pogokoenig

It's not even the customs guys. It is more about: How can I explain the check-in girl, that I take this thing to Curacao as sports equipment? "How many pieces of luggage do you have?" "1 piece and this .. eeehm ... snowboard ...as sports equipment" "okay, one piece and a surfboard." "Not surfboard! Snowboard!" "Sorry Sir. You wanna bulls..t me?" "Nope" "I do not accept this. Makes 200 euros for bulky items." "But I have my swimming goggles in there as well." "Why didn't you tell me before? Okay 20 Euros for sports equipment." "Thanks" Hans: No prob, with the teasing. I have plenty to do here:

A man has to do, what a man has to do! I have a "Schirmbar" shaped beach bar near my house. Let's see how the board works out there. I'll send pix as soon as I have it here. And yes, I have ordered a double package of Zylon Suncscreen Butter. Got a good deal on it.

There you go. It was in 2007 when i rode the original Gladiator for the first time. What can I say: It was love at first sight. I ordered one taylor made to my needs and my weight. Back then, this was the best alpine board I could ever ride. Totally infected I wanted more: Sold the Gladi and got a Berserker Zylon. Great ride, could do the same as the Gladi but needs a lot of speed. The Berserker is therefore a bit more limited. I added a Pureboarding Bastard and a Virus UFC narrow to the quiver. But still there was the Gladi somewhere in the back of my head - still the echo of: "The best board I have ever ridden". Now Virus came up with something a new sexy piece. Virus Gladiator II Zylon Evo III. I couldn't resist! 176cm length, 17cm waist, variable sidecut, camembert nose, 3d zylon carbon construction. Different to the first Gladiator is the little tailkick, which i appreciate very much. Pic quality is not so super. Just some quick shots with the mobile. The board is still on the other side of the Atlantic, while I am sitting here.

Who the f... cares how it rides? As long as it looks good. Mine is on the way as well. Bit wider though. Gladiator II Zylon Evo III. Pictures will follow.

Ever ridden either a squal or a 15cm Virus? I must admit that I am also not a big fan of boards <17cm. But this thing seems to be interesting.

Back on Topic: I would also like to testride the stingray. It is a 186cm, 15cm narrow beauty with decambered nose and variable sidecut. It has Evo 3 construction. Some Metal, carbon and other stuff in it. It is difficult to Demo because most of the riders don't give the Demo board back. Reviews on Frozen Backside are extremely positive.

Agree! However, this one is the board of my girl friend. The Avalanche is extreme fun. Nothing more to say. Powerlock binding is awesome. Extremely solid. Step-in and forget. Not too soft, not too hard. Just not there.

New this year: Second one from the right: Virus UFC narrow carbon (183cm) with Virus Powerlock Team the others (from left to right): Pureboarding Bastard (161cm) 2010 Virus Rocket Zylon Ladies cut (162cm) 2008 Virus Avalanche (163cm) 2010 the new one Virus The Goddess (185cm) 2008

I got a nice Bentley at home with a chauffeur. Since I ride this combination driving a car is much less stress and more fun. Should have started with that in driving school already.

Lying? Never! Only when it is really necessary:o I must confess, I ordered my first Evo III (UFC narrow) recently. You got me. It is a modern shape, camembert-nose, metal, carbon and all the nice stuff in it. But - and here is the point - I am not of meagre talent. I am an awesome kick-ass rider. You are right. Evo III construction and the new shapes seem to be a huge progression in the Virus portfolio. However, would I recommend such a board to a carving-beginner? No. To an enthusiastic carver being on the step to a higher level? Probably. Please guys get me right. I am big fan of nice equipment and spend a lot of money on it. But is there really anyone here trying to tell me that you cannot have a great ride on a decent solid and forgiving freecarving board. You can ride any slope with these toys, you can go into powder and whatnot.

Agree on that. But when it comes down to covering bad technique with top notch material, it looks a bit different.

What is in the past? A good solid board in the medium price range with a moderate shape, a little tailkick and decent width of roughly 20cm? Just an easy forgiving freecarcing board. These will never be outdated. I really would like to see you riding.

Agree Come on, this is nonsense. A good standard board is ok. No need for fancy stuff. Covering technique flaws by better equipment is a thing that brings the sport down. All the gear but no idea.

Agree with most people here: Testing is the best thin to do and is also lot of fun. But: Don't overdo it. This can be a trap. I know guys always looking for the best board and for the best price. I know other guys that just tested a board, ripped it and put the cash on the table afterwards. These guys are having fun and enjoy without all the hassle of finding the best opportunity. 1 Season of looking around is too much. It should be 3-4 days max and you are happy. If not, you won't get it ever.

I mean these screws that connect the part with the bails to the base plate. These have been of poor quality. Problem is known (at least to Joerg) and will seems to be fixed as of now.

Those are great bindings. Work with my 200lbs on a 186cm Powdergun. The IBEX had one weak point: The screws were of poor quality. However this is easy to fix and is a hint from my side towards Remo. Remo, all the best with your new project.

She is not. I know her. She is brazilian. You are dutch.:p

Phil, thanks. I couldn't have said it better. I tried, but....

Where is the point with the radii? There are GS and SL boards. I guess - but that's just a gut feeling - the GS boards have a big sidecut and the SL boards have smaller ones. My next guess is, you can have any sidecut you want. Especially if a racer goes to order such a board, he will tell exactly for what type of course it should be build for. I do not believe that any recreational rider really feels a difference +- 1 meter (3 feet) in the scr. There are other factors in the equation that contribute at least as much. Edit says: Wintergold and Hans, we are on the same page. Agree.

The window looks like Sport Riml in Soelden, Austria. The goddess has first been presented at the ISPO in January 2008. Of course it is a prestige object. But it's a blast to ride - not only for Pow. It is a great carving board too. It works even on the iciest stuff. I got one at home and have to say, this board is too nice for being kept in a show room. I like riding at high-speed and some of my greatest rides I had with the Goddess. Never been faster than with that board in deep pow. Virus has the same shape with a less fancy construction in the lineup - the LaGlisse. It goes for roughly 1,300 Euros and i cannot say the performance is of a huge difference.

Have you been there last weekend? Because there was the Frozen-Backside carving-session in Belpiano. Do you have any news, of the hardbooters you have met?

Exactly, that's the point. Noone holds a gun against our heads and forces us to buy.

Who cares? Or is the cost allocation part of your purchase decision? If there is something I want to have / own / ride on, I check the price and see if it matches the benefit I expect. If it does so, I am going to buy. If not, i first negotiate and the buy. If it is still to expensive I don't buy. That's all the magic. Where is the need for asking about manufacturer's inside knowledge?

The most recent impact comes in 169. Mine is from 1994 and was 165. The ice grip ice a little bit tricky with the pogos. As i said: It's not an easy ride. You cannot compare them to "modern" carve-machines. They need to be ridden very actively and you need to find the "sweet spot". That makes them very demanding for carving but on the other han very versatile for diffficult conditions. Very special is the Blitz. You can feel how easily you can steer it everywhere or how quick you can get out of a laid down carve into a drift. Moguls and slush are a blast. In that way it's forgiving and comfortable. But when you tilt it up on the edge, you need some froglegs to hold it. Once you can manage, a lot is possible. But it demands riding skills. I have ridden a Blitz from 1997 to 2007 as my favourite board. Thereof 9 years with one and the same board. Some seasons for 30 days or more. Extremely well crafted and heavy duty. The whole stuff is somehow old-fashioned in a sympathic way.

I have owned four Pogos. Overdose 162 Blitz 177 Impact 175 Hardcore 155 I can very much verify the statements of Terekhov. Especially the Blitz is a great ride. Extremely spped stable and a great railfeeling. Please note: The Pogo carving machines require a different riding style. They are quite soft in torsion and need to be pushed by your rear leg. Requires some power and is definitely not for sissies. But if you are used to them, it's great. Especially in slush or in moguls.