Archive | BKL Race Blog

Welcome Letter to BKL Families

By Liz Hollenbach on 15 October, 2023 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Race Blog, BKL Training Schedule

Hi BKL Families,

I wanted to take a minute to say hello and introduce myself as the new BKL Head Coach. Over the past couple years I’ve been coaching first with Penguins, then Jack Rabbits. Coach Rosemary stepped down from BKL last spring and is working with MNC Masters and Juniors this winter. Read more about our new MNC Coaches here.

I hope you had a great summer and a good start to the school year! In preparation for the ski season, I have a few updates to share. It’s also a great time to start reading MNC E-blast, so you don’t miss out on any important info.

BKL Winter Registration Opens Monday, October 16th!
You can check out all the programs on the BKL Winter page of the website. Once registration opens the links will be updated on the registration page.

Registration is a two step process- first you need to renew your MNC membership and get a membership number, then register for programs using the membership number. If you don’t see your membership confirmation, check in your junk folder.

Skiing at the Range this Winter
We are planning to primarily use The Range, Jericho and Tomasi Meadow, Underhill for BKL practice this year. You might have heard that The Range was scheduled to be closed for construction projects around the ski trails, but last week we received an update that they will allow training this winter.

BKL and Adult Puffy/Parka Jackets
We are doing an order of puffy jackets for both children and adults. Order your own jackets online and we will bring them all to get embroidered with the MNC logo. We have found a couple different jacket options. Details and links for ordering can be found HERE.

Order your jacket now, then drop it off with Adam or Liz at the MNC Ski Swap or the first Fall Friday and we will bring them all for embroidering.

MNC SKI SWAP
Sell your old gear and/or buy some new gear!
Gear Drop Off: Saturday October 28 4-6pm
Sale: Sunday, October 29 12-5pm. First hour is MNC families only! (Public: 1-5pm)
Location: Community Center of Jericho, 239 Browns Trace, Jericho, VT
Info and details: MNC SKI SWAP

-We will have a rental station set up to rent the MNC no-wax classic ski sets (skis, boots, poles). These are best for Penguins and younger Jack Rabbits.
-Volunteers will be on hand to help you fit ski swap gear.

The swap is all volunteer run and fundraisers for the club. Please consider volunteering. Volunteer Signup

Important equipment information and how to decide if equipment from last year still fits. BKL Ski Equipment 101

BKL Fun Fall Fridays
We had a lot of fun on Friday’s last year, so we are going to have a few this year too. Look for a post on the BKL Weekly Training Schedule with more info as they get closer.

We’ll play games, hike, do some dryland ski exercise and get outside for some exercise. It’s a great chance to meet coaches, other skiers and parents. These days are for parents and kids and everyone is encouraged to join the groups!

November 3 at Cochran’s in Richmond
November 10 at Mills Riverside Park, Rte. 15, Jericho
November 17 location is TBD

Time: 3:45 to 4:45. Bring your headlamp!
Fun Fall Fridays are FREE!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I am happy to help!

Sincerely,

Liz Hollenbach
Mansfield Nordic Club
BKL Coach
bkl@mansfieldnordic.org

Toko (and Swix!) Team Order Forms: due Nov 5

By Adam Terko on 9 October, 2023 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog

We are grateful once again for our awesome partnership with Toko wax and tools. Toko helps provide our club and members with all sorts of great Nordic products, from gloves and hats to wax and irons.

Each year, we receive two special order forms for Toko products: one for gloves/softgoods and one for wax/hardgoods.

Our members receive 30% everything through Toko, and 25% off Swix, on the order forms below.
The form is filled out by interested members and brought to Skirack.
Skirack fills the order and calls/emails when the order is in.

This is a once-per-year opportunity, so please consider what you’d like for the entirety of the 2023/2024 ski season!

ORDERS ARE DUE TO SKIRACK BY NOVEMBER 5TH, 2023

Click below to download the forms:

Toko wax and tools

Toko softgoods

Swix order form

What does MNC recommend?

First off, feel free to visit www.tokous.com for more product details. We receive a lot of club support from Toko (in addition to this order form) so we encourage our members to purchase from Toko whenever possible!

For wax and tools, a complete set of the standard grip waxes (base, blue, red, yellow) will serve you well. We often train on warmer waxes like Toko Red and Toko Yellow given our regional trends. These waxes are sold in a kit which includes a scraper and a cork, which is very convenient.

A cork is necessary for kickwaxing, and a synthetic cork is recommended.

We also use a lot of klister in New England…Toko makes a base, blue, red (universal), and yellow klister. One of each is recommended, but you can also pick up handy spray versions of these waxes.

For glide wax, sprays can be very easy…apply, let them dry, and brush to polish…you’re done! These waxes come in three different colors based on temp and snowtype…and like the gripwax, they are also available in a kit.

You’ll notice that the kit still contains a block of Toko Base Performance Blue. This is because after a few spray waxings, it is important to treat your bases with a “traditional” hot wax job. Think of spray waxes like drinking, and hot waxes like eating…you can go for a while just on hydration, but sooner or later your ski bases will need to eat!

Glide waxing with a traditional paraffin block requires an iron, a scraper, and a stiff brush. Toko sells all of these at various price points. It is highly recommended that you wax with a dedicated ski waxing iron (not your clothes iron) for good temperature control and heat distribution.

What about gloves?

We’ve tried all of the Toko gloves, and they offer a great system. Which is best?

If you had to get one pair, the Toko Thermo Plus offers good insulation and warmth without compromising grip characteristics. A slightly lighter version, the Toko Thermo Race, also provides some good wind blocking with less overall bunk.

For cold hands, the Toasty Thermo Mitten is the warmest nordic ski glove/mitten product that we have ever experienced!

For those that prefer the ultimate in ski pole feel and light weight, the Toko Profi is a favorite among racers.

Nico with the Toko Profi glove

MNC XC Ski and Gear Swap 2023

By Adam Terko on 2 October, 2023 in BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Masters Blog, Uncategorized

Our ski and gear swap event is back for 2023!

On the afternoon of Sunday, October 29th you can stop by the Community Center of Jericho to find all sorts of Nordic needs…used skis, boots, poles, and apparel will be available for purchase. The swap runs from 12-5pm (with the first hour for MNC members).

This is your chance to clean out all the Nordic ski gear in your basement earn some money, help MNC, and outfit local skiers with gear. You can drop-off items on Saturday, October 28th from 4-6pm.

After the event? Stop by to pick up your unsold items. If you’d like to keep them out of your closet, garage, or basement, MNC will bring them to the Cochran’s Ski Swap the following weekend, and/or consider them a donation.

Come to the swap to make sure you have the equipment you need for the ’23/‘24 season and beyond.

In addition to traditional ski swap items we will have our full stock of BKL rental skis, boots, and poles from Alpina to get younger skiers all set for winter.

If you would like to bring your own items to the swap you may choose to contribute either 25%, 50%, or 100% of your sold items to MNC.
Item drop-off is on Saturday, October 28th from 4-6pm at the Community Center. Additionally, we will announce drop-off options with Coach Adam in the MNC trailer in Jericho.
Please keep in mind that this swap/sale is for Nordic-specific skis, boots, poles, and apparel only! Thanks.

Items contributed will need to be registered for tracking and sale purchases. You may fill out a hard copy of this information on-site, but it is preferred that you use the form below to provide details of your gear and equipment (up to 5 items per form).

Online gear intake is now closed. You may do consignment on Saturday with an in-person form.

Interested in volunteering to help work at the swap? You can find a volunteer sign-up form below. Thanks for your interest in helping make the sale a success!

Ski Swap Volunteer Form

Welcome to our NEW head coaches!

By Adam Terko on 26 September, 2023 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Race Blog, BKL Training Schedule, Masters Blog, Masters Training Schedule, Uncategorized

Please help me in giving a big WELCOME to our newest MNC head coaches! We are very excited to welcome Liz Hollenbach and Michael Stearns to leadership roles with Mansfield Nordic.

Liz has been involved with the club for many years contributing to BKL coaching, as well as having two children in the program. Michael recently returned to Vermont after nearly a decade of Nordic ski experience in the Midwest.

We are looking forward to heading into the 2023/2024 season with all three pillars of club coaching leadership (Head Masters Coach/Head BKL Coach/Head Junior Coach) held by three separate individuals for the first time in a few years!

Liz Hollenbach – Head BKL Coach

Liz oversees the MNC BKL programming alongside our youth program coaches and is completing her USSA Level 100 coaching certification.

After coaching at both St. Lawrence and University of Vermont, Liz became involved with the Vermont outdoor community in a number of ways, including directing the Nordic Center at Bolton Valley, Alpine Ski Patrolling at Bolton Valley, co-creating Sleepy Hollow Mtn Race, volunteering as a NENSA Women’s Day Coach and coaching MNC Masters for a couple years.

Liz skied for CVU and competed for the New England JN team. In college Liz was a 4-year member, captain of the St. Lawrence Nordic team and 2x NCAA Championships qualifier.

Michael Stearns – Head Masters Coach

Michael oversees all of MNC Masters programs.

After working in the Nordic ski industry in Minneapolis for 8 years doing race wax service and race ski selection, Michael returned to Vermont as Director of E-commerce and Digital Marketing for UnTapped.

During his time in the Minneapolis, Michael spent many years racing in the Midwest marathon circuit. His favorite races are the More Vasaloppet and the Noque.

Michael lives in Hinesburg with his partner Zoe and their two dogs (Bob and Keeley).

Skirack’s Junior Lease Fit Night: Tuesday 9/26

By Adam Terko on 22 September, 2023 in BKL Jackrabbits, BKL Race Blog, Junior Blog, Uncategorized

Skiers and parents,

The lease program offered by Skirack is a very popular option for skiers to get set up with gear for the season ahead. Since the leases sell out frequently, Skirack is introducing a booking system to get outfitted. Space is limited! Use this reservation system to ensure you get lease equipment ahead of the traditional walk-ins taking place in mid-October.

This lease fit night is Tuesday, September 26th from 6-8pm.

To reserve your spot, please follow the link below!

Skirack Lease Fit Night

Junior Lease Fit Night at Skirack: Sept 26 - 6-8PM