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Post by Philip on Mar 10, 2009 19:46:55 GMT -9
I skate skied from Westchester Lagoon down to the east-west runway at Ted Stevens airport and back today. You can still tell it was groomed last weekend for the Tour of Anchorage. Hardpack, leveled, with a bit of cut-up fresh snow on top of that. Good glide, nice and quiet, predictable and fast. Hardly a person on the trail to boot. It was pretty warm (around freezing) with overcast this afternoon. The morning was sunny, but I was in a meeting. I have to admit, as much as this town sucks in most ways, the trail system is pretty sweet.
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Post by patrick on Mar 10, 2009 21:52:05 GMT -9
I skiied it on Sunday Morning, and i must admit I was annoyed by the slight ridge down the center of the trail. You could tell they had taken two passes with the groomer and had left a ridge down the center of the trail. I tried to make the ridge the mid point of my stride, and angle down on either side so to speak. But I had to think about where i placed my feet and it was a bit of a pain. Give me ungroomed Salonie creek any day!
And believe it or not but i had the trail to myself too! (Only I was bummed because I wanted to draft behind someone). You should check out the trails at Hillside and especially the one from Service High down to Westchester lagoon. It's all slightly downhill, very narrow and through the woods. very cool. If you're into speed and scary downhills try the lekish loop at Kincaid or the Spencer loop out at Hillside. Patrick
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Post by Philip on Mar 10, 2009 22:04:54 GMT -9
Funny, but I actually like that little grooming ridge. If you do straddle it, you get the feeling (not entirely illogically) that you are skiing downhill on each glide.  |
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Post by patrick on Mar 10, 2009 22:16:06 GMT -9
I agree about the downhill glide, and that's what I was trying to do too. But I had to concentrate to get it right, and that's what I found annoying. If I hit it wrong the ski went off on its own, and I also have to say that my boots were laced way too tight, feet numb, so I was having ski control issues!
On another note - I use the 'grooming ridge' technique when I go in the road at Salonie. I either straddle the middle of the road with wheel ruts on either side or the 'edge ridge' on the side of the road. As long as you have soft, forgiving skiis, it's easy - and gravity does the work for you! Patrick
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Post by adelia on Mar 11, 2009 6:24:42 GMT -9
Hey Patrick,
Did you compete in the Tour of Anchorage? How did it go?
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Post by patrick on Mar 11, 2009 7:17:30 GMT -9
Yeah I raced. I did the 50K skate ski race. I matched my goals and did manage to finish under 2:40, but I did not have a good race. Still, I'm happy that I felt fit enough to go faster! Next year I'll do it again.
Also today I plan on skiing Pyramid - so new snow report from on high (I hope).
Patrick
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Post by Philip on Mar 11, 2009 13:09:53 GMT -9
Patrick, you got second in your age group. That's good! It is a competitive community in this state. Congrats!  |
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Post by adelia on Mar 11, 2009 16:36:01 GMT -9
Congratulations, Patrick! What an inspiration.
Hope Pyramid was good!
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Post by patrick on Mar 11, 2009 17:23:56 GMT -9
:)Thanks for the pep talks and I did ski on Pyramid - I'll write an update on a new thread. Also - it looks like the lakes around town would be good skate skiing. The surface has corned up - tomorrow I think I'll try Island Lake!
Patrick
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Post by adelia on Mar 11, 2009 19:29:24 GMT -9
Are the lakes still safe? I should have time to go tomorrow evening but am starting to wonder about the ice.
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Post by patrick on Mar 11, 2009 19:58:32 GMT -9
They're safe - maybe not Mission or Potato Patch, but the rest are good. Especially if you are on skiis. But check tomorrow at 4:30 and I'll let you know how it went.
Patrick
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