Russian Training Ride - Sunday, February 8, 2009

We planned on riding out to San Gregorio and back up Tunitas Creek but it was drizzling when we met at Canada/92 at 10 AM. Damp & chilly and Skyline was in the fog. Vlad asked the group whether we wanted to go back to the cycling gym for a roller workout or venture out. We decided to ride on the road but stay low - heading out to Woodside, Arasterdero, Elena and back Foothill. Rob and Marty wanted to climb OLH and broke off at that point. We were left with Kevin, Emily, RFA and myself in the strong group. We did three repeats up Elena and worked pretty well together as a rotating paceline on the way back - the head and cross winds were fierce. We hit some light rain on the way back. Our new Oakley pearl white "racing jacket" transition sunglasses were a success. Total miles = 42. Photos are on the climb up Elena.

Deer Valley Ski Trip - Feb. 5, 2009

Last day of skiing for this vacation at Deer Valley. Today was mostly cloudy - front coming in with snow forecast for tonight and the next few days. Many of the slopes were icy - fresh snow badly needed. After lunch we went to Cole Sports at Deer Valley and I tried on the Kjus Adrenaline ski pants and the Kjus Elves ski jacket. May consider if I can find on sale later in the season.

Deer Valley Ski Trip - Feb. 4, 2009

Back to Deer Valley today. RFA dem'ed a pair of Blizzard Magnum 8.1 skis - and was happy to turn them in mid-day. Not nimble and not for short turns. Better for skiers who ski with their skis shoulder width apart. I had a blast skiing in the morning - rhythmic and effortless. It all came together. RFA exchanged the Blizzards for Fischer Progressor 10 - they are butt ugly but performed well - you could see it in RFA's performance. We stopped in at Cole Sports and I fell in love with the Kjus ski wear. Too bad it is list price. I might try it on tomorrow for fit and wait and see when it goes on sale.

Snow Basin - Feb. 3, 2009

Today, RFA and I drove to Snow Basin, UT - north of SLC and about 70 miles from Park City - to ski. Snow Basin is a Sun Valley resort and was the site of the 2002 SLC Olympic men's and women's downhill. It is billed as being "rustic chic." We were enamored when we first skiied Snow Basin several years ago. It is serviced mainly by gondolas and the ski lodges are akin to the Ritz Carlton - oriental carpets, wooden lockers. The runs are long & almist 2500 vertical feet. Three years ago, on a perfect day, RFA and I took the tram to the top of the men's downhill and had a perfect run - so good never to be repeated. I checked that off my list and rank that in the top five exhilarating events in my life to date. Each time we go back we become less and less enamored. On the Strawberry Express side of the mountain, if the weather isn't perfectly clear, the lighting is flat and you need to rely on the markers to get down the chutes. We ensured the best we could that today would be clear -and it was. Very warm too - about 40 degrees. None of the runs were groomed and the snow was rutty. The service was marginal - long lines at the Strawberry Express gondola, no singles line, and the lift operators could seem to get it together - letting 8-people gondolas go with 2 people. And the food was no where near the caliber of Deer Valley. I guess we are jsut spoiled. We did about 5 long runs and called it quits. We needed a light day anyway.

Deer Valley Ski Trip - Feb. 2, 2009

Back to Deer Valley today for another day of skiing. Weather same as yesterday - 18 degrees when we started at 9 AM and warming up to the low 30's. Sunny blue skies. Got most of our runs and challenging terrain in before lunch. Played around Jordenelle after lunch. No falls! The service at Deer Valley is amazing - like having your skis unloaded from the gondola and handed to you. Ski valets literally rushing to carry your skis. Deserves to be #1 ski resort in North America.

Deer Valley Ski Trip - Feb. 1, 2009

Today we were on the lifts before 9 AM. We expected a moderate crowd for Sunday, but it appears that the crowds we observed yesterday were associated with the World Cup. No lift lines and RFA and I had some slopes to ourselves. It was very chilly 18 degrees when we started and my hands (thumbs) were cold - had to warm them up with the hand warmers on the chair lift. Very thankful for my boot warmers! They are worth every penny. After warming up on Nabob and Keno, we headed over to the harder terrain of Tycoon and Stein's Way (part black diamond). We did a run on Wizard which was great. Then made our way across the mountain for a cappuchino break at Empire Lodge. After our break, we had a great run down Supreme, the back up to Orion (double blue). A youngster made an unexpected turn in front of me and I tripped up on a turn to avoid him and fell. You know that slow motion feeling when you fall - and I was heading right for the of bounds fence on my right. All I can say is that it is a good thing those fences are made out of elastic plastic. My right leg was elevated and caught in one of the slots of the fence. My right ski was half way on the other side of the fence. My ski goggles and cap were over the fence about 30 feet down the hill. I took inventory and no real damage done. I crawled through the fence to fetch my belongings and sunk in the snow. I could feel a pull in my right gluteus. RFA was waiting at the bottom of that section wondering (and worried) what happened to me. We took a short lunch break and skied until 1 PM. All in all, I deemed the day a success. It warmed up to the low 30’s. Put some Cryogel on my glute and ready to hit the slopes tomorrow.