pass rushes in the NFL. Four-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa anchors this defensive line. On Thursday, Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt called Bosa a “nightmare.”

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The Patriots should be getting back left guard Sidy Sow this week. That’s positive. However, they’ll likely start third-string left tackle Caedan Wallace. He’s been elevated due to Vederian Lowe’s knee injury and Chuks Okorafor leaving the team.

We’ll see if the results are any different.

Rhamondre Stevenson

The San Francisco 49ers have one of the best-run defenses in the NFL. They head into this game ranked ninth in the league, allowing 104 yards per game on the ground. Opposing teams, however, are averaging 4.52 yards per carry against the 49ers – and that’s 21st in the league.

That brings us to Rhamondre Stevenson.

He’s arguably the Patriots best offensive player. He’s why the Patriots offense didn’t look putrid in the first two weeks. However, he’s fumbled three games in a row. That’s bad news because after going away from the run last week, the Patriots need to hammer the ground game again.

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Will Stevenson bounce back? It’s the Patriots best bet to move the football, so they are probably hoping he does.

Defensive performance

Expectations for the Patriots offense were already low. The big hope for this year’s team was that the defense would be a top-10 unit. However, they haven’t looked the part in the past two games.

Now, they enter this week ranked tenth in points allowed (19.0 per game) so that’s solid. The defense struggled the past two weeks against Aaron Rodgers and Geno Smith. Their passing defense is currently ranked 27th in the NFL while their run defense is among the best at No. 5.

Last week, the Patriots struggled to tackle, so that needs to improve on Sunday. They also need more turnovers and sacks. So far, the secondary has zero interceptions while the group is 22nd in sacks per pass attempt.

Can the Patriots defense turn it around in San Francisco?

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Prediction: 49ers 23, Patriots 16



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St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants — A game thread for September 27, 2024

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St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants — A game thread for September 27, 2024


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Dbacks Lose Series to San Francisco Giants

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Dbacks Lose Series to San Francisco Giants


The Arizona Diamondbacks faced a challenging series against the San Francisco Giants, leaving fans with mixed emotions and heightened anxiety as the playoff race intensified. In a critical weekend for the team’s postseason chances, the Diamondbacks dropped two out of three games to the Giants, bringing a wave of frustration and doubt to the fan base. This series loss, paired with inconsistent performances, has left many wondering if Arizona’s playoff dreams are slipping away.

Game 2 of the series was a breaking point for both fans and the podcast hosts of Dbacks Dispatch. The Diamondbacks suffered a brutal 11-0 loss to the Giants, leading to heightened concern about the team’s chances. “That was the most down I’ve been all season,” Brandon admitted, capturing the collective sentiment of many Arizona supporters.

Despite holding on to postseason hopes, the tone was one of uncertainty. As Brandon pointed out, “Even if we make it in, I’m not feeling confident.” The crushing loss highlighted issues that have plagued the team for weeks, including pitching struggles and inconsistent offense.

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Zac Gallen’s stellar performance in Game 3 was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise tough series. In what many viewed as a must-win game, Gallen delivered under pressure. “This was probably the biggest game of the season, and one of the biggest of his career,” Gabriel noted, praising Gallen’s ability to settle in after a rough start.

The right-hander managed to keep the Giants at bay, giving Arizona a chance to salvage the series. However, concerns lingered about the team’s bullpen, which has been stretched thin in recent weeks. “Our bullpen is absolutely exhausted right now,” Brandon pointed out, referencing the frequent use of relievers like Justin Martinez, who has struggled lately.

The upcoming series against the San Diego Padres looms large for the Dbacks. With only a few games remaining, Arizona’s playoff hopes are far from secure. The hosts of Dbacks Dispatch discussed the anxiety surrounding these final games, emphasizing that every game is now a must-win. “The amount of anxiety this is going to cause…my anxiety is at like fifty,” Gabriel said, a sentiment likely shared by many in the fanbase.

The Diamondbacks need a series win to secure a wild-card spot, but even then, they may need help from other teams. As Gabriel explained, “We might not even know if they’re in until late Monday night.” The uncertainty has left fans on edge, with little room for error as the season winds down.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the team is how they manage their roster, particularly key players like Zac Gallen. There’s speculation about whether Gallen should be used out of the bullpen if necessary, given the team’s dire situation. “Do they try him on Sunday if we’re still in it and need to win?” Brandon asked. The dilemma revolves around whether to sacrifice Gallen’s availability for the wild-card game to secure a win in the final series.

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Other lineup decisions, such as resting key players like Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., have sparked debate. Fans were vocal about their displeasure with Marte’s absence in a critical game earlier in the series, even though Marte reportedly asked for a rest day. As Gabriel summarized, “If our best players aren’t playing, we’re managing ourselves out of the playoffs.”

If the Diamondbacks fail to make the playoffs, will the season be considered a failure? The hosts of Dbacks Dispatch were unanimous in their assessment. “Complete failure,” Oscar said, echoing the sentiments of many fans who expected more from a team that reached the World Series just last year. “If you don’t make the playoffs, it’s a disappointment,” Oscar added, citing the team’s high expectations and significant offseason spending.

Despite some progress, such as standout performances from young players, the overarching feeling is that missing the playoffs would negate much of the success seen during the season. “This isn’t 2022. This team was expected to make the playoffs,” Brandon remarked, highlighting the heightened stakes this year.

As the Diamondbacks head into their final series of the season against the Padres, the pressure couldn’t be higher. A sweep could not only secure a playoff spot but potentially give them home-field advantage in the wild-card round. However, anything less than a series win may leave the team relying on help from other teams, a position no one wants to be in.

Gabriel encapsulated the situation perfectly: “It’s all hands on deck at this point.” Fans and players alike are bracing for a weekend filled with stress, anxiety, and hopefully, triumph as Arizona’s postseason fate hangs in the balance.

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