sfleck

I should be up there this weds. I'll set you up on the 170, and I might have some other toys for you guys to check out too... ;)

hey guys, I won't be up there tonight because I'm trying to fight off a cold. hopefully I'll be better by the weekend

I'll be there too, and Willy's coming up to try out the Madd BX. Anybody else? should be some nice solid conditions, perfect for the ice piranha

I'll be up there.... don't know if I will be able to get out on the plates tonight though. First week of the Burton Chill program, so unless it cancels I'll be teaching. I'm interested to see how much you've progressed!

I'm going to be there friday. Anyone else plan on heading up?

It was great! but my legs will be feeling it tomorrow.

sounds like you might be getting your center of mass too far out away from the edge. Usually this happen when you lean too much with your upper body, and don't bend your legs enough. Try reaching with your front hand to the heel on your front boot, but keep your upper body upright. Hopefully this little drill will help keep your weight stacked over that edge and get rid of the chattering. hope this helps. Steve

If you ever come up to ride at Wachusett shoot me an email and I can set you up on one of the new 158's. Not quite the same as the old ones, but I don't know you can find anything closer. Steve

who was up there this morning? I know I saw somebody wearing a tan jacket, looked like black helmet, possibly donek board. I got pulled to teach before I could catch up with them.

Official event times are now posted on the site. http://www.ridemass.org/Event%20info.htm hope to see some of you out there!

what nights are you going to be up this winter Bob? I'll be there tomorrow daytime and probably for awhile at night too, if the new boards don't beat me up too bad. anyone else going tomorrow?

Gleb, starting in a couple weeks I will be up there most nights working, and probably days during the vacation weeks. shoot me an email and we can try and meet up. I could possibly do next Monday, but I'll know more later in the week. Finals week can be a little crazy! Steve Fleck sfleck05@hotmail.com

you skipped out on riding today to stay home and post this?

just wanna say that all the designs are really cool, however i think that Madd wants there boards to be a bit more understated. I personally think its kinda cool to have a board with graphics that are so different than anything else out there. got a chance to get out today on the Madd freestyle board and it got quite a few looks. Anyways, here's my latest creation using the madd kid and flower. (please excuse my poor rendition of the carbon fiber, I'm lazy...)

I found it interesting how many people seem to actually like the original madd boy graphics, so i decided I would take a shot at making it look a little better. something a bit more graphic, but with the same feel. here's what I came up with, still working on how exactly to fit it into the board, but that will come soon...

Nothing special, but here is some footage of some rider's from the Massachusetts series of USASA, including NCERMAK, Seth Hart, and myself. (unfortunately there is no existing video from Bob Jenney's first time in gates, but maybe we can get some this year ) Enjoy! http://www.ridemass.org/ride.MPG

yeah, the 170 is definitely a bit turny for an open GS course. But the course for the second run was nice and technical, so I can't complain. This is just my own opinion here, but I think that a lot depends on the rider's style. I'm a lighter guy, and I tend to take a much straighter line, sometimes maybe even too straight, so I like a board that hooks up quick, and will really pop at the end of the turn. Bigger guys, or people who like to ride a much rounder line, probably want something a bit longer, and definitely with more sidecut. Anyways, I wanna throw some props in Jim's direction for his performance. He was rippin it up in the GS course, and I was amazed when I heard it was only his 5th race. Had a great time out at copper, and frankly, its a little depressing to come back here to MA after a week like that. But at least we have bomber to keep us going till next season right? I mean, my girlfriend sure isn't gonna listen to me talk about snowboarding all summer:rolleyes:

After riding this board for a few weeks in both plates and softies, I can tell you this, if you want to go stupid fast, this is the board for you. It holds its edge in ice just like the rest of the Madds, but is stable and damp enough to handle the ruts, bumps,and air time of a boardercross course. I was real interested to see how this board would perform with softies, being made by a company who specializes in alpine boards. I road it with a pair of catek freerides, and have to say that it was amazing. I have never been able to rip heelside turns like that on my other boards. and it just plows right through crud like its not even there. It can feel a bit sluggish at low speeds, but in my opinion it is designed to be going fast, so I don't really see it as a downfall. The fact that it is both stiff and damp makes landing those awkward boarder-x jumps so much easier. However, if you are looking for a board that you can just sit back, relax, and let it run go elsewhere. This thing is an animal, and it will take whatever you can put into it, but if you are not aggresive, it will feel like it is controlling you. Overall impression, great board. Not something I would ride every day, but I would, and have ridden it though the nastiest of courses in both plates and softies, and never once did I wish I was on something else. hope this helps anyone who was interested, and feel free to ask me any more specific questions. Steve

I'm not sure if this can be properly described by words...

bob I'll be up there free riding mid morning, and then I'm on shift at 3. How early I get there depends on tonight's festivities. it's usually not too hard to find you, I can see that 190 in the ski watch from about a mile away.

anyone headed up tomorrow? should be another beautiful day. Look for me on either the madd 170, or maybe taking out the madd bx in softies again. JG, sorry to ditch you guys last night, but I had to get my stuff out of the locker room before they shut it down. Maybe I'll see you up there tomorrow. Steve

anyone gonna be there tomorrow during the day?

actually, you'd be surprised how stable these things are once you get them moving. I've ridden them quite a bit and have yet to fold the nose. It takes some getting used to, but you can get down so low on the board by bending your knees, that it is much easier to keep you weight over the edge. I've heard they are good in trees and moguls, but I have yet to venture into either. Definitely a fun toy, but I wouldn't trade in my hardboots for one. Give it a shot if you get a chance, the Fey brothers, who started it all, are great guys and are always willing to help out newbies. They even have a halfpipe model for those who are brave (or crazy) enough.:rolleyes:

www.skishopwest.com this is the website. I can't say enough about Mike's work, definitely worth it.

This will be my second year racing boardercross on plates. I'm in the Jams division though, so I'd most likely get killed by anyone in open class. Got taken out last year and ended up off the top side of a berm, so hopefully this years nationals will go a little better. What're you riding for a board? Axis? I've got an old burton coil thats pretty soft. Maybe a little softer than I would like, but its a little more forgiving on jumps and rollers.