Alton Bay Winter Carnival 2006

[IslandSib]

It only took me a few days to figure this one out.

So glad you have signed on!!

[upthesaukee]

Welcome Quilt Lady.

I was down at the bay today (1-7) and marvelled at the conditions on the bay right now. great for walking, skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, etc. Here's a pic:



Hope the forecasted weather this midweek and next weekend doesn't mess it up.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Been doing a little research on footwear. Looking at mcdude's photo of the team to beat it appears that someone is wearing rubbers (no, not that kind Pepper, get your mind out of the gutter, geesh ) over his shoes. I see that cleats are verboten (implies Yaktraks too ?) so I wonder what he might have been doing. Could it have been one of these 2 ...

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/lisptichgr.html (sticky spray)
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/456096 ("GRIPS", rubbers w/grit soles)

Hmmm, inquiring minds want to know

[Pepper]

Hey! It wasn't just me! RattlesnakeGal was thinking the exact same thing, and you didn't yell at her!

Regardless of where you cast aspersions, I like the direction your thoughts are taking with regard to traction. After all, even though I'll be safe inside the crib (well, hopefully I'll be safe) I remain concerned that all the mushers will remain upright throughout the race, allowing us to afterwards!

[Mee-n-Mac]

Yup, always trying to find the legal (I yeild to UTS's rulings) but unfair advantage. So it goes in racing ! Truely though I do want to be able to not slip and fall in front of my fellow mushers. To that end I think any added traction would be a "safety" device. Yeah .... that's the ticket ... safety, not competitive advantage, but safety.

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

... it appears that someone is wearing rubbers...

Interesting movie at the mentioned website - Grippers for Strippers:

http://www.jordandavid.com/VIDEOFILES/video3.htm

[IslandSib]

GWC --- I was a little leery of watching a video of grippers for strippers...
but I did....
put in a request for a quote ...as they have no pricing online...
Thanks for the tip!

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by GWC...

Interesting movie at the mentioned website - Grippers for Strippers:

http://www.jordandavid.com/VIDEOFILES/video3.htm

I keep forgetting to watch the video, from home. But right now I have to think what we're going to need for the mushers is something along these lines ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/02/bu...er=rssuserland

Note to DRH : Hope you haven't nailed the skis on the crib yet. Time to ask RG is she has some pontoons lying about instead.

[upthesaukee]

Good Thought Mac...I was thinking that the uniform of the day may well be changing from ski parkas and mukluks to some of them thar by-keenknees and swim fins!!!! Still need to think snow and cold!

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Good Thought Mac...I was thinking that the uniform of the day may well be changing from ski parkas and mukluks to some of them thar by-keenknees and swim fins!!!! Still need to think snow and cold!

Hey! Don't forget a life vest and "swimmies" for the baby inside the crib!

[IslandSib]

Do any of the history buffs or maybe just those with really good memories remember a winter like this? Has the carnival ever been cancelled....
That's for the glass half empty...

For the glass half full
The Winni Forum Flyers are getting all geared up to take on the challenge.
Bring on the cold...bring on the ice....

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Note to DRH : Hope you haven't nailed the skis on the crib yet. Time to ask RG is she has some pontoons lying about instead.

I'm thinking of using "quick-disconnect" brackets on the crib legs so we can decide at the last minute weather to use skis or pontoons for the race.

We mushers should probably be prepared for anything and bring swim fins and water wings in addition to our boots and winter coats. Quilt Lady and I will bring an old Goofy swim tube for the "baby" in the crib.

[gtxrider]

I think we need slushers not mushers! Is there going to be an early spring? It sure feels like March in New Jersey.

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by DRH

I'm thinking of using "quick-disconnect" brackets on the crib legs so we can decide at the last minute weather to use skis or pontoons for the race.

We mushers should probably be prepared for anything...

Perhaps a pair of these per musher will be handy-dandy for the occasion.

http://www.wavewalk.com/WALKING%20ON%20WATER.html

[DRH]

I didn't have my camera with me to snap a photo but we drove through Alton Bay a couple hours ago and the ice actually looks fine. There are many bob houses out there, and a couple camping trailers as well. The recent rain has frozen into a sheer glassy surface, which will make "mushing" a bit of a challenge unless we get some snow before the "Big Race"!

[gtxrider]

Do they allow hockey skates for the mushers?

[upthesaukee]

I talked to a friend who has a bob house on the bay, right in the middle of the pack of bob houses, and he said that Monday there was 9 inches of ice. I would still be using extreme caution on the ice, and probably not want to be the first one to go onto a certain area. there are bobhouses out around the shallow area by Sandy point, and I saw some bob houses over by peggy's cove.