Cross Country Skiing

[roadie gal]

2+ on skating lessons. I did not find it an "intuitive" sport. I'm not very coordinated on my best days, so I never would have been able to do it without lessons.

This year I'm finally feeling pretty good about my technique. I'm beginning to sort of get that "glide" thing down. I won't win any prizes, but I don't redline every time I'm on my skis. In fact, I've almost talked myself into signing up for the Great Race in Tahoe City. It's a 30km race on the first Saturday in March. It will be my first time trying it (if I do it).

[Bron]

That sounds like fun, go for it!
How many people do you get at races like that?

[roadie gal]

That sounds like fun, go for it!
How many people do you get at races like that?

It's become very popular, especially since it's also a fundraiser for the Nordic Search and Rescue group. I think it gets about 2500 people.

[Bron]

That's a lot of skiers. Most races round here are in the hundreds, apart from the big Worldloppet ones.

I raced both days this weekend - a total of 80km and I'm stiff all over today!

[Crankin]

Went skiing again today. I think it might be the last time for awhile... we got a lot of snow Wednesday, but then it rained. There's ice everywhere. When I called the conditions line at the local touring center, it said conditions were great and the rain hadn't hampered anything. But, it wasn't great. Not bad, but not great. Let's just say it was slick and fast and going uphill was more of a problem than going down. I just couldn't get a good grip when I was climbing (I have waxless skis). But, I did the whole outer perimeter of the center by myself and it was just beautiful out. I was unzipped even though it was only about 30. When I finished the perimeter, I did some of the easy loops on the way back to the center. I did avoid the one black trail, which, while I have skied more difficult terrain, becomes quite horrible in icy conditions. The last time I was on it, last year, not only was it icy, but there were exposed rocks and roots. Since it was getting warm out and there was some melting, I decided that I didn't want to risk falling when I was alone. Oh and then there's the little humiliating mountain bike incident on that trail, that I didn't have to think about...
Unless I get out tomorrow (I am signed up for spin class) or Sunday, I think the local snow will be going away on Tuesday when it will be 42 and raining.

[Aint Doody]

Went to the mtn. yesterday with a fun group. They had their classics, but since the trails were freshly groomed I opted for my skate skis. It was terrific skiing and no wind. We were having fun, as I'd zip along and then stop and wait for them or double back. Then it was getting time to head back to the car. We hit the main trail back and YIKES!! That hadn't been groomed yet. It was too far for me to back-track. I slogged along and feared it would be dark before I got back to the parking lot. With their classics they zipped right up the hills. Then----I heard a sound behind me--the grooming machine!!! Yippee!!! It was fun, but I was one worn-out ole lady!!

[Crankin]

What a great day to ski here in New England. We had about 3 inches of powder yesterday, over a good base, and it's beautifully sunny and about 25 out. My husband is away, so I had to shovel snow for about an hour before I went skiing. So I started out tired, with my back sort of aching. Wow, I haven't shoveled that much snow for awhile, since usually he does the snowblower and we have a guy plow the shared driveway. But, it wasn't enough for the plow guy to come, so I did half of that, plus in front of my house.
When I got to the touring center, there was my friend, Brant, one half of the couple we ride and ski with. He had already skied one loop, thankfully, so at least I could keep him in sight! He's very speedy, but I could tell he was tired. We did the whole perimeter, most of the black diamond trails (we cut out one climb as we were both fading fast), and I am now exhausted.
But it was great. It's supposed to be 50 this weekend! I was planning to go out to central/western MA to ski, but I hope the conditions will be OK.