snow

Studs.

/ foxton / 2 Comments

So we had a snow day here. And just like any kid would do, I woke up, ran outside, and gleefully imagined what snowy possibilities were in store for the day. And then I saw this:

And so then I did this:

And so I end up at Jerry’s house, but no one’s home. Which is a bummer, cuz I’d already planned all the biking adventures I was going to have. But hey, they must be out having adventures of their own on the bike and so I head back home. And then this happened:

And so then we did this…and this…and this….

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And it was a good day.

Snow Day(s)!

/ foxton / Leave a comment

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The Methow. Oh, the Methow Valley. G and I hit the road last weekend for a trip to this incredible nook of Washington state. The thing that always gets me about this place is it’s wide-open valley floor that rises up into beautiful ridges on either side. G says, “well, yeah, it’s a valley. That’s what valleys do.” But the Methow just feels different. Grander. And this time of year I feel like it sort of welcomes you into its bosom with a big-gentle-snow-covered-hug. And who doesn’t like one of those? We got to stay in one of the Rolling Huts and wake up to a crackling fire (thanks G…except for that first morning when you chopped the kindling inside while I was trying to sleep.)

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As per usual, I was very optimistic about what we’d be able to accomplish. I wanted to classic XC ski one day. Learn to skate ski another day. And finally, ride a fat-bike on snow-covered trails. G makes fun of me for my ambitious, multi-sport trip plans – and admittedly, they rarely live up to my expectations, but…THIS TIME THEY DID! We totally did it all! TAKE THAT G!

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Seeing as this is a bike blog, I will forgo sharing about the skiing parts (plus, let’s face it, classic XC is a real snooze fest to watch…well, except for that one time that G and I did Xtreme Backcountry Cross-Country...). I do, however, include a video at the end of this post, that shows my incredible skate-skiing skills. This was my first time and I feel like I really nailed it and was super enthusiastic.

Now, onto the biking! I don’t think anyone could take a bike, with big ol’ plump tires and ride it out in fluffy snow and not feel like a goddamn kid on a snow day. It was hilarious.

And in the Methow, they actually groom singletrack trails for riding in the snow! Hell yeah! All you snow-sport folks, get outta my way! I got a bike to ride! And even though it seems like it’d be tough riding up a snowy hill with these huge tires, it actually wasn’t bad at all on the groomed trail – which makes you feel like you’re in way better shape than you thought you were.

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this is a groomed bike trail, yo.

Even where it wasn’t groomed, but folks had been riding, it was still fun. You just fish-tailed more. But hey, if you fall, no big whoop.

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this trail isn’t officially groomed, but it still looks fun, right? You might slide around a bit, but who cares! If you fall, it’s just into fluffy snow.

“I meant to tell you…” he says. This isn’t the first time I’ve somersaulted a bike, but it was totally the most fun time.

We rented our skate skis and bikes from Methow Cycle and Sport and they were real nice. And see those big-ol mitts I got on in the video? Those are pogis. Kayak folks know what I’m talking about. They attach to your bike and keep your hands real toasty. Mine had sweet fleece on the inside that I’m pretty sure was circa 1983. The Methow Cycle folks also invited us to their fat-bike party at the shop on Saturday. It included a cooler of beer, wine, and Fireball whiskey and a playlist that went from the Cranberries to the Beastie Boys – which is fantastic.

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So, that’s it! Git yer ass to the Methow and play!

Oh yeah, and here’s that skate-ski video…super pumped.

And who the hell knows how to pronounce supinate?! I think I was right.