monodude

I run Catek's on all my skwals. Lots of tinkering but when they are right, they are right. I run them 0/0. approx 3* toe lift and 7* or 8* heel lift with a little bit of canting. I also use ski boots. I'm trying some UPZ'S with intecs. More forward lean than my Nordica's so I can back off on the heel lift. I love the step-in/out capability. Don Feed the Addiction...

I live in west Arvada. I've been told Arvada Zip 80004 is on the upscale side as far as per-capita income. Rents are on the high side all over the denver metro area. Also it can be hard to find a house that isn't in a covenant community. I have a great hotshot Realtor if you need also. There's a huge housing boom developing just north between hwy's 72 and 93. Lots of high end stuff going up. It will take several years to build out. Loveland is a 45 minute drive from the Ward exit. Abasin 1 hour, Copper, 1 hour 15 min. Winter Park 1 1/2 hours, Vail 1 hour 45 min. Boulder has money but it costs a fortune in every way. Eldora is only 30 minutes from Boulder, but adds 30 minutes to Summit county areas. There is also Lakewood and Westminster. The housing market, in general, is booming. People are getting into bidding wars, driving the asking price up as much as 10%. Don Feed the Addiction...

I run 1/3 on everything. Taking one off the base helps it to not be so "grabby" on run-outs/cat tracks and easier turn initiation. 3 off the sides gives you better bite on the firm. The edge doesn't last as long as 0/0 will though. Don Feed the Addiction...

JD, I've got Cateks, I've got a set of WC's and several OS 2's. Reg or step-in. Maybe even intec heels. You need to call me... Maybe I can help you with your questions. Don Feed the Addiction...

Hey Johnny, Check your mail. Monodude Feed the Addiction...

Sean, Thanks for the BBQ, and everything. I had a blast hanging with you and all who attended. I know I don't snowboard but I love the carve as all of you do. Thanks for putting up with me and my strange contraptions. Don Feed the Addiction...

Likely hard. Forcast indicates probable freezing temps on Sat. Probable 40 ish on Friday.

12 years ago my wife and I bought a "tiny home". It's a 1967 ex Greyhound Bus. It had a full conversion done including RV windows. It's 35' long and has all the amenities of home. We don't get to travel as much as we would like but we have put around 50K miles on it. The coolest aspect of living/traveling in the bus is... wherever we go we are home. With a little water conservation we can do without "hook-ups" for 2 weeks. It has a 12K watt diesel generator and some solar panels to keep the batteries up. I did have to build a 12' X 20' shed for those things I just can't live without, like my 25+ mono/alpine/skwal/ski quiver and a tune/work bench. It is also home to the GoldWing, dirt bike, and ATV. We totally enjoy it. Don Feed the Addiction...

You always have a minute to talk no matter how busy you are. Especially for my numereous special needs on the unorthadox toys that I ride. Don Feed the Addiction...

The pics have yet to be seen, but the "shoot" went well. Trenches that survived the afternoon AND the groomer ??? Mario on a Virus is one bad ass combo is all I can say... Could have been Ice or the "unknown" rider but no one leaves their mark like the big guy does... Don Feed the Addiction...

Calling all carvers. I have a pro photographer coming to take some pics of the LCI Carvers. He is a very published guy and I don't know where he will use the pics but It might be good for the carving community. SO bring your "A" game... and lets show him what the LCI is capable of. Don Feed the Addiction...

I have had good results using a super cold temp wax. Hard to work with but works good for me. I have and believe in a good structured base also. Don Feed the Addiction...

Our Monopalooza, (monoskiers) just rented an area in Wyoming to kick off Monopalooza. 3 grand + $16 each for an all you can eat buffet as well. The bar was staffed also. (pay of course). It was such a hit we may do it next year in Montana. I talked to "Maverick" ski area and their prices start @ 2 Grand. It was one of the best times ever. Don Feed the Addiction...

When I started riding a monoski I realized that each year I had more and more back issues. When I started to ski more again I had less and less issues. (Bad Boy Virus skies and Skwals). It's all in your "core" muscles. Focus on "core" exercises and take care of the "Budda Belly" and you won't have nearly as many issues. Don Feed the addiction...

I've had my share of straightliner/out of control collisions. I tend to stop occasionaly and wait for "the gap" before proceding on. I also check both sides for the first few turns until I'm up to speed. I ALWAYS leave room between me and the trees, just in case. When stopping I raise an arm high and take my time stopping predictably. I often ride with a group and on some runs the first one to a "breakover" will stop. The places that we do this have an unrestricted view of uphill and downhill. As the rest come down, that first rider will signal, (raised arm), that it is clear downhill and that no one is coming up from behind. Or if someone is below or coming from above, (crossed arms). After a few turns you're on your own again. As far as the "skiers code", it doesn't help much, while laying in a hospital bed, that you were in the right. As carvers we make wide, round, across the fall line turns. No other discipline makes turns like that @ speed. I truly feel that making turns like that has a responsibility of all it's own. If it's crowded back off. Just like coming to an intersection while driving, The person on your right has the "right of way" isn't really the law, Technically speaking the one who enters the intersection first has the "right of way". To further the car analogy, A certain amount of responsibility lies with accident avoidance, regardless of who is "right". So... to sum up what I'm trying to say... We, as carvers, need to do all that we can to avoid getting hit, regardless of who is right or wrong. Don Feed the addiction...

Kelly, Monopalooza will be invading Targhee on Friday February 27th. Don

I have one more set of Thias bindings if you are so inclined... Don

It appears that I am at very high risk for "Pulmonary Embolisms". (Last July I had numerous clots appear in my right lung) "High risk" activities include anything that could result in a head injury. While taking blood thinners it doesn't take much of a head smack to be a life threating situation. From what info I can gather, even a light concussison can have repercussions that last up to a year, if not forever, or even death. I stopped taking the blood thinners in November. As a result of recent blood tests now I'm told i need to take them forever. I have decided to finish out this season enjoying skiing/riding as usual, and hope for the best, (no clots). In March I'll start on the thinners again. What this all means is no more hard carving... no more WFO dirt biking, no more draggin' parts on the street bike... Gettin' old SUCKS... I don't have to stop "living" I just have to keep the adrenelin needs in check. Don Feed the Addiction...

I tune everything I ride 1* off the base and 3* off the sides for an edge angle of 88*. Works better on the firm/ice conditions. This set-up requires more maintanance of the edge but has numerous benefits. In the boiler plate conditions almost nothing works. Edge initiation is very critical. Most "pull/lean" their body up the hill and tip the board less. That translates to poor edge hold, if any. It also leads to poor body position and you use muscles to maintain balance. Angulate, stay "stacked" over the edge, and keep an "aggressive" stance. Don Feed the Addiction...

Yes I do... Don

What is this breakfast ? time ? I don't know what "lift 5" means as far as a metting location. I'm in for Sunday. Don Feed the Addiction...

You called it... How much would a broken leg cost. Out with the old and in with the new. Don Feed the Addiction...

Don't give up quite yet. Try it on a powder day. I have a 185 Nordica "Yah Luv" ski that I mounted Skwal. It RIPS in the fresh. It's a 29M sidecut. Dimensions: 167 tip, 140 waist, 157 tail. (round tail), 185 long normal camber wood core/metal ski. I centered and "T" nutted Cateks according to marked boot center. It will lay a decent carve in fresh/soft groom as well. Put it on edge and bend it. I think that the length helps in that regard. Don Feed the Addiction...

If you don't mind paying retail call Bola, @ All Board Sports. I think He has a set. three-0-three-415-1600 Don Feed the Addiction...

yesterday was much better. Not that much new overnight for today, and what there was was windpacked and THICK and slow. Yesterday was much better. Deep but thick. STORMY as in whiteout occasionally. The Duret Mono was leaving trenches so deep they could have been used for a bobsled run ! Rode with Arne today. He was on some new big bad powder skiis. snow boarders stuck everywhere. people haveing to pole downhill. Firecut was good, steep enough to have a little speed. Drifter not bad either. Wind blown/scraped here and there all over the mountain. Don Feed the Addiction...