Wax-on, Wax-off

Mr Miyagi says, "Wax on. Wax off."

Spent this morning waxing skis. This is my third year waxing my own skis. There is a real science and art to it. I do a basic waxing job - no super, racey, expensive waxes for me. Still . . . . it takes a bit of practice to do a good job.

Ski gets locked into the waxing bench and I brush out the ski - removing any dirt from the base and opening the structure up to receive wax.












Next, I melt wax with the waxing iron. Here I'm using Swix CH7 (purple). It's a soft wax and I'm using it to saturate the ski as much as possible. The more wax your ski has absorbed, the faster it will become.











Iron out the wax.















While the wax is still a little warm I remove the wax from the centre groove . . . .














. . . . and the edges. Then I let them cool for at least 20 minutes for the wax to set and absorb.














Ski goes back on the bench and I scrape from tip to tail. Soft wax comes off easy, harder wax (for colder temperatures) is tougher to scrape off.













After scraping, I brush out the base of the ski with a coarse brush to remove wax from the structure. If there is wax in the structure of the ski, it'll slow the ski. Here I am using a bronze brush (this was a colder wax that I used in this picture, hence a more coarse brush). On a warm wax, I'd use a plastic bristle brush to brush out the base.









This is what the ski looks like after brushing it out. I just wipe away the powdery residue. After, I polish the ski with a polishing cloth to get it shinny and fast!












Swix CH4 (green) is a very hard wax, good for snow in the temperature range of -10 to -32 degrees. You really lose your glide on cold, cold snow no matter how well you wax.












Here is a bronze (left) and nylon brush.













Waxing is all about layering the wax and doing multiple applications. Today I did five applications of wax just on my skate skis. Here's the order: CH 7 (purple -2to-6 C), CH6 (blue -6 to -12 C), CH4(green), CH6 again, and finished off with CH4.

The snow is cold today, so that's why I finished with a harder wax.

Straight Chain Love

Received and early Christmas present from Roman - some "Straight Chain Love" stickers. Thanks Roman!
Who wants one? Need to save a few to drop off at the Moose.

Straight Chain is a clothing company specifically for cyclists. They make some very nice stuff at a reasonable price.

You can check out Roman's blog HERE. (clicky clicky)

Naked Scale Review

Product: Zenith home scale
Purchased: Zellers
Price: aprox. $25.00

I optimistically purchased this product a couple months ago. I saw results right away after developing enthusiastic plans for getting the best results from my new purchase. I initially felt encouraged by how good the scale worked.

It measures 11.25" x 11.25", has a sturdy platform to stand on, is a nice shade of black and it's digital numbers are large and easy to read.

The surface is dimpled, like a golf ball, which made it comfortable to stand on. It was easy to step on to and easy to step off (though I always didn't feel very good after stepping off after it's reading). The pocked surface provided good grip, and the reviewer didn't note any slipping while standing on it.

However, the more I used the scale, and the less enthusiastic I felt towards my plan to use to advantageously and the more I became dismayed at the products reliability and accuracy. Over time, the 'modulation' and scale feedback left me doubting it. I tried to bring it back to the store where I bought it, explaining to a sales associate it's flaws. He assured me it was "user error" and wouldn't refund my money.

I really wanted to like this product, but found it wouldn't give me the feedback that I wanted to see. It really let me down. Here's the readout from today:

(that's pounds - lbs)

no need for rectangles

I am hoping that after a break-in period the scale will begin to show the results that I hoped for, and saw, when I first bought it.

First death ski

I nearly died today. Stole this photo from Peter's post over on the TEAM BLOG.

First skate of the year. Fortune climb hurt me. Worked out the bugs towards the end of the ski - thank God it was mostly downhill on the way back. Poling and stride started to come back and it became easier to find a flat ski. Legs began moving like a pendulum.

It was, like, Peter's seventh time skate skiing ever! He did awesome! By the end of the ski you could see a huge improvement in his technique.

Again on Thursday. Who's in?

Glue ski

Got out this morning for only my second ski of the season. I could have skied the past three or four weekends. Oddly enough, being able to ski this early in December in recent years would have been considered early, however, we are 'into it' now!

Still congested, stuffed up and feeling crappy. I felt I had enough energy to ski. Started out rough, but got better as the day went on . Was bringing up all sorts of 'glue' from my sinuses and lungs. Tough going through the backcountry trails we were on, track baskets kept breaking though the side of the trail and spent a lot of energy with my upper body trying to compensate for my poor forum. Once in the track set, things got easier and I was able to work on my technique some.

At one point I was following too close to Tanya as we were climbing a hill, when she slipped out in mid kick and the back of her ski almost took out my two front teeth (just in time for Christmas!). "all I want for Christmas are my two front teeth . . . . ."

Glide wax: Six purple Grip wax: Swix purple (started with Swix blue extra but switched due to warm snow temps)

They've been doing a tonne of grooming and work on the trails the past couple of weeks. Trails will only get better and better as the season goes on, with the solid base that's been established.

Trails from Kingsmere (P7).

On top of Penguin.

Tomorrow I'll be skating with Peter. First skate ski of the season . . . . should be fugly from a conditioning perspective, but even fuglier from the technique standpoint.

Down and out

I've been sick for about three weeks now. Started off bad, got better, then got bad again Sunday. Can't seem to shake it. I'm eating well, lots of rest, lots of fluids . . . . just not getting any better.

I took today off work to stay at home and sleep as much as possible. I am SOOOOO tempted to go for a skate ski this morning. It's a clear day with not a cloud in site - beautiful blue sky, and it's only going to be -6 degrees (celsius, 21.2 faren.) with a wind chill of about -16. We've got dumped on this past week, 40 cms of powder. Trails in the Gats are pristine for skiing.

There's about 190 km of xc ski trail that is maintained. That doesn't include the back country skiing that can be had too. Environment Canada predict a cold, long winter.

Coach and I have been e-mailing about my training program this winter. I've been in the gym throwing around weights for the past two months. I'm bulking up a bit and would rather be outside. So Coach wants me to take advantage of the snow and get out there on the snowshoes to work on power - short, sustained efforts in deep snow, trodding along. With combination of using poles, I'll be working my core as well. Alternate days I'll be skate skiing or classic skiing, and spinning on the trainer to work on my endurance base and pedaling technique.

Just have to start feeling better . . . . .

Cheers.

First XC Ski

Got my first xc ski of the season in this morning with Mark.

Since I've lived in Ottawa, this is the earliest in the season, that I recall, in which there was enough snow down to ski on.

I wasn't on skis, last year, until January - snow was an issue, but also a mending broken arm kept me off the planks as well.

Two years ago I was skiing on December 20 after a big dump of snow - everyone was stoked about getting so much snow, so early.

This year is unbelievable! I could have skied the last two weekends actually. However, a lingering flu/cold wore me out.

I was very happy to get out today. It got my fat arse out of the house and my mind out of the gloomy, unmotivated pit that it's been hiding in.

Sorry. No photos today. I took the camera with me, but the batteries died.

Happy 7th Birthday Jackie Boy!

Jacks turned 7 years old yesterday! Still acting like a puppy.
Presents, treats and a special birthday breakfast & supper were in order.

I wanted to be Evel Knievel

One of my earliest memories as a kid was playing with my older brother's Evel Knievel action figure. These were popular in the 70's. I distinctly remember playing with it.

Maybe it was my first experience with two wheels? I don't know. I'm not going to get all nostalgic and say that was the beginning of my love of two wheels. Cause that would be a lie. I really didn't get into bikes until about seven or eight years ago. Anyway . . . I digress.

Evel died today. He was pretty messed up with failing health. Maybe some brought on by years of harsh crashes and near death experiences.

I'm not sure if there exists today anyone of that kind of celebrity status. He wasn't an actor or musician. Just a freak who jumped over stuff. How many kids did this guy have an affect on? I remember pretending to be him and trying to jump my banana seat bike over stuff. How many kids busted up their bodies, bruised and cut themselves, broke bones and so on? Too many to count I am guessing. All in the name of good fun.

If his persona existed today, kids would be mimicking him through playstations and x-boxes. Which is better? Overweight, over stimulated, fat kids with no imaginations sitting in front of a tv with sore thumbs OR kids outside on their bikes, getting fresh air & exercise, getting a little banged up? You be the judge.

Thieving

Since I'm coming off a wicked cold or flu I've had zero motivation to write anything. So I've taken the liberty of stealing stuff off others blogs. In case you don't get around on the blog-o-world, here's what's been out there the past day or so:

“I mean, [the ratio] was 11 to 1. You’d think he’d be violating every virgin within 100 miles. How does he even get on his bicycle?” — Dick Pound, WADA president, commenting in 2006 on Floyd Landis’s elevated testosterone/epitestosterone ratio after stage 17 of the Tour of France

- stolen from Mari & Dave

The Parrot
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift.

The parrot really had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary.

Every word out of the bird’s mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird’s attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to “clean up” the bird’s vocabulary.

Finally though, John was fed up, and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot, and the parrot got angrier and more rude!

In desperation, John threw up his hands, grabbed the bird, and put him in the freezer!

For a few minutes the parrot squawked, kicked and screamed….. then suddenly there was total quiet! Not a peep was heard for over a minute!

Fearing that he’d hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.

The parrot calmly stepped out onto John’s outstretched arms and said, “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’m sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions, and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior.”

John was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude!

As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, thhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gife bird continued, “May I ask what the turkey did?”

- stolen from Drunkcyclist.com

- Vassago



- saw this over on Gwadzilla's blog

ill'n

I didn't get out skiing this weekend. My body has been fighting some sort of flu the past week. It really started to knock the wind out of me Friday. With warm temperatures this weekend, it would have made very fast skate skiing up in the park. Unfortunately, my fat, sick, lazy ass was on the couch for most of the weekend.

I got to the gym tonight for a leg workout, but now feel like a bag O'crap. Tomorrow I've got spin class and core body with 'the gang'.

The warm temps are sticking around and a call for rain, we might lose all the snow that fell. Might be a different story over in the Gats though. Hope we get a dumping . . . . I'm itching to get out for a ski.

Almost ready

Got the waxing bench all set up and am in the process of taking off the protective summer layer of soft wax (keeps the skis from oxidizing). Have been going through my waxing info as a refresher. It's been since March since I was on my skis and have had to wax. I've got three pairs to do, so it'll all come back to me pretty quickly.



Waxing skis is an art and a science. Each year I get a little better at it.

Needless to say, the bikes have been put away for winter. I've got a lot of friends who ride the trails once or twice a week during the snowy winter months. I just can't get into it to be honest too much stopping and starting. I'd much rather be working out on the skate or xc skis - it's an excellent cross over sport and a full body workout. If I get out three or so times a week and am on the trainer that much, my cardio doesn't pay the price.

Am keeping on eye on the ski reports and will likely be up in the Gats tomorrow.


With the snow fall, Jacks has been nutty! Berners really come to life in the cold, and especially so in the snow. He'll be seven years old next week, but you wouldn't know it his puppy like energy.

XC skiing has begun!

Looks like I may be skiing this weekend. They are grooming up in the Gats right now. P8 all the way up to Champlain is open, Champlain parkway is groomed all the way to Gameline - approximately 10% of the trails have been groomed. I need a pair of rock skis!

I'm getting the waxing bench set up tonight and will get the skis ready to go! Whoo hoo!

meandmybicycle

I noticed this site over on Gwadzilla's blog, and thought that I'd check it out. Pretty cool place to go hang out.

meandmybicycle is about you and your bike. Show off your wheels, find like minded cyclists and join in discussions about all things cycling related.

Crank The Shield

We ALL KNOW WHY WE RIDE.
...Mountain Biking is an adventure.
Be it a short ride or a long hammer, adventure is on your mind. Why not take that spirit to the next level? Point to point, multi-day events are increasing in popularity and Chico Racing is excited to present Ontario's first 3-day point to point adventure.

From it's regal beginnings in Muskoka's cottage country to it's incredible finish in Haliburton Forest, Crank The Shield will wind you through some of the most breathtaking scenery Ontario's near north has to offer. A combination of secondary roadways, backroads, ATV and mountain bike specific trails will take riders from one place to another. . . .

750 bones for a three day stage race on fire and ATV roads?!?!?! Doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun and it seems a bit steep. With only a weee bit of single track . . . . I think that I will pass for the first year of the race and wait and read the reviews.

Besides, I'm going to be broke from paying for this.

Necessary Evil

Tonight was the first spin class for building the base back up.

Wasn't so bad with Gilles shouting orders at us. The one and half hour class flew by. Heart rate was low, about 65-70% of max HR. Once a week at the RA Centre and once a week at home is a good start for the next month or so. Mixed in with the two rides on the weekends that I've been getting in should help keep the fat at bay.

We do about twenty or so minutes after being on the bike to do some core body strength work. This compliments the work that I'm doing in the gym and I hope to see some strength gains over the next several months.

Here comes the sun

The Betty Bike Lamp: World’s Brightest (for now)

Flip on your bike light and watch oncoming traffic slam on the brakes and steer onto sidewalks. The Lupine Lighting System Betty is a 22-watt, 1400-lumen bike light that’s certain to do permanent retinal damage to anyone unfortunate enough to look at you when you say, “Check out my new bike light” a moment before flipping it on. The Lupine has 3 brightness settings, with the weakest setting giving you a flashing disco mode that lasts for one month off one charge. The setup costs a ridiculous $1185, but you can’t put a price on safety—or cars flashing their high beams at you.

*stolen from The Goat

Man Has Sex With Bike

Been watching this story unfold over on Drunkcyclist.com. Hope you don't mind me stealing this story Big Johnny.

Bike sex man placed on probation

Cleaners caught Mr Stewart simulating sex with a bike

A man caught trying to have sex with his bicycle has been sentenced to three years on probation.

Robert Stewart, 51, admitted a sexually aggravated breach of the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner and simulating sex.

Sheriff Colin Miller also placed Stewart on the Sex Offenders Register for three years.

Mr Stewart was caught in the act with his bicycle by cleaners in his bedroom at the Aberley House Hostel in Ayr.

Gail Davidson, prosecuting, told Ayr Sheriff Court: "They knocked on the door several times and there was no reply.

"They used a master key to unlock the door and they then observed the accused wearing only a white t-shirt, naked from the waist down.

"The accused was holding the bike and moving his hips back and forth as if to simulate sex."

Both cleaners, who were "extremely shocked", told the hostel manager who called police.

Sheriff Colin Miller told Stewart: "In almost four decades in the law I thought I had come across every perversion known to mankind, but this is a new one on me. I have never heard of a 'cycle-sexualist'."

Stewart had denied the offence, claiming it was caused by a misunderstanding after he had too much to drink.

The bachelor had been living in the hostel since October 2006 after moving from his council house in Girvan.

He now lives in Ayr.

First Oregon Handmade Bike Show

This past weekend was the first Oregon Handmade Bike Show.

Why would I be interested in this? My man Mike Desalvo was there.

Check out some of the builder and pictures here at Bike Portland.

Third Eye

No, not this or this or this or even this:

What I am talking about is this:

fritZman dropped it off yesterday (Thanks Fritz!) - hopefully my chain will stay put and stop jumping off to the inside.

Joni Mitchell must have ridden some wicked Chelsea single track

"Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I heard
Was a song outside my window, and the traffic wrote the words
It came a-reeling up like Christmas bells, and rapping up like pipes and drums"
- Joni Mitchell

*photos here*

Frost ride

The cold, cold November nights are leaving frost in the ground during the day. In the shade it stayed, any sunny, warm spots and it would turn the ground into a muddy, slick-as-snot mess to ride through. Some corners today were sssssslippppppppery!

Got to make a hard right hand turn to get down.

Where did I go? Did I roll it out or endo? Clicky clicky here to find out.

The Vegan Vagabond rolls out a step down.

My damn chain kept coming off on the inside of my ring. Flashbacks to Kingdom Trails and bike tossing.
Fritz, you got to get me that 'third eye' dealie.

Sunset silhouette on slick rock.


*More pictures here.

Last Sunday

Haven't been on the bike since Sunday. This is my favourite time of year to ride, but it's also the hardest time to get out: shorter days, colder temperatures, report cards and IEPs at work, etc.

What a ride that was though on Sunday. Beauty day. New trails. Good times.

Stef's eyes were bugging out the riding was so good!

Fun, fun, fun.
Hope to do it again this weekend.

Lack of time to get on the bike, busy-ness at work, early darkness and cold temperatures are making it tough right now to do much of anything. My energy has been sucked from me, feeling like I'm running on empty. Hopefully a ride soon will spark things back to life.

Beauty day, eh!

It's hard to believe that it's November 3rd. Blue skies and seven degrees. Beauty!

Fall single track.

Boink Point

Someone in the mtb bike community has got a stick up their arse. Apparently they are spreading the word and trying to rename Boink Point to "Bonk Point". In their attempts to be politically correct, they've taken the humor out of a certain aspect of riding. Pull that knot out of your knickers!

Soaking up the fall sunshine and quietness of the woods while on a snack break.

Met up with Fritz and Riley at the end of Outback. So I decided to turn around and do it again.

Hard to believe that this little ripper is only 8 years old! He rides better than most adults out in SMH. There are lots of 'grown ups' who are even intimidated to ride Outback.
While sitting and chatting to Fritz & Riley on my snack stop, two riders rolled by. We ended up catching them and passed the two riders about a quarter of the way through Outback.

Riley actually rode all of this section, carried on through some tight single track and then onto a skinny bridge. Whoot!