All this blogging and social networking and content producing- holy cow it can be tough to keep up with!
Right now I'm over here most of the time- so join in and follow along as we enjoy another great winter!
Thanks for reading-
sven
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Skiing vs riding
I missed the Atomic Sprints up at Great Glen that took place at the beginning of December, instead I spent the day riding my bike. But while I was riding I began to realize that my mind was ready to switch gears (no pun intended) and begin to glide on snow.
As I was thinking of all of this I realized that my hands and feet were pretty much numb and for that matter my face had begun to hurt from the cold. I chalked it up to being such a tough guy and for riding when the temperatures were –0 degrees Fahrenheit. The only issue was that when I got home I looked at the temperature and it was 26 degrees! If I had been out skiing that would have seemed like a fairly warm day, I might have even been skiing without a hat and defiantly with my lightweight gloves. Instead I had been out with a heavy wind block hat, mittens and so many layers that I could hardly move. So what is the reason for being able to ski and stay so warm but riding a bike is so darn cold.
My first guess was that I was just cruising at such a high rate of speed on my bike. That thought was quickly set aside when I realized that I was riding at a very slow speed, a speed that was not that much faster then when I was skiing. So what was it? This had me baffled. So I threw on some beater cross country skis and left on my cycling gear and went for a quick cruise of the soccer field behind my house, as it had about an inch of snow- plenty for my little test. Within 20 strides I was hot, by 30 I was sweating, and by the time I hit the end of the field to begin skiing home I was unzipping layers. Interesting.
I thought it must be the fact that you use your upper body so much more in cross country skiing and the fact that both your lower and upper body are working just ramps up the engine that much more. So I tried to ski without moving my arms. I wish someone had seen this as it must have looked pretty funny- I’m guessing what a penguin would look like if it tried to cross-country ski. Aside from the fact that I had a hard time staying upright when I didn’t move my arms the experiment didn’t yield much new information. What I did realize is that my entire body was active in stabilizing me as I slid down the trail. Muscles all over were helping me keep my balance and set me up for my next stride. Unlike on my bike where I don’t need much help other then the wheels spinning to keep me balanced, on skis it is a constant and impressive effort.
Why do I point this out? Well it is good to know that cross-country skiing can keep you warm in the winter (of course oil prices have finally dropped so we may be able to actually turn the heat on this winter after all), but it is also good to know that while it is keeping you warm it is burning calories and potentially fat. Knowing that this is the time of year when most of us maybe eat a bit more then we should, and that we then make promises to ourselves based on the turning of the calendar- it is good to have a secret weapon in you back pocket. So this holiday season when you step on the scale and realize that you see a number that you’ve never been asked to count up to tell yourself that you now need to go get in a good ski (as if you needed any more reasons to want to get out on the trails!)
As I was thinking of all of this I realized that my hands and feet were pretty much numb and for that matter my face had begun to hurt from the cold. I chalked it up to being such a tough guy and for riding when the temperatures were –0 degrees Fahrenheit. The only issue was that when I got home I looked at the temperature and it was 26 degrees! If I had been out skiing that would have seemed like a fairly warm day, I might have even been skiing without a hat and defiantly with my lightweight gloves. Instead I had been out with a heavy wind block hat, mittens and so many layers that I could hardly move. So what is the reason for being able to ski and stay so warm but riding a bike is so darn cold.
My first guess was that I was just cruising at such a high rate of speed on my bike. That thought was quickly set aside when I realized that I was riding at a very slow speed, a speed that was not that much faster then when I was skiing. So what was it? This had me baffled. So I threw on some beater cross country skis and left on my cycling gear and went for a quick cruise of the soccer field behind my house, as it had about an inch of snow- plenty for my little test. Within 20 strides I was hot, by 30 I was sweating, and by the time I hit the end of the field to begin skiing home I was unzipping layers. Interesting.
I thought it must be the fact that you use your upper body so much more in cross country skiing and the fact that both your lower and upper body are working just ramps up the engine that much more. So I tried to ski without moving my arms. I wish someone had seen this as it must have looked pretty funny- I’m guessing what a penguin would look like if it tried to cross-country ski. Aside from the fact that I had a hard time staying upright when I didn’t move my arms the experiment didn’t yield much new information. What I did realize is that my entire body was active in stabilizing me as I slid down the trail. Muscles all over were helping me keep my balance and set me up for my next stride. Unlike on my bike where I don’t need much help other then the wheels spinning to keep me balanced, on skis it is a constant and impressive effort.
Why do I point this out? Well it is good to know that cross-country skiing can keep you warm in the winter (of course oil prices have finally dropped so we may be able to actually turn the heat on this winter after all), but it is also good to know that while it is keeping you warm it is burning calories and potentially fat. Knowing that this is the time of year when most of us maybe eat a bit more then we should, and that we then make promises to ourselves based on the turning of the calendar- it is good to have a secret weapon in you back pocket. So this holiday season when you step on the scale and realize that you see a number that you’ve never been asked to count up to tell yourself that you now need to go get in a good ski (as if you needed any more reasons to want to get out on the trails!)
Monday, April 28, 2008
A season ends
Ski season is pretty much over. There are a few alpine resorts still open and I'm sure we'll be tele-skiing up on Mount Washington for some time, but for the most part the skis will be soon put away and cycling will be the primary focus. But before you put the skis away for the summer don't forget their summer coat of storage wax!
Speaking of Nordic skiing, one of the sports biggest supporters here in the Mount Washington Valley passed away on Friday, Steve Eastman. Steve was the founder of the Mountain Ear and always gave Nordic a great plug. He was a personal friend and mentor and will be greatly missed. My thoughts go out to his family.
Speaking of Nordic skiing, one of the sports biggest supporters here in the Mount Washington Valley passed away on Friday, Steve Eastman. Steve was the founder of the Mountain Ear and always gave Nordic a great plug. He was a personal friend and mentor and will be greatly missed. My thoughts go out to his family.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Blisters
I've been off my skis now for over a week due to an epic blister that I got over a week ago. I hate to do this to you, but here is the blister the day I got it:
And then here is is a week later (a week in which I didn't wear shoes- just crocs or birks and lots of neosporin):
Ok now that that is over, the skiing I head is fantastic, and I plan on getting out again soon! This blister should be skiable by the weekend- or at least that's what I keep telling myself!
Have fun out there.
And then here is is a week later (a week in which I didn't wear shoes- just crocs or birks and lots of neosporin):
Ok now that that is over, the skiing I head is fantastic, and I plan on getting out again soon! This blister should be skiable by the weekend- or at least that's what I keep telling myself!
Have fun out there.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Wild Winter
I just got done salting our road, now I'm trying to decide- go for a ski or grab the bike? 40 degrees- hmmm may not get this again for awhile- I think the bike wins!
Onto other news- any local HS or college racer (MWV resident) that wants to ski the TD Banknorth WM Classic 30k on the 26th let me know. The MWNC has some FREE entries! Drop me a line and I'll get you the details.
later.
Onto other news- any local HS or college racer (MWV resident) that wants to ski the TD Banknorth WM Classic 30k on the 26th let me know. The MWNC has some FREE entries! Drop me a line and I'll get you the details.
later.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Tour de Ski
I think this is such a cool concept. I sent Howie and email up at GGTOC about doing somehting like this here in the MWV- I think it could be pretty cool.
Also on the TDS site my hero Vergard Ulvang has a blog- check it out.
Also on the TDS site my hero Vergard Ulvang has a blog- check it out.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Snow
I've been slacking on the posts as there has been so much snow that all I've been doing is skiing! It's been great, out the back door, at Whitaker, at GGTOC, skinning up Cranmore- it's been amazing.
I'm trying to get myself to realize that I need to maximize this winter as you don't know when you're going to get another one like it. So I've come up with a list of to do's:
1) ski WVT soon, and ideally start at GGTOC
2) ski to work
3) White Mountain 30K- ski faster then slow (does that make sense?)
4) teach big E to skate ski
5) ski the spine from Cranmore to Redstone
so there is my quick list- anyone want to pick any of those off with me?
Now get out and ski.
I'm trying to get myself to realize that I need to maximize this winter as you don't know when you're going to get another one like it. So I've come up with a list of to do's:
1) ski WVT soon, and ideally start at GGTOC
2) ski to work
3) White Mountain 30K- ski faster then slow (does that make sense?)
4) teach big E to skate ski
5) ski the spine from Cranmore to Redstone
so there is my quick list- anyone want to pick any of those off with me?
Now get out and ski.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Mother Nature Hooking Us Up
Wow, I can't recall an early season with this much snow in a long time, I hope it holds up! I haven't made it to one of the touring centers yet but have been out on the skinny skis a fair amount this year. The track I cut for the kids is in good shape, and our "driveway terrain park" is already in production.
Last night the girls and I got out and skied for about an hour, it was great. The snow was fast and quite and the snow was still falling.
This weekend we'll get out to one of the touring centers and give you an update. I'm thinking this might be the year that we get to ski the Wildcat Valley Trail in December!
Get out and ski!
Last night the girls and I got out and skied for about an hour, it was great. The snow was fast and quite and the snow was still falling.
This weekend we'll get out to one of the touring centers and give you an update. I'm thinking this might be the year that we get to ski the Wildcat Valley Trail in December!
Get out and ski!
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Good the Bad and in Indifferent
I missed the sprints up at GGTOC. Bummed me out as there were 127 racers and some fast kids out there racing- it could have been fun. I don't even have a good excuse. I worked at RSN in the morning then met my wife up at Cranmore to take a few runs, with the idea that I'd snag a couple lift serve runs, head over to my parents house to pick up the kids and then head up to GGTOC to do some skiing and maybe even some racing.
It all went according to plan until our first run a Cranmore when a young kid launched himself into the woods and K and I spent a good chuck of time trying to help him out. I've got to say I've never seen K come out of her skis and get off the trail adn into the woods that fast. She saw the whole thing and I think she was thinking ABC's (airway, breathing, circulation) as the speed at which he went in, and the crap he bounced off, hit, and landed in I was thinking the same. I set up our skis to keep others from getting too close the edge and hopefully giving us a bit of protection, I then tacked a ski schooler and tried to get him to understnad that I needed him to use his radio to call patrol- which he did after a while of us going back and forth about what I was asking for (I know I can be pretty confusing- but I thought I was being clear). I then jumped down into the woods to help K. At this point the kids dad was realzing what was going on as he didn't know where his kid was and he started to hike back up the trail. I got down there and did a quick check of head and spine and was shocked to see no blood, not dents in his helmet, no screaming in pain, all his teeth- I'm pretty sure he had a busted arm and will be sore but other then that I think he'll be ok. Patrol showed up and we helped pack down the exit route, and eventually we climbed out ourselves and took a couple more runs. But the experience shook me a bit as my oldest is at that place where she skis to fast and it won't surprise me if she launches like that at some point- yikes! Needless to say by the time I got home I was pretty psyched to get her out on XC gear that afternoon.
Now I'll be honest I was a bit behind is my schedule, but I got over to pick up the kids and we headed home with the intention of going up to GGTOC. Now at this point I knew I wasn't going to be racing as it was already 12:45 and the racing started at 1pm, but the thinking was it would be fun to go watch and ski with the kids.
So I had the kids grab their gear- and suddenly realized neither of the kids had boots that fit, and in Emma's case the skis I had planned on her using were still way to big! Argh. Needless to say the day fell apart from there for a short bit, but by 6pm the kids had the gear we needed, I had customized an old pair of Salomon Profil bindings to fit more like a junior binding and mounted up Emma's new skis and by 8pm we were out skiing under the stars and having a ball.
So I'm bummed I missed the sprints, I'm glad the kid that went off the trail wasn't seriously injured, and I'm ready to get out and do some skiing.
In other news talked to Cort over at Ragged Mountain - MWVST and their new groomer is here and ready to roll. It'll be exciting to see what they can do in Whitaker Woods this winter- early morning ski anyone? Also chatted with Thom at JSTF- here is they're new groomer:
Cool idea- if I had a trail that was groomable I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat.
That's it at the moment. Let's keep the snow falling.
It all went according to plan until our first run a Cranmore when a young kid launched himself into the woods and K and I spent a good chuck of time trying to help him out. I've got to say I've never seen K come out of her skis and get off the trail adn into the woods that fast. She saw the whole thing and I think she was thinking ABC's (airway, breathing, circulation) as the speed at which he went in, and the crap he bounced off, hit, and landed in I was thinking the same. I set up our skis to keep others from getting too close the edge and hopefully giving us a bit of protection, I then tacked a ski schooler and tried to get him to understnad that I needed him to use his radio to call patrol- which he did after a while of us going back and forth about what I was asking for (I know I can be pretty confusing- but I thought I was being clear). I then jumped down into the woods to help K. At this point the kids dad was realzing what was going on as he didn't know where his kid was and he started to hike back up the trail. I got down there and did a quick check of head and spine and was shocked to see no blood, not dents in his helmet, no screaming in pain, all his teeth- I'm pretty sure he had a busted arm and will be sore but other then that I think he'll be ok. Patrol showed up and we helped pack down the exit route, and eventually we climbed out ourselves and took a couple more runs. But the experience shook me a bit as my oldest is at that place where she skis to fast and it won't surprise me if she launches like that at some point- yikes! Needless to say by the time I got home I was pretty psyched to get her out on XC gear that afternoon.
Now I'll be honest I was a bit behind is my schedule, but I got over to pick up the kids and we headed home with the intention of going up to GGTOC. Now at this point I knew I wasn't going to be racing as it was already 12:45 and the racing started at 1pm, but the thinking was it would be fun to go watch and ski with the kids.
So I had the kids grab their gear- and suddenly realized neither of the kids had boots that fit, and in Emma's case the skis I had planned on her using were still way to big! Argh. Needless to say the day fell apart from there for a short bit, but by 6pm the kids had the gear we needed, I had customized an old pair of Salomon Profil bindings to fit more like a junior binding and mounted up Emma's new skis and by 8pm we were out skiing under the stars and having a ball.
So I'm bummed I missed the sprints, I'm glad the kid that went off the trail wasn't seriously injured, and I'm ready to get out and do some skiing.
In other news talked to Cort over at Ragged Mountain - MWVST and their new groomer is here and ready to roll. It'll be exciting to see what they can do in Whitaker Woods this winter- early morning ski anyone? Also chatted with Thom at JSTF- here is they're new groomer:
Cool idea- if I had a trail that was groomable I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat.
That's it at the moment. Let's keep the snow falling.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Racing this weekend
Great Glen Trails will kick off the racing season on Saturday with their Atomic Sprints
I'm still trying to descide if I'll go up and race. In years gone by that would be a great way to start my Nordic season- but I'm not so sure about that this year- I'm getting old and I'd hate to hurt myself on the first day ;)
That and I'm getting slower each year- oh well. I hope to make it up there even if I don't race- it's a great event to watch and the kids will dig it- maybe I'll see you up there.
I'm still trying to descide if I'll go up and race. In years gone by that would be a great way to start my Nordic season- but I'm not so sure about that this year- I'm getting old and I'd hate to hurt myself on the first day ;)
That and I'm getting slower each year- oh well. I hope to make it up there even if I don't race- it's a great event to watch and the kids will dig it- maybe I'll see you up there.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Getting closer
Had coffee with Howie today from GGTOC- sounds like they've made some progress on the Geepers loop and that the temps look favorable for the weekend. Let's hope!
Starting to get itchy to get out and do some skate skiing.
Stay tuned.
Starting to get itchy to get out and do some skate skiing.
Stay tuned.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Let there be snow
No snow here in the Valley, but I talked with Irene up at Bretton Woods and this pic was from this past weekend. 15km open- the season is here...
Friday, November 16, 2007
First storm of the season?
I'm looking outside and the sky is very grey and the temps are dropping. According to all the weather geeks we're looking at our first real snow storm to hit later today- hmmmmm. Maybe some fast grass skiing by headlamp tonight.....
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Start of something
The snow is coming, you can feel it. Cross-country ski season is right around the corner and right here on Nordic World we'll document the happenings and opinions of this great lifestyle.
Want to know more about me? My name is Sven, I've been skiing since I could walk and love to talk about and share the sport with others. My favorite days are those out on the trail with my family, exploring and enjoying the woods as we cruise along on the snow.
Check back often, as we'll always have something to say.
Want to know more about me? My name is Sven, I've been skiing since I could walk and love to talk about and share the sport with others. My favorite days are those out on the trail with my family, exploring and enjoying the woods as we cruise along on the snow.
Check back often, as we'll always have something to say.
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