Skibike article in the Summit Daily News

by G. Kunkel

A year ago I contacted the sports editor of the Summit Daily News after he published an article on skibobs. Some of his information was correct and some of it was not. I invited him to come learn more.

Last week he sent me an email to take me up on my offer. He wanted to do a follow-up article on freestyle (peg) skibikes and learn some about the people who do it.

I posted up an invitation last week on the Facebook Snow bike/ Ski Bike Group for riders.   Devin Lenz and Rich Mayer quickly responded.  After a flurry of messaging, phone calls, and emails - we were set for Wednesday morning at Keystone Ski Resort.

After meeting up at the Wooley Mammoth parking lot in Morrison, we loaded up the bikes in Devin's truck and headed out to Summit County, Colorado.

Skibiking at Keystone. Photo courtesy of Summit Daily News

We met Phil Lindeman  and his photographer Louie near the gondola and unloaded the bikes.  He got some basic skibike terminology and background information on each rider.  We then loaded on the gondola.

At the top, the group was quickly approached by a ski patroller and a safety patroller.  They wanted to know more about the bikes as they had never seen them before.  As usual, we got stared at by skiers and snowboarders on the mountain.

After a brief refresher on freestyle skibiking, Phil was set to venture out on ski runs.  They got lots of photos and video for their skibike article.  They asked more questions as well.

After two hours of riding around, Phil and Louie had to move on to their next assignment.  So we said our farewells.

We stayed and rode around for the rest of the day.  Conditions were pretty firm and icy.  Not really enjoyable but did provide challenges that I normally avoid.  We stopped for some lunch and then headed back out.

After going down the steepest, most icy, black diamond run down the front side, I decided that it was a day for me.  I hung out on a bench while Devin and Rich made a few more runs.  Another Lenz Sport rider came flying through while they were off riding.  Couldn't figure out who it was.

We then headed home all the while discussing what a pretty day it was.  Better than spending a day in the office.

The completed skibike article can be found online at the Summit Daily News website.

© 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

Lenz Sport Skibikes will be at the 2014 SIA in Denver, Colorado

by G. Kunkel

Now a real reason to attend the SnowSports Industries of  America Snowshow (SIA) at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO.  Lenz Sport will have a skibike booth displaying their products for the 2014 show.

SIA is the largest snowsport trade convention in the USA.  Retail buyers meet with industry suppliers and place their orders for next season.  If one wants to be taken seriously, your company has to attend.

This years convention is being held January 30 - February 2, 2014 at the CCC.  The On-Snow show will be held at Copper Mountain this year.  Since Copper doesn't allow skibikes, you'll only be able to test skis and snowboards there.

Attendance to both shows is restricted to industry professionals.  It is closed to the general public.  PSIA, AASI, and Ski Patrol members can attend for a modest fee.  If one really wants to attend, hit up your industry contacts for credentials.

An added bonus - one can buy a special SIA Epic Pass from Vail Resorts, Inc. for a very attractive price.  The pass is valid after SIA until the end of the season at any ski resort managed by VRI.  That includes Colorado, California, Michigan, Utah, etc.   It's also good for five days at a number of resorts in Europe.

SIA is a great way to make industry connections or keep in contact.  The first SIA I went to I thought I wouldn't know anybody there.  I was wrong.   I saw a number of people I knew and established new contacts.

Hope to see you at SIA this year.   And don't forget to stop by the Lenz Sport Skibikes booth.  Find it using the handy dandy SIA app.



© 2013 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