• Cold. Wind chill for Stowe Schuss. (Maybe not too bad for slower people like me.) #

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Had a fun time Friday at the Stowe Schuss.  A nice event organized by Biddle Duke (Stowe Reporter). Paul Lawson and his crew did a terrific job getting everything set and running on time despite below zero temperatures and strong winds.  Kept it on time, safe and fun.  Thanks Paul!

Fun to be at speed for the first time in many, many years.  Don’t think I embarrassed myself too badly, despite the retro suit and tuck.  Maybe next year I’ll find some Super G skiis!

A few people got to try the Dodge Ski Boot and gave us (once again) good and favorable feedback.  Thanks Mark and Brian.  We look forward to having you on the boot soon.

Dave & I are on the last push before we go to Munich Germany next weekend for ISPO, the BIG ski trade show.  It is huge.  A couple days there and then to Italy to meet with suppliers.  Missing a ski bum race.  Darn.

I’d mentioned a few posts back about a tweaking of the beta purchase program.  If you are seriously interested, write us for more info, using the “Contact” link.  We think it’s a pretty good way to get into a Dodge Ski Boot this year.

Been under the weather since Friday night and definitely off my feed, so I think I’ll just slug on the couch and watch the Rolex 24 today.

Take care.

Bill

Cold. Wind chill for Stowe Schuss. (Maybe not too bad for slower people like me.)

Sorry it’s been a few days since I’ve written.  Nothing traumatic, just occupied with Dodge Ski Boot business and didn’t want to bother you with drivel.

Busy couple of days at the shop trying to make parts, assemble boots, continue to figure out the best ways of production, and more.  It’s amazing to think that less than a year ago, we didn’t have a single boot (not pair, but boot) even made to show anyone.  We’ve made and shipped many boots already.  But it was pretty awesome to look at the 12 pair we made this week lined up along the wall and ready to race!

Tomorrow is the Stowe Schuss.  It’s been quite awhile since I’ve skied at speed, but what the heck, I’m willing to give it a go.  I look forward to meeting many of you who’ve been following my ramblings.  Please, come up and introduce yourselves.  And, thanks for the nice words.

If you see Dave and me tomorrow, please ask us about the revised beta purchase/test program we have for the balance of this season.   We think it is a pretty attractive way for you to become part of the Dodge Ski Boot family.  And a good way to ensure you will be able to be first in line for the newest Dodge innovations next season.

Take a moment to send positive thoughts to Bob Burley.

See you tomorrow.

Bill

Dave & I had a good bit of skiing on Saturday at Stowe.  We went up to do some timed runs on the coin-op course and take advantage of a Top-10 weather day.  But, looking at the number of cars on the Mountain Road, we parked at Spruce and wound up staying on Big Spruce all morning.  Snow was terrific, no lift lines, not too many people on the hill and good snow.

It gave me a good chance to test some (yet again) equipment tweaking.  First was to see how I liked moving my bindings back forward a little bit.  I’ve always skied with my bindings back about 1 cm, and that’s where they’ve been for most of this season (after starting at center and moving back 5 mm then back to 1 cm.)  But, I wanted to move them forward a little to let me adjust my up/down hip position.  Now, 5 mm doesn’t sound like a lot, but it does make a difference.  So, after about 5 runs, I was comfortable with the  new binding position (back 5 mm from center).

Not satisfied, I really wanted to spend more time exploring the whole cuff alignment issue.  Regular readers will recall a few weeks ago when I tilted the cuffs outward and scared the bejesus out of myself in the Ski Bum race.  But, I still wasn’t happy because I was feeling like I had to use too much knee angulation and it was conflicting with the hip angulation I wanted.  So, I figured I’d give it another go.

Into the lodge, out with the hex wrench, a couple of different bushings later and back onto the lift.  My first turns (and indeed all the subsequent ones) felt so much more powerful.  I was really able to achieve the hip angulation I was seeking.  After 4 runs, I was comfortable with finding the knee position needed for riding a flat but not squirrely ski.  We’ll see at this week’s Bum race.

What all this confirms is how impactful small adjustments can make, and with the Dodge Ski Boot, how important cuff alignment is.  The other thing is the importance of trying a change and re-trying it to find what works and what doesn’t.

Take care and stay dry.

Bill

One of the things we’re finding interesting when we conduct the boot tests is how the difference in fit from a Dodge Ski Boot to a rubber plug boot affects perception.

As we’ve discussed before, most people really crank their buckles tightly on their plug boots to force their foot into becoming part of the rubber boots’ stiffening system.  So, their foot is compressed along with their liner, and the feeling of being in a vise is what is “normal.”

When they take those same liners (and foot) and immediately jump into a Dodge boot, their foot and liners haven’t “re-inflated” from being crushed and so the Dodge feels too loose.  (As we’ve talked about earlier, the Dodge is designed to allow the foot to actually move as part of the body’s suspension and balance system and doesn’t need to crush your foot or liner to work.  So, indeed, the boot is looser than the plug boot if you go from plug boot to Dodge.)

We find the fairest test, especially if moving liners from one boot to another, is to start on the Dodge, take your timed runs, then transfer to the plug boots for comparative timed runs.  This way, you’re not waiting for your nerve receptors or liner to recover from being crushed.

And, by the way, everyone who has done this has wanted to get back on the Dodge Ski Boot right away!

Good skiing.

Bill

I’ve talked a bit recently about some of the timed-run tests we’re conducting for Dodge Ski Boots.  I gotta say, I’m really pleased with the quantitative results and also with the feedback/qualitative results.

Every test has shown the Dodge Ski Boot to be significantly faster than plug boots.  No exceptions and no fudging.  This is an obvious and demonstrable benefit for any racer.  Let’s face it … how much money is spent trying to gain a little speed, be it a new suit, special wax, coaching, newest skis, etc? And for what kind of gain,  a couple of hundreths?   If you are spending those tens of thousands of dollars on all those other things, what’s it worth to gain a second?

But what if you’re not a subscriber to the motto “Speed costs money.  How fast do you want to go?”

That leads into the discussion of qualitative results for the Dodge Ski Boot.  And, because unlike a race course where the clock doesn’t lie, qualitative tests are subjective and all about feel.  Much fuzzier.

Here is some of what we’re finding so far.  First and most obvious, the Dodge Ski Boot is dramatically lighter than a plug boot.  From carrying it, to putting it on, to walking to the lift, the general feeling is one of being more nimble and agile than with a plug boot.

Next, just putting the boot on is a different experience with the Dodge.  For people using a lace-up liner, when it’s cold, the Dodge is definitely easier to put on than a plug boot.  Dave & I have modified our liners to take advantage of the patent-pending Dodge heel track, so we leave our liners in the boots and simply slip the boots on.  No fuss, no muss.

We have to remind everyone who tries the boot to refrain from buckling the boot too tightly when they first put it on and for the first runs.  This is so counter-intuitive for so many high-performance skiers, but really important to best realize the benefits from the Dodge composite carbon fiber construction.  (See last week’s blogs for more explanation.)

So far we have light weight; easy to put on; nimble & agile feeling; comfortably buckled; and we haven’t even gotten off the lift!

What we’re feeling (and hearing) right from the git-go is the Dodge is a boot that is more sensitive to the snow.  A frequently used word is “Precise.”  What does this mean to the non-racer?  Well, for me personally, the boot has translated into a far more relaxed and comfortable skiing sensation, meaning I can ski with far more control and confidence with far less muscle tension and exertion.  Especially in those mixed conditions that go from ice to piles of snow to hard pack, etc.  Which means, at the end of each run I am relaxed and having fun.  And, at the end of the day, I am smiling!

In an upcoming installment, I’ll pass along more findings.

But for now, it’s time to make the boots!

Bill

Okay, it’s been a few days.  Sorry.  Busy with kids home and going back to school (don’t it ever end?); making boots, and; trying to get a little skiing in.

Since I last wrote we’ve had a couple more unbiased people doing timed runs with the Dodge Ski Boot and, you guessed it, the Dodge Ski Boot wins again!

Sunday on the coin-op course, with only a warm-up from the top of the gondola to the top of the course, James bested his previous times by more than 4/10ths of a second.  That’s nearly 2% faster, which translates to about 10 finishing places higher in most races.  And, he said there was a lot more he could’ve gained if he’d had more than half a run warm up.

On to today.  The (infamous) Stowe Ski Bum series week #3.  Saw JP Seeley in the lodge and he said he’d like to try the Dodge Ski Boot.  This is literally 15 minutes before race time.  He stepped out of his plug boots and into the Dodge’s, went up, took an inspection run and raced.  Even with a major mistake, he was faster than he’s been in the previous 2 races.  To prove it was no fluke, he took a post-run (thank you Paul) and, with a really good looking run, was 2/10ths slower on his own rubber boots.  I had a hard time getting the boots back from JP.  But ask him about them next time you’re in Race Stock Sports.

So, the Dodge Ski Boot continues to be faster.

Who’s next.

More boots to build.  Later.

Bill

The last couple of days at Dodge Ski Boots have been busy and, I must say, while not as downright productive in making boots, it’s been a very enjoyable time.

Yesterday, we got together with Jim Chiasson for lunch and a tour of the shop.  Jim has known Dave for awhile and might qualify for charter membership in the Dodge Ski Boots Fan Club.  Thanks for the lunch and feedback Jim.

Also had a nice (albeit quick) drop in from Carl Ettlinger.  Carl is, perhaps, one of the world’s most renowned ski binding safety experts and the founder of Vermont Ski Safety based in Underhill, Vermont.  In fact, when we started Dodge Ski Boots, Carl’s shop in Underhill was an inspiration for us to set up our company in my barn!

A true legend in the skiing, Gerard Rubaud has been a friend (and mentor) for over 30 years.

Today was a very special day for me.  Dave & I spent a terrific  (and long) lunch with Gerard Rubaud.   Gerard ( as long-time readers will know) was the guy who saw something in me and gave me my first shot in the ski business even before I finished college.

I have always been grateful and, as I get older, I get more appreciative of just how special he was and is.

Anyway, Gerard is the author of what has become our mantra “Don’t be fashion” and “Make the best boot possible.”  Simple words, but oftentimes, the simplest words are the easiest to overlook.

After feasting on some nice Gerard’s flatbread with caramelized onions and cheese and some red cabbage and walnut salad, we got down to talking about ski boots.  I’m sure it’ll get me into trouble, but I think that, even though Gerard has been out of the the ski industry for many years, he has more knowledge and common sense in his stroke-ridden little finger than many leaders of the current industry.

In addition, you’ve gotta love a guy who asks for some carbon fiber to improve the performance of his support boots he wears as a result of his stroke!

Oh, by the way, if you haven’t appreciated Gerard’s bread, you might like to check out a nice blog at http://www.farine-mc.com/2009/11/meet-baker-gerard-rubaud.html.  Gerard had some nice things to say about the author and in addition to learning a lot about bread, you will learn even more about Gerard.

Dave is planning some additional timed-course testing this weekend, so you might keep an eye out for him.

Also keep an eye out for Duffy Dodge if you are down at Middlebury Snow Bowl this weekend for the Masters Series races.

Have a fun weekend and, for those headed back to school, study hard.

Bill

Duffy Dodge uses Dodge Ski Boots

Dave & I had a busy day.

Delivered boots to Duffy and had a nice time with him, Pat and Carol.  We stopped at Race Stock Sports on the way over to pick up some race liners and made it to St. J in late morning.  Spent some time getting the boots fit, which consisted of cutting the backs of the liners so the Dodge Ski Boots patent-pending heel track could function properly, doing a little cuff alignment, and working with Duffy to help him feel comfortable getting the boots on/off by himself.  You are my hero Duffy.

"When your name is on the boot, it better be good. Ask Duffy!"

I hope I am alive at 83 much less getting new race boots.  Kick those Masters’ butts this weekend in Middlebury, (and thanks for lunch, too.)

Who cares about the carpet, Duffy wants to make sure the bindings are right for this weekend's Masters race.

We stopped at Race Stock Sports again on the way back so we could drop off our boot press for PJ and JP.  I might’ve mentioned earlier that the Dodge Ski Boot cannot be punched like a rubber boot.  With a rubber boot, you just stick a heat gun on it until it melts then press the dickens out of it.  It’ll take a lot of abuse.

But the Dodge is much more sensitive because of the carbon fiber composition.  You cannot, EVER, use a heat gun on carbon fiber unless you want to destroy it.  So, trying to do a boot punch is a real challenge.

Luckily, we found someone who’s already made the kind of boot press we would’ve made.  A nice gentleman named Paul Prutzman (who used to own Pinnacle Sports in Reading, PA) has developed a boot press called “Hot Hedz” that uses a built-in heating element to only heat the area to be punched.  So there’s no heat gun.  It is a perfect compliment for the carbon fiber used in the Dodge Ski Boot.

Anyway, we are loaning our “Hot Hedz” boot press from the shop  to PJ to give him all he needs to ensure the best fit for his Dodge Ski Boots.  So, PJ and JP have been punched!

We’ll be getting lots of material prepared tomorrow for molding more parts, as well as cutting some molded parts for 265s.

Also looking forward to having lunch with Gerard Rubaud on Friday.  He is a great friend and mentor who has offered some really down-to-earth counsel since we started.  If you don’t already know Gerard, it’s worth Googling him to appreciate his impact on ski racing as well as his incredible bread-baking skill. (For astute readers of the website, it was Gerard who counseled us to “Don’t do fashion.”)

Hope all of you are well.

Bill