Welcome to the 2021-22 Ride and Glide Season

The first night of class will be Nov 9.  We will meet every Tuesday from Nov 9 through  the end if Feb at 6:30 at your respective locations. 

• Lake Elmo
  • First night will be Introduction and Review of Dryland Training at Lake Elmo Regional Park  6:30
  • Fat/Mtn Bike ride.  Meet in Nordic Center Lot 6:30, head over to West Side at 6:45  (Bring Lights)
  • Following nights are the same
• Elm Creek
  • First night only will be at Pioneer Midwest 6:30  See coach Ken's email
  • Following nights will be at Elm Creek Park Reserve 6:30

Everything you need to know about how the club works can be found below.  Please feel free to ask questions if things are not clear or if I forgot something.  There's a lot of information here.  Be sure to read it.
 

Meeting time

• 6:30 inside the  Nordic Center (LE or EC).  Please be on time and masks are required inside the Nordic Center
• Before the trails are open for skiing (Dryland)  meet outside near the Nordic Center
• Come in early, stretch, put on your boots, Start with warm feet.
• Head out for work by 6:45. Please come inside, don't wait for us outside,
• We need to get a head count each night before we head out.

Ski passes and Parking.

• Lake Elmo skiers need a Washington Co Parking Pass and a Lake Elmo Ski Pass
  • Get one at the Park Office or call  651-430-8370 and it can be mailed to you
  • You do not need a Minnesota Ski Pass, but you do at many other places
• Elm Creek skiers need a Three Rivers Ski Pass
  • Buy one at the park office
  • Parking passes are not required
• The Minnesota Ski Pass is not needed at Elm Creek or Lake Elmo but if you plan on skiing most any other place in Minnesota you will need one

Coaches

•  Lake Elmo (Divisions within groups vary each night)
  • Classic:  Jyneen Thatcher, Kurt Ware, R.J. Ochman
  • Skate: Steve Thatcher, Ed Corazalla, Hank Carbonne, Pete Dahlberg
  • Fat Bike: Ken Taillon
•  Elm Creek  (Divisions within groups vary each night)
  • Classic: Ken Tobacman
  • Skate: Andrea Potyondy-Smith, Pete Thurmes

Communication

• E-mail/web site: E-mail is primary method of communication.
• Expect weekly messages on Monday morning or Sunday night and also late in week about weekend activities.
• When conditions are marginal expect more messages on Monday and Tuesday as we try to figure out what we'll be doing on Tuesday.
• Web site will have general information each week. It's updated at least once a week.
  • Web site has lots of  info on waxing, technique, and equipment
  • Check out the links to the web cams at ABR and the Birke Trail.
  • Weather forecast,  radar and Sunrise/Sunset.  Useful info for all skiers
  • Links to World Cup videos of current races
  • You can get a member list (Off the sign-up page).  Only names unless you know the password, which I will give out to members only
    • Detailed contact info displayed if you give the password
  •  www.rideandglide.org
• Mailing List :See address on your e-mails (not listed here for security purposes)
  • Note: "Reply All" to a message from this will send your message to everyone.  Simple reply goes to me or whomever sent message
  • Not a problem if that's what you want. That's what it is for. Use it to contact all members about activities. (carpooling, workouts,races, weekend trips, ski buddies).
  • Always put R&G or Ride and Glide in the subject so messages don't get filtered by SPAM software.
  • There will be 2 or more e-mails per week from me. Sun/Mon and Thurs/Fri
  • All messages from Me will go to the entire club list as my messages usually include general info as well as Lake Elmo info
• www.skinnyski.com
  • Should be a daily visit. It changes every day!
  • Tells you everything you might want to know about the XC Skiing scene in the Twin Cities.
  • Check it out. Especially the trail condition reports or if you need the latest info on a race.
  • Consider becoming a member to support this great resource.

Teaching

• There are 14 Tuesday night classes this year. 
  • New Years day will be a  "Daytime Group Ski"  Possibly 1pm'ish
• You are not expected to attend every session.  We do reviews all the time and you will not miss anything
  • Later in the season we do progress to more advanced topics.  We teach what is needed each night depending on who shows up.
• We will most likely be doing Dryland through the month of November.  Snow by December 4 is a good bet.
• Dryland is important for everyone
  • Gets you muscles ready for the snow season
  • Trains your muscles in the movements required for skiing
  • It can be an excellent workout for the more advanced skiers.  Check out this dryland video.  We will do these. Not as intensely.
  • Once on snow you'll know what to do
  • If you skip the dryland sessions we'll make you do them anyway once the snow falls
  • Please be sure to attend at least 2 dryland sessions or you'll be behind when we get on snow.
• Once on snow we'll break you into groups using your initial self assessment of your ability and work from there
  • Given that so few people claim to be beginners the coaches will look at you and put you with other people of similar ability
• Advanced Skaters and Race Training people (Still under development)
• Snow conditions (or lack there of) at Lake Elmo
  • If things get bad at Lake Elmo we plan on encouraging travel to Elm Creek,
  • We will try to get carpools together to make it easier
  • If there's no snow by the middle of Dec we will consider this
  • Also Lake Elmo members have the option of not paying until it snows

Fat/Mtn bike Rides

• This year the club is promoting year-round biking in the form of Fat/Mtn biking in the Fall and Winter and Road riding in the Spring and Summer.
• The Fall/Winter stuff  is new and results in a year-round club.
  • The rides are included in your skiing membership.  You can join just for the rides and it's only $10
  • Every Tuesday night there will be a off-road ride at Lake Elmo at 6:30.  It will of course be dark so bring lights
  • Ken Tallion (Ride leader) has been riding after dark at LE for years and knows his way around the 7 miles of trails
  • Other locations may be possible and once it snows you will need a Fat Bike (wide tires)

Ride and Glide clothing

• If you're interested in clothing I have a full set of sizes and I can make an order this year. See web site for pictures.
• We have short and longsleeve jerseys, vests, jackets, hats, socks, and headbands
• We have a heavier Nordic Jacket.  See link to pictures on website
• Drop me an e-mail. sdthatcher@q.com

Equipment:

• If you need to buy equipment we will have an equipment day at a local ski shop
  • FinnSisu: Nov ??  with good prices and superb service
  • Joes Winter Gear sale:
  • Watch e-mails for announcements and wait for these events.
• In the mean time if you need equipment read the articles on the web site about equipment. It defines skier types and then describes what to buy and about what it will cost. Feel free to ask questions of any instructor or e-mail me your questions.
• I recommend FinnSisu for equipment, especially classic skis and Joe's for wax and clothing.
  • Joe's is second choice for equipment as their selection and service is not as good
  • In  fact if you're looking for high end equipment don't bother with Joes.  Waxing supplies only.
• At the event we can talk and determine what you want from your skiing and determine what equipment is best.
• I can even help you decide classic vs skating. Be sure to read equipment articles on web site.
• If you go by yourself be careful, they will sell you whatever they can if its obvious your a beginner.
  • I've seen this too many times to count, don't let it happen to you
• The club has some loaner equipment if you'd like to "Try before you Buy"
  • You can use them for a week or two and then decide.  Contact me for more info.
  • Mostly skate, a few classic including "skins"
• Roller Skiing: Roller skiing is NOT a part of the club. You do not need roller skis.
• A core group of skier do roller ski workouts during the Fall before the snow flies.
  • There will be the option for those who have roller skis to ski in the parking lot during dryland sessions (LE only).
  • If you want to try rollerskiing feel free to contact me with questions.  I have several demo pair

Waxing (Yes skis need to be waxed, even waxless  ones)

• We will have a wax party if there is enough interest. Classic and skate
  • Interest has been waning the last few years.  Watch for am e-mail announcement
• It's at my house in Withrow and we have a potluck lunch afterwards.
  • It's a chance to see real skis being waxed and a chance to get hands on instruction.
  • Definitely read the Waxing 101 article on the website for how to wax and what to buy. Buy your wax at Joe's
• Special offer for members who use Paste Wax
  • Over the past several years I have promoted a glidewax option for casual skiers.  It involves using pastewax  instead of hotwaxing.
  • It's a much cheaper and simpler approach to waxing.  But it does have a downside in that the performance of your skis will be degraded a bit
  • To alleviate this problem the club will do the yearly "Hotwax" that is recommended for people who only use pastewax.
  • Bring your skis to class and I will take them home and hotwax them.  Or come to the wax party and have it done there.
  • I highly recommend you get his done.  Your skis will thank you and you'll be a happier skier when your skis perform better

Trips

• E-mail for more info and to indicate your interest in either of these trips. ASAP they do fill up

Other Activities

• Racing/Touring  Popular events
  •  City of Lakes Race or Tour. Local and convenient.  The Tour is low key
  • The Seeley Classic.  Excellent classic race
  • Birke Tour. Good way to experience the Birke trail in a low key environment.  Many members participate.
  • The Vasaloppet and the famous downtown finish and it's flat. Recommended first race
  • The Birke.  The Big Dog.  30+ members every year
• Racers are a boisterous  group and tend to demand a lot of attention.  Don't let that intimidate you.  We are not a racing club. You can train a lot and be serious about your skiing and you don't have to race. Just enjoy being a good skier.
• Weekends:
  • Random, Informal ski outings at local ski areas.   Watch e-mails
  • A lot of us ski every chance we get with the short Minnesota season
  • No instruction, just skiing with club members
  • Weekend rollerskiing workouts until it snows
  • FatBike demos the last Saturday of each month at Lake Elmo
  • FatBike Demo long rides each Sunday morning lead by Now Bikes.  See our website

Group Assignments:

• For dryland we'll have just a few groups.
• Classic and skate beginner and non-beginner and workout.
• Once on snow the coaches will check out your form and make sure you're in the right ski group

Dryland

•  For dryland (ski imitation) you should dress for moderate workout in the predicted temps for the evening.
• Hiking/running shoes. Gloves and short poles (mid chest) I have some to borrow.
• Water bottle and carrier is also a good idea.
  • We can teach you the motions better on grass and shoes than on slippery snow and skis, so don't skip class just because we don't have snow. You'll be in much better shape for skiing once we get skiable snow, which historically is by Nov 22nd. Be sure to make at least 2 nights of dryland especially you beginners.  If you want to get better add more dryland to your regimen.
• Getting better: Get out and practice, watch videos on Youtube.
• You won't get significantly better on class night. You improve when you’re out practicing on your own

Club sponsors:

•  HED - 20% discount on Hed Products.  Spring and Fall Team purchase.  Requires buying a R&G  or Now Bikes jersey
• FinnSisu - We get High School package prices on individual equipment items.  This is your "Local Ski Shop"  They will take good care of you
• Rudy Project - We get 40% off.  Check with me for ordering instructions.  Helmets, Glasses, RX too.  Free scratch replacement
• Fast Wax - A local wax producer.  We use a lot of their products and they provide wax for our events
• The club will supply you with ClifShot gels for your racing and Nature Valley granola bars on class nights.  We get a good price on them an I give them away.