Al G

I have been pursuing Burton and Klug for the Race Plate kit shown by Boostertwo. No success so far - they each referred me to the other! If anyone else has any luck getting this kit out of Burton please let me know, similarly if anyone has a contact in Burton that could help then please PM me. Failing this I go the Tognar route and start cutting and drilling strips to fit unter the toe and heel plates. AlG

Based near Swindon, although I spend much of my time working in Asia. I did an MBA at Bath a few years ago and often head down there with when my wife and I have cash to spend and when we can lose the kids for a day... Al

Based near Swindon, although I spend much of my time working in Asia. I did an MBA at Bath a few years ago and often head down there with when my wife and I have cash to spend and when we can lose the kids for a day... Al

Don't tempt me! Al

I'm up, just about to go and chill by the pool. Al G

Hi Ricky, Alped'Huez is an OK sort of place for a French resort built in the sixties... Quite a few nice open pistes for carving, and some really long interconnecting runs that start at the top of PicBlanc and go on and on and on. I recall some flat blue sections beyond L'Alpette and over towards Vaujany and some big moguls in places on the black runs, but there should be enough to keep amused and at speed for a week by staying on the groomed blacks and reds around Marmottes, 2700 and Signal. If you really want to live life then try the tunnel near the top of PicBlanc - not recommended on a carving board, not to mention the mogul field at the far end! The buckets are like an open walk in lift system that you step into and bump your way from the base of the village up to the main lift. Unique but effective in that way that has to be French. From what I recall there is the normal range of night-life, including open air ice rink and swimming pool for those with energy to spare. Can't remembe seening Carving gear for sale when I was there five years ago. Al G

I rode Tignes in the second week of December two years ago. The snow up top on Grand Motte was deep, it was cold, windy, and they were still building up the base so not much in the way of piste prep. I ended up riding my Burton Supermodel most of the week... Having said that, as an extra week on snow it was worth it bangs per buck. Al G

1) Ten sets of used false dentures (non matching) 2) A rubber boat (perished, holed, unusable). 3) An outboard motor to go with the boat (no motor, no propellor) You get the picture... Can you imagine the fun when USPS arrives!

We regularly run a bar competition for who can buy the weirdest crap for less than $10 on ebay. The winner gets to keep all the crap! Give it a go with your buddies Al G

Is Daneille the hot model in the October Photo Caption competition?

Ah Megeve, owned by the Rothchild family so not exactly cheap. The lifts are all somewhat dated and the grooming is not super smooth. Having said that, there are a number of big wide pistes that run a for a good length, but do tend to end in narrow lift chutes. It is best to go in January and February, and to avoid weekends when the crowds from Geneva arrive. I was there a couple of years ago, couple of carvers around let me know if you end up there. Al G

Can anyone recommendation the worlds best mountain resort webcams, just so I can taunt myself as we enter the snow season, and because I'm stuck working in Bangkok for the next month. In particular: 1) Those that can be controlled. 2) Those regularly frequented by the carving fraternity. 3) Those that are simply killer vistas. Al G

Try : http://www.emiliosskishop.com/ These are the guys that are always turning out Burton Speeds with Race Plates. I persuaded them to let me have NIB Race Plates for $50 earlier in the year. Al G

Go Lance! Al G

I learnt at John Nike in the early nineties, even had lessons from Martin Drayton. Only the oldest most disposable board in the quiver should ever get abused by dendix! I recall at Aldershot on Thursday 'board' night that they had a 'bath' of washing up liquid mixed with engine oil to lubricate the bases. Great for speed, even better for wrecking ptex! Al G

I learnt to ride on a 200ft dendix slope in the UK and can confirm that it is excellent for learning edge control - You soon learn after slamming your rear end on the mat hald a dozen times! I have the scars referred to by Philw. Al G

No much in the way of snow in the UK so we make do with 'dry' ski slopes - spiky plastic carpet made for sadistic snowless carving: http://www.bracknellskislope.co.uk/skidepartment.php Al G

I am surprised no-one has mentioned Cannnondale so far - because of the cost maybe? I built my roadbike from bits bought from various shops, ebay and other online outlets. It currently has a Cannondale CAAD3 frame ($200 ebay NOS), Campag Neutron wheels ($400 SH online), Campag Record/Chorus 9 Speed groupset (bought piecemeal and now running to around $500) with carbon seatpost and stem. If would heartily recommend the carbon seatpost, stem and anything else that can dampen out the posterior effects of large diameter alloy frames and stiff aero wheels. If I did this again I would probably buy a complete Shimano groupset off the shelf, not that my Record stuff doesn't bling and zing, but because it took me ages to collect the complete set of compatible Ergos, front and rear mechs, etc. Roll on Tour d'France Al G

I was in exactly the same position as you - I'm 6'2" and bought a Supemodel as a 'do it all, one board in my quiver' solution... I soon found it was excellent on steep powder but I really didn't get on with it riding hard on piste, even with fairly foward binding angles and stiff boots. After four years I have decided to get a proper carve board. I have gone for the Silberpfiel 171 (easier to get hold of here in Europe than Donecs, etc.). The Supermodel will become my back-up for full on snow days, and the Silberpfiel will be used for full on carving. Al G

Your seriously telling me that the photo was taken this week in Vail! Green with jealousy Al G

Apart from waxing, what else should I be doing: 1) How should boards be hung in order to maintain the camber? 2) Constant low temperature, low humidity... I'm guessing. What else? Al G

I'm out here in Middle East on a business project for a week and hope to get on a 4x4 dune safari tomorrow. The country I am in is supposed to have some huge dunes that run right into the sea. Just hope I can find a board from somewhere - that or an ironing board wrapped in plastic! Temperatures gone down today to 104F. Al

Only 81... I'm chillin' in the Middle East this week... Only 104 as I speak! Al G

Surely no-one can beat being Mr Donek! Al G

U got PM. Al G