Panning for Gold

This was a picture taken yesterday at Afton Alps...Well not really but close. Alta. They have been enjoying fresh snow. Nice to see since last year was not a good year. Should call in sick and get a couple of quality days of skiing in. These days I am more of a wannabe skier. Have all the new equipment and never use the stuff. Where can a guy use a pair of B4s around here? Is there even such a thing as a good powder day at Lutsen?

Remember when the UP was the hotbed for skiing in the midwest. Indianhead, Blackjack, and a couple of other areas were booming in the late 70s and 80s. Now they are either out of business, for sale or struggling to make it. I skied at a little known area near Rodchester called Steeplechase last year. Good veritcal drop and a couple of chairs which served about 10 runs. I heard it went under and is up for sale. Too bad. Anyone interested in buying the place? Buy the resort, develop $1M+ homes around it and make it into a private ski area for members only. Private areas or clubs have been popping up. A couple of private areas in the US that have been successful courting members are the Yellowstone Club and recently the Mt. Holly Club. I can not imagine the cost of membership.

Did a little panning for gold last night trying to find that winter form. Sammy and I made it out for 2 hours. Perfect night ride. Departed from Sam's and rode the Greenway trail throughout Mpls. Some slick spots but managed to keep the bike upright. Sam was sporting his new studded tires. Definately the way to go out there. I hear Doug needs a set as well. Doug how is the ass feeling today? Remember rubber side down.

It is nearing the middle of January and I have yet to strap on the skinny skis. With the Birkie coming up I should at least attempt to skate around Baker Park a couple of times before the race. If you have not experienced the Birkie it is one event to check out. Some race it. Others just try and survive. I am there just to have some fun. Entertaining to watch terrified nordic skiers navigate downhill. Imagine Chequamegon then multiply it by 3 times. Unbelievable.

Reader question. Does a lighter bike make you ride faster? What is a pound worth? Keith Bontrager once worked out that one per cent off the total weight of bike and rider was worth 52 feet per mile on a climb, assuming constant power output. Now factor in how much you weigh and the amount of climbing we do here in the midwest during a race like OS2 or Chequamegon what are the gains of dropping a pound or 2. After analyzing finish times of these races it could be significant. 1-2 minutes during one of those races can mean up to 25 - 30 places. Now add up the savings from dropping 10 pounds of body weight. What do you think?