Ski Culture Links, Blurbs, Stories gathered from the Homepage “News” Sections
| *Backyard Method makes a comeback! They laughed at Retro Dude last month (in retro sweater and knickers, right), but they aren’t laughing now. Season Wrap-Up. |
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*A pic of real ski racing, for inspiration…
| *Finally, affordable rollerskis! Rollerskis are a great all-body workout and totally buff you for XC. |
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They last for decades, but their ballpark $250 cost can be a bit painful for some. I just heard of a good ski that beats that rap: Jesenik ( Sorry this site link is DEAD, so removed!) from Czech is $102 shipped, and Emil says you can use a personal check! Or assemble-your-own (easy) from Nordic-Skater and Nordic-Pro. Nice!
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*My Backyard Trail System. A few pics of my mile-long yard delight. |
| *Build a spark! It’s a ski-sled. You stand on a ski-tail and kick your way over snow or ice. It’s stable and fast. Folks use them in Scandinavia. You can buy nice ones but I made mine. Our kids love it! Here’s a pic and story |
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*Backyard vs. Hightech Update: Jeff’s 2003-2004 XC ski race season so far. Story here.
*I made my own caviar! While out skiing I found some bowfins and perch in an open patch of water in a big swamp full of thousands of oxygen-starved fish, and soon had a fish fry and egg harvest. I found online info for using both perch and bowfin roe. You saute’ the perch roe, but soak the bowfin roe in brine to make high-grade caviar. I tested it: YUM! The perch eggs sadly got neglected.
*Build a XC ski tracksetter! Make one in an hour then pull it around a trail. The snow sets up overnite and then you can ski great. Cut two 2″x6″x40″ boards with a curve on the end. Screw 30″ wide thin linoleum between em. Add 2 stiffener boards and a crosspiece at the front and a thwart on top. Screw 2 3″x1″x10″ ski-shapes 10″ apart at the rear. Tie strap to eyelets at the front then set your sweet track.
*Homebrew vs. Hightech… The Backyard Olympics update: First, the challenge was made. I challenged Mike Muha to a duel of Training Plans: Fancy Lad vs. Backyard Olympics. Who will reach their goals? Will he go faster? Will I have more fun? Let’s find out! (Who cares that they’re different goals.) Visit his famous website to get the latest. Here’s more.
| *The Sweater… I made my XC ski racing comeback this past winter with a nifty retro Swedish outfit. I’m trying to make Sixten proud. |
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*Jeff’s 2002-2003 Ski Racing Reports! I did 3 races this year because I got some rollerskis this past fall and used em and thought I was maybe ready to race again. I learned a few things and had some wacky times at these events. Check em out. First I did the White Pine. Then the VASA and Gran Travers doubleheader.
*Buy rare Hal Painter books. The only literary books on modern culture plus skiing and sailing. Very good writing. Captain Nemo Cookbook Papers.
