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Gear Sale page w/new items!

Did you know we have our very own Gear Swap page? It can get easily overlooked (it’s at the tab at the very top bar of the MNC homepage), but this is a great resource and a few recent items that have been added are things some might be looking for this spring in particular.

For example…

Skate and classic rollerskis from Liam John

Skate Marwe roller skis with NNN bindings. Wheels in good shape. Recently professionally serviced by Finn Sisu. $250

Classic Marwe roller skis with SNS bindings. $200

Contact Liam  liam.john@med.uvm.edu

Ski poles and/or a pole tube from Ben Lustgarten

2 pairs top of the line Leki Shark carbon fiber race poles, 147cm ish length. $185
Adjustable length Leki pole tube – can fit about 8 pairs nordic poles. $65 obo
Contact Ben Lustgarten  bclskier@gmail.com 

Mountain bike from UVM racer Waverly Gebhardt

2018 Santa Cruz chameleon hardtail. Aluminum frame. 27.5 in wheels. Could fit larger 29″ wheels too. All the components are stock for a Santa Cruz R build, except a dropper seat from Crank Brothers and new tires have been added.  Price Negotiable.  I want the bike to go to someone who will enjoy it.

Contact Waverly  waverlygebhardt@gmail.com

Gravel bike from Ben Lustgarten

2022 Newly built ICAN X-Gravel gravel / cyclocross bike 52cm for about 5’5-6ft. Full carbon fiber, Sram Apex 1×11, TRP Spyre C brakes, Hunt tubeless wheels. Can send photos and specs upon request. Asking $1950 obo

Contact Ben Lustgarten  bclskier@gmail.com

Nordic boots from Waverly too

Skate and Classic – Rossi size 42 and in good condition with normal wear and tear. Price negotiable. Want boots to get a ‘second life’ and go to someone who needs them!

Contact Waverly  waverlygebhardt@gmail.com

Sleepy Hollow Mtn Race this weekend!

Calling all runners and uphill enthusiasts…the Sleepy Hollow Mountain Race is this weekend! This event is a fun, challenging local mountain race held at Cochrans this year.

Oh…and there will be pancakes for all, much like at Nordic Cross!

When: Sunday, May 7th

Register: See link below

Early registration closes at midnight tonight (May 1). Secondary registration closure date is Friday, May 5.

Official Website: Sleepy Hollow Mtn Race

There is also a great, fun race for kids! This is the perfect spring adventure for BKL skiers.

If you’re interested in volunteering, check out this form to sign up and help out. Thanks!

 

 

Spring Training Checklist

Our Junior spring training begins next week on Tuesday, May 2nd. As always, the start of a new season is a good time to check over gear, goals, and schedules. Here’s a quick checklist (certainly not all-inclusive) to help us all start off strong…

For a reference on general training items to bring on a daily basis, you can always view this page on our website under the “Resources” tab.

All of our training will be outlined on the Junior Training Doc. This is one to bookmark and/or view in your Google Sheets app!

Here are some notes on spring specifically:

  • Rollerskis

When was the last time you used your rollerskis? Are they covered in road salt and dirt from last fall? Now would be a good time to wipe them down and check the wheel life (no cracks or separation from the hub). Two adjustable spanner wrenches is usually enough to get a wheel off, and without removing all of the moving parts such as bearings, you can still use a rag and/or an old toothbrush to get a little grime off.

When reinstalling wheels, or installing new wheels, I recommend using blue “Loc-Tite” thread locking liquid as an additional safety precaution. Here is a video from a few years ago about changing and cleaning rollerski wheels:

  • Rollerski poles and pole tips

When rollerskiing, we don’t just use the same snow baskets as we do in winter. These tips bend and break easily. Dedicated rollerski pole tips help a great deal, and are essentially mandatory for the type of rollerskiing we do.

Some skiers prefer to keep one set of poles between winter and summer (one classic pair, one skate pair) and cycle between snow and summer tips. If your poles are 100% carbon and light/brittle, you can more easily break them or wear them down with rollerskiing. On the flip side, it is miserable to rollerski with heavy, bendy poles…and since the pavement is more forceful than the snow, the flexibility in poles is extra noticeable.

I recommend rollerskiing with at least 80% carbon poles for taller skiers, and at least 60% carbon poles for shorter skiers (the longer the pole, the more deflection matters)…most websites provide details on the carbon percentage of every pole.

Remember, MNC members get 30% off at EnjoyWinter with the coupon code “MNC2223” and can purchase some poles through this site. Here are some option:

STC Avanti through Enjoywinter (not including rollerski tips)

STC Cyber pole through Enjoywinter

Rollerski pole tips are usually sold at Skirack. You can also get them at EnjoyWinter here: rollerski pole tips

Swix poles are all 10mm. Other brands vary, but most common are 9-11mm and this is usually found online or on the side of the pole itself.

  • If you ordered rollerskis from Skirack

Stay tuned to your email and phone for when these skis arrive in the store. We have a collection of skate and classic skis that, while not brand new, can be used on an as-needed basis for the spring if you’re waiting on your own pair to arrive! We likely will not rollerski in the first week of spring training, but soon after may be incorporating some rolling once per week.

  • Warm clothes/cool clothes

We are in a transitional season where we may get a cold rain or a hot sun at training. One thing that’s always been true: we train in any weather as long as it’s above -4F and as long as it’s not thundering outside! It’s better to be over-prepared when it comes to spring weather, even though we may get carried-away with the first really hot days of the year.

 

 

 

MNC Pugtagonia Hats

A popular piece of MNC merchandise is now available to buy…and in doing so, you can support the Juniors who are heading to Park City, Utah this August for Rocky Mountain Camp!

That’s right, the famous “Pugtagonia” hat is up for grabs. Previously only available at training camps, this hat is now a fundraiser FOR a training camp. Check out the link below to view more info, and purchase a hat or donate to the trip. Thanks so much!

MNC Pugtagonia Hat Fundraiser

Gravel event in July with MNC connections!

Some of our members may be aware that two of our Masters skiers, Chase and Daniel, started a bikepacking guide service last year!

They offer tours and trips around Vermont’s roads and forests via their endeavor, Ramble Bikepacking.

This summer, one of their offerings is a collaboration with a nearby XC ski area, Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center. You can check out the flyer below, and find more info at the link here. The event is July 21/22.

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