Snowgo

Back on topic

Luke — 2006-05-19T10:04:50+00:00

I promised a final update on my season off and here it is.

I completed the Devizes to Westminster kayaking marathon on Easter Sunday morning. My crew mate, Julien, and I came 33rd out of 115 starters, covering the 125 miles in 24 hours and 34 minutes. We had hoped to go sub 24 hours but were still very happy with the result. I have written a detailed report over on Paddle Log for anyone interested in all the gory details.

The season is over but I will now be back on topic and, I hope, back on the snow for 06/07. In fact, all the endurance training of the last few months has given me a new interest: cross country skiing. Roll on the winter.

Devizes to Wesminster update and sponsorship request

Luke — 2006-04-03T11:25:06+00:00

As explained in the previous post my energies are away from the snow this season but I thought I would provide an update here and, if anyone is still reading, ask you to consider helping by sponsoring us.

The 125 mile non-stop Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race is now less than two weeks away and our training is almost over, having completed the last of the build up races yesterday. There is a race report and some photos along with the entire training diary over on Paddle Log.

Now we are looking for sponsorship. We are raising money for Shadwell Basin, an outdoor activity centre in Tower Hamlets, East London. This is one of the most deprived boroughs in the city and 'The Basin' provides fantastic opportunities for inner city kids to get out and try water sports like kayaking and sailing. So, please consider supporting them by sponsoring us, which you can do through our sponsorship page. Many thanks.

I will post another update after the race itself and after that I will be back on topic.

Taking a season off

Luke — 2006-02-03T11:53:29+00:00

Snowgo has been very quiet lately and it is likely to stay that way for the rest of the season.

I have decided to sacrifice snowboarding this season to try and fulfil a long held ambition, to paddle the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. The commitment involved means I will not have time for snowboarding and my blogging energy is currently focused on www.paddlelog.com, where I will be recording my progress.

I'll be back...

"The Sounds of Your Experience"

Luke — 2005-11-23T10:29:53+00:00

Congratulations to Nick on getting his poem "The Sounds of Your Experience" published.

Reading it really stokes the desire to get out on my board and each line evokes a specific memory. I especially liked:

The diminishing beat of the lift's bullwheel,

So subtle, yet so reminiscent of strapping in and riding away from the lift in anticipation of the run - I can hear it now.

Window Seat

Luke — 2005-10-31T16:24:04+00:00

This is a little off topic but I have been playing with the social software application building "playground", Ning. Its great fun and an easy way to test out ideas for social applications, so here is one I made earlier that may be of interest: Window Seat.

Have you ever wondered which side of the plane to sit on for a great view of, say, Mont Blanc when flying into Geneva? Tthe idea behind this application is to share that information and tag it with a 3 letter airport code and 'left' or 'right'. You can quickly check out which side to sit on by looking up an airport or offer your own advice on the best window seat.

Rollerskiing in Hyde Park

Luke — 2005-10-25T19:45:18+00:00

I just discovered via Ben Saunders that it is possible to try out rollerskiing very close to home. I have seen people doing this on the back roads of New England as summer training for cross country skiing and always thought it looked like fun. Now I have a chance to try it out.

More ski literature on the way

Luke — 2005-10-12T12:28:09+00:00

Sam, aka The Funky Drummer, is launching a new ski writing magazine, Snow Sphere, and is looking for writers.

Ski writing

Luke — 2005-09-19T10:53:19+00:00

Aspect Journal, my favourite ski literature site (are there any others?), has just posted an update and a new writing competition: ski sounds, deadline 31 October. I can think of so many evocative snowboarding sounds that I might just have a crack at it.

05/06 is on!

Luke — 2005-09-16T10:27:07+00:00

For some at least, just received a link to this 'first turns' report in my inbox and something within me has reawoken.

South

Luke — 2005-07-22T12:27:27+00:00

Ben Saunders has launched his ambitious South expedition.

Setting out from Scott's wooden hut on the edge of Antarctica, we will manhaul 400lb sledges across 1,800 miles of the most hostile terrain on earth, to the Pole and back.
SOUTH is the four-month trek, the first ever South Pole round trip on foot. We will have no outside assistance, no air resupplies and will ski every mile under our own motive power.

Reading about the expedition on Ben's blog I was immediately captivated by the idea of seeking sponsorship from individuals. I can, to some extent, share the dream of making an epic expedition like this but I know I'll never do it. Sponsoring Ben and Tony is my small way of helping to allow this sort of thing to happen and, in the process, raising the human spirit.

Good luck guys and I look forward to following your progress.

Grenoble to Courchevel

Luke — 2005-07-12T11:21:58+00:00

Not an airport transfer but today's stage in the Tour de France!

192.5 km and a staggering 3,257 m of climbing. They should be starting about now and finishing in around 5 hours, only about twice as long as a coach transfer.

Snow patrol

Luke — 2005-06-30T16:26:20+00:00

There is a good article up on Endless Winter about working with the Loveland Volunteer Ski Patrol. I particularly liked the info and pictures describing the use of an "Alpine Toboggan" (aka blood wagon) with a snowboard rather than skis.

Last of the snow

Luke — 2005-05-03T15:24:39+00:00

Just back from a long weekend in Val Thorens. The snow cover was still good despite high temperatures and many of the upper runs were in great shape. Lower down the snow was melting fast but we were able to make the most of what there was.

The picture shows the view from the top of the Cime de Caron at 3,200 m looking south towards Italy. Our boards were having a quick rest before tackling the superb Combe de Caron black run down to the base of the cable car station.

Inspirational trip report

Luke — 2005-04-05T09:52:06+00:00

Todd on rec.skiing.snowboard has a great write up of a recent cat-boarding trip to Baldface Lodge in British Columbia.

I previously listed the cat skiing operators in BC from the Snowboard Journal article he mentions and one day I hope I will get the chance to take a trip.

Going against the Flow

Luke — 2005-03-15T10:17:01+00:00

I have been happily using Flow bindings since I first bought my own snowboarding equipment in about 1997. I always used to recommend them to people on the basis that they were so easy to use and comfortable and that these advantages made it worth persevering with the odd reliability issue.

Lately though I have suspected that my bindings were limiting my performance and I began to wonder if I should try straps again.

I have just returned from a week in the Alps riding some new bindings (Ride Tomcats) which I picked up in the TSA sale and the old Flows are going on eBay.

I noticed two striking differences with straps.

1. Absolutely no heel lift. This had always been an issue with my Flows, as the way the strap pulls down on the instep, holding your foot against the base plate, is just never going to be as positive as having a strap over your ankle pulling your heel in to the highback. Its like the difference between wearing shoes and boots.

2. Weight. I had not appreciated how heavy my old Flows (FL39) had been, despite being made of carbon fibre. The new Tomcats have an aluminium base and minimal design making the board feel much lighter in the air and taking the effort out of ollies (easier to carry too).

The straps are a pain to put on though and I don't buy any of that crap about strapping in being a ritual. its a P in the A but I'll be doing it from now on.