HardBooter Blog

Billy and I finally got a good night’s rest and woke up relatively fresh this morning despite the early alarm. The Bomber house was a buzz for the early first tracks at Ajax. Fin and Michelle arrange an 0800 Gondola ride to the top at the mountain for a guided first line top to bottom. Brilliant!! The energy builds at the base as everyone is anxious to make turns together. I was on an F2 Speedster RS 196. It’s a classic ride and one of my favorite sticks of all time. Billy followed suit on the Silly Good Prior 200 and Will was on my new love, the Berube metal 183. I got my first glimpse of the Deaf Olympic hopefuls under Will and become more and more inspired to learn sign language.

I shared the Gondola with 4 Italians and was entertained by their chats in yet another language I know virtually nothing about. The ride takes a little more than 10 minutes and takes you 3000 vertical feet to the top of the mountain. I was on one of the last Gondolas and stepped out into a crowd of around 60 alpine riders with miles and miles of smiles. You could cut the energy amongst the crowd with a knife just before the drop in. This is one of the pinnacles of alpine riding in my opinion, something I’ll tell my grandchildren about, easily a lifetime memory. I rode the gondola for another top to bottom and really pointed the 96 this time. 60 miles an hour with you hair on fire is a great experience. If you ever get the chance to get on a Super G shape, don’t turn it down.

Billy and I then headed to Buttermilk for the rest of the day. I took one more run on the F2 and then turned it in for the Virus 186 GS ASYM!! I rode the suspension plated version of the board on Sunday and was pleased with the performance. It took a little bit to nail the positioning needed to ride an asymetrical stick but by today, I had figured it out. Super upright and almost back-seat on the heelside and forward with an outstretched torso on the toe. I took 12+ runs on this board and couldn’t release the edge when properly positioned.

At one o’clock, Billy, Will Joel and I set up a course on an easy pitch for a race clinic that Billy put on. We had about a 25 person turnout and fun was had by all. I maintained the banners for a nice clean look for the racers and Billy instructed and gave out pointers. We wrapped it up just shy of 3 and carried the gear from top to bottom with much effort. Thanks to Dr. Scott and crew for helping with the breakdown. All in all, I rode for almost 8 hours straight but with no complaints. I’ll check in tomorrow. It’s an official no ride day with the option to make turns. I’ll opt out and take care of some email!!

Lata