The Official Michigan Winter Thread

[chomps1211]

Originally Posted by david_z

don't stiffen up when you're in the air - even if you're only airborne for a few milliseconds stay loose and centered and let your knees bend to absorb the landing. that's what's meant by 'stomping' it just use those legs like shock absorbers and absorb that impact.

David, appreciate the tips. Thing is, I really didn't intend to get airborne when I did! I only wanted to ride over them a few times, just to see what it was like. I was simply going faster than I intended to on one run, and next thing I knew,..

...I was four or five feet off the ground!!!! It's a REAL good thing it was soft today!!!!

These were WAY too big a jump for me to attempt at my present skill level. It would have been suicidal for me to hit them with the "Intent" of trying to get air!! Just misjudged my speed is all. I can now see how easy it can be to get air! Intentionally or UN-intentionally!! Fortunately no real harm done this time!

This can wind up being a really good lesson for me right now. I've been riding the runs a LOT faster now than I was a week or two ago!! Now I know to keep aclose eye on bumps & dips in the terrain cuz they could easily wind up launching me into the ether. and If it surprises me like that at 25-30 MPH,.. Well, THAT could get really dicey!!!!

Now I know!!

[david_z]

Sounds like your learning to manage speed a little better that's always a good sign of progress! Keep an eye out for the bumpos, dips, ruts, etc., and a similar principle applies: keep those knees loose to absorb the chatter and that will prevent you from getting sent airborne inadvertently in those cases, too!

If you are trying to work up the skil and get comfortable with the approach speed - if you can make it out sunday (or any day one of us is riding) I speak for myself (but probably everyone else, too) you're more than welcome to shadow me and that will really help you dial in the right speed for the rollers. Basically I would ride as a "pace car" and I'd take that run at the speed you *need* to roll over it but not so fast that you'd get airborne. You'd follow close (but not too close!) and gauge your speed that way.

[[fly]]

Speaking of air and progress and stuff, I was out again in my backyard doing ollies and nollies, and 2 out of the 3 screws in my back binding pulled out!



I'm gonna wait until my board thaws out and dries off, then see if the screw hole stripped...I hope not. Do you guys know if early 90's Burton boards had issues with the mounting holes, or is this a case of me being a n00b at setting up my board (last season, the snowboard shop did it for me...I disassembled it for the summer, and reassembled it this winter)?

[david_z]

An early 90's board is pushing 20 years old so it probably does not have anything to do with the build quality, if the inserts are indeed stripped, rather it is just the product of two decades of use/abuse. Hopefully they are not stripped!

[sabatoa]

Great day at Caberfae today. I did some mild progression, hit their black on the South Peak for the first time. Actually, first time on the south peak at all today. I liked it. Challenging.

Seemed like we got a ton of trails in over a billion runs. Could have been less crowded but waddya gonna do hey?

[david_z]

Did leo let you play with the cobra?

[chomps1211]

Well, got most everything ready to go to head up north. Just need to finish up getting some food in the cooler and go get my rental car. (I figured I'd save a little coin on gas as well as the wear & tear on my 12 yr old 4x4. Also, this way if I break down or get tagged by any BERD's {"Booger Eatin' Retard Drivers) I'm not quite so screwed!!)


I pulled the trigger & took Leo's advice to head up early and try Crystal before heading to Boyne! Crystal Mt. is offering a Ride & Stay special during the week. Stay one night get another free, Including unlimited lift tickets for each day!! Figured I couldn't beat that! Worth the extra 2 days on the rental.

David,.. sorry I couldn't make it to PK yesterday. Looks like it might have been a pretty good day to go with the fresh snow & all. I hope you made it out & had a decent day's riding.

BTW, I really appreciate the offer to act as my "pace car" for a few trial runs over the rollers. Hopefully I can try to take you up on that at a later date.

Leo, When you get the chance, lets hear how it was @ "Cab."! I'm taking the laptop so when I can, I'll let you guy's in on things @ Boyne & crystal this week! (Looks like "Snow God's" r playing practical jokes again! 5 & 10 day forecasts for the area seem to show only enough cold & snow to make todays drive a tad sketchy, but nothing fesh for the slopes after I get there!! Maybe even Rain & Ice!!)

FUCK!!! Rain & freezing rain and it's Fucking February!! This winter really SUCKS!!! :roll eyes:

That's it 4 now. More later!

[Leo]

I actually loved Cab. My only complaints were crowds, narrowish runs, and tons of intersections. The snow was awesome with very few icey spots and those were limited to areas inside tree lines.

Their south peak had a legit black diamond. Maybe a difficult blue out west, but definitely black by Michigan standards.

Sam is always welcome to ride my boards, but he has bigger feet than you Dave. Plus he weighs more too. It's like Dave riding a 154... doable, but not preferred lol.

By the way Chomps, make sure you ride the backside of Crystal. Runs like Leo's Legacy. Yes, it's really called that

[sabatoa]

Yeah like I said, that was crowded even by normal standards. That was my only complaint and I guess in the grand scheme, 3-4 minute lift line isn't *that* bad.

Four boarders on a lift though...

Definitely glad you had a good time. I had a feeling you were underestimating the fun you can have at Cab and for the cheap prices it's hard to beat.

Although when you're a big timer and all the good resorts are free for you then I guess that doesn't matter

[david_z]

Originally Posted by sabatoa

Yeah like I said, that was crowded even by normal standards. That was my only complaint and I guess in the grand scheme, 3-4 minute lift line isn't *that* bad.

3-4 minutes ain't bad it's just frustrating when you're used to emptier slopes. Then again, empty slopes are bad for business, even if they're good for you individually, so it's kind of a blessing & a curse either way

Originally Posted by sabatoa

Definitely glad you had a good time. I had a feeling you were underestimating the fun you can have at Cab and for the cheap prices it's hard to beat.

Yeah, like I said last year it was just really a bummer and kind of put us all in a "WTF?" mood for the whole day.

This year, I avoided that building but it wouldn't have mattered because now I know about it. It was just such a shock last year. Even though the South Peak was not open when we were there I had a ton of fun, that mountain is relly pretty good to ride as long as it isn't too crowded. I really do like the hill there, and the french fries are served in Dave/Sam sized portions.