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OESers who don't have a Joe's nearby, but would like to take advantage of the deal - PM me or Buell this week. We'll be headed out of town and away from Joe's soon after. Rebecca

Don Richter/noschoolrider I was lucky to trap Don for a couple of lessons at Bachelor last season. He put a ton of thought into each lesson, gearing each to my (lack of) technique and learning style. He's great at balancing technique drills with guided freeriding while I put it all together. Amazingly tolerant of my toeside technique amnesia. From what I hear, he's just as helpful for better carvers. Of course, you do have to put aside some ego when you're being seriously outcarved by a guy riding fakie on an Alp. ;)

:lol: That's funny! I thought about including you in the Meadows list, but didn't know if you'd like me volunteering you as a tour guide. The other guys... well, I figure they'll forgive me. dshack! Ride with Dan! He is a pond-skimmin' hard-bootin' monster! Also a fellow lightweight and all-around good guy. Dan - we'll be in Oregon until mid-December, riding mostly at Bachelor, then back to UT for a couple of months. Thinking of heading to or through the Wasatch this year? Come see us!

That would be Bryan, Mike Tinkler and ??? Great riders *and* great boards. Fun to watch, for sure! Bryan is a Meadows devotee, so you may be in luck... if you can catch him. Look for Jim/PO6781 there, too. His picture (on hardboots on a Tanker, I think) is/was on the Meadows trail map. I wonder if he'll still talk to us, now that he's famous? Slopetool is the SkiBowl and Timberline guy. Look for the Prograss board. Great crew up there!

:biggthump:biggthump Snow, please!

Yes, ride with Bryan! He and Ed (Slopetool) are great guys and kick ass riders. Good luck keeping up, though. ;) I get first dibs on the 203!

The Hangle plates are complex and shockingly heavy (or they were last year, anyway). I've lifted, but not ridden a board, with the system. I hear that they're good for race ruts, bad for all day riding. I think my leg would fall off in the first lift ride. For more info, search for Hangle weight. Some riders use other plate systems - the new F2 thing, the Home Depot special, etc. over the traditional 4 hole pattern. My guess is that the systems haven't been standardized enough to accomodate for all styles and sizes of riders, so it's hard for a board maker to offer a "standard" solution. However, if you order a custom titanal race stick, I'm sure the maker can drill it for the plate system of your choice. Looking forward to more options for lightweights.

Hey RJ, Don't let one low score get you down. I've seen lots of friends and students improve dramatically with a little work. I taught GMAT and other assorted standardized test classes for one of the big companies, and most of my students improved their scores considerably from the entrance exam. The best way to improve your score depends on your personality and learning style. If you're a self-directed student and learn well by reading, a few books (with lots of practice tests) might suffice. When I took the LSAT ages ago, I needed a class to keep me entertained and to hold me accountable. The big test prep companies are all pretty different, although the study/test/study/test format is similar. Their online and marketing materials will likely give you an idea of their teaching style and philosophy. On the whole, they are all remarkably aware that you are paying for motivation - they do their best to make the classes as entertaining as possible. Sometimes you can attend an info session or event to meet teachers, see the offices, etc. Call your local centers to see what they offer for potential students. Good luck on the test. You'll kick its butt next time! Rebecca

Nice! Go, Wasatch, go!

:o :lol: Walked right into that one....

BIGGERRRRRRRRR!!! :eplus2::eplus2:

Yeah, Ride still makes something called "DVA." I should have been more clear. The 05/06 model in your photos have fairly rigid highbacks which are hard to find in any bindings (men's or women's) that fit my feet/hooves. The newer models - or last year's at least - have squishy jibber highbacks. Apparently, all the other wee-footed people are in the park. Thanks for the tip, though! I may have to break down and finally buy a pair of the "limited edition" on eBay (:eek: + apologies to a friend who rocks these):

I like #2. I had the same set-up (Ride DVAs and Vista) when I first started. Those are still my favorite softie bindings. Too bad they stopped making them....

Shred!

Couloir (Coolie, for short) Corduroy Pow Alpine/Alp Yeti/Abominable Snowcat Jibber, if it's an acrobat Definitely not Hot Box! :rolleyes:

:eek::eek::eek::eek: http://www.acro-base.com/fr/imgs/galerie/video/videos/eiger06/eiger-faf-emb.mov

jerk. ;)

The Gimpy Couch Carver (Rigidus brokenasaurus) Although the Gimpy Couch Carver is rarely seen on the mountain, it may be easily observed in the forums of Bomber Online and at lower elevation watering holes frequented by other species of Rigidus. Although many GCC exhibit clear identifying marks, such as crutches, slings, casts, braces, ice packs, bandages, and large manila envelopes containing its most recent round of x-rays, other members of the species are best identified with a metal detector. In its native habitat (online), the GCC is most frequently found in its gear-lined nest offering advice to more mobile Rigidus. Due to its limited movement, the mating rituals of the GCC are primarily vocal in nature. Its primary mating call is, "I woulda gotten 100 days this year if I hadn't...."

BG, I think you're on to something with men's boards. The women's board market is aimed at smaller/tiny, entry level riders. They're great for girls who are new to the sport, but they aren't up to the demands of a more aggressive rider. My first board (I'm 5'4", 135 lbs, itty bitty feet) was a pretty, friendly noodle. It suited me well for my first several days. My friend at the local board shop warned me that I wouldn't be happy with another women's deck. I ignored him and paid almost retail for a Nitro Black Widow (for "aggressive women" - rarrrr) which I only rode until I stepped on my boyfriend's Rossi Premier 159. The Rossi was way more fun, and it was actually easier to ride at speed, on steeps, etc. I've been on "men's" boards ever since. Basically, the board has no idea that you're a chick. ;)

As if that's YOUR board, Kirk.... Rebecca

Hey, Bryan...

Thanks Bonnie, Bryan & Mike - awesome videos! I keep reliving the weekend. Too much fun! My apologies to everyone for slowing Able down in the vid. :o Hey Kirk, Hooray for the muppet hat! You'll have to join us next year. You would love OES. I bet Jacob will be laying solid trenches by then - maybe he and your dad can come, too.... Rebecca

Many thanks, Bonnie and Mike! What a terrific event - great riding, people, weather, food and fun. Can't wait to see everyone (and then some) again next year. Rebecca

Buell is out of surgery and in the recovery room. The surgery took a little longer than expected due to some damage to the cartilage and lateral meniscus, and a couple of "little chunks of bone" that had to be removed. However, four titanium screws and some clean-up later, Buell can start healing. The prognosis is roughly the same - 8 to 10 weeks until he can bear weight (or drive a car!), up to 6 months for "full" recovery. He's the poster boy for PT, as well as being a lightweight, so the outlook is very good. Thanks so much for all of the support and kind words the last few days. Buell spends a lot more time lamenting the days he won't get to ride with you guys than he spends complaining about pain or recovery time. Keep the good vibes coming. They really help. Rebecca