Earnin' the turnin'

Earnin' the turnin'

If you're like me, when the flakes start to fly you get a certain feeling in the pit of your gut.  When I hear of a big snowstorm, or watch as those first flakes begin to fall, I get giddy.  Down right, ashamedly hyperactive.  My speech quickens, my pace hurries, and I can't stop smiling.  As each flake begins to amplify, accumulate, and pile up, my excitement grows in as fast and as furious as the snowfall itself.

I am waiting for the snow to build to such an extent that allows for excursions into the back country.  Now, if you're from out West or Vermont, then I envy you: because you know exactly what I'm talking about, and you're spoiled :) 

This year in New England we have been blessed (or cursed depending on who you talk to) with 2 storms that dumped 33 inches and then 18 inches respectively of the sweet stuff.  And I took it upon myself to go and enjoy this powder the best way I know how.

Most people will dress in layers, grab a group of friends, pile into a car and drive many hours to a ski resort where they will spend a small fortune and a lot of time waiting in lines and on chair lifts to get to the groomed corduroy.  That used to be my scene, and once in awhile I'll still do that, as there's always a place for that.

However, lately, and perhaps not by coincidence, I have found myself longing for simpler methodology and perhaps harsher conditions. And an experience that is more satisfying (although admittedly riskier).  But where there is great risk, there is greater reward.

When I first started to telemark, my goal had always been to leave the ski resort behind.  I longed for virgin snow, where no man, ski, or groomer had spoiled that smooth, creamy blanket.  

I wanted to get away from the heated spa-lodges with all the crowds, pub fare, and booze and return to an experience more spiritual and perhaps even, religious.

The back country is where I find this.  No chair lifts anywhere, the simplest of runs must be earned by hikes that take several hours to complete.  No crowds.  Sometimes you'll stumble upon a few kindred spirits, and sometimes not.  Natural scenes that are drinkable, to the soul at least.  After many labored steps, there is the pause, the rituals of gearing up for the run down, and the exhilaration of carving down that trail as you could be the first and only person to do so.

What better way to carpe diem then by earnin' the turnin'?

Winter training

How I've been training for the past several weeks.

With the crazy amount of snow New England has received in the last few weeks, I've been training by taking care of the snow the old fashioned way:

Getting "fat" in the off season

Getting Fat in the off season

Ah the off season.  A time to kick back and relax on the coach catching up on movies and beer consumption.  Warm memories of the past season's triumphs and tribulations fading into the dark corners of my brain.  No races to anxiously prepare for for another several months, and just days upon days of early nigths and long slumbers.... or so I thought.

I got about 1 month into the off season before I started to get nostalgic for some serious mt biking and outdoor workouts.   I hopped back on the bike to squeeze in as many rides as I could get, even riding on new year's day in temperatures hovering just around 25 degrees.  There was no snow or ice yet, but the cold was bitingly fierce. 

I was ready for telemark and back country skiing and indoor weight training workouts, but there was no snow, just very cold temps.  Then a few flakes began to fall and ice started forming on all my favorite trails.  The temps were too cold for comfortable mt biking, and the snow wasn't deep enough yet for the back country... so I started to shop. 

I have known about fat bikes for several years now with several of them showing up on local trails and races.  I always thought of them as a passing fad, but this year I took a serious look at them.  I thought what a great way to enjoy the iffy months (October-April).  The months where the weather is very unpredictable and the trail conditions equally so. 

I did my research as best I could, determined my price range, and started hunting.  I didn't want to break the bank on a bike I knew I wouldn't ride all year, and I wanted a simple, but tried and true design.  I settled for a chromoly frame, knowing that chromoly is indestructible, although heavy, but would last me a long time and fit into my price range.  Components and brakes I was flexible on, although I'd want the best my price range could afford.  I had my eye on the Fatboy (entry level trim) but couldn't find a local bike shop that had any in stock, and there was no one who could give me an estimate on their arrival.

However, I did find one bike shop that had a different model still in stock (although a previous year's model).  It was for a bike built by a company I had never heard of before.  The bike had everything I was looking for in my price range, and as a bonus, it was on sale!  So I picked it up.  The Maxi is not the lightest of bikes, but it is very fun to ride.  It is very stable, offering 4" tires, and just an absolute blast.  I've been so happy with it that I have found myself riding in all sort of conditions, from a bitterly cold 8 degree ride, to a snow storm ride, to a bush whacking snow trail run.  I've even started entering fat bike races.

As for the couch, the movies, and my beers? They'll have to be enjoyed by someone else; 'cause I've got riding to do :)