Skiguys.com Blog

The guys and gals from the shop are helping to organize a run club/team for the Marquette area. We will be using the Blog site to post any runs we are loosely planning at this stage of the club to see interest and viability of a separate web-site for our group.

This is for any level of runner and will be getting an e-mail list together,we will plan runs; but also hope that those interested could give us feedback on what is needed and wanted in this area.  There are a number of guys and gals that are serious about racing and are looking to get some serious training for the summer, they will be the “team” they can travel together and the goal is to compete in 5 races this summer to be part of the team.

so … if your interested send us your e-mail and keep your eyes on the blogs to keep posted.    Thanks,  Mary Run-gal

I started writing this article just before the US National Championships in Houghton Michigan which occured Jan 1 - 6th. But as you can tell by the tardiness of this report, its been busy in the Shop. We have Great snow and the racing season is in full swing right now.

I was fortunate enough to have helped out with the timing at US Nationals. If you happened to peer into the timing shed, I was the young guy in there. My Father and I were responsible for the backup times. While we did work hard and diligently on those backup times, nothing went awry with the primary timing system, and our times were filed away.

We have been busy this season testing out many new grinds for the Skis. We have a handful of testers trying out some variations on our popular grinds. So far we have received some great reports, and plan on offering some new grinds for next season.

We sent quite a few skis up to the USSA Cross Country National Championships taking place in Houghton, Michigan. We sent the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Northern Michigan University, and Michigan Tech University with an arsenal of Skiguys.com Stone Grinds.

Keep tuned for more info on our Stone Grinds.

The Noque is on for Saturday Jan 26th. Here is what we recommend.

Kick Wax
Think thin to win. You will want to cork in 5 – 8 thin layers of kick wax so that you have good kick throughout the race. If you don’t have the particular brand we are recommending you can still use the comparable product in your brand of choice.

Long Race – We say Swix Blue Extra. We would also recommend melting in a layer of base binder for the crossing of the Dead River Basin.

Short Race – Swix Blue Extra, maybe a little violet Special if you’re paranoid about kick. You shouldn’t need binder, but be sure to put enough layers on.

Glide Wax
Glide wax should be fairly easy. Remember the snow has been around zero all week long, so error on the cold side with waxing. Its looking like the race will start in the low teens and shouldn’t be above 25 F at the finish for most people. Also remember you are in Marquette, Michigan, we are right next to the largest fresh water lake in the world. The snow is always humid up here – Fluoros are you friend. If you want your skis to be faster than the guy next to you, you need a top coat of pure fluoro.

Base prep – Start with a layer of the moly product of your choice. Scrape and Brush.

Swix Waxes

Long and Short. Iron an layer of LF6 and then HF6. For the top you will want to iron in a layer of cold Cera F (FC7).

Toko Waxes

Long and Short. Iron in a 50/50 mix of HF Blue/Red. For the top layer Jetstream Bloc Moly.

Fast Wax

Long and Short. HSF 20 – tan. Again you can use Flight or the pure fluoro of your choice

Budget Plan

If you want to keep it cheap and have some descent glide you can’t go wrong with REX Blue.

The ski season started great this year!   So far only one short thaw keeping the trails in great shape.  All the trails are being groomed on a regular basis and lots of people out enjoying the white stuff.  The U.S. National are in progress in our neighborhood and the 450 + participants are getting a look at what the Upper Peninsula has to offer to the cross country skiing community.  come the U.P. and stop by the shop and see our stuff.

Yogafit yoga classes have been held at the shop for a year. The format is Hatha/Vinyasa Style. Classes are open to all, with punch cards, 10 classes for $60 to fit your schedule.

Yoga Schedule July, August, Sept. 2008.

Night classes start at 6:15 PM after the shop closes.Morning Classes are from 8:30-9:30 AM before the shop opens.

Monday Night Multilevel Class Class will have basic moves with adaptations for more challenge.

Tue. Morning Multievel with a slow warm up.

Thur. Morning Yoga for bikers and skiers Multilevel with a focus on core strengthening.

All classes are ongoing with the option for drop in for those visiting the area.

Welcome to our very first blog. My name is Sammy and I am the Webguy/Manager here. We made this blog to keep everyone up to date with the happenings here at Sports Rack Ltd (aka Skiguys.com) and maybe even do some product reviews. So please check back often and if you have a question shoot us an email and let us know what you think, and in the mean time “Think Snow”.