Happy Independence Day!
We'll be celebrating. A lot. Hope you will too!
TRWS!
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Once Were Lost
We've been looking all over for you.
Let's get right to it: Summer's here and the Bitter Pill is just around the corner. And, those brothers at GMARA (may the fleas of a thousand camels infest their pits) are moving it to...are you ready for this...CRAFTSBURY. Yeah! Like, WTF?!
Now, don't get me wrong. Craftsbury is nice this time of year. Unfortunately, it's not anywhere near the Mansfield State Forest or the CC Putnum state forest or any of the many miles of trail within the 35 mile radius TRWS would consider its back yard.
Hey, look, that's fine. We can take it. And, you heard it here first: We're going to be contenders for the 3M repeat.
That's right. Those race movin', neddle lovin', adjrenaline junkies will have to do better than that. We're in tighter than a tick.
How 'bout this heat?
We've been looking all over for you.
Let's get right to it: Summer's here and the Bitter Pill is just around the corner. And, those brothers at GMARA (may the fleas of a thousand camels infest their pits) are moving it to...are you ready for this...CRAFTSBURY. Yeah! Like, WTF?!
Now, don't get me wrong. Craftsbury is nice this time of year. Unfortunately, it's not anywhere near the Mansfield State Forest or the CC Putnum state forest or any of the many miles of trail within the 35 mile radius TRWS would consider its back yard.
Hey, look, that's fine. We can take it. And, you heard it here first: We're going to be contenders for the 3M repeat.
That's right. Those race movin', neddle lovin', adjrenaline junkies will have to do better than that. We're in tighter than a tick.
How 'bout this heat?
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Frigid Infliction 2009--Old man winter wins, again. Another Frigid Infliction has come and gone. And, before we detail our experience--which was a very good one, despite our lackluster finish-- we wanted to share with you this short piece that ran in the Burlington Free Press the morning of the race.
Kudos to the team at GMARA who have done an extraordinary job building the organization, recruiting and retaining sponsors, and--most importantly--introducing more and more people to this incredible sport. Great job, guys! We'll be back for more, for sure.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
What the heck...
...Am I going to do with my snow shoes? That's what I keep thinking about.
More specifically, how am I going to get them on my pack, while I'm carrying my skis? I've got straps, but they have a kind of one or the other kind of set up. (sigh) I better figure it out...
On a different note, things are looking good for Saturday. My pre-race diet (with staples such as chips, dip, frozen pizza and beer) is in full swing; we've gotten out for some good skiing (which I can say I had not done at all prior to the last FIWAR we raced in); it looks like there's some "wintry mix" rolling in on Friday and possibly lingering into Saturday for the start of the race; I'm generally pretty psyched to be racing Saturday...things are looking good. What could possibly go wrong? Lots, I suppose. But that's why it's adventure racing.
...Am I going to do with my snow shoes? That's what I keep thinking about.
More specifically, how am I going to get them on my pack, while I'm carrying my skis? I've got straps, but they have a kind of one or the other kind of set up. (sigh) I better figure it out...
On a different note, things are looking good for Saturday. My pre-race diet (with staples such as chips, dip, frozen pizza and beer) is in full swing; we've gotten out for some good skiing (which I can say I had not done at all prior to the last FIWAR we raced in); it looks like there's some "wintry mix" rolling in on Friday and possibly lingering into Saturday for the start of the race; I'm generally pretty psyched to be racing Saturday...things are looking good. What could possibly go wrong? Lots, I suppose. But that's why it's adventure racing.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Frigid Infliction is Approaching...Quickly
Well, less than 2 weeks until the 2009 MVP Health Care Frigid Inflicition Winter Adventure Race (FIWAR) gets underway, and conditions could not be better!! Bolton is claiming to have gotten 72 inches (yes, that's 6 FEET) of snow in the last 7 days, and having gotten out there and done some course work recently, I can attest to the fact that there is a LOT of snow out there. It should make for a very interesting race next Saturday.
Over the next few days I will be offering some advice for folks on winter adventure racing in general, and this race in particular. Now, I won't be giving away any course secrets, but I will have some tips on winter travel in Vermont. So, tune back in soon for the next installment!!
Grambo
Well, less than 2 weeks until the 2009 MVP Health Care Frigid Inflicition Winter Adventure Race (FIWAR) gets underway, and conditions could not be better!! Bolton is claiming to have gotten 72 inches (yes, that's 6 FEET) of snow in the last 7 days, and having gotten out there and done some course work recently, I can attest to the fact that there is a LOT of snow out there. It should make for a very interesting race next Saturday.
Over the next few days I will be offering some advice for folks on winter adventure racing in general, and this race in particular. Now, I won't be giving away any course secrets, but I will have some tips on winter travel in Vermont. So, tune back in soon for the next installment!!
Grambo
Sunday, February 01, 2009
BOUNDLESS
Like Grambo (and Justin), I just got a new backcountry tele/touring set up.
I went with the Fischer Boundless Crown, with the Karhu XCD Traverse boot (like Graham) and the Voile 3-pin Cable Telemark Binding. And tossed on some risers and leashes, so they can rocket down some groomed lift-accessed down hill. They are a little shorter and a little wider than the 10th Mountains Grambo and Justin are rockin'. You can read a telemarkski.com review of these skis here.
Took'em out tonight for our first short loop. (It's an incredible night, by the way...28 degrees...crystal clear...bright stars...awesome...) After the first few kicks into the woods I felt like I could go forever, and kind of wanted to. After a short while, I figured I should head home for dinner, turned around and enjoyed the reward of the modest hills I had climbed going in. These things are rockin'. I'm fired up and can't wait to ski to, and around, Beaver Meadow next weekend--and far, far beyond.
JG
Like Grambo (and Justin), I just got a new backcountry tele/touring set up.
I went with the Fischer Boundless Crown, with the Karhu XCD Traverse boot (like Graham) and the Voile 3-pin Cable Telemark Binding. And tossed on some risers and leashes, so they can rocket down some groomed lift-accessed down hill. They are a little shorter and a little wider than the 10th Mountains Grambo and Justin are rockin'. You can read a telemarkski.com review of these skis here.
Took'em out tonight for our first short loop. (It's an incredible night, by the way...28 degrees...crystal clear...bright stars...awesome...) After the first few kicks into the woods I felt like I could go forever, and kind of wanted to. After a short while, I figured I should head home for dinner, turned around and enjoyed the reward of the modest hills I had climbed going in. These things are rockin'. I'm fired up and can't wait to ski to, and around, Beaver Meadow next weekend--and far, far beyond.
JG
Friday, January 30, 2009
XC Skiing Rocks...With Good Skis...
So I have always had a love/hate relationship with cross country skiing. In theory, I love it. What could be better than exploring the backcountry in the winterm, cruising up hills and blasting down beautiful glades, without any crowds or lift tickets. However, in practice, it has never been very pleasant for me. Lots of falling, crazy crashes, and aches and pains where no one should have aches and pains.
That all changed yesterday. In the past, I have always skiied on long, thin skis (my old skis were from the 80s, and were like 215s or 225s), which are fine for skiing in tracks, but take them off trail into the woods or try to go down a steep hill with them, and it was a nightmare. No control! Even last winter when I rented a more modern setup to pre-run the ski leg of the 2008 Frigid Infliction, I had a terrible time. So this year, I decided that either I was done skiing, or I would buy some new gear. After months of research, I finally cobbled together my EMS GMARA discount, a great coupon from the Bitter Pill, and about 5 gift cards I had recieved for Xmas and my birthday to buy a new cross country setup. I took it out for a test run yesterday, and it is AWESOME!!
The setup I went with is XCD (cross country downhill), which has been described as mountain biking in the winter. Since mtn biking is my favorite summer activity, it was a no brainer. The skis I wound up getting are the Karhu 10th Mtn Division XCDs, in a 185 length. These are a nice, shaped ski with full metal edges, and nice fat tips and tails. I married them to the Voile 3 Pin Cable binding, which provides quite a bit more control than just the 3 pin alone, especially on the downhills. For boots, I had some major issues that I don't want to get in to, but I wound up buying a new pair of Karhu XCD Traverse boots, which are a very lightweight but sturdy boot, with a decent "powerstrap" to help keep your heel locked down.
Yesterday I took the skis out for my first run, at Little River State Park in Waterbury (a great place to XC ski and snowshoe, by the way). I only had an hour or so of light, which was perfect. The first 3/4 of the ski was up hill and flat, skiing up to the top of the reservoir and then further on up to the state park. I had to stop 4 or 5 times to adjust my bindings (cables were not quite the right length, but they are very, very easy to adjust), but overall the skis climbed great. Then it was time to go back down. There are basically 3 hills which I had to ski down. In the past, I would get going, and then loose my balance and crash. Every time. On these skis, the combination of the width, the metal edges, and the better binding and boots kept me upright the entire time!!! Wow, XC skis that I can actually turn! And do a snowplow with! And have fun with!!
Overall, a great first day out on the new skis. I'm planning to get out this afternoon and also Sunday, for some longer skis, and we'll see how that goes. However, my early review of these skis/boots/bindings is a very strong WOO HOO!!!
Grambo
So I have always had a love/hate relationship with cross country skiing. In theory, I love it. What could be better than exploring the backcountry in the winterm, cruising up hills and blasting down beautiful glades, without any crowds or lift tickets. However, in practice, it has never been very pleasant for me. Lots of falling, crazy crashes, and aches and pains where no one should have aches and pains.
That all changed yesterday. In the past, I have always skiied on long, thin skis (my old skis were from the 80s, and were like 215s or 225s), which are fine for skiing in tracks, but take them off trail into the woods or try to go down a steep hill with them, and it was a nightmare. No control! Even last winter when I rented a more modern setup to pre-run the ski leg of the 2008 Frigid Infliction, I had a terrible time. So this year, I decided that either I was done skiing, or I would buy some new gear. After months of research, I finally cobbled together my EMS GMARA discount, a great coupon from the Bitter Pill, and about 5 gift cards I had recieved for Xmas and my birthday to buy a new cross country setup. I took it out for a test run yesterday, and it is AWESOME!!
The setup I went with is XCD (cross country downhill), which has been described as mountain biking in the winter. Since mtn biking is my favorite summer activity, it was a no brainer. The skis I wound up getting are the Karhu 10th Mtn Division XCDs, in a 185 length. These are a nice, shaped ski with full metal edges, and nice fat tips and tails. I married them to the Voile 3 Pin Cable binding, which provides quite a bit more control than just the 3 pin alone, especially on the downhills. For boots, I had some major issues that I don't want to get in to, but I wound up buying a new pair of Karhu XCD Traverse boots, which are a very lightweight but sturdy boot, with a decent "powerstrap" to help keep your heel locked down.
Yesterday I took the skis out for my first run, at Little River State Park in Waterbury (a great place to XC ski and snowshoe, by the way). I only had an hour or so of light, which was perfect. The first 3/4 of the ski was up hill and flat, skiing up to the top of the reservoir and then further on up to the state park. I had to stop 4 or 5 times to adjust my bindings (cables were not quite the right length, but they are very, very easy to adjust), but overall the skis climbed great. Then it was time to go back down. There are basically 3 hills which I had to ski down. In the past, I would get going, and then loose my balance and crash. Every time. On these skis, the combination of the width, the metal edges, and the better binding and boots kept me upright the entire time!!! Wow, XC skis that I can actually turn! And do a snowplow with! And have fun with!!
Overall, a great first day out on the new skis. I'm planning to get out this afternoon and also Sunday, for some longer skis, and we'll see how that goes. However, my early review of these skis/boots/bindings is a very strong WOO HOO!!!
Grambo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
