Dave Pushee

I think you can find a mix somewhere above 10% that will be acceptable to most. I think that 20%-30% is reasonable. I scanned through a recent copy of Gun Dog to see what their mix is. The total magazine was 84 pages (covers included). I counted roughly 37 pages of ads (where ads and copy were mixed on a page, I estimated the page fraction that was ad). This is over 40% ads, but I don't find it excessive because 16 pages of ads were in a section (Trading Post) at the back of the magazine. This section was a collection of small ads arranged by topic something like classifieds in a newspaper. The pages of the Trading Post section were all outlined with a colored band so that the reader can go directly to it if looking for something, or skip it if not interested. Removing the Trading Post section from consideration leaves about 30% ad content. I find that ads can provide useful information to me, the reader. They can make me aware of new product innovations that I might find useful. In your magazine, ads could help make subscribers aware of products/services that they didn't know existed.

I started wearing one of these http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=16691&item=10-3507&slitrk=search&slisearch=true under my bike helmet to control sweat. Works great under the snowboard helmet too.

Nest year, I will be 21 for the third time around. Does that count?

I wish I had checked here before I sealed up that Priority Mail box. I will have to leave it to the 2 of you to seal the deal on the bumper. Martyagt4, the package should go out in the mail tomorrow so I think you should have it by the weekend.

TD1 stepins are sold. ohiomoto, I'm leaving the decison on the thick purple bumper up to the buyer. It looks like you both may be in Ohio.

Closing out all of my TD1 stuff. $140 shipped within USA. Includes: 2 sets of 3 degree disks; 1 set of 3 degree yellow bumpers; partial set (missing 1 thick bumper) of 3 degree purple bumpers; 1 retro kit (toe bail assembly and heel receiver); spare bolts for cant disks; 1 set of poly topsheet protectors; TD1 instructions.

Scott, don't worry about the politics. If it's liberal you want, NH seems to have moved that way recently (see 2008 election results), and being a college town, Plymouth is more liberal than some other parts of the state (but I still like it here anyway).

I'm not sure if it fits the $30K-$40K metric, but I decided it was a good place for my retirement. It's a college town (Plymouth State University). Permanent population about 6K, University roughly doubles that. Located on Interstate 93, about 20 miles from Loon Mountain and Waterville Valley. I have at least 3 feet of snow in my back yard at the moment. Cannon Mountain is about 30 miles up the road, and several other ski areas are within a 2 hour drive. I think whitewater is available nearby, but I'm not really qualified to judge. The college town aspect is really a bonus. It means the small town can support a hospital and plenty of dentists and doctors. You also get a great town library and the occasional cultural activity if you are so inclined. It also supports more shops and restaurants than you might otherwise find. We even have a super walmart. Here's a pointer to the chamber of commerce page. http://www.plymouthnh.org/

Teens (especially boys) come with a built in "Advice Accelerator". This is similar to a Particle Accelerator. You have probably heard the old saying about some people: "Advice goes in one ear and out the other". With teenage boys, the advice exits faster than it enters

In Plymouth, NH the high today was 3 degrees (F) and wind was gusting over 30 mph. Had decided to sleep in anyway after late night festivities.

I'm with Bobdea on this. An external hard drive is not expensive. Hook it up, do your backup, then take it off line and power down so it won't be subect to power surges.

I''m retired and plan to start collecting Social Security next spring. I don't think it will have a direct impact on me.

I'll second that. Winter of 07-08 in was epic in Plymouth, NH. My Outback with Nokian RSi unstudded tires went everywhere I needed to go anytime I wanted to go.

I'm with Dave on this one. I also have done the catapult flip twice. You would think I would have learned after the first one took out my AC joint (thats where my collar bone once was connected to my shoulder). I was a lot luckier on the more recent one and got away with no problems. My boards survived both incidents just fine.

I expect it will be riding this year that gets top $. Last year it was the other way around. Not much planned for gear - fintec heels and mayber BTS. Riding at my local mountain is free in return for some of my time, but I drive 20 miles each way. At current gas prices, that's about $4 per day x 40 or so days. I may make a couple of trips to other areas too.

Intec system rules. Once AARP starts courting you, you find that bending over to mess with straps or toe bails sucks. I use hardboots only for all conditions - just use different boards. On mountain duties (sweep) often involve moving signs or bamboo to the side of the trail. This can require unclipping the rear foot several times during a run. I suppose a kid could hop to the side of the trail instead of unclipping, but at 61, I'm not into that.

Watched every stage so far - today a rest day. Amazing how close the standings are after 10 stages. What is it, 10 within 2 and a half minutes? Watching the tour was probably why I overdid my bike ride on Friday - I think I found my limit. I knew the route I had picked would be about 60 miles - which I've done before. What I hadn't factored in was the climbing. As I reached the top of the main climb (7 miles and about 1800 feet of climbing) at the midpoint of the loop I knew the home climb (about a mile and 350 feet) was going to hurt. By the time I got home I was totally spent and hurting. I know that most of those guys on the tour are about half my age, but they are riding twice as far, climbing 3 times as high and at least twice as fast, and doing it every day for weeks. When they do have a rest day, I think they still go out for a ride to stay loose. Incredible! - Dave

First full season as a retiree living within easy drive to mountain. Lost count of the days, but at least 60. NH had more snow than I've seen in a long time (and I've been around a loooong time). - Dave

Pat, from one antique to another. If this ever happens again you might find that it works better to unbuckle the boots and remove the liner (with your foot inside). You can walk that way too and your hands will stay warm.

Wavechaser, did my email get through to you?

I've had some great days this year, but I always look forward to another great day. Maybe tomorrow will be the best. No matter what, I know I'm gonna enjoy it.

I didn't discuss details, but I don't think it will pay that much. You are probably better off in Utah ;)

A few days back, the Snow Sports Director at Loon Mountain (NH) saw me having a good day and asked me if I would like to coach the youth snowboard race team next season. I declined and confessed that I was having a better than average day and that I know nothing about racing or coaching. I offered to put out the word that he was looking though. If anyone would like to give this a shot, send me an email through my profile and I'll put you in touch. - Dave

I assumed that "retired" fits in the unemployed category so... Previously business management.

I have a theory that riding in walk mode can cause this toe jamming problem. In walk mode, as you pressure the back of the cuff, the upper boot flexes back and your foot is levered to the front. If you have BTS installed, you might want to set rearward flex stiffer.