Cross country skiing

[Crankin]

Yea, I have the "older" version of the Spiders, with the metal edges on just the fronts and backs. I was dying for shorter skis and got them at the end of the season 3 years ago, so I've had 2 seasons, plus a couple of skis the year I got them. Last year, I went to Franconia with some friends, and did some skiing that while was sort of tracked, but with no real groomed area outside the tracks for descending. I just don't have the control to descend in tracks on really steep downhills, so I want skis where I can be in the snow, if I have to, even if it's not flattened and groomed. The conditions were definitely more "back country" and I would like to do more of this. I also still have the softer touring boots, as I tried some "hard" more back country boots a few years ago and they just cut up my feet and hurt all around. I'm ready to try again.
I am really a better skier than cyclist, but I get so little practice, as the season is so short. I'm not that fast, but I can climb well and I actually like descending on skis, as opposed on my bike!

[ridebikeme]

Crankin, have fun at the demo! Besides, with the new snow how can you NOT have fun" Backcountry boots have come along way in the past couple of years, so here's to you finding some that fit your foot!! Let me know what you think of the ski's...

[limewave]

Some of you ladies seem very knowledgeable. Perhaps you can give me some basic ski maintenance tips. I used to be race down hill competitively and have a lot of experience with sharpening and waxing my skiis--had to do that before every race!

I have the Salomon Elite 6 which says it is a "waxless" grip ski. I've had these skis for 2 years and have never waxed them or sharpened or done anything. Is there anything I should do to better maintain them?

Catrin--if you ever come up far enough north, I'd be happy to meet you here for a ski--or a luge or a skate!

[ridebikeme]

Limewave,

I'm very aware of the Elite 6 ski's... very nice! In terms of maintenance, obviously there are no edges to sharpen, but you can wax them. Although they are in a "no wax" category, I would still recommend that you at least wax tips/tales. Not only will you get more glide out of the ski, but you'll also protect the bases if snow cover isn't adequate. There are times that rocks may get frozen in the snow from groomers, and with no wax on the ski(same as your alpine ski's) once you go over them, there's a chance that not only will you scratch the base but you could potentially tear a whole in it. With wax, the ski''s generally slide over the rock or whatever it may be. At the end of the season, I would put a fairly heavy wax on the ski's so they don't dry out over the summer. Lastly, if you own a thin wax, you can also put that over the scales of the ski's... they'll glide a bit better and of course it will wear off fairly quickly because of the scales.

I also wanted to ask you whether you knew anything about the Ada bike shop near Grand Rapids? Thanks for your help !

Have a great weekend skiing!!!


http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[lph]

XC ski season i full swing here This weekend we're getting enough snow to make the woods in my backyard skiable - w00t!

Does anyone else here use a Kuzmin, uh, "scrape"? Unsure of the right term. It's become very popular here. Instead of gliding your skis you scrape off a very thin layer, down to fresh sole. The glide is excellent, and most people think it's as good as using glider and a lot less fuss. I do it maybe a couple of times a season, so it's not going to wear out my skis anytime fast.

[limewave]

Limewave,

I also wanted to ask you whether you knew anything about the Ada bike shop near Grand Rapids? Thanks for your help !

Have a great weekend skiing!!!

http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

Thanks for the maintenance tips! I will be sure to wax them now.

And, yes, I am VERY familiar with the Ada bike shop. I used to go to their winter indoor spin every week. And have done an occasional group ride with them.

[ridebikeme]

Thanks for the info! What else can you tell me about them? Feel free to PM me if you're more comfortable... should have done that myself.

[SheFly]

Got out for the first skate of the season this week, albeit on man-made snow. There was only 2 km open, and about 500 people on it, but it was nice to be out doing something different!

ridebikeme - how's the snow up there? We're heeading to Bethel next weekend and looking to do some skating...

SheFly