Transition To Cycling
“Start Slow And Taper Off.”
Keep your distance and take it easy, especially at one your first rides. Credit: Pat McCloskey
The ski season came to a screeching halt as most of us are now staying inside with some socially distanced outings. As I look back on this shortened season, I can take heart in the fact that I made the most of it before cancelling my last trip. Skied a lot in the rain locally, dropped some of the Daly Chutes in Deer Valley, and had a great time skiing with my wife and our dear friends out there in Utah. Skied some great conditions again locally and was looking forward to another trip with the guys this time and —voila! Covid -19. So, for me, I sharpened and waxed the skis and put them away for another year and look forward to some dry trail time on the mountain bike.
The good thing about transition time for us seniors is that we can go about it slowly. We have paid our dues, and those of us who rode over the winter have a good base already on which to build. I have a friend who has a great saying when asked about how he will start his rides. He smiles and says, “Start slow and taper off”. We all laugh at this and have made it our motto, but, really, there is some truth to this especially in the spring. There is no reason to be a world beater when it is still early. Like anything—running, gym work, or any other springtime resolution—if you start too fast or go too hard, you will most likely quit. Especially if you are new to the sport or perhaps have not done your homework over the winter. If you approach Spring with the idea that you will start slowly, each day becomes more and more enjoyable as you build your fitness.
This social distance deal is a bit confining, so it is important to safely get outside and get some fresh air. You can still build your fitness for the summer in a socially responsible way. For me, I look for trails that I know will not be crowded. I went out yesterday, for instance, and saw two ladies on horseback—(seniors actually), and a family of hikers. That was it.
It was a warm and sunny day, and I felt good getting out under the socially correct protocol. Eventually, we will be able to regroup with our friends and life will move on.
For the moment, if you do venture out of your home, avoid the parks, and crowded trails and seek some solace in the more remote places. A mountain bike is good for that, and, if you take it easy, you will find that you feel good getting out and not killing yourself. I always say to my friends, “Nobody here is going to the Olympics so slow down.” We will all get through this. Better times ahead but now is the time to be responsible and “Start slow and taper off.”
This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 27)
Onwards, Reporting On Your Comments, New Question For You, Skiing Weatherman, Cool Sun Glasses, Poetry For These Times, XC Skiing Still Viable, Sugarloaf Resort Review, Stow Your Gear.
Postmasters Andrea and Brenda at our little country post office were so helpful in mailing fund raiser tote bags. Thanks so much.
Winding down, changing pace, and adapting to new circumstances has become the order of the day. At SeniorsSkiing.com, we are still publishing relevant articles for our readership that will in some small way briefly divert attention away from the pandemic and, at the same time, provide stories that deliver some insight about how to deal with it.
Last week, we offered our readers an opportunity to respond to three questions revolving around the resort shut down, alternative activities, and advice. The response has been overwhelming. We received more comments on those questions than any article in our six year history. So, we decided to summarize those replies and offer you the highlights of what your fellow senior snow sports enthusiasts are thinking and feeling these days.
Your comments reflect a thoughtful attitude, kind and understanding, and creative, even resolute, in adjusting to the world of social distancing. Thank you for your contributions.
We decided to add another question in this week’s addition. A little prosaic, perhaps, but timely. Let’s see what you think about buying lift passes this spring.
Finally, we’re happy to report that all our fundraiser premiums—stickers, patches, tote bags— have been mailed. You should have received your packages or envelopes by now. Many thanks to the tireless postmasters at our little country post office who handled the load. Brenda and Andrea, you rock. We gave them some SeniorsSkiing.com tote bags as thank you gifts.
This Week
As we mentioned, we’re feeding back your comments on our open ended questions from last week, and asking a new question for you. Click here and here for summaries. Please comment in the Reply Box at the bottom of article.
Spring storms have brought snow to many areas. Get your outdoor fix by enjoying the outdoors with XC.
Irony reigns as Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, reports late season snow is on the way. So there will be Nordic skiing opportunities at the beginning of April. If you’re in snow country, it’s not over yet.
XCSkiResort.com’s publisher Roger Lohr reminds us that Nordic skiing is still available to many and brings lots of benefits in fighting COVID-19. Read his report here.
That young racer from last week’s Mystery Glimpse was Nancy Greene-Raine, Canada’s sweetheart and an active player in the snow sports industry in North America. Nancy spent about a decade serving in the Canadian legislature as senator from British Columbia. One of our readers actually skied with her a couple of weeks ago at Sun Peaks! We have included a video news interview with her that was recorded just before she retired where she describes her gold medal win in the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Our new Mystery Glimpse shows a dude in some cool sunglasses. Guess who.
We are reprising a story from last year on how to stow away your skis and gear. Correspondent Don Burch has some good advice, and since you probably have some time on your hands, it might be useful to be vigilant about taking care of your equipment.
Sugarloaf from the air on a beauty of a bluebird day.
We have one final Resort Review this season from correspondent Tamsin Venn who reports on Sugarloaf, the beautiful, big resort in western Maine that straddles the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. She managed to get a weekend of skiing in before the big shut down. Perhaps her story will stir some memories of your season ending runs.
Finally, we include a special poem in our Snow In Literature series. This one, Wendell Berry’s The Peace Of Wild Things, offers nature and the natural world as a potion for these uncertain times.
Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Tell your friends, and remember, there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.
Short Swings!
Are skiers gamblers? I started thinking about that when COVID-19 prematurely ended the season. A lot of people purchased season passes of one form or another, never expecting early termination.
What odds would bookmakers have given last fall of that happening?
Skiing always involves some degree of considered risk and reward, not unlike many casino games, or life in general.
That patch of powder is inviting, but are there roots or rocks?
If I take that unknown trail, will I wind up where I don’t want to be?
Buying skis without trying them is a risk. Buying boots without an expert to fit them also is a gamble.
When I used to leave the house early and drive two hours for a day of skiing, there were times I didn’t know whether it would be raining or snowing by the time I reached the hill. I remember decades ago driving through steady rain for more than an hour, gambling that by the time I reached the foothills, it would change to snow. It did, and I had a great day.
But taking a chance isn’t always rewarded. Many scheduled their annual ski holiday for mid-March or later. At the time, they didn’t know they were taking a chance. Now, we all do.
On a grander scale, we’ve been gambling with the environment for years. Many favor short-term gain over the terrifying long-term risk. As skiers, that gamble is showing a losing hand in areas closing due to lack of snow or the cold temps needed to run their guns.
Supporting that gamble is the understanding that we’ve entered a time when scientific fact is being challenged by uninformed personal opinion. When information sources were few, it was easier for the majority to know the difference between truth and falsehood. But now, with the explosion of information sources and with aggressive blurring of the borders between true and false, the idea that fictions can be perceived as facts has settled in. Those promoting our “post-truth” gestalt do it to confuse and manipulate; to conquer through confusion.
Like the sport of skiing, accepting the new post-truth standard involves a very slippery slope. It is risky. And, except for those promoting these fictitious agendas, the rewards are nil.
Vail Reports March/April $ Loss
COVID-19 closures caused the company to announce its operating revenues for March and April will be around $200 million lower than expected.
Members Purchase Vermont’s Hermitage Club
Several former members raised $8+ million to buy southern Vermont’s Hermitage Club. The purchase includes Haystack ski area, the accompanying golf course, and numerous structures and inns.
SkiSkating with Snowfeet
The areas may be closed but many of us are living where there’s still snow on the ground. Recently I came across a new alternative to snowshoeing and X-C skiing. Snowfeet is a well built ski/skate that attaches to any winter boot. Once on, it lets you take off on flats or slopes with or without a set of poles. The company sent me a pair at the beginning of the season, and I loaned them to Brian Doubek, a friend in his early 50s who is an enthusiastic backcountry skier and an accomplished skater. He immediately determined that Snowfeet is best used on hardpack. He said the buckles were easy to use and effective. His observation was that weight needs to be centered over the product and using a skier’s stance with weight forward against the tongue of the boot won’t work. The FAQ section of Snowfeet’s website asks the question: Is it hard to learn? Their answer states: “It is as hard as learning to ski. So it takes some time and you will definitely fall now and then, but that’s the part of the fun.” I have yet to try Snowfeet, but expect that the learning curve is much, much shorter than learning to ski. Every time I passed the company’s exhibit at the SIA/OR Snow Show, it looked like retailers were showing interest. Snowfeet are very nicely designed, well manufactured and beautifully packaged. The company put together this short video of people trying Snowfeet for the first time. Their average age looks substantially younger than that of our readers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the product, as well. They’re lightweight, fit easily in a pack, and look like they are a helluva lot of fun! They cost about $150, shipping included.
70% Off Parkas and Ski Pants!
During it’s end-of-season clearance, Vermont-based Orsden, is selling its parkas and ski pants at a 70% discount. Orsden sells exclusively on line. Men’s and women’s jackets, normally $330, are now $99. Ski pants, normally $200, are $75. I’ve worn the parka for 3 or 4 seasons and love it. It looks great, wears well, and has nifty features like a built-in goggle cloth. The company is donating 10% of purchases made through April 1 to the Vermont Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund to support non-profits addressing the public health and economic impacts of the disease. Click orsden.com to learn more.
Cabin Fever Cures
Source: Getty Images
In the past week you’ve probably received many notifications of free online diversions. Here are a few more that you may find inspiring (or at least entertaining):
Visit Portugal produced this video providing advice and hope
Travel and Leisure offers these virtual tours of several US national parks
National Public Radio has these virtual concerts
Patagonia offers documentary films and stories.
And finally…
This video by a physician in Grand Rapids (MI) explains a logical way to shop for and sanitize groceries before putting them away. It also covers what to do with restaurant take-out.
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