Do I dare wear the same outfit???

[run it, ride it]

If I had to buy new clothes every time I injured myself, I'd be a) the most fashionable kid on the trails/road/riding ring, and b) even more broke.

I think of the rips and tears and holes and scratches and missing buttons and the parts held together by electrical tape as badges of honour. "Whatever doesn't kill me..."

It's scary to put that new pair of running shoes back on after you rolled an ankle, or go trail riding in the saddle without the knee blocks you got tossed from and trampled last time, or wear that white workout shirt even after you got out all the blood stains from the barbed wire.

If you think of the jacket as a jinx, it'll jinx you. If you think of it as a good luck charm, it'll give you strength. It's your choice, but I recommend the latter!

[7rider]

So, I presume, Kathi, that you already went skiing by now? How did it go? I hope you wore the jacket, remembering all the OTHER times you skied in that shell and had awesome days.

BTW, I'm jealous...I can't wait for ski season - which is late and short in Maryland. We were at Keystone and Copper (and Beaver Creek and Breck) last March. It was awesome.

[Kathi]

I did it and it felt so good to get bike on my skis. I went to A-Basin, they only had a couple of runs open but the snow was good, it was a beautiful, sunny Colorado day and wasn't very crowded, although I did hold my breath everytime a boarder or skier came near me.

I haven't forgotten how to turn the skis but the strength just isn't there, I didn't feel comfortable speeding down the hill. I lasted about 2 hrs, funny how I can do 400+ miles in a week on my bicycle but run out of energy so quickly on skis. Tomorrow I start a ski conditioning class that should help me with strength and endurance.

However, I accomplished my goal, just to get back out there, put the fears to rest and have fun again.

Yes, I wore the jacket and just before I went out I took a look at myself in the mirror, thought about the good thoughts you all gave me, smiled and embraced the day.

Copper opens tomorrow with 5 lifts operating, so I'm planning on skiing there on Sat or Sun. and I heard another storm is on the way!

[Quillfred]

Count me among the envious. Don't feel back about feeling tired. Have you been biking at 13,000?

When I was at A basin many moons ago, I made the mistake of taking a rest at the bar. Nothing like alcohol at altitudes. What a sorry fool I was.

Snow is eeking in at Mt. Baker, our Washington state version of A Basin (in terms of skiability not altitude). I am happy when it opens before the 4th week of November.

Schuss, schuss

Quill