City of Lakes Loppet?

[Trevize1138]

I'm doing it this year! 35K! Anyone else? Should we get a group of MTBers who occasionally hop on a pair of skis to group up for fun? :)

I'm totally not competing, I just wanna do the 35K and I'm playing catchup right now to get in shape! C'mon, you x-country skiiers by winter/MTBers by summer, show yourselves! :banana:

[mara]

I'm doing the 10k "tour." Intimidating, because I'm still very much in learning how to ski mode. Look for me doing the duck waddle up hills that didn't seem so big on knobbies. :D

[Trevize1138]

Heh heh ... yeah, the good old duck waddle technique :). I'm hoping to advance beyond that myself for my hill climbing before the event! I'll be happy whenever we get to those nice, FLAT lake portions of the course toward the end.

Do you find yourself looking at these fall line hills and wide trails and thinking to yourself "why didn't they bench cut it and traverse the hillside?" :crazy:

[GearDaddy]

I did the 35k last year. I certainly hope it's not 5 below zero at the start like it was last year. I started in wave 4 and ran into big-time bottlenecks with a lot of wave 3 skiers on some of those hills in the first 5K. A "penguin conga-line" is kind of what it looked like.

Unfortunately, the water bottle I was carrying froze solid in about 20 minutes. So, I got no refueling at all until after 20K, and ended up bonking hard! In the end my time wasn't what I was shooting for. So, this year they'll place me in a starting wave relative to my finishing time. Hopefully, this doesn't translate into having to fight my way through crowds of skiers again this year.

[Trevize1138]

I'm thinking Camelbak under my coat ;). I'm just looking to finish this year, so I won't care too much if there's a bottleneck here and there due to being placed in whichever wave us n00bs get placed in, I guess.

Then again, those are often famous last words: "Oh, I'm not really gonna do it competitively." That's sorta like going on a group ride and saying "Hey, how 'bout we take this next lap easy, fellas?" Uh huh ...

[SickBoy]

Make sure you get some sort of tube insulator on it. I do the bottle thing when skiing too and I find that using diluted Gatorade keeps stuff from freezing. I actually fill it with HOT water too.

As for the race, I'm a pass. Heard bad things from people who did it last year about their skis getting destroyed by the relatively low snow conditions. 35k is faaaar....

[Buck]

Make sure you get some sort of tube insulator on it. I do the bottle thing when skiing too and I find that using diluted Gatorade keeps stuff from freezing. I actually fill it with HOT water too.

Yes you should use HOT H2O and keep it as warm as possible, otherwise you mine as well race with no hat or shirt....taking in cold fluids in the winter is a bad idea, to much energy lost...just my .02 cents...sounds like a blast!!!
L8R
Buck

[mara]

I've heard talk of people throwing a chemical hand warmer in the bottom of their Camelbak. I have no first - hand experience, but it is supposed to keep the water from freezing.

[stoneage]

Yes you should use HOT H2O and keep it as warm as possible, otherwise you mine as well race with no hat or shirt....taking in cold fluids in the winter is a bad idea, to much energy lost...just my .02 cents...sounds like a blast!!!
L8R
Buck
A little hint for those that may not know....don't use hot tap water, as it can make you sick. Think lukewarm chicken. Microwave cold tap water in the bag till it's just barely uncomfortable to hold, and then put it in the insulated sleeve. And, insulate the tube like sickboy said, or it's all for naught. BTW, don't forget the wind briefs.

[Trevize1138]

Hmm ... after looking at the pricey entry fees and considering that I'm a long ways from being a competitive skiier ... maybe that 10K isn't such a bad idea afterall? :). I mean, I've been x-country skiing since I was 6, but being ready for a 35K might be another thing! I can always ski the other parts of the course on my own time "for fun."

As for getting your skiis destroyed by thin conditions, that's why a $50 pair of early '90s Peltonen graphite skate skiis is the way to go! :banana:

[Trevize1138]

A little hint for those that may not know....don't use hot tap water, as it can make you sick. Think lukewarm chicken. Microwave cold tap water in the bag till it's just barely uncomfortable to hold, and then put it in the insulated sleeve. And, insulate the tube like sickboy said, or it's all for naught. BTW, don't forget the wind briefs.

What if you're keeping your Camelbak inside your coat and just bringing the tube out every now and then for a sip? Heating the water sounds like a good idea, but I'm just thinking about options for us non-racing types who will be dressed up in snowboarding pants/jacket so we've got the room inside for stuff like that. Also, that way I don't need no wind briefs 'cause the snowboard pants keep the wind out just fine, thankyouverymuch. :D

[stoneage]

What if you're keeping your Camelbak inside your coat and just bringing the tube out every now and then for a sip? Heating the water sounds like a good idea, but I'm just thinking about options for us non-racing types who will be dressed up in snowboarding pants/jacket so we've got the room inside for stuff like that. Also, that way I don't need no wind briefs 'cause the snowboard pants keep the wind out just fine, thankyouverymuch. :D
Just making sure that you can still visualize the wind briefs!!! :crazy2: :crazy2: :crazy2: :crazy2: :crazy2:

[SickBoy]

Snowboarding pants/jacket? You trying to create your own mobile "City of Lakes Ski Sauna"? LOL....

Insulating the tube shouldn't be hard. Instead of buying the official tube insulator you could probably cut the end off an old sock and wrap the whole thing up tight with duct tape.

If you do the chemical hand warmer thing, I;d recommend putting it between the bladder and the backpack, not IN the bladder, of course....

[GearDaddy]

The hydration pack under the jacket will work, and insulating the tube will help, but you still need to watch out for things freezing up right at the mouthpiece. Just remember to blow back into the tube after drinking to clear it of fluid. That works really well at preventing freeze up.

Sickboy, 35K is pretty managable. I thought you did the Birkie? Last year the snow on the course was really good. No complaints here. It's a really interesting course. They start you right away with the hardest hills right in the first 5K. It sounds like they changed the course this year to get rid of some bottlenecks too. It gets progressively easier from there, and the last 10-15K is completely flat skiing on the lakes. Pretty unique. I'd recommend it.

[Trevize1138]

Snowboarding pants/jacket? You trying to create your own mobile "City of Lakes Ski Sauna"? LOL....

Actually, I was thinking of hitting a used clothing store somewhere and picking up a camoflage snowmobile suit for the event. Don a "Mad Bomber" hat and I'd be stylin'! :D

[redwood]

This years course is much more interesting than last years. I've been checking it out a lot. There are some new cuts over some wooded hills within the golfcourse, and a lot of new trails on both sides of teh parkway by eloise butler. Because of the new trails, the endless skating on the lakes at the end has been cut in half or so. So over all, more challenging, more interesting, and probably a bigger event overall as I think it's a us ski team qualifying event or something important like that.

[SickBoy]

Sickboy, 35K is pretty managable. I thought you did the Birkie?

Nope. I thought about doing it this year but made plans to go to Arizona to go riding instead. I think I'll probably do a big 25k race before I tackle a truly long one like the Birkie. Maybe the vasa....

[Trevize1138]

Well, no turning back now. I just registered for the 35K freestyle event!

Dan, I'm probably going to be in one of the far-back waves since I'm a n00b and all. Would you mind waiting up for me a bit so we could ski together? Thanks! ;)

[GearDaddy]

Well, no turning back now. I just registered for the 35K freestyle event!

Dan, I'm probably going to be in one of the far-back waves since I'm a n00b and all. Would you mind waiting up for me a bit so we could ski together? Thanks! ;)

Ha. Ha. As usual my racing form is "questionable", so you'll probably be right on my heels! I know your secret former status as an elite level skier for the former Soviet state of Estonaslovenuzbeckagrad!

[KleinCrazy]

Well, no turning back now. I just registered for the 35K freestyle event!

Dan, I'm probably going to be in one of the far-back waves since I'm a n00b and all. Would you mind waiting up for me a bit so we could ski together? Thanks! ;)

ummm... don't you mean the 35K dirt skate?

Temps over freezing all week.

[Don Youngdahl]

ummm... don't you mean the 35K dirt skate?

Temps over freezing all week.

Unless it gets sunny & temps go up to the high 40's, the trail will be fine. On a cloudy day like today with temps in the mid 30's, very little snow is actually lost. The repeated freeze-thaw cycles will make for icy snow, and with the good grooming equipment they have, it should be a fast course.

Wish I was healthy enough to enter.

Don Youngdahl

[TML]

Well, no turning back now. I just registered for the 35K freestyle event!



Good luck and have fun Chris. The longest race I've done so far is an 18k.

I want more snow!!

[Trevize1138]

ummm... don't you mean the 35K dirt skate?

Temps over freezing all week.

I was telling Dan about this Monday night at the BCR meeting, but I had a dream like that once! I've only been in one XC ski race in my entire life but I've been doing it since the age of 6. A few years ago I had a dream that I was in some 55K ski race and I *walked* 54K of it. Every now and then you'd find this glacier of snow on a hillside by some trees, throw on the skis, skate a few strides, take the skis off and then it's back to walking on dirt. DRY dirt. There hadn't been moisture of any sort on this dirt for some time!

I threw a fit with the people who put on the event by the end of it because 54K of walking in XC ski boots is not enjoyable.

That goes along with all those dreams I've had of snowboarding on slushy snow that turned into mud and then back to slushy snow ... this weather's affecting my psyche!

[bigwheel]

Well, no turning back now. I just registered for the 35K freestyle event!

Dan, I'm probably going to be in one of the far-back waves since I'm a n00b and all. Would you mind waiting up for me a bit so we could ski together? Thanks! ;)

That reminds me... In December 1981, I had just moved to MN, so I went to REI and bought a pair of XC skis. (Classics - back then, skating had not yet been invented. ) I had never skied before. So, the same day, I signed up for the 55k Birkebeiner to give me some incentive to learn to ski. The birkie took me over 5 hours, but I finished it. However, at the time, I was about 30 lbs lighter, and in much better shape than now.

It is supposed to be warm this weekend. Assuming you are skating, the conditions will probably be fairly fast. If you put on a warm wax, then hit the bottoms with a wire brush to prevent vacuum, you'll fly. However, If you are doing it on classics, I'd consider going waxless, because the wet, dirty, mushy snow will make kick waxing tough.

Good luck!

[GearDaddy]

That reminds me... In December 1981, I had just moved to MN, so I went to REI and bought a pair of XC skis. (Classics - back then, skating had not yet been invented. ) I had never skied before. So, the same day, I signed up for the 55k Birkebeiner to give me some incentive to learn to ski. The birkie took me over 5 hours, but I finished it. However, at the time, I was about 30 lbs lighter, and in much better shape than now.

It is supposed to be warm this weekend. Assuming you are skating, the conditions will probably be fairly fast. If you put on a warm wax, then hit the bottoms with a wire brush to prevent vacuum, you'll fly. However, If you are doing it on classics, I'd consider going waxless, because the wet, dirty, mushy snow will make kick waxing tough.

Good luck!

Wow, I'm impressed by your extraordinarily masochistic experience! :cheesy:

I remember that year quite well, as I was a high school junior (a much scrawnier version of myself about 35 lbs. lighter) on the X-C ski team. We raced on lakes the entire season. The regional meet was held on Square Lake north of Stillwater. I actually did pretty decent that year because all you had to do was double-pole your brains out. The next year we actually had snow, which meant we had to go up and down those darn hill things.

[Trevize1138]

[heavy Iron Range accent]
Soe, lookss like we're gonna spent da weekend on da lake, den? Ya, it's not too cold out dere, donchaknoo ...
[/accent]

They're concentrating snow maintainence efforts on the "ribbon of snow" on da lakes for Sunday and there's talk of two laps on da lakes. On the bright side: no hills! :crazy:

www.skinnyski.com (http://www.skinnyski.com)

[SickBoy]

I'm getting more and more happy by the day that I did not waste $$$ on an entry fee for the Loppet. I did lake races in high school... and IMHO they suck. Hard Hard Hard all the time.... whereas with hills you get chances to recover, at least.

[Brick]

[heavy Iron Range accent]
On the bright side: no hills! :crazy:



be afraid....be very afraid.....

Why don't you just register for Mora next week? The course should be in better shape.

[SickBoy]

Eric - were you referring to me? I didn't register for Mora or the Birkie because I am going to be in Tucson from 2/11-2/21.... eating, sleeping, riding. ahhh... sun....

[Trevize1138]

be afraid....be very afraid.....

Why don't you just register for Mora next week? The course should be in better shape.

I just "kinda wanted to do the COLL" :)

I've done one other XC ski race in my life, so I'm anything but picky. BTW, I'm jealous of all you guys talking about your HS XC ski teams. I'm from Bismarck and you'd think with all the cold, snow and ski trails in that area that BHS would have had an XC ski team. But, no ... I missed out :(

[jzipfel]

Eric - were you referring to me? I didn't register for Mora or the Birkie because I am going to be in Tucson from 2/11-2/21.... eating, sleeping, riding. ahhh... sun....

Don't mean to hijack. But are you doing the 24 HOP? I will be there from 2/17-2/21. Let me know.

[SickBoy]

Don't mean to hijack. But are you doing the 24 HOP? I will be there from 2/17-2/21. Let me know.

Nope. Just training and doing the Valley of the Sun road stage race.

[/hijack]

[mara]

be afraid....be very afraid.....

Why don't you just register for Mora next week?

If I live through the mini City of Lakes, I might register for the mini Mora. I love the idea of giving people a big chunk of money for the privilege of hurting myself. :cool:

[thebionicman]

Good luck to those that are doing the Loppet tomorrow. I just got done riding around Calhoun where the took the snow from. That snow doesn't look to good.

[Brick]

Eric - were you referring to me? I didn't register for Mora or the Birkie because I am going to be in Tucson from 2/11-2/21.... eating, sleeping, riding. ahhh... sun....

Didn't you torture all of us with pictures from down there this time last year??;)

[Brick]

I just "kinda wanted to do the COLL"

and there aint nothin wrong with that....:cool:

[SickBoy]

Didn't you torture all of us with pictures from down there this time last year??;)

Yup... that was Sedona last year, for mtb. This year is Tucson and I'll be road riding.

[Trevize1138]

*sigh*

Color me officially bummed. :(

[Brick]

*sigh*

Color me officially bummed. :(

sorry man :cryin:

[Trevize1138]

Is there a support group I can join?

Seems like this whole event is just representative of the past few years' winters: crappy. It's simply infuriating! We get this great snowfall, then the weather warms up. Not only does it warm up, but just before this event it warms up *perfectly* to melt even the lake snow. It's like someone's got it in for us. :mad:

[GearDaddy]

Is there a support group I can join?

Seems like this whole event is just representative of the past few years' winters: crappy. It's simply infuriating! We get this great snowfall, then the weather warms up. Not only does it warm up, but just before this event it warms up *perfectly* to melt even the lake snow. It's like someone's got it in for us. :mad:

At this point, noone is getting any money back too. I asked whether they would give a discount on entry in next years event. They said that they were "just trying to get through today", but they are welcoming suggestions in the aftermath.

I kind of like the idea of getting next year's Three Rivers Ski pass for free! Especially since I am extremely disappointed in the grooming efforts at some of the Three Rivers parks (e.g. the total lack of effort at Hyland and French these last few weeks when we actually did have some snow).

So Chris, did you go and do any token laps on the streets of Uptown?

[Trevize1138]

At this point, noone is getting any money back too. I asked whether they would give a discount on entry in next years event. They said that they were "just trying to get through today", but they are welcoming suggestions in the aftermath.

I kind of like the idea of getting next year's Three Rivers Ski pass for free! Especially since I am extremely disappointed in the grooming efforts at some of the Three Rivers parks (e.g. the total lack of effort at Hyland and French these last few weeks when we actually did have some snow).

So Chris, did you go and do any token laps on the streets of Uptown?

Yeah, I showed up at 7:30, got a sweet parking spot right in the Calhoun Square parking ramp and then found out the thing was cancelled. So, since I was there with skis and everything ready to go I did a couple laps up and down the streets from Hennepin & Lake to the boat launch and back. I got to see for myself how unbelievably unskiable the lake trail was. At first my reaction was to think "So what if it's a bit icy or slushy, let's go!" But, when I saw it there was no doubt they made the right decision to cancel.

I left shortly thereafter. Just didn't have the heart to stick around for celebrations of any sort.

So ... since XC skiing is most likely done for the year (snow is in the forecast. yeah, right!) on a related note, anyone know how much it is to have the boys at One on One bicycle studio replace your vertical dropouts with horizontal? :)

[SPR]

Is there a support group I can join?

Seems like this whole event is just representative of the past few years' winters: crappy. It's simply infuriating! We get this great snowfall, then the weather warms up. Not only does it warm up, but just before this event it warms up *perfectly* to melt even the lake snow. It's like someone's got it in for us. :mad:

What a huge bummer for everyone. :hit:
They'll have to divide the state in half and name the southern section to Minnenosnowta. The sunbelt and sun coast dwellers think they have it so good with their weather.:crazy:

[KleinCrazy]

Yeah, I showed up at 7:30, got a sweet parking spot right in the Calhoun Square parking ramp and then found out the thing was cancelled. So, since I was there with skis and everything ready to go I did a couple laps up and down the streets from Hennepin & Lake to the boat launch and back. I got to see for myself how unbelievably unskiable the lake trail was. At first my reaction was to think "So what if it's a bit icy or slushy, let's go!" But, when I saw it there was no doubt they made the right decision to cancel.

I left shortly thereafter. Just didn't have the heart to stick around for celebrations of any sort.

So ... since XC skiing is most likely done for the year (snow is in the forecast. yeah, right!) on a related note, anyone know how much it is to have the boys at One on One bicycle studio replace your vertical dropouts with horizontal? :)

If the frame is steel, there are a number of places that will do it. I don't know what they charge down at one-on-one, call and ask. Bob Brown does it for 95 including the columbus dropouts. I Don't know what the guys and kenwood charge either.

L8er
James

[SickBoy]

Yup. We had approx. a 36 hour natural snow (e.g. not Elm Creek man made) ski season this year. Pisses me off too. I am either moving further south where there's no winter at all or further north where there's no summer... :(

[Trevize1138]

Yup. We had approx. a 36 hour natural snow (e.g. not Elm Creek man made) ski season this year. Pisses me off too. I am either moving further south where there's no winter at all or further north where there's no summer... :(

I mean, what is going on? I was reading something from Paul Douglas who said he's a firm believer that global warming is a reality, but he says our recent years of mild, dry winters don't have anything to do with global warming. I mean, Duluth has record snowfall! What is causing southern MN to get screwed out of snow?

[SickBoy]

Yeah, I dunno.

Actually.... I'd love to live in Sedona, AZ.... 45 mins north gets you to Flagstaff where you can DH/XC ski from nov-feb and 2 hours south gets you to Phoenix where you can ride all winter. Not to mention 300+ miles of singletrack within minutes of town. ahh.....

[Trevize1138]

Yeah, I dunno.

Actually.... I'd love to live in Sedona, AZ.... 45 mins north gets you to Flagstaff where you can DH/XC ski from nov-feb and 2 hours south gets you to Phoenix where you can ride all winter. Not to mention 300+ miles of singletrack within minutes of town. ahh.....

I hear the grass is greener over there, too ;).

I'd really like to hear a good explanation of what's going on. I'm a big science geek that way. It'd be interesting to know if someone can figure out what factors are contributing to the weird weather these years.

[jitterjepp]

Yeah, I showed up at 7:30, got a sweet parking spot right in the Calhoun Square parking ramp and then found out the thing was cancelled. So, since I was there with skis and everything ready to go I did a couple laps up and down the streets from Hennepin & Lake to the boat launch and back. I got to see for myself how unbelievably unskiable the lake trail was. At first my reaction was to think "So what if it's a bit icy or slushy, let's go!" But, when I saw it there was no doubt they made the right decision to cancel.

I left shortly thereafter. Just didn't have the heart to stick around for celebrations of any sort.

So ... since XC skiing is most likely done for the year (snow is in the forecast. yeah, right!) on a related note, anyone know how much it is to have the boys at One on One bicycle studio replace your vertical dropouts with horizontal? :)

I got down there at the end of the whole deal on Lake and Hennepin. I was on my bike with studded tires so I decided to do the loop around the lake and ride back up to Calhoun Square. I can see why they cancelled it too.

[stoneage]

replace your vertical dropouts with horizontal?
Go here: Bob Brown (http://www.bobbrowncycles.com/)

Welcome to the new environment. I stopped buying ski entries early about 8 years ago. All the racers used to enter in August for 30-40 bucks. Then the climate changed. I guess it is better to pay full price for a sure deal then lose money on a cancellation. Sorry about the race, though.

[Brick]

I am either moving further south where there's no winter at all or further north where there's no summer... :(

I've been toying w. the idea of a move to the U.P. (and I don't think I'm the only one around with that thought)--the big problem is employment. Gorgeous country, low cost of living, bike and ski trails abound.......

[Shickdawg]

I've been toying w. the idea of a move to the U.P. (and I don't think I'm the only one around with that thought)--the big problem is employment. Gorgeous country, low cost of living, bike and ski trails abound.......

If you've toyed with it, then that would mean the three actively posting Shoreview members have all done something between "toying with it" to "active measures towards it". I've applied for a couple of jobs at Michigan Tech, including a promising position I've still not heard back on.

MTU is usually hiring high-tech people, for those of us who wish to escape the urban lifestye: MTU Job Postings (http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/index.shtml)

[Trevize1138]

Sorta like how I was once toying around with the idea of moving to Colorado or Montana. I eventually decided to stay put 'cause there really are a lot of good things about staying in Minneapolis. I simply love this town :).

One trouble with moving to places like that is they've got all kinds of scenic beauty, outdoor activities galore, lakes, trees, mountains (except for the UP, I don't care what people in this part of the country say, if you aren't gasping for breath after a 10 ft walk at the top of it it ain't a mountain!). Unfortunately, that's ammo for employers to underpay you and skimp on benefits often because, hey, you've already got trees, lakes, mountains ...

... then again, the pay might not be great, but you've got trees, lakes, mountains ... :crazy:

[Trevize1138]

Hey, the latest weather reports say we're gonna get an inch of snow by tonight!

This, of course, means we won't get any snow tonight ... :(

[iceskier]

I just finished reading "State of Fear", and although it is fiction, much of the book is based upon scientific studies and fact. There are about 25 pages of bibliography related to global warming/temperature trends. Very interesting...

The bottom line seemed to be that no one really has any idea what is going on nor can they predict what is going to happen.

[TML]

If you've toyed with it, then that would mean the three actively posting Shoreview members have all done something between "toying with it" to "active measures towards it".

And I'll add "interviewed and turned down" to that list. Dang, it is a beautiful area. But great jobs are hard to come by.

Back on topic, I do feel bad for the whole Lakes Loppet. What a run of bad luck since its inception. I've not skied it but I hear it would be an incredible course. Maybe next year. . .

[SickBoy]

I've been toying w. the idea of a move to the U.P. (and I don't think I'm the only one around with that thought)--the big problem is employment. Gorgeous country, low cost of living, bike and ski trails abound.......

Yeah, I dunno. Given that I like riding more than skiing, since riding is less weather dependent... I am definitely thinking that moving south is more the option than moving north. Front range of CO would also work too, as it's **mild enough** to comfortably ride outside most of the winter. But that's just me....

[Kingbozo]

I just finished reading "State of Fear", and although it is fiction, much of the book is based upon scientific studies and fact. There are about 25 pages of bibliography related to global warming/temperature trends. Very interesting...

The bottom line seemed to be that no one really has any idea what is going on nor can they predict what is going to happen.

Crichton debunked:

http://www.realclimate.org/index.php?p=74

[GearDaddy]

I just finished reading "State of Fear", and although it is fiction, much of the book is based upon scientific studies and fact. There are about 25 pages of bibliography related to global warming/temperature trends. Very interesting...

The bottom line seemed to be that no one really has any idea what is going on nor can they predict what is going to happen.

Yeah, I remember doing a book report in high school (1980) about a book on the "greenhouse effect". It was very much science fiction at the time. But these days I thought the general consensus by scientists is that global warming is indeed a reality. Based on measurements of average global temperature and some of the effects in polar regions, like sea ice in the Arctic and the shrinking of the Antarctic ice shelfs. People in Arctic regions are seeing some dramatic changes, which are threatening their traditional lifestyles. These seem to be long-term changes in the making.

I agree that it is much less clear what effects any global warming has had on the rest of the world, including our Minnesota winters. There does seem to be a pretty strong correlation between the El-nino effect and these crappy winters. This "split flow" pattern, where storm tracks go south and north of us, leaving us in the warm and mild "pineapple express" pattern, seems to be very closely related to El-nino. Of the 5 or 6 El-nino winters in the last 20 years, only one of them has resulted in a "normal" winter, where the rest were warm and/or dry.

Perhaps this is just a fluctuation and it will pass. I'm hoping the good ole' Law of Averages kicks in and gives us good snowy winters for the next 20 years. I can only hope ....

[transplant]

I did NOT move back to the Midwest to get mild winters. :mad: I came here for the snow days, fireplaces, sledding and snowball fights of my not too distant youth (along with the neat-o snow riding I used to do:banana: ).

[Trevize1138]

Crichton debunked:

http://www.realclimate.org/index.php?p=74

I thought we solved this global warming thing back in the '90s when everybody started recylcing? :crazy:

[SickBoy]

I saw a theory for thickening Mars' atmosphere (to allow human habitation) that was kind of funny once:

1. Pack all our aerosol cans onto a bunch of saturn V rockets
2. Launch them at Mars
3. Rockets crash into Mars, cans explode, CFC's released into atmosphere which results in greenhouse effect-type thickening of the atmosphere
4. Hair Net corporation makes billions in profit and humans have another planet to trash

[Trevize1138]

This is just funny. For fun today I've been watching the radar of the approaching snow that's supposed to be hitting the metro area right now. Sure enough, it gets close to Hennepin co and perfectly dissipates around the county; completely missing us. Story of the winter.

[SickBoy]

Well, it didn't totally miss us. Does it make a dent in the problem of making our trails skiable again? Nope.

[iceskier]

Thanks for the link!! There are too many people responding to read all the comments. Such a hot topic... Everyone likes to take a hard line and it makes me chuckle. The piece I took away from the book is what Shad always says "Don't believe everything you hear and do your own research."

Do I believe in Crichton's idea that Global Warming is not happening? No. Do I think that all industry, automobiles, etc. should stop today to the save the planet? No, but there needs to be acceptable level established. The book is fiction afterall, but it does make one think about the validity of the media's information and how it is being fed to people. Remember, without statistics, I can't make you see what I want you to see.

[Trevize1138]

Just right for crappy but skiable conditions?

Whatcha guys think? Will this recent 3'' of snow, warm day and overnight freeze be just the ticket to make the Theo Wirth part of the trail skiable again?

[Brick]

Just right for crappy but skiable conditions?

Whatcha guys think? Will this recent 3'' of snow, warm day and overnight freeze be just the ticket to make the Theo Wirth part of the trail skiable again?

Use rock skis if you have them. You've got nothing to loose by checking. Who knows....might be pretty good.

OTOH, crust skiing might be kind of fun out on the lakes depending on how things re-freeze over night. :crazy2:

[Trevize1138]

Use rock skis if you have them. You've got nothing to loose by checking. Who knows....might be pretty good.

OTOH, crust skiing might be kind of fun out on the lakes depending on how things re-freeze over night. :crazy2:

I have nothing BUT rock skis! :banana:

I just haven't been able to justify purchasing nice skis these past 8 or so years, and when I got my current skis 7 years ago they were already used. I'm skiing these babies until they splinter (completely).

[Brick]

I just haven't been able to justify purchasing nice skis these past 8 or so years,

costs less than a new bike.....:eyeroll:

[flombe]

I have walked the dog through the trails on the bog side of The Wirth Pkwy and can say you would be better off using all-terrain iceskates! Actually, in-line skates with studded wheels would be more appropriate. Optional pontoons would be a good choice too. Maybe a PFD too. In other words, the trails are primarily dirt, ice and ice covered by huge slushy puddles. The dog loves it.

What a strange winter. No trails in Theo are skiiable or rideable. Nice.

Do yourslef a favor and head up to the North Shore. I was up there last weekend and there is 3 feet of snow on the ground and the Nordic trails are in BEAUTIFUL condition.