Skibike cross

by G. Kunkel

Skibikers now have full-time access to a boardercross course.  So, it's now skibikecross.

Winter Park Resort discontinued their NASTAR racing program and turned the old race course into a terrain park.  The newly labelled park features a professionally designed boardercross course.

The course is open to everyone including skibikers.  The course is pretty wide and can probably handle five skibikes at one time.

The top of the course features a steep drop-off at the start to help racers get some speed.  Riders will then hit the first set of rollers.  Air-time is a possibility.

The rapidly descending course then has a series of swooping banks that alternate from side to side.  It pretty much takes the width of the old race area.  There is netting to separate the course from those coming down Cranmer.

After the banks come another roller and more steep banks.  The end of the course drops skibikers back onto Cranmer.

I tried it out yesterday and it was alot of fun.  And, hardly anyone was using it.  I saw a ski patroller sneak in there and play around.

The course is always open so everyone is going to discover this course sooner or later.  I'd try sooner as it is bound to quickly become popular.

Local skibikers have wanted a boardercross course for some time.  Let's get out and use it.

 © 2018 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.Google

2018 Purgatory Skibike Festival is Feb 23-24

by G. Kunkel

The annual Purgatory Skibike Festival is fast approaching.  The dates are Friday February 23 - 25.

There will be a few skibike dealers in attendance so one can try out their products.  I do not know if there is an age limit.  There will probably be liability waivers to be signed.

Registered participants qualify for event discounts.  That means $35 lift tickets for registered skibikers.

Not sure what events will be held during the festival.   I think it will mainly be group rides and demos.

Durango is getting snow so it should be fun.



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Skibike stance It's important

by G. Kunkel

Where one places their weight while riding stand up Type 2 skibikes makes a big difference. Put it in the wrong spot and you may be in for an exciting ride.

Stance

The front ski needs weight on it for it to function.  Doesn't matter if in powder or on packed powder.  Or if one is skidding or carving.

Ideally while stopped, one has weight 50/50 on each foot and balanced between the fore and aft skis.  While riding one's weight is going to constantly be shifting depending upon terrain and activity.

Hips

Where are your hips?  Skiers have a term called 'skiing in the backseat'.  Same thing happens on a skibike.  It is a natural reaction to forward motion and is a fear response.  If your hips are behind your seat, you are in the backseat.  Move them forward.

Flexed

Be in a nice flexed stance.  Bend those ankles, knees, hips, and elbows into the athletic flexed stance.  You remember, the one used for tennis, dribbling a basketball before a free throw, and skiing or snowboarding.

Look Up

Don't be looking at the snow.  It is still white.  Look up and in the direction you are going.

These are just the basics.  A trained professional can spot what a skibike rider is doing through 'movement analysis'.  PSIA tests instructors at every level to see if they can accurately describe what a client is doing.  There is no prescription for change if there is not a proper diagnosis.

One can obtain professional skibike instruction at Winter Park Resort Ski + Ride School.  Type 2 rental is included with the lesson.

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2018 Lenz Sport Skibike Sale

by G. Kunkel

Lenz Sport is having a pre-order sale on its  new Recon skibike.  It's not a new model, it just a model that is now being produced by an outside factory.  Built to the same strict Lenz Sport standards.

Photo courtesy of Lenz Sport

This is what was posted up to their Facebook page today.

The all new Recon Skibike is coming. This is our first Skibike produced at an outside factory, and it’s got the same geometry and durability as it always has. Kitted up just like this it’s retailing for $1700. We are doing a pre-order program for $1300 while inventory lasts. Offer ends midnight March 15th. Email, message, or call us for details.

So if you want Lenz Sport quality at a knock-off price, this is it.  This deal is not going to last.

Think about it:

Solid design - things are not going to "snap" when landing a jump.

Solid suspension - no pogo stick feel when riding. The stock forks have dampening so the rider is not thrown off the bike while riding.

Solid skis - Lenz Sport makes an interchangeable lineup of skis.  Packed powder to deep powder can be managed.  The Recon comes stock with the new Conniption Stix skis.  They are not as stiff as the Trix Stix and have a slightly shorter turning radius.

Not bad. 

© 2018 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

Skibike lessons - Yeah riding is counter-intuitive at first

by G. Kunkel

I really think everyone should have a Type 2 skibike lesson from a qualified trained professional when first jumping on-board.  It's just too easy to get going too fast out of control on a Type 2.  And when I mean trained qualified professional, I mean someone with a PSIA background.  I've seen too many quacks out there teaching carving a bike right off the bat.

Riding a Type 2 is not like riding a bicycle - at first.  It's more like motocross or downhill mountain biking.  It's nothing like cross-country mountain biking.

Terrain used for learning is important.  All the basics should be taught on nearly flat green runs until the basics are learned.  Over-terraining novices is easy to do.  Do not move on to blue runs until they learn the basics of slowing down and stopping.  If they still need to put feet down to stop - they do not get it.  Do not pass go.

Learning to stop and slow down is learned just the way skiers do.  Learn to skid the skis to slow down.  It's easier said than done.  Most people want to ride a skibike like a bicycle and lean into the hill.  That gets the skis on a carve - which is a disaster for a beginner.  The handlebars need to be tilted downhill while traversing to achieve the skid.

If an instructor introduces carving right off the bat - they are an unqualified idiot.  Putting students on a blue slope only confirms they are an idiot.

After learning skidded traverses comes skidded turns.  Again, one needs to unlearn leaning uphill.  One must learn to keep the skibike skis barely on edge on the snow.  It requires tilting the handlebars downhill throughout the turning motion.

One also needs to look where one is going - not down at the snow.  Look up and across the slope when performing skidded traverses.  It's really important.

These skills must be learned before advancing to new terrain.  Afterwards, advance to a harder green slopes.  If one must put their foot or feet down to stop, go back to the easy green.  You are not ready to advance.  Using a foot to stop can lead to a torn ACL.

Knowing how to skid your skis is important at even higher skill levels.  Say one is flying down a run and suddenly it's a giant ice patch.   Get off the edges and skid.  Same holds true in the moguls - get off the high edge angle.  Skiers understand this.

If one does not feel comfortable riding on steep blue or black runs, it's probably because one never learned to skid their skis in the first place.  Step back and learn.

If one needs a professional skibike lesson from trained professional skibike instructors, contact the Ski + Ride School at Winter Park Resort.   Type 2 skibike lessons are cheaper than a hospital bill.  Lessons are suited for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.



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Skibikes at the National Sports Center for the Disabled

by G. Kunkel

Skibikes are an integral part of the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado.  They are so popular that the NSCD equipment manager buys up most K2 Snowcycles that he finds listed locally on Craigslist.

The snowcycles are very versatile so they can accommodate a wide range of adaptive athletes who come through the skibike program.  One can attach tethers behind the bikes for control or add pads to the seat for stability.

These skibikes can be ridden either like a skibob with foot skis or as a freestyle bike.  Riding it as a skibob with foot skis provides a platform with a lower center of gravity and a very quick learning curve for most anyone.

ABC News was at NSCD recently and filmed this report:

 These skibikes are much more affordable than many other adaptive devices.  A sit-ski runs about 10k while a skibike can be purchased for significantly less.

K2 Snowcycles are no longer manufactured but there were significant numbers of them produced.  Most are now sitting unused in garages or in an unknown warehouse.

While one can no longer order parts from a manufacturer, replacement parts can still be obtained or work-arounds can be devised.  NSCD has found ways to fit new skis onto their skibikes.

The seat covers for most of the fleet were pretty torn up last season.  I took one seat home and cut a pattern for it.  The seats were then all recovered in arctic vinyl which should be much more durable than the original.  I donated my time and labor to the program.

If one wants to support this wonderful program, they are always looking for volunteers.


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Wax those skis and stop sticking to the snow

by G. Kunkel

When very cold weather strikes, some are puzzled why their skibike slows down.  Most likely it depends upon what is on the bottom of your skis.

Having the right temperature rated wax on your skis for the current conditions can make all the difference.  While universal temperature wax works most of the time, it fails at sub-zero temperatures.

Photo courtesy of George F. Davis and the thermometer at his house.

If one wants to glide effortlessly across the snow at 10 degrees below zero F, you'll need different wax on the ski base.  Read the product insert or most are green colored waxes.

A good cold temp wax is either the Purl Green or Purl Blue wax.  You'll need a wax iron, wax, and a plastic scraper to make it happen.  Both these waxes are environmentally friendly as well.

It doesn't take much was to get the job.  However, buying in bulk is cheaper in the long run.  Buy the 1 pound bar and you'll be set for a few seasons of sliding on snow.

If one is not up to waxing, well there is always happy hour at the local bar.  When it is really cold and windy, that's sometimes the best option.  The Thai wings at The Winter Park Pub are really tasty.

Wax can be purchased online or at your local shop.  Don't count on the shop tuning and waxing skibike skis.  They don't fit real well into some of the machines and they'll need to be hand-tuned.

 © 2017 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.Google

The new Winter Park Resort skibike video is out

by G. Kunkel

And it tells the overall focus of the Ski + Ride School skibike instructors.  We welcome everyone.

Now is the time to stop with the painful skiing.  Skip the falling in beginner lessons.

 

Trevor looking for his next big hit.

Learning to skibike is easier than it looks.  That said, it still takes lessons to learn to ride a skibike safely.  Riding them is not like riding a bicycle nor is it intuitive.

Most beginners try to start off carving the skis instead of skidding the skis.  This leaves the riding unable to slow down or stop.

In a lesson, you'll learn how to skid those skis using a proper combination of stance and tilt the handlebars downhill.  Having learned the skidded traverse, it's on to the J-turn.  One then combines both of those into skidded turns.

Falling rarely happens in a skibike lesson.  One has more mobility in snowboard boots.  Boot and helmet rentals are included in the lesson.  Opt for a regular ski helmet or use a full-face downhill mountain bike helmet.  Don't forget your eye protection.

 © 2017 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

Free Demo Day on January 22, 2017

by G. Kunkel

There will be complimentary skibike lessons at Winter Park Resort on Sunday January 22, 2017 courtesy of Lenz Sport Skibikes and the Winter Park Ski + Ride School.

This gives people the opportunity to qualify for a skibike license which one needs to rent a bike at the resort.  One needs to know how to load/unload from the chairlift, perform a skidded traverse, perform a skidded turn, and do a hockey stop to earn their free license.

Minimum age is 14+ for participants.  One will need a valid lift ticket.  Guardians will need to sign the liability release form for minors.

The lessons will last 1.5 hours and the demo's will run from 9am to 4pm.  Space available on first-come basis.

New skibike license holders can rent a bike for the rest of the day or come another day.

The license does not expire at the end of the season.  Hold onto it for future seasons.  If one loses it, go to guest services and have another printed out.  It is a picture license.  Only the person on the picture can rent a bike.

More information can be found here.

 Enjoyed your free lesson?  Tips are appreciated.

© 2017 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

Colorado skibike season

by G. Kunkel

 After a very warm and very disappointing November,  December in Colorado shaped up nicely.

The past three weeks saw the ski slopes go from almost bare dirt to spectacular conditions across the state.  New terrain is opening weekly at most resorts.

At Winter Park Resort, most of the mountain is open.  Conditions are more firm in spots than others.  It is still early season after all.  We've had a few wind storms which make it difficult to retain snow at the higher elevations.  That said, ski patrol was blasting The Cirque on Tuesday.

There are still only three ski resorts offering Type II skibike lessons and rentals in Colorado.   Winter Park Resort, Steamboat Ski Resort, and Purgatory.  There are four rental bikes available in Vail.

My teaching schedule is now set for Winter Park Resort.  If you'd like your lesson from the most experienced coach at the resort,  my dates are:

• January - 2, 3, 5, 14, 15, 26, 27
• February - 4, 5, 16, 19, 20
• March - 4, 5, 15, 16
• April - 5, 6
• I may be available for private lessons at Winter Park and other Colorado resorts.  Private lessons do not include bike rentals.  These would be arranged through the WP Private Lesson Center.

All Winter Park Resort skibike instructors this season are summer downhill mountain bike coaches with the exception of myself.   Trevor is the new skibike foreman who maintains the bikes and performs staff training.

This season the skibike program is trying to demonstrate that Type II skibiking is for everyone.  Able-bodied, adaptive, the young, and the young at heart.  It really is easier to learn than skiing or snowboarding.  And the bike can be pain-free.

Winter Park Resort is putting more advertising into the program this season and offering incentives to the general public.  If you see someone out on the hill on one of the Lenz Sport skibikes, stop them and see if they have a lesson discount coupon with them.

See you out on the slopes this season.


 © 2016 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

Skibiking Vail Pass with the Devin Lenz Crew

by G. Kunkel

Its been two seasons since this was shot but it's still a fun video.   I didn't get to go on this particular outing.

As usual, Devin is wearing a green coat but someone else is too this time.

Thanks for shooting this Andy!

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Get your skibike forks serviced

by G. Kunkel

 Downhillers know this but skibikers may not.   You need to periodically have your front fork serviced.   The back shock might need service too.

Why?

The oil can leak out and if it gets too low - one could then damage the internal cartridges.   That gets REALLY expensive on a fork.  Cartridges run $70.00+.    I had oil leaking out of mine this spring- it was a big worry.

The oil does wear out as well.  You need to get it changed - just like your car.  The fork just stops functioning  correctly.   At a minimum, very active downhill mountain bikers get their oil changed once a year.

Is your bike leaking oil right now?  Best to get it serviced.

One can buy the replacement oil seals and try to do the service themselves if they have access to the proper tools.  There are plenty of YouTube videos out there.  You'll need to know the make, model, and year of manufacture of the fork to order the right size oil seals.  They come in different sizes.

A video for one Marzocchi fork model.

Not confident in your mechanical skills?  There are a number of service shops out there.  The cost runs $150-$200 for parts and labor.

If one needs quick service for a Marzocchi fork,  I can recommend Mountain Bike Forks by Mark.  He has a mail-in service and a mail order business for Marzocchi fork parts as well.  I recently got OEM Marz. oil seals for $38 including shipping from him.  Everyone else wanted $80 and they weren't OEM.

I don't own all the proper tools so I loaded up the oil seals, the skibike, and drove to Dirt Labs currently located in Boulder, Colorado.  They will be moving to Longmont in November.   I ordered my own oil seals because at that time, they couldn't get parts for Marzocchi forks.  Marzocchi went out of business last year.

I dropped off the bike at Dirt Labs on Friday and they called me on Monday afternoon and told me it was ready.  The service bill was $112 for the fork.   They also do mail-in service.   Call ahead for information.   The forms are on their website.

My oil was just beginning to get cloudy.   No cartridge damage either.  The rear shock wasn't leaking so I'm holding off on that.

I fixed the damaged ptex on my bottom of my skis and then waxed them.   Found a pair of barely used snowboard boots at a decent price.  The old ones were broken down and hurt my feet.

My bike is now ready for winter.    There's already been dustings of snow on the high peaks of Colorado.   The ski season is not far away.

© 2016 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

Peg Skibikes and Skibobs allowed at all Vail Resorts Inc. locations in USA

by G. Kunkel

Vail Resorts allows skibikes and skibobs at all their resorts in the USA.  While some try to imply otherwise, this is far from the truth.   Recently, even local Colorado reporters have been duped by these individuals.

Do not believe a December 2015 article in the Summit Daily.  I and numerous friends ride our peg bikes at Vail.  One can even rent peg skibikes at Rocky Mountain Skibikes in Vail Village.

In Colorado one can ride peg skibikes and skibobs at: Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Breckenridge.  Have been for the past three seasons.

Peggers are also allowed at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar California, Kirkwood, Afton Alps, and Mt. Brighton.  Vail Resorts, Inc. loves skibikers.

Rocky Mountain Skibikes video filmed at Vail.

Rocky Mountain Ski Bikes from Ryan Spinks on Vimeo.

The rules say no biking in the terrain parks as well.  That rule is no longer enforced at Colorado Vail Resorts locations.

Make sure one does have a leash for the chairlift.  That rule is enforced at Vail Resorts locations.  It needs to connect the bike to the lift - not you.  One does not want to get dragged off the lift if the bike gets dropped or have it fall on someone below. 

If one has a pegger, the ski resort choice is almost limitless in Colorado.  Adaptive riders have even more choices.  Copper Mountain does allow adaptive commercially manufactured peggers - no homebuilds allowed though.

Bottom line: Don't believe everything one reads.  A few people still have anti-peg agendas out there.  Be informed.


© 2016 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

Adaptive peg skibikers allowed at Copper Mountain

Adaptive peg skibiker?  Your options have increased in Colorado.

Those peg skibikers with disabilities and are willing to work with management at Copper Mountain, can gain access.  It seems they are softening their stance - a bit.

I was over at Devin's shop yesterday.  He mentioned that a disabled couple that owned Lenz Sport skibikes had gained access to Copper Mountain.  I asked how they did it.

The couple quietly contacted Copper management and said they would like adaptive access.  After supplying all necessary medical documentation, they were issued permits that were affixed to their bikes frames.

They now can ride where the able bodied cannot.

So if you want to ride at Copper, have a disability, and politely approach their management - you may gain access.

I think I"ll inquire.

by G. Kunkel © 2016 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Google

Skbike ski covers

by G. Kunkel

Protect your skibike ski bases and edges with padded ski covers.  They'll also protect your vehicle interior from cuts and melting snow.

Nothing bangs up skis more than during transportation and storage.  Unless you catch that odd rock on the slopes or like riding terrain park features.

One can protect their skis from road grime and debris while transporting on exterior car racks as well.  Just zip one on and you are good to go.

I have patterns for all Lenz Sport skibikes skis.   Patterns can be made for most any other brand or model as well.  Pegger or skibob.

Covers can be made from a variety of colors.  The 1000D Cordura is ordered from Rockywoods.com in available colors.  Just check out their website.

To make non-Lenz covers, I'll need some footprints of your skis.  It's not hard to do.  I'll post up a video to show how it is done.

Price is only $150 for a pair which does not include shipping or applicable taxes.  No pattern setup fee.  No handling charges.

Those living at USA addresses can order a pair from my Square store.

online

How to make a footprint for your skibike skis video

© 2015 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.Google