pow4ever

mental notes: hug your carving buddies They are precious and hard to come by.

TLDR: Coiler Contra - I am now a believer. it rips. put about 27k vertical on wogococo today. I thought the contra all mountain was good. Not sure how but wogo/Contra is even better. that 3cm waist size make flicking the board lightening fast. no drama, all day comfort. want to make tight turn in narrow/steep? no problem. in afternoon bump/chop/crud - lazy big turn - piece of cake. i think it's worth to "learn"/"adopt" how to ride contra shape. it just took me a long time to figure out how to do it lol. better slow than never. Now i am glad i have quiver of boards to choose from. each one serve a range of purpose/condition.

i have no idea lol; that's why i asked. i got idiot strength and tend to break things if i am not careful. having spare parts in hand confirm that just "pull" and it pop right out.

a long over due/update review (not that it's necessary; as Bruce's product speak for itself) - Contra 165 23cm all mountain (focus on carve first, all mountain second) took me a long while to learn how to ride it. Guess it's one of those once seen; can't be unseen deal? like the "arrow" in FedEx logo. Get it on edge early and it hold an edge like no tomorrow. Didn't notice the extra width. sweet spot is "much smaller" compare to k168/other board (for me) but once the reference point is established it's a great/fun ride. condition - west coast/UT hero snow (a bit soft/bump in the afternoon) on to wogococo tomorrow; can't wait. Should be fun.

thank you for the feedback! How heavy are you? no issue with the std F2 bail? knock on wood. i have the 2019 version (no BOA). love to hear you reason(s) on why you are not using alpine snowboard boots? (my back foot is the problem, so likely i need to mix boot in order to ride) (how wide is the toe box? and hopefully it can be punched out) i might have to do the same... DGSS on backland will work on Hawk Ultra xtd? EDIT: much more info here(weight, where it crack and etc). Went to the shop today and check out XTD. A bit taller than backland which is good.

Had atomic backland in the closet for a long time. added DGSS by drupi. It didn't work for me for whatever reason (likely because i don't spent the time to try and dial stuff in). i tried it few seasons ago with burton race plate (flat/no lift) and wasn't happy with carve/pow performance. Atomic backland + burton race plate on Jones Hovercraft 163 - OMG.... this combo work really well in deep powder. 45 front/40 back 20" (too much forward lean on the front and not enough lean in the back). floaty and nimble. On 165 contra all mountain: 23 cm Now i can kinda tell what the setup is telling me: let tinkerbelling begin Adjust front boot to tiny bit of forward lean and more preload on spring add medium amount of forward lean on the back SG binding big block toe lift(front) and big heel lift (back) lower angle from 60/60 to 50/50 due to the wider waist, backland carve pretty damn good; not as good as dedicated hardboots but in soft-ish (couple day after dump); this is the perfect setup for soft/bump carve. technique need some adjustment. start the turn from feet and not higher up (shin). i am keeping it.

anyone know how to properly swap(remove and install) the tongue on MS951 boots? i see tabs but afraid i might break it with my 2 left hands.

broken clock is right twice a day . you caught me on my 2-3 good turns quota lol...

we can take Big M out of East Coast but not the East Coast out of Big Mario!

@jng Jan 27 will be travel day for us. Hope our path will crossed! will send my contact info via PM. Wise equipment of choice as Utah is getting lots of snow. If we get dump on: atomic backland + jones hovercraft might have to do

Thank you Lci crew! Sun is out, great hero snow, amazing people. It's an honor to participate in the sacred church of carve and received holy communion that is pure stoke. Still grinning ear to ear thinking about today. The positive energy feedback loop is just amazing. An inexplicable bond formed when you find "your people" and sharing this wonderful sports that we all go cuckoo for.

i bought Kessler168 around Feb 2022. Didn't have a chance to ride it until today. the wait was killing me. Last time i was on a snowboard was before Xmas. so rusty. k168 live up to to all my expectation. No surprise here. *Today condition is hero/eagle snow and k168 and i are still getting better acquainted. Will update as i get more milage. It feel like an old friend where you can pick up conversations from you where left off long ago and doesn't skip a beat. . k168 not "magic" but margin of error is huge: as it promote good input, and forgive bad one. a confidence builder. It bleed off so much speed i stalled out on mellower trails.

Preach friend! "If it can be destroyed by the truth, it deserves to be destroyed by the truth," my head hurt now.... don't think i know how to ride a snowboard anymore. too many things to think about in too short amount of time. i Need to distill it down to few/couple "reference point". All these optimization are #Firstworld problem for the elite rider. Time for me to get away from apline-keyboarding to the real thing

Nice! that's how we become ambassador but your riding speak for itself! Been a long time (we meet at ECES). glad to know that you still kicking butt!

from my mere mortal perspective “Any sufficiently advanced riding is indistinguishable from magic.” Love the positive vibe and inspiration! i am a firm believer that i can learn from anyone. what we do is personal expression of one's style. poetry in motion. Enough platitude from me. more conquering the steep!! look like emoji is fixed/forum software was updated. i notice CDN and certs errors (nerd is going to nerd) earlier...

me too Barry. dealing with opposite of progression is so depressing. after 2-3 years i think i am finally made peace with it. Hope you best of luck to find your mojo. Need regression anonymous support group

I always start with RADIO - because i am a RF nerd.

it's the norm for human mind to "make stuff up"/filled in the blank when dealing with the unknown. to paraphrase - Never mistake ignorance for malice. take it as compliment. i still remembered when i just started out Hardbooting and my buddy told me i ride alpine just like a regular snowboard so why bother? (it's like regular snowboard but with extra step) almost rage quit....

love it! i need to work on that "intensity" and channel my inner rage ape... start to think my intrinsic operating mode is just to mellow to making any real progress in alpine snowboard. "not make snacks for toddlers and write emails.." -- lol i am in this picture and i don't like it; except i make snack for my inner flower child.

Music - Big Black album insert Capitan America meme i get that reference /nod

look forward to it! love your videos. on at the "limit": raw beauty while being savage and borderline violence (those hip check to the mountain are the litmus test when i am at my limit). That "2 hands pole planting" on both heel, toe side is just awesome. Damn!! that's steep... need to wear my brown pant if i ever try lol...

i struggle with this for a long time but we can't change other. We can only change our framing. consolation is that stupid action are not necessarily accompany with malice intent. saying goes; we judge ourself with our intention and judge other by their action. Hence if ppl driving fast than me are crazy and slower than me are idiot. People are ignorant and focus in their own world and not thinking of other. I also notice the holiday crowd seems to be extra "Je ne sais quoi". lack of awareness and "show off" is the default human operating mode? i am often guilty of it. Be safe out there wear bright color vest

related topic: for i welcome our robotic overlord as it need a reboot once in a while lol....

i thought about that often.... lol "Vanity, thy name is human". If i can ride the way i used to ride then my avatar pic doesn't matter If i unable to ride at the same level i was then the "new/old" avatar pic just mock me mercilessly. Took me few years to realize how well i ride have nothing to do how crappy the person that i am I rather to be remember as the guy that always smile than the guy that take life too seriously. Maybe some hint of sour grape in there but i need to remind myself to have fun and enjoy the short ride we have left on this journey. Those who start it with us; might not always stay with us So many that started carving not longer ride or heard from; treasure the here and now.

DIY is good but i wonder often if i have taken on something that's beyond my ability. but i am not that handy. Health/body part is priceless.... these might help: google-fu copy & paste the follow to google search: site:forums.alpinesnowboarder.com hoof wedge https://forums.alpinesnowboarder.com/topic/49180-diy-cantlift/