Chubz

Philistine Snug em up. Ride through the pain because it will eventually disappear. This is my first season in hards and I experienced that pain as well. By Day 5 or 6 it should be gone. the thigh pain is what I had the most trouble with b/c hards make you work harder than softies. I will never go back to softies after the last month I have had in hardboots. As with most any new sport, pain will be experience along the learning curve. Hang in there, you will not regret it. If you can ride with someone, do so. It has helped me tremendously (thanks Jesse). Before you know it, girls will be whistling at you from the lift and throwing beads (whatever that means). Have fun and keep at it. Greg

Dave Best bet is to post a WTB thread on classifieds if you havent already. I have heard others checking www.ebay.de Sorry I could nt be of greater help. I have met a good number of folks over the last several weeks, so forgive, if I dont recall our meeting. Greg See you up there

Thanks for the basic list of items I would be looking for. I guess I set the limit at $100 b/c I saw a couple kits on line for $225 or so, which I though was ridiculous. Additionally, I am looking for specific types, styles and recommneded manufacturers of those items listed above b/c so many are listed. I will check out Bakoda and see what that kit is like. Thanks again

Thanks

Folks I have been doing some research via internet and face to face and looking for input on putting together a reasonable(<$100 for now) tuning kit. Whether it be a pre-made kit of ala carte kit. some may openly chortle at $100, but one baby in the house and another one on the way (Just found out tonight) keeps funds strapped,damn college funds. I'm basically looking for the files, stones, any other needed gadgets and input of various waxes. I read another post last night for racewax.com and he had more stuff than I could shake a stick at. Also input on the file holder devices compared to doing it by free hand. I think I'd feel more comfortable with the device. I will continue to do my research but as I have found with this website, folks are always willing to offer their input and that input I value. Hearing real life experience with equipment rather than reading a website is much more effective for me. Thanks Greg Ps I'm set on an iron but input for that would be welcomed.

I think you may have replied to one of my other posts with the bungee cord idea. I currently have my own hill billy rig of an old boot string tied directly to the rear bail. It looks tacky but it works like a gem. If I hold off to next season, I'm gonna just pick up a new set of TD2 or Catek SI's. Got to see a set of new Catek up close this morning and I was very impressed with the adjustability of them. Thanks Again GReg

I know there are a few folks from eastern PA interested in making the trip, just let us know where and when. $15 a night to shack up sounds good to me as long as I'm not being cuddled by someone when I wake in the morning. "Those arent pillows!" Planes, Trains, Automobiles Greg

Looking for any extra rear bail springs for TD1's as they are sold out on Bomber. I have heard there are heavy duty ones. If so interested in those. Additionally, is it feasible to give the old spring its "twang" back by using a vice and twisting with vice grips in the direction needed to reload the spring???

Booster, Nice pics. Is that from video or regular camera? Greg

Folks Looking for any information to provide to my local mountain on the art of grooming. I want to go about it in a constructive way with Pics, manuals ,articles , whatever or even proper technique on how to speak with personnel at the mountain. I have found that my local mountain's quality of grooming has declined this season from last year. I dont know if it is the weather we have been having in PA or the staff is different but the lines between groom runs are very evident with big hunks of ice and 3-4 inch changes in height. I have also notices the "Undulators" are running rampant. These are the small groups of snow mounds on the slope that make the tracking of the board go up and down when carving across it. Last year, most slopes were perfectly flat, this year , it has declined. Any input on how to approach the mountain management is welcomed. Greg

Sandman I am new to Hardboots this season and have found I have experienced what everyone else has. I ride in PA so the trail width and conditions arent the best all of the time. Usually the Diamonds are scraped off within an hour by folks that simply shouldnt be on the slope. I did however have the best morning yet on Monday in that I was committing to full turns on the steeps and running out nice big fast turns towards the less steep slopes. It has just been a matter of gaining the confidence in the edgees when you angulate them. In the right conditions, it'll hold and I dont mind the speed. The friends I ride with have always considered me a speed freak but hardboots has brought me to the true science of carving. After that first hour, the holiday crowds began to form and the boilerplate appeared and carves on teh steeps disappeared as well. I imagine I wont be carving on ice until I invest in a MADD. Thanks for posting thread, some of the replies reassured me that what I am going through is normal. Greg

I am a veteran SI softie user and went to standard TD1's when going hardboots. It created a challenge for me going to std. If I had the $$$, I'd go SI TD2's all the way, whetehr they being wearing or not.

Can you email me that original 6 at gregory.troxell@zurichna.com? God bless those who have "the eye" Greg PS and bless beer as well.

Jack Thnks for the feedback and that is what I figured. I intend on getting to that point of the snow being so aroused by me , that it comes to me. thats just my attitude. The fact that it can be done, I intend on doing it. As always apreciate the intpu and look foraward to meeting you someday. Greg

Folks, I am hopefully heading to Day #6 of alpine on Friday if weather permits. I'm just looking for some input on the learning curve of alpine. I am new this season and get heavily motivated by seeing pics of all of you laying downs turns in your pics and the video clips from www.extremecarving.com - Opus #3 is my fav. I rode with my first hardbooter on Sunday and he said I'm doing well for it only being my 4th day in hardboots. I still have a great deal to learn and Jesse was helpful with some pointers. I have been riding since 1984 in softies and came to HB's this season. I guess what I am looking at is, how long before I'm laying down turns I see on Opus #3. Besides taking lessons, are there any publications out there that take you through the beginning lessons of alpining on your own, as if taking a lesson. Drills that you can do to lead up to deep, thigh burning, g-force turns. Everyday I visit the site and ride, I kick myself for not getting into it sooner. Thanks to all of you for reigniting my passion for snowboarding. Greg

Randy S. I found your shot of the boots and bindings to be very cool. Now that I know what it feels like to be attached to "Bomb Proof" Bindings and hardboots, I have appreciation for what the pic represents. If you could do it in B&W and frame it, I think you have something. Reason being, without these components, the joy you get from laying down turns does not exist. Later Greg PS Don't mind me, I have had a few La Fin Du Monde's by Unibrou out of Quebec.

I was going to suggest the same thing, but I know some guys can't make it during the weekday. I could get their shots on the weekends with my video camera. Besides room to zoom, Willard, my brother's production partner works for CBS as a cameraman and is usually out of town Thursday thru Sunday evening. Not that I am a slouch(sp?) when to comes to shooting, but my brother, Jeff and Willard have pretty good "vision" when to comes to shooting sports video. Willard is always getting reprimanded by his production manager at CBS for trying to get unique shots for golf and tennis because they are given more freedom with that. But his NFL and college basketball games have a strict regimine to shooting. He is always looking for inventive ways to get cool shots, Plus him being a snowboarder helps Also, I wouldn't want the footage to be littered with other skiers and riders in the background. It sort of takes away from the pureness of carving. I was going to head up today but the fog was too heavy. If rain passes, I may head up Friday morn and then Sat and Sun. My cell is 610 349 2530. Later Greg

Can someone tell me how to post the small pic in teh user identity area of posts? Where do they come from and how do you do it? Greg

Definitely up for getting something together for Blue. Hopefully weather will cooperate so we can get coverage on the wider slopes. If we can set a date, I check with my brother and his partner (Mind's Eye Productions) to shoot some footage to put a video together. They shoot local sports team and put it to music. I can shoot some footage as well in the meantime. I can also check with my friend Mike who is co-owner of Dan's Camera to see if he would be interested in coming out and getting some still shots. I should be there Sat and Sun morning. Greg 610 349 2530

Does anyone else have situations when typing threads that the message doesnt post when you hit Submit? I have had many situtations after typing longer replies and it requests for me to log in again and the message is lost. Grrrrrr. Does it have to do with message length or length of time that it times out? Greg

Glenn, Sounds good. I'm new to alpine but quickly grasping the concept. I am on a 172 Volant (Steel Cap). I get up to Blue when my appointment schedule permits during the week 9mostly Mon and Fri). I try to be there Sat and Sun morning when my baby's sleep schedule permits. Call me if you get a chance 610 349 2530 Greg PS anyone else out there at Blue feel free to leave #'s to get some turns in.

Jesse It was cool to finally ride with someone else in HB's. Appreciate the pointers and look forward to riding with you again. Weather looks good for Sat and Sun but crummy most of this week. I'm heading up Tuesday morning, no appointments,just home office day. Get me that other guys email or phone number who rides during the week and I'm also going to try to get a hold some other guys in the area for weekday morning sessions, when the "No fun Patrols" arent around. SLOW DOWN!!!!!! If we slow down any more, we fall over, ding dong. Phil form P-burg, sorry I missed your message, I had the phone turned off. hope you had a good trip and made it home safe. Give me another call to ride. I have no set mornings that I go to Blue, just days when I have home office day, tueday and maybe Friday this week and SAt and Sun if not too hung over. Late Greg

Anyone have any input on a reputable edge and wax person in this area. Nestor's is our large "Fun Hog" dealer, but if there is someone else anyone recommends, I'd love the input. greg

Foks Thanks for all of the input. I am going to tend to stay away from the Physics based info because my head still hurts from grad school classes. I get the feeling as I ride more on the Volant that I will become more confident in guiding it where it should go and I can say that it does like to have it's edge set and pushed through the turn. I havent gotten a work out on a board like this since a 28" dump (snow that is) I had at Bridger Bowl, MT in '97. I will keep all of the other input in mind for a future purchase. but getting the feedback is making me want to continue riding the Volant and pushing it to what it can do. thanks Greg

I'm new too but its my understanding based on personal experience is the spring bails keep the rear bail on the rear binding from falling down when you attempt to set your boot, thus making it much easier to clip in. I have ones without and it sometimes is very frustrating not having the spring bail to hold it up. Just ask my lower back from 2 days ago. I'm getting Old and Rotting. greg Ps If I'm wrong I stand corrected.