Moronacity Cycling Journal » Cross Country Skiing
Skating My Own Creation
This is the roller I pulled around while wearingsnowshoes. The ski trail after rolling. Notice how deep theclassic skis sink. The trail after 27 laps of skiing – two yesterday,25 today. This trail has fairly tight turns as well asopportunities to build speed. What do you do if you really want to cross country skate ski and there isn’t a trail near your house? You make one. At least that’s what I did. It was an act … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Creative Ski Waxing and Snail Skating
I made the commitment to get out and exercise five days per week. A few of you might be privy to the fact that there is snow in Houghton. In fact, there is lots of snow in Houghton. You might be surprised to find that we had enough base to skate ski after only three days of snow. It’s still snowing. I took the skis to Tech and waxed them in the chalet, yesterday. I ran out of Rex blue after dribbling it onto only one and half skis. For those of you who don’t wax your skis, Rex blue is the best wax for skiing in temperatures in the mid- to upper-teens. Well, having one half of a ski to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Dead Tired and in Pain
Michigan Tech Trails on December 5. With the threat of possible rocks and sticks on the trail, and no wax on my skis as well as no time to tend to them, I decided not to ski; but I couldn’t fully support that decision. I had been in Houghton for less that 20 hours and I needed to do that one thing that is simply Houghton: take the skate skis out for a little … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Illumination
I don’t have a camera, anymore, so unless I am with a friend and his or her camera, I can’t show you the amazing things I get to take in while out on the trail. In the meantime, I will have to illuminate your imagination. Still, white birches reflected pastel colors resulting from the illumination of the setting sun. The sky was clear and a nearly half moon was high in the deep blue sky that was transitioning to night. Occasionally, I would spot a star that was previously hidden by the sunlight. This is the vision I saw while finishing my two-hour skate around the Michigan Tech ski trails. After almost two hours of skiing, I would stop at the top of every climb, open my arms … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Abuse and Personal Records
I’ve been blessed with a body that responds very well to abuse inflicted, by me, on it. It might be due to the fact that this has been going on since I moved to the Keweenaw in 2006. I think, after consistent abuse, the body learns to quickly repair itself and add a little oomph in the process. Maybe it’s just my body. Maybe I’m destined to be a superhero and none of us are wise to that, yet. The inspiration for all of this jibber jabber is today’s skate skiing workout. I spent a little time at work, then a little time at school, and I wanted to spend a lot more time in my comfortable bed. Bed happens to be one of my … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Triple Header
Di and Amanda against the blue ice of Lake Superior. My friend, Amanda, and I took a little snowshoe journey out to the Copper Harbor Lighthouse last Sunday. It was during that excursion that we acquired the photos for Monday’s photo essay and Tuesday’s lighthouse story. We began the day with a little ski excursion up at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, where new ski trails were created over the last summer. There is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Classic Skiing, Hiking, Snowshoeing
How I Work
I know how I work. I’ve got myself figured out. Even though I’ve achieved this, I find it kind of odd how often I forget. Yesterday is a great example. It was a beautiful, quiet day in Houghton. I decided to head over to the Michigan Tech Trails to start my skate ski at the Nara Park trailhead. I knew I was capable of skiing these loops because I did it last week. It has been a week. Uh, oh. I followed last week’s route heading up and down the you’ve got to be kidding me hills. That thought was still with me. The difference is that the snow was crusty, a little rutted from previous skiers, and really fast. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Core
I decided that I wasn’t getting out skiing because I was no longer an exercise addict. Unfortunately, exercise is an easy addiction to overcome. I know the old rule: get out for at least two weeks in a row and it will become second nature. I happen to know that this rule is true. I’ve experienced it. Therefore, my goal is to get out for two weeks, on a regular basis, and ski. Today, I drove to the Nara trails – the secondary trailhead to the Michigan Tech ski trails. This trailhead lies just south of Houghton. I have to say, if you are an intermediate to advanced skier, this the trailhead for you. Nara proved to be a bit of challenge for me. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Woo hoo!
I woke up, Saturday morning, ready to take on the world. My friends outfitted me with some borrowed cross country skis of the classic persuasion (no skating in Copper Harbor). I was quite nervous about our little ski journey because I had absolutely no experience with classic skis and the groomed trails of two tracks. I was afraid of getting hung up in the tracks and being unable to snowplow when fear … Read entire article »
Filed under: Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing
Skijoring
Saturday was an exciting day, but not in the way I expected. It was going to be the first time that the Red Jacket – Bluesky Health Cycling Team hosted the Talvi-something-or-other (I can’t remember Finnish), a skijoring race. Many of you are probably thinking, “Ski-huh?” Skijoring.  Skijoring is cross country skate skiing with a little help from man’s best friend, or friends. The skier is harnessed to one or two dogs for a fast journey … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
