Too bad USA. Congratulations Canada. A great game and effort by both teams. You’ve represented yourselves and countries well.

How great is USA goalie Ryan Miller?

Can you believe the USA – Canada hockey game? Best hockey I’ve seen in a long time. OT for the Gold. That’s the way it should be.

• Added new photos to DodgeSkiBoots.com web page. Getting ready for USA-Canada hockey game. Go UVM, beat BU. #in #
• Just finished forerunning Masters race. Turny but fun. Go Team Dodge. #
• Stowe Masters race. Warm. Soft snow. Fun. Go Team Dodge Ski Boots. #

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Added new photos to DodgeSkiBoots.com web page. Getting ready for USA-Canada hockey game. Go UVM, beat BU. #in

Just finished forerunning Masters race. Turny but fun. Go Team Dodge.

Stowe Masters race. Warm. Soft snow. Fun. Go Team Dodge Ski Boots.

Life is funny sometimes.

33 years ago, I started out as a boot technician, when Gerard Rubaud hired me at RNC (Rossignol-Nordica).  I was calling on retail shops, but also doing a lot of work on race boots, especially as we were trying to make a boot work for racers that was supposed to replace the Grand Prix.

I had perpetually bloody hands from all the mold flashings and, frankly, lots of frustration as I couldn’t ever get the boots to perform as well as a pair of good ol’ Grand Prixes.

So now, many, many years later here I am again getting ready to go to a race and be a boot tech.

But, believe it or not I am really excited.

Why?

Well, first of all it’s a boot and company I have a vested interest in.

Next, (maybe it  should be first) it’s a boot I really, really believe in.

So, tomorrow, I will be heading to Stowe for the Sise Cup (Masters)  race.  Not to race, (no, I stepped off that train 30 years ago) but to support our Dodge Ski Boot racers.

So here’s to Dave, Mark, Brian and Duffy (Erik, will you be there?).  Ski fast and kick a**.  I’ll carry your parka but I won’t rub your feet.

Have fun.

Bill

Yesterday’s Ski Bum race was mean.  At least to Dave.

He had a nice run going but pinched a gate over the knoll and when he skied through the panel, the pole whacked his face, rib cage and shin.  Ouch!  Though bloodied and bruised, he says he’s okay today.  Ya gotta watch out for those poles.

Nice to see a few new faces yesterday and some long-time acquaintances I haven’t seen for a really long time.

Change to my boots with the forward lean was much better.  And so easy to do, using the bushings instead of toe lifts or re-riveting as on many other boots.

Also, pleased with the prototype snow shield Dave & I worked up.  Both our boots stayed dry and felt good.  We’ll be crafting some more for boots that are out there.

Snowing like crazy today.  Already about 10″ at the shop and still coming down. Tough plowing as the ground was thawed and the plow kept digging in.  What a mess!  Wonder what we’ll wind up with when it’s done?

Be safe driving.

Bill

Not able to get out of the shop to test boots on Thursday, but made it up to Stowe yesterday.  Forgot it was flat-lander vacation week, so there were quite a few people at the mountain.  That alone wasn’t too bad.

But, between the mechanical woes on the Quad, and wind shutting down the Gondola, then the Lookout Double, the only lift on Mansfield still operating was the Triple.  Sorry, but waiting in lift lines for that is too much.  We were only able to get 2 runs before we said the heck with it.

Fortunately, those 2 runs were really productive.

We tested a larger “snow-shield”  we put inside the boot under the tongue to help reduce snow and water infiltration.  It worked really well and we will further develop this for incorporating into current and future boots.

Also tested the new side bushings with greater degrees of adjustment to allow for cuff alignment and forward lean changes at the same time.

I had been using only a side to side cuff alignment of 1 degree on my right and 2 degrees on my left.  This was so much better than no alignment.  But, I was not able to use the bushings to change the forward lean and still maintain the side to side alignment.

Dave fabricated some 3 and 4 degree bushings, so I could keep the same 1 and 2 degree side to side adjustment, but also make the boot 1 degree more upright.  WOW! What a difference.  I could ski with a higher hip position, so I wasn’t skiing from “the back seat”.  Perfect.

And, it confirms the boot works as designed.

We’ll have more of these available for people needing them, so let me know if you’re a candidate.

See you Tuesday on Main Street.  (Suits?)

Bill