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Outdoor Safety: Real Gains? ...Yeah: PFD's!
April 28, 2013 - I'm thinking of safety devices and their effectiveness ... and resistance to wearing them ... and affect in injury after their use become widespread ... Bike helmets are part of this, obviously.
We can tie helmet use in with skiing as well. And motorcycles, of course. And race-car drivers and, to get into some fun theory, car drivers in general... > Read Article
CAT Ski: Offroad Rollerski -- for sale! $370.00 (inc. S/H) Purchase |
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Great XC Ski & Paddle Trainer: Theraband Tubing $15.00 (inc. S/H) Purchase |
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OYB News...and a Few Handy Items
World News, Stories & Links
What is OYB? --An HQ for Indie Outdoor Education
August 22, 2012 - OYB fans the indie outdoor flame. How? First, OYB offers 2000+ articles that show, from diverse angles, how the active indie world connects together. Second, it's a catalog that makes hard-to-find media & gear available and keeps a bunch of good old books alive across a wide range of indie cultures. Your purchases let us keep working on the mission. A wide range of indie businesses can also afford... > Read Article
OYB Action on Facebook! ...and eBay!
August 21, 2012 - OYB has a couple other big ways to keep in touch or to shop the indie outdoors.
I have an OYB Facebook Page where I post more timely items and event dates. (More people leave comments there, too -- even though it's cinchy to do so here.) -- https://www.facebook.com/outyourbackdoor
OYB also has a huge eBay Store which lists 400+ items by topi... > Read Article
Robert Mosher: New OYB Staffer!
March 09, 2012 - I am pleased to mention that for the past while OYB has had the privilege of the assistance of an enthusiastic and talented outdoorsman, a fellow bike and boat buff (and old climber besides): Robert Mosher.
He is a local kindred spirit who wanted to pitch in. He's been making it possible for OYB to get twice as much done as before, on the much-n... > Read Article
OYB has an eBay Store!
March 07, 2011 - I've launched an eBay store for OYB.
I've had the Outyourbackdoor username there for a few years, which I've used to sell luggage, books, magazines and other goodies. Heck, Martha and I have been eBaying since it started and we together have 1000+ sales with a 100% rating since, like, 1994.
But I've ramped things up there, with over 100 items... > Read Article
Donate! Help the OYB cause...
March 06, 2011 - I've had several people recently ask how they can support the OYB cause. I've been relying on my offerings of great books'n'goodies that you can't hardly get anywhere else as being the best way. "Money for stuff" is the only way I can understand making a living.
But I can accept that OYB *stuff* isn't right for everyone. Also, I don't want to ... > Read Article
Forums
February 21, 2011 - We are currently in the process of finding a new secure forum system. Please check back later. > Read Article
Let's See Your Comments!
December 01, 2010 - Each of our OYB articles is now followed by a brand new, easy to use "Reader Comments" section, hosted by the 3rd party provider, Disqus. If you have a reaction to the story or had a similar experience or a tip to pass on, please do! (No more tricky registering via my Forum.)
The OYB Forum is probably disabled right now, but really you should fe... > Read Article
OYB Wall Calendars?
November 30, 2010 - What if each year I started offering Wall Calendars in the various main OYB themes?
That is, diverse, candid, indie presentations of...
*outdoor activities (w/ XC ski come winter!)
*DIY fun in Michigan
*bike culture
*traditional seasonal outdoor subsistence sport (hunt, fish, trap, bow, gun, dog, snare, atlatl, flint, osage, net)
*XC ski ... > Read Article
OYB 10---Print Window to Modern Folkways
September 02, 2010 - [$6 postpaid.] This biggest-ever issue of OYB is a great way to get a full-figured view of the OYB scene! (I thought I was out of stock, but I just found a couple dozen. What fun! First come, first served...)
The OYB "catazeen" has to be the only magazine of authentic, informal, do-it-yourself, indy adventure and outdoor culture. It also gives d... > More Info > Purchase
Should OYB & Company go Non-Profit?
April 23, 2010 - That's what I'm wondering. This is an educational cause, after all. Sure, I sell some things, but that's to support the Indie Outdoor culture and heritage outreach. I've always thought to just keep the whole thing simple, but maybe going Non-Profit would make the OYB mission clearer to the public. ? I've always thought that folks knew when they bou... > Read Article
The OYB "Dually": a Nukeproof Saddlebag/Pannier from Repurposed Mil-Spec
April 23, 2010 - [$39, mailed in the US.]
Check out this dual-purpose bag!
It's a big, tactical-tough bike saddlebag.
It's also a pannier!
(And if you add the $10 option, it's a Shoulderbag!)
And it's repurposed from a thrifty, brand-new MOLLE-type of mil-spec bag.
(You know I like the versatile stuff!)
Made of polyester cordura-type material... > More Info > Purchase
Hey! It's OYB's *20th ANNIVERSARY!*
February 10, 2010 - An OYB reader just emailed me today and said he was just reading the paperback compilation of Issues 1-8 and was amazed that I'd been publishing OYB since 1990. Well...I am, too! I hadn't even thought of it!
I kinda had 1991 in my brain for some reason, but I suppose Issue #1 says 1990 on it somewhere. So I guess I've been out and about promoti... > Read Article
New OYB Luggage Patch!
October 20, 2009 - UPDATE 10/09: Here's my new LEATHER luggage patch. The stamp is done, the die is on the way. Patches in 2 weeks!
The photo is what the stampmaker sent me, showing a sample stamped in a sheet of leather. It'll be die-cut into an oval then riveted to the luggage.
The design image shows the shape and rivet locations.
It'll also functio... > Read Article
90's Flashback: OYB Ezines (Issues 7, 8, 9)
June 26, 2009 - Here's a link to the old Homepage for the OYB Ezine.
It contains the stories that ran the print issues #7 & #8, circa 1996. Many of these are presented here and there on this new website but I think quite a few are missing as well.
http://outyourbackdoor.com/OYB8/contentsnew.htm
The above Contents page misses a fair amount of the nifty con... > Read Article
OYB has 1500+ Stories! --HEY!
June 23, 2009 - According to my stats, a couple weeks ago OYB sailed past the FIFTEEN HUNDRED stories/links/blurbs mark!
And, hey, I just checked the date of my first article posted to this particular incarnation of my website and it was in 2000. But this count only dates back to the start of my database-based website. OYB has been rockin' as a website since 1... > Read Article
$5 each! Huge Sale on Fifthway Books!
May 09, 2009 - $5 each for any Fifthway Press book by Ron Puhek!
We'll do what it takes to get folks to give these provocative titles a try.
FWIW, the date of this sale article is 2009, but it's actually 5/2010 when I'm launching this new price-point.
> Read Article
Hanging out the How-to Shingle!
December 03, 2008 - If anyone relatively near Williamston would like to learn how to have more fun---no matter what their current level---with XC skis, bikes, canoes, kayaks (rolling!), inline skates or the shooting sports, lemme know! I bet I could help give some uplift. In short order. For cheap. $20/hour, say. Kids, too.
I'm hanging up my shingle! > Read Article
The OYB Gift Shop!
December 29, 2006 - Chock full of goodies in fresh demographic styles. Check
it out! My favorite is the khaki hat with the "skate style" green'n'blue logo. Next would be the shoulderbag. These are great items! All items priced at cost. How many corporate iden... > Read Article
OYB Anthology! ---Indy action galore
July 16, 2005 - [$15. $5 off $20 retail!] I've been pushing the OYB Anthology on the back-issues page but really it deserves its own attention. Darn, this thing is full of amazing stories and artwork. It's the first 8 issues of OYB bound together as a nice perfectbound paperback 8.5x11" book. 200+ pages. I'll see if I can find an index to the stories in it.... > More Info > Purchase
OYB Back Issues: New to You!
July 10, 2005 - Back issues are available here on this page cheap! --- $2 to $5 ea (postpaid), depending on weight. Scroll down to see quicky-indexes below. Paper issues have tons of stories not at this website. (And verse vicea.) I must say, these are amazing zines. I had wonderful layout and editorial help over the years. To show what I mean, I scanned th... > Read Article
Martha launches LazyGal!
March 06, 2005 - Martha's gift item studio is now a
full-service website full of pillows, blankets, scarves, dresses, with dealers and shows coming up and creativity bursting out every which way. She had a huge Chicago art fest success this summer and is having a blast. She even hosted a quilt retreat up north for the ladies (wit... > Read Article
Little Miss Lucy!
November 06, 2004 - Henry isn't the only pintsized artist around here. Lucy (4) is into DIY song and dance (with a foghorn voice and fiery temper). She's also sprung a few graphics surprises on us. She signs her name several cool ways. We find scary smiley faces around the house. And... > Read Article
Jeff's Dreams
October 08, 2004 - Probably most folks think that other people's dreams is dumb. But ya never know. In case there are dream buffs here, here are some of my typical dreams.
I recently had a doozy. It was too beautiful. Here goes: I'd found several areas in the total wasteland of a suburb that I now live in where people lived as actual humans. There was a scene with... > Read Article
Homebrew vs. Hightech, The Training Plan Duel!
September 05, 2004 - Mike Muha is a local friend and ski racer. He runs a super XC ski racing website. We have agreed to take up the challenge of the Dueling Training Plans. He's using a fancy-schmancy coach and eensy-weensy-details training plan to reach his goal of improving his ski race results. I'm using willynilly Backyard Methods of reach my goal of losing 10 pou... > Read Article
Henry's Spark, a Kick-scooter for Snow
February 05, 2004 - So I made time the other day to whip together a Xmas present for the kiddies. A Norwegian "spark" or kickscooter for use on snow and ice. I've seen quite a few drawings of them in things like the "Boy's Handy Book." And thanks to Dave Dermott on the XC ski Usenet newsgroup, I've discovered that there's a whole world of sparks out there, including m... > Read Article
OYB Hits the Big League
February 05, 2004 - Over the next year or so, I'm gonna make zining into my new *anti*dayjob!!!!
I have a very rare chance to give it a shot. I've sold off most of my worldly assets and greatly simplified life's undertakings, plus I've basically sold my job. It's my first big work change in 15 years!
If you know of anyone else who is pulling off a stunt like t... > Read Article
The Myth of the Natural
February 05, 2004 - It's amazing how people think you don't have to know how to do something to be able to do it. --At a somewhat high level, one that is satisfying anyway.
I'm thinking of sports. But it seems to relate to education in general. The myth of the natural---someone who can be an expert in something without practice, coaching or training---puts down edu... > Read Article
Postscript: Bluegrass Serendipity Up North
February 05, 2004 - An interesting postscript to our trip down south, where we got to meet Balder Saunders, is that a couple weeks after we got home, I got an email from Jack saying that his other boy, Owen, would be here in Detroit playing bluegrass the next day.
I'd never met Owen, but I'd read about him in Jack's novels, just as I'd read about Balder. I read as ... > Read Article
Our Down South Drive in 2003
February 05, 2004 - Well, I've been meaning to write this up for awhile now. I better do it while it's still fresh.
I learned several interesting new things on this trip and met some amazing people and did a few nifty things, so here we go....
It's been several years since we went on a big roadtrip drive exploring new territory. It's been 4 years since we vi... > Read Article
A Rant on Zines ... at the Big U
February 05, 2004 - I just got to give a speech all about zines and print media and how the Net has impacted them at MSU today for 300 kids in a class at the Journalism Dept! I haven't talked in public in 10 years, and never to a big auditorium, like, with a mic. An MSU professor heard that I did both books and websites and asked if I would give a talk. Since I wasn't... > Read Article
Our Out-West In-Laws RV Road Trip Report
January 05, 2000 - Well, I'm back. We survived our 4200-mi road trip in our
little RV. Me, my family and the in-laws! How bout that!
We went from Mich > Ariz and back by way of Boulder, Colo,
my old stomping grounds. I rode my bike every day after
our driving. What a great way to explore and get fresh air.
So here's the report: the US has become Bangla... > Read Article
OYB Looking for Freelance/Part-time Work!
May 13, 2013 - Do you have any projects that the OYB skillset can help you with?
Bikes, boats, skis, skills ... and media/web/biz/social/event/hand work relating to same.
That's the resume'! : ) 20 years of it!
Want to do something together? Lemme know!
...Or if you know of anyone, please pass the word along.
Thanks. > Read
Article
Momentum Mag: Rockin' the Bike
May 06, 2013 - The new issue of Mo Mag is supposedly their Buyer's Guide but it's also jampacked with Bike Culture and reports on Safe Streets politics. It's awesome.
They have a fairly long profile of Mark Gorton, a multi-talented biz whiz who's behind a lot of NYC's recent safe streets projects. It's inspiring. Lots of good quotes that seemed more striking t... > Read
Article | Go to Website
Insta-Trail: Hiking does the Trick
May 06, 2013 - I've been getting into trail design in recent years. It's a lotta work. But it occurs to me that hiking doesn't require a clear path. It's easy to *step over* stuff. It's the rolley and slidey stuff that makes me sweat over my chainsaw.
Heck, trail-running doesn't require a clear path, either.
So I've started adding both of those sports mor... > Read
Article
Canoe S24O at Rose Lake
May 06, 2013 - The other day we were busy right up to darkness but the evening was so nice I decided I was going to go camping, by jove, anyway. My saying is "Events conspire." They conspire to stop me from doing a lotta things. Try to do something and watch other things rise up and stop it. So sometimes ya just gotta do it anyway even if it's a little awkward. Y... > Read
Article
RIP: Joel Brockmyre -- Strappin Dude, Fighter
May 06, 2013 - Here's a memoriam for Joel Brockmyre, a longtime pal who has gone to Valhalla ahead of us. He had a rough last while but got to leave in his prime. No fading for him, or years of walkers.
We were housemates in Breckenridge in the mid-80's then went and took on a wild sailboat out in LA in '87 -- with me just out of a thigh-cast! No stopping us!... > Read
Article
Not Bragging If Ya Did It: 3 Diverse, Innovative Articles in Nat'l Media
May 04, 2013 - Last year I pulled off a stunt that I think is cool and that I don't think anyone else has done. (I'd love to see some info to the contrary to help me flesh things out.)
I wrote articles for national magazines about 3 totally different areas of sport and each of them was first-ever's for the media, that is, they weren't just reporting but were i... > Read
Article
CX Your Roadbike for Better Summer Fun!
April 29, 2013 - I just had fun doing a little underbiking in the true CX style. What's that, you ask? Well, nowadays a lot of CX bikes are just that CX bikes. But back in the day, CX is what roadies did in the winter. On their road bikes. You know what that did for them? Well, they had winter fun but they also got to know their road bikes a LOT better. I just did ... > Read
Article
Canoe Adventure Rig Set-up: Next Item ... "Dashboard"
April 28, 2013 - I've been long inculcated with the racing side of paddling fever. I love a stripped-down maximally lightweight fast boat. Well, I've come to see that there's more to a canoe than that.
Like, if you go out for over an hour, it's nice to have a snack or a bev. It's also fun to decorate a boat a bit, why not.
I did an adventure paddle with a g... > Read
Article
Hugh Heward 2013: Sunny Perfection!
April 28, 2013 - The 14th Annual Hugh Heward Canoe Challenge, hosted by the Verlen Kruger Memorial, went off with eclat and aplomb on a gorgeous day yesterday.
The usual pattern seemed to hold true: most boats chose the ultimate 50 mile distance, a "Full Hugh." Fewer did the Half and fewest did the Quarter. Probably 70 or so paddlers in all were on the Grand Ri... > Read
Article
Mike's Cool Vintage Bag
April 25, 2013 - [FROM 12/30/2011] Pal Mike has a neat old leather shoulderbag with an attached mesh bag. I wonder what it really is... Is there fishing involved?
[UPDATE 4/25/13: It's a HARDY Trout Fisher's Bag, from the UK. They run about $200. Nice classic bag! I'm guessing they've been making this model for 100 yrs.] > Read
Article
Cyclocross Mag #20: Worlds + Gravel
April 25, 2013 - Just got the new issue of CX Mag. It has a lot of background on the Worlds. It's neat how they don't try to cover the event 'as it happened' -- that's what their website does. Instead, they go deep.
And they include a cute pic that includes Ol' Antler Helmet! : )
More at http://www.cxmagazine.com -- a sub is only $20, so c'mon. It's a small, ... > Read
Article
S24O Rose Lake: My First S24O!
April 23, 2013 - I've been hankering to do a Sub 24 Hour Overnight bikecamping trip for years now. It's been hilariously frustrating trying to find an evening that's free and with nice weather -- and we aren't even busy people.
The Midwest is complicated in a way for this kind of camping, since the best seasons for it are spring and fall -- sketchy times, weath... > Read
Article
Nudging CX to the Next Level: Nearly There!
April 22, 2013 - I think the CX scene is *almost* there in terms of rebuilding a new core in US sport cycling. Only a few more pieces in the puzzle are needed. I'm no expert -- it's just a hunch.
To show you how close CX is, right now it has the sport, and the mayhem, and the silliness that's needed (new issue #20 of CX Mag has a good silliness quote). They have... > Read
Article
An Outing with a Canoe Gang
April 21, 2013 - I went on a canoe outing yesterday with a group of guys who've been paddling together for 30 years, since before some of them were born. It's a multi-generation group that grows from 10 to 20 depending on the outing. They have an original outing in mid-Feb up north on the Pine River for a few days. Snow, straw bales, tents and canoes. And a buncha ... > Read
Article
The Dirt Rag version of "Ski What Ya Ride"
April 16, 2013 - I wrote up a version of my "Ski What Ya Ride" concept for Dirt Rag a couple seasons ago. I can't tell if I posted it here yet, but in case I didn't, here it is. It'll be ready and waiting to help ya kick off next winter! Or I can post-date it so it kicks back into gear then.
They were going to use it in their print mag but the season got NUKED ... > Read
Article
For XC Skier Mag: "Beyond Grooming: a New Nordic Norm"
April 16, 2013 - Here's yet another wrinkle in my campaign to promote singletrack skiing. "Cross Country Skier" ran this piece this past winter. It has a similar message to much of my "ungroomed" writing, but it's geared more toward skiers rather than trying to recruit mtbikers. Still, there's a mt-bike tie-in. It's all tied-in. The less specialized something is th... > Read
Article
Cyclocross Magazine: Gilly the Superfan, Issue #19
April 13, 2013 - I just got Issue #19 of Cyclocross magazine. And there I find yet another reason why I'm digging CX so much. The darn thing just blew me away yet again. Usually it's the events themselves that blow me away but this time it's the mag! Very cool!
There's a big article about this superfan, Gilly. He dresses in a Ghillie suit and hides out on the r... > Read
Article
Unique OYB Trifecta in National Media
April 10, 2013 - I think I pulled off a unique stunt in the past year.
OYB often pushes for fresh outdoor innovation of the thrifty, sensible variety which doesn't get much play elsewhere.
So last year I thought it would be neat to see if I could spread the word through various other outdoor magazines.
I ended up writing articles about unprecedented innov... > Read
Article
Petoskey Region Spring Ski Report: "Best ever!"
April 10, 2013 - It's late in the year for ski fun, but as a last hurrah, here's a taste from the e-letters I've been getting up through April from OYB correspondent David Spieser about the northcountry backcountry scene:
Greetings Snow Dogs,
We are in the final week(s) ( i am hoping for plural) of snow and I am elated to report that, amazingly, all type... > Read
Article
It's Back! ...OYB Retro Pannier -- Modified Vintage Swiss Army!
April 09, 2013 - [$59 postpaid in USA for ONE pannier. The postage part is about $10, so the pan part is $49. Internat'l customers pay excess postage.]
Presenting the Original OYB Classy Retro Pannier!
Dang, they're sharp.
(Thanks, "Bicycle Times," for your nice review!)
[UPDATE: Hooray! Thanks to Robert we now have a fresh supply of ba... > More Info
> Purchase
Sleeper to Seattle: Pics from our Empire Builder Trip
April 07, 2013 - Here's a link to 150+ pics of our Seattle train trip. I edited for the best. : ) Hopefully it's a quick scan. Ahem.
https://plus.google.com/photos/104110048140101006653/albums/5864325614872615169 > Read
Article
Team OYB: In Seattle (More!)
April 04, 2013 - No time, as usual. But I'll try to dash up a few pics now that we're in Seattle. Actually, we'll be leaving on the train again in a few hours!
I'm at a laundromat, hopefully not straining their non-customer patience. The rest are shopping at the Sneakery.
I'm uploading a mad dash scramble of pics in no order.
I had coffee with Jan this mor... > Read
Article
Team OYB in Seattle: a Hardworking Maritime Scene
April 02, 2013 - What a great train trip across the continent!
We cashed in years of Amtrak credit card points and got a free sleeper car both ways. It's automatically First Class. Linen table cloths. An attendant.
I tell ya 1st Cl train travel is the way to go! Our cabin was fine for us four big folk. It helps if the adults don't mind sharing a double-size ... > Read
Article
Team OYB: Away to Seattle! (OYB Store CLOSED!)
March 26, 2013 - FYI, the OYB Store will be closed for a week or two. If you order something, there will be a delay.
Because...
...We're going away on the TRAIN!
For the past few years we've had an Amtrak credit card. All purchases gave points toward train tickets. We've cashed in a fair number already. But now we had enough points to get a free deluxe sle... > Read
Article
Barry-Roubaix 2013: WOW! We Survived!
March 24, 2013 - Wow, what a day! I did the 36-mile Barry-Roubaix and had a dandy time.
Here's my report...
So, I didn't go too hard and kept my wits and could smile and chat. And I didn't crash on all the ice and I found folks to draft on the road. I really enjoyed the chances for fun bike handling. I was cool and didn't scare anyone but I got some cheers th... > Read
Article
Knocking on Death's Door
March 22, 2013 - Knocking on Death's Door
Robert Mosher's log of a Door Peninsula Cruise, August 27-29, 2010 (More Pictures Will be Added Soon)
...
'I am not afraid of danger, I have knocked on danger's door and run away'. the Goon Show as I remember it.
Seagoon - The Internal Mountain:
"My name is Lord Hairy Seagoon, doctor of Philosophy and spinster... > Read
Article
Small Boat Dreaming...
March 20, 2013 - I've tended to think of canoes and kayaks as separate from small boats. Small boats go on trailers and are super-versatile but heavy. Canoes and kayaks are more specific and focused in function.
I'm considering changing this view.
I suppose that means I need a semi-decked Kruger Seawind type of boat.
Mostly I'm pondering the idea of havin... > Read
Article
A Boat for Boatocross...
March 20, 2013 - I'm thinking 12 feet long, fast lines but with some rocker, kevlar. 15 lbs? Perfect for standup in twisty, narrow, clogged waters where you're in and out a lot. > Read
Article
Fur Catching on Again?
March 20, 2013 - I've seen notices about how fur is now part of hipster culture. How is that? Is it coming from vintage, re-use? I've also seen mention of roadkill fur. Maybe those vectors put fur into an affordable class. ?
Fur = monster no longer seems the trendy equation.
Folks might even come around again to the idea that fur-trapping is humane and sustai... > Read
Article
Barry-Roubaix: Craziness on the Way!
March 13, 2013 - Barry-Roubaix is coming! Are you getting ready? I've gone out a couple times now. Whenever we get our melts I try to grab a bit of pedal time.
I'm still just awed by the turnout. Where do they come from?
...3,000 entries for likely nasty weather and conditions on a brutal course for which few will be prepared. We only have about 100 regular ... > Read
Article
Jordan Jam 2013: a Big Day!
March 11, 2013 - [report by Gary Helzerman]
The Jordan Jam went down as scheduled on March 9. --It was my first!
The day started with a four-hour drive to the North-country of Michigan, requiring a departure time of 5:00AM in order to make the official start time of 9:00AM. Fortunately I had a traveling companion in John Rutherford.
There was a lot of ... > Read
Article
Why Trap? -- Reasons for Fur Trapping
March 11, 2013 - Why trap?
Trapping has gotten a reputation in recent decades as being fair game to hate. It's possible that this is changing. I wasn't in favor of the hate then and am not now. I suspect that like many things that it's a relative good or bad.
I trapped, farmed, hunted and fished as a teen. I earned money from the trapping and farming. I made... > Read
Article
Crust Skiing 2013! -- the best!
March 05, 2013 - This is what crust skiing does for you.
This is what sun in March does to you.
We've had great crust skiing for a few days now. Many days, it feels like. A new leaf!
There's even been powder on the top that stays nice and nice and nice.
Every day there's a few hours of Sweet Spot before it gets too soft or too icy. Actually, I dunno if... > Read
Article
Stinch 2013: Do What Ya Can with What Ya Got!
February 24, 2013 - Last week was dry, nasty and icy until Friday dawned with 4" of fresh snow around here. Oh joy! --Really!
Saturday morning I skied Rose Lake for a couple hours with Layne and Deon. We had a blast. The snow was great until noon when it got sticky -- but I bet it was still great after that if you had the right skis! OK, maybe not so much. Sometime... > Read
Article
Stinchfield Loppet -- Tomorrow 9am!
February 23, 2013 - it looks like the snow is back! Or ENUF of it, anyway. So we're skiing.
[As of today, Saturday, the newly updated start time for the Loppet is 9AM tomorrow, Sunday!]
The Stinch Loppet is event two in the Michigan Backcountry Series, and the most accessible, party event.
Stinch is the best ski terrain around. So we'll ski it starting at 9am... > Read
Article
Barry-Roubaix: Biggest Bike Boom Yet?
February 20, 2013 - Barry-Roubaix is becoming crazy big even by bike-crazy standards. What's going on? In 4 yrs it's up to 3000 RIDERS???!!!
And it's a HARD dirt ride. It'll break yer legs off. Where do these people come from?
As far as I know the promotion is a one-man show, to boot! -- Ol' Rick Plite! Go, Rick!
It's not quite as big as Iceman yet, but it'... > Read
Article | Go to Website
The $500 Drilling?
February 19, 2013 - Would a budget drilling ever be cool, likely or appropriate?
You know what I mean: a triple gun.
For my variant I envision a: 20-gauge; .22; .300 Sav.
Make it short and handily take-down, why not.
Where would it be good?
Gosh, I guess for places that are somewhat open-terrain where you might want to pot a: *flying grouse or duck; *s... > Read
Article
Hear of "3 Gun" Shooting? Sounds Fun!
February 19, 2013 - 3 Gun competition sounds pretty neat! I like this recent trend to versatility in outdoor sports. (The "Total Outdoorsman" being the main player here -- other than my own "Backyard Olympics" events. : ) )
3 Gun is big now. It has its own TV show and its own magazine.
The event has you shooting: *pistol; *rifle; *shotgun.
What's not to li... > Read
Article | Go to Website
Folk Art Firearms
February 19, 2013 - It's still what I want to do. I went to the local Mason Gun Show last week and had a dandy time.
It's like visiting a gun museum, seeing all the variety of firearms both new, used and collectible. There is also a ton of nifty accessories, like reloaders and bullet-casters plus vintage books and military surplus luggage. A pleasant outing. And a... > Read
Article
Team OYB at Louisville World Cyclocross Champs!
February 06, 2013 - Well, my brother Tim, friend Robert and I went and watched the Cyclocross World Championships last weekend, down in Louisville. It was the first time they'd come to the US!
We stayed with friends of ours in their cheery, art-filled house in a picturesque old neighborhood in the hills -- and where we had bigtime breakfasts!
We are pretty much... > Read
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Project Reports: Roadbike works for CX! ...Tufo repair success!
February 06, 2013 - ROADBIKE CX:
So last week it was finally time to test my new CX conversion bike project! Actually, it had been raining for a day or so, so it wasn't THAT great of timing, but whatever.
Late last fall I happily realized that my old 28mm sewup CX tires will fit the clearances of my '00 Giant TCR Aluxx gofast frame! I slapped em on and th... > Read
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1st Mackinac Island Bike Culture story in US Bike Media! ...courtesy OYB!
February 01, 2013 - I just got 2 stories in the new issue of "Bicycle Times"!
The main news item would be that one of the stories is the first profile of Mackinac Island bike culture in a US bike mag!
Man, it's satisfying to paying my props to my roots! It's been a long time coming. But I've tried quite a bit over the years. And I've posted a fair amount here,... > Read
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JP's "Mtbike of Skis" Story in XC Skier Mag!
January 28, 2013 - Yay, I finally got a story in the national XC ski mag of record. It's my usual sermon on how today's touring skis are the mtbike of skiing, along with all the ungroomed trails out there in the world. Fun!
You can read it if you click on the "New Issue" or "Digital Issue" link in the upper left of their website. (My Mac is too old to show it.)
... > Read
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Hot Home Stereo Speaker Tip!
January 28, 2013 - ...Make sure your speakers are off the floor. Put em up on little wood blocks if need be. Small, pointy blocks are best -- they make music stands for the purpose.
Man, we just elevated our speakers and it makes a BIG difference!
...More resonant bass and 'brighter' mid-tones.
Nice! (And easy. And cheap.)
(I also hear that keeping them ... > Read
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Super Stereo Repair Tip! --Fix Your Blown Speakers
January 28, 2013 - Don't throw away your old blown speakers. Revive 'em!
You can get confused with all the widely differing how-to out there. Also the parts sources can give interesting price ranges for what you're after.
Typically, you'll have rotted/missing/torn foam surrounds around the cones. And the cones might be torn. And the dust caps missing or pushed ... > Read
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Potto Raid is Dead -- Long Live the Raid!
January 28, 2013 - So, not enuf snow today for the Potto Raid. Maybe we can grab it another weekend soon. BUT! RadNord and I did have a MARVELOUS 2-hour ski throughout all of Stinchfield. And more!
We even explored some amazing new big-hill territory! We also had a couple MASSIVE uphill jams up some wonderfully long climbs. I was starting to black out a bit near t... > Read
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Winter Thrill: The Drama of Tracks
January 28, 2013 - I just had the best winter thrill! Not enuf snow for trail skiing, but it's been cold so I went and skied the frozen river. It's PERFECT!
(Open areas of running water and all -- the flow is pretty to see -- the shallow water is very clear. It's solid a few feet away. If you're afraid of your local river: explore it. The more you learn the less ... > Read
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New Map of Stinchfield!
January 28, 2013 - The caretaker of Stinchfield has made a great new map! Still no topography, but it's a nice map. The 5 new big hills Rad and I found are south of the Old Car.
In case you don't know, Stinch is U of M property on the biggest hill in SSE MI.
It has the biggest hills in the region in general. A good 15 miles of trails in an area about 5 x 3 mile... > Read
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Give an XC Course a CX Makeover!
January 21, 2013 - MORE "CX for XC!" ... We don't have terrain around here. But this past fall I finally got into CX biking and had a blast. Those guys really know how to make a fun course out of nothing. Give em a little contour and they'll lay in crazy twisties, offcambers and scramble-ups. Yet they can still keep good flow. It's a gas.
I just got back from look... > Read
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Thinking of Gun Rights & Security/Safety... 1st Things 1st!
January 17, 2013 - There's a new push these days to "magically" reduce crime and ban certain talismanic devices said to cause crime.
In opposition to this push are folks who magically believe that the devices can help their safety and security situations.
Yeah, it's all about guns.
In truth, gun crime rarely affects the general public except when they live... > Read
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There is No Offseason: Lift Year-round
January 17, 2013 - Here's a scary thought/tip: Keep lifting weights year-round.
Yeah, even during your seasons to keep the "umph" and "pop" you want, you can't rely on the sport itself. Human-power sport reps are too low-effort, too high-cadence by'n'large. Gotta keep hittin' the weights year-round.
I used to think I could get by lifting weights in the "offse... > Read
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"Get a Season"
January 17, 2013 - My pal Dave mentioned this the other day. People need to "get a season." It's kinda like "get a life."
People shouldn't just be bikers or skiers or paddlers or fishermen or hunters or runners. We're people first. Then comes life. And in Michigan life has 4 seasons.
Activities, and those who sell them, try to make them life-consuming. They wan... > Read
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How to Cross Country Ski: Tips for XC/Nordic Breakthru
January 15, 2013 - ...Don't forget: this stuff applies equally to Skating as to Classic! (The essence of each is the same.)
Tourers need a grasp of it as well. Tourers use a wider variety of moves but these "max efficiency" ideas are the core, also they get put into play on challenging uphills.
I've been gleaning online info for ideas that seem like they'd be p... > Read
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Vintage Extreme Cyclocross
January 14, 2013 - The CX Worlds are coming to Louisville!
For inspiration here's how they did it back in the day...
More at: http://www.blackbirdsf.org/cx/2007_01.html
I'd like to see more of this in today's courses. Keep it in a park but get it nastier than usual. Make it crazy but then ... still possible to do with some flow ... hmm, might be a tough nut ... > Read
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New "Rene Herse"
January 12, 2013 - Jan Heine just released his new bike book, which was a huge labor of love. It's the complete story of Rene Herse, the premier French bike maker and designer, the father of the light cyclotouring scene and concept. It's 400+ pages and full of bikes and historic cycling pics dedicting the Herse era and legend, both socially and technically. $86 clams... > Read
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Let's Rename the Ski-Skating Techniques!
January 12, 2013 - Can someone please think up better names for the various skating techniques?
The ones I've heard are ALL DUMB! (OK, all but one -- the main names certainly are DUMB.)
But before we look at the ski-skating terms, let's see the sensible names for Classic moves...
Classic XC:
*Herringbone
*Flying Herringbone
... *Tour Striding
*Race Str... > Read
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Prediction: Hipsters will discover XC Skiing
January 12, 2013 - Someday...
Young people will XC ski. And ski shops will pop up alongside cafes. And there will be youth media for these skiers. And a cold weather outdoor fresh air hipster scene will happen. Flasks. Bota bags will make a comeback. And certain kinds of clothing will be seen on the trails, or at least somewhere there's snow, can't say where all t... > Read
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Boatbuilding Apprenticeshop: Education and *EDUCATION*
January 11, 2013 - In the new issue of "Messing About in Boats," there's an overview of the Maine Maritime Museum's Apprenticeshop boat-building program, with some blurbs from folks who'd attended. (MAIB is the world's best boat magazine, http://messingaboutinboats.com, black'n'white, edited by a near-90-year-old rockstar of the mail.)
Now, alt-ed that has an out... > Read
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I want to set up a XC course like it's CX...
January 11, 2013 - That's my plan!
CX (cyclocross) is so much fun with its tricky handling flow that I think an XC ski course would be just as much fun if set up similarly.
(I also think that CC running courses should be set up more like CX. Apparently many nowadays are designed to be flat'n'fast. I see the place for that but also for scrambling skills courses... > Read
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