Kent

Scott What model F2 and is it new? If a Speedster and new...it "should" already have adequate structure. You may need to fiddle with your edges depending upon riding conditions. I can't comment on PTC until I actually receive my Madd, but any shop with a stone and DARN DARN DARN GOOD tech should be able to accomplish the job....providing your board doesn't have structure. Other ideas I'd recommend is a few layers of hot wax and some teflon (plumber's) tape around the TD threads... K

LOL.... No powder in Minn, perhaps 5 years ago there was one day, but by the time you got speed, the run ended. Luckily for me, I travel to our place in Vail/BC 5-6 times per year in addition to the race schedule.... k

Who wants this? Never worn...sat around for a few years now. $20 includes shipping. K

Yea, the cost of racing USASA has been creeping up. I'm ammune to it, but I'd recommend each person sending a letter to USASA or email the Board of Directors. Basically, the fee is starting to transcend beyond race day insurance and org admin. To boot, the regions want more money.....whereas 5+ years ago it was all about passion. There was a time when USASA wanted to be the new "ISF" and the new "AASI", but I think those hopes and dreams have past, but you never know.... I think the general problem with USASA is that it's too cyclical. Johnny Ripper gets a snowboard, gets good, drops out of hockey, starts competing, can't "win" every event, gets frustrated there are only 3-4 events per year, eventually gets bored and tries something else.... The parents who are the "glue" are only around for 3-4 years..if that. Toss in the CRAZY idea of free skiing, various different "national" teams, scholarships, instruction, the WACKO idea of having Nationals at small resorts...and it really starts to add up. "Back then", we would all show up, compete in every event...and have a genuine good time. Boy how times have changed. As for Giant's Ridge, I'm still bitter we're not doing alpine there, but do understand (and accept) why. It's a great bx event though.... Not sure yet, but we'll probably be training alpine that weekend at GR and you're welcome to join.....

No practice through the Holidays......start back up again on Jan 3rd. Come out and say Hi. Also...this Sat (Jan 1st) we have "public" snowboard gate training at Buck Hill from 9:00am - 12:00pm on Milk Run. Since you're too young to have a hangover, that should work out nice.... The "new" riders on the G Team are (roughly) 10, 12, 15 & 16...along with the vets. We're still the minority. If nothing else...come train with us on Sat AM (It's not a G Team thing...it's young and old), learn the ropes and then compete in the USASA Alt Series. http://www.altbikeboard.com/pointseries.asp

I vote we hold off on these type of threads until all boards, at a minimum, are in a press. I promised to hold off on my comments until after my board has arrived, been ridden, and have written a complete review...which may offset the anxiety and frustration. Reading this makes me either envious or delusional, I'm not sure which. How'd the allocation work anyways? Did you guys pay extra to get your boards "early". Don't answer... I don't want to know..... Fin - Perhaps we can upgrade tbe Vbullentin software to filter out this stuff. ;)

LMAO!!!! Who is that idiot? That's not a carve, that's not even gate bashing. That is called "Kent slipped on a toeside and was trying not to hit the cameraman". Jacques and Patrice might be proud! ;) I do like the TLA though. Sounds rather catchy! Did you guys make up from your ebay transaction? K

Do not detune per order, but rather upon conditions.....

White/red top sheet. 98 vintage One stone grind $500

Depends upon the board, the conditions and your riding style.... In general, no. But, hooky boards w/o taper will need detuning when it gets hard/firm.

You can do a light stretch, but it's not doing anything.....although may be a bit of mental stimulation. (Like ski racers keeping warm by moving legs back and forth) Potential to do more harm than good. You're better off taking a "slow" trip down the hill than stretch..... For years, people would go back and forth on the benefits of stretching, but lately nearly article will say it's a waste of time before..... Then again, you could probably find a journal or article to justify any position. Although, I do find a reverse stretch to help before long bike rides (bend backward while butt-up against a counter top), but a Chiro told me this is more about spine alignment than muscle flexibility...

I assume you mean stretch. If so....you're only increasing your risk of injury. Only stretch a warm muscle......

Gaa....you've made my time spend on BOL worth it! At last...somebody got their boots fitted properly. I nearby nominate Starting Gate to the boot fitting Hall of Fame. (But, I already knew they did a good job). Folks, you MUST MUST MUST downsize in your boots in order to get the proper fit and performance down the road. They WILL BE uncomfortable for a few days riding....and will be "ouch, too tight" when you first put them on. As mentioned in nearly every boot thread, the shell fit is most important as the liner will compress/stretch upon use and the conditions. K

Perhaps I'm reading this thread wrong as it's already been a long day. But, your foot measures a full mondo point less than your boots! Dude..seriously, you're risking injury. Buy a new boot, these are waaaaaaay too big. With your logic, size 31.5 would feel even MORE comfy! Sorry for the ribbing, but you need to get the proper size boot. I have size 10 street shoes and wear a 25.5 shell...... Fin...can you change my BOL name from Kent to "Boot Nazi"?

Doesn't look like we're riding tonight..... Sunday, December 12, 2004, 8:00 am update: CLOSED TODAY DUE TO HIGH WINDS. We will be open again Monday morning at 10:00 am.

Call the House or check out the internet archives.... http://www.the-house.com/ http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://simsnow.com

I have and will continue to hold my thoughts until my 158 arrives...and will happily provide (useful) feedback for both the performance and business side of Madd. Mine is still in little pieces somewhere in Italy where the men are chasing women.... 25 days on snow already and counting.... Call the board.... Viva La Bbam!!!! And, the classics... Tommy Boy #1 Tommy Boy #2 The Classic Guarantee

Perhaps the best response to a Bomber post ever I don't understand most of it, but sure do like seeing good ole fashioned US capitalism and innovation at work. Although, I'd still like to see a flexier binding that doesn't break. K

D..you are no FBI agent.... (Look at the addresses) Mark and I ride together.

Dean...it wasn't really a spectacular crash, just a very rare toe side-hit the gate square-face plant w/o a helmet...although I pretty sure I didn't hit my head. I've had better and have a video to prove it. After a half dozen concussions, I get my bell rung a lil faster. I still can't walk a straight line. Perhaps Ironmans are easier than a clean run at Buck... We were quite disappointed you and Lisa couldn't make it..... Kirtap - 15! Sweet...we must get you out to practice.... Come out Wed or Thursday night and ride with us. I have (3) new plate riders this year.

The G Team is a private snowboard team. We are NOT affiliated with Hyland, but do practice there. Riders b/w 8-18. Hyland has their own team called the "X team". How old are you? If you're interested in racing...hit Trent up for the gate schedule at Buck Hill. It's free to ride the gates...but you dish out $22 for the lift ticket. If you're w/i the age range above, come out the G Team practice to see if you like it. Next....check out USASA.org for the Upper Midwest "Alt" schedule. Or call Jay or Joel at the Alternative Bike & Board in Uptown. Either way, you won't be able to avoid me. ;) I'll set the gates either way! In tonight's case, I'm also the one getting the concussions. (Yep, had to hit Fairview Southdate on the way home to find out why I was kookie all night) I guess that might explain my problems tonight. Probably not a bad idea to grab a helmet next time. Trent, don't let me race again w/o a helmet, let alone for 7 runs after my tumble. (Kent trying to stay awake)

I think we all agree that Fin and Bob need to start R&D NOW on complimentary binding to the TD...... I vote they knock off the Virus Deathlock. Very minimal machining..... I'll place my order for 5 pair right now..... K

First off, it would be inaccurate to say that racers that use "weaker" bails use stiffer boots......and that Bomber/Catek racers use softer boots. There is no best practice. To answer your question though....depending on style a softer binding racer might want to laterally move their foot without moving the binding. This allows you to keep your edge a fraction of a second longer while your foot starts the next turn. In the case of stiffer boots, racers generally use more power. The goal is the proper mix of strength vs. flexibility.

Hey Trent (or Dave) Can we get confirmation Milk Run has enough depth. I suppose I could always drill dirt though. I'm taking a wild guess we'll have to shovel the NASTAR ramp. Maybe something to do Sun am? Hoping to set BOTH SL and GS (at the same time) so bring your quiver.... K Yes, the tolerance is embarrasingly low...so I'm cheap. Running up the hill is pretty good IMAZ training. Perhaps Lee will join us.

Hey, hey! Depends on your default image viewer.... But, this should work. 1) Right click file "open with MSPaint" (image opens) 2) Image menu > stretch/skew 3) Select (-75%) in both horizontal/vertical text box (may be larger or smaller %) 4) Save as .jpeg or .gif (which should be smaller than your file type...which I'm assuming is a .tiff in that large of size. See you tonight. K