JZ,
Rex
Powergrip is applied similar to klister, but it's easier to work with. It comes
in a cannister like regular kick wax. You heat it with a torch or hot air gun to
get it liquified, then take your finger and dip it in and then spread the warm
wax on your skis. It usually ends up globbing a little, so I then warm the wax
while it's on the ski base, then spread it again with my thumb, so that there is
a thin, even layer. With this Powergrip, if the conditions are warmer, you
just put it on a little thicker. I like the purple temp range, which is +3C to
-5C, 23F to about 40. I found that it works in even colder conditions. It works
good on icy tracks, warm sugar snow and old snow the best. If there is new snow
that day, I would probably put regular kick wax over it to cover it up. The only
problem with using Powergrip, is that once you put it on, you're not going to
change it. You can only put other regular stick kick wax over
it.
Some
of the higher flouro kick waxes work good too. I like the Swix brand of VF30,
45, 50 and 60. Many people that I know are into Toko, but I haven't made the
switch, except for their green base binder. It works great.
The
snow conditions at Telemark should be great. I would say they would be nearly
perfect for skating and classical. I would guess that the hills will have snow
that is sugary due to all of the herringboning and skating.
For
any skier, including the newbie or beginner the total key to having a good race
or ski is attitude. Have a good attitude, think positive, keep talking to
yourself during the race, tell yourself that you are going to do this, tell
yourself that you are doing this while other people are sitting at home watching
TV, tell yourself that you are going to finish. Always think that you are doing
the best that you can and try to do the best that you can. Don't compare
yourself with other skiers, compare yourself with you.
Drink
lots of water the day before. Hydrating your body helps clear out the lactic
acids built up from using your energy. Clear pee by three is the rule.
And
Have Fun!! All skiers were beginners at one time. Many have taken many years to
get to where they are at.
Arrive Dierci!
Greg Fangel
-----Original Message-----Hi Greg, I'm a xc newbie (as of January) but signed up for the Kortelopet anyway. Based on our crazy weather, I've certainly had my fair share of kick wax experiences -good & bad- recently. I've still had a lot of difficulty with this nice ice crust under the trails. What's the Rex Powergrip you mentioned? Similar to a Klister? I just want to have fun, but based on the time I signed up for the race, I know I'll be in one of the last waves.... Any tips for the newbie would be greatly appreciated. Ciao, JZ
From: JZ [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 5:07 PM
To: Greg Fangel
Subject: RE: [XC] BIRKIE TOKO WAX RECOMMENDATION
At 04:50 PM 2/20/2001 -0600, you wrote:
Clare,.
Try not to panic. Fear is the biggest limitation.
The temps should start out near 10 and climb towards 30 on race day. It's probably going to be humid snow and for sure sugar snow with many people ahead of us.
For glide waxing, I would pick something in the 15-30� range. I'm going with Rex Blue or some people will use Fast Wax Tan - HSF20. Iron-in, let cool, scrape, brush, then do it again at least 3 times. Polishing means use a non-abrasive pad to polish the base. Jet Stream is a flouro powder that is priced about the same as pure cocain. Over $100 for a small film canister of it.
I bought some Fast Wax flouro powder a couple of years ago for $25. It worked fantastic in the Birkie two years ago. I'll use it again this year. Flouro powder is sprinkled on, then heated with an iron. It's important not to get the base too hot. Once the powder is melted in and the base is cooled a little, I use a cork to help smooth and spread the powder evenly. Then I polish with a horsehair brush and maybe the non-abrasive pad. This flouro powder is applied over the hydrocarbon glide wax, like Rex Blue, Fast Wax Tan or Toko blue.
I'm starting in wave six and I'm going to classic this year. I may try my Rex Powergrip, which should work good for the predicted conditions. I'll bring some other regular kick waxes along, just incase.
Good luck.
Greg Fangel
- -----Original Message-----
- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Gregg Plummer
- Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 4:25 PM
- To: Clare Seguin; xc
- Subject: Re: [XC] BIRKIE TOKO WAX RECOMMENDATION
Try Mike Zweifel at Michael's Bike & Ski on 3742 Speedway Rd. - 231-1101 ----- Original Message ----- From: Clare Seguin To: xc Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 3:59 PM Subject: Re: [XC] BIRKIE TOKO WAX RECOMMENDATION
Help! I'm preparing for my first Birkie and am worried about doing a good job of waxing (skates). This last e-mail only made matters worse. Can anyone help me decipher this, or offer other tips/advice? Specifically, should the first two layers ALSO be ironed in, or just the third? What DO you do, if not iron them? Why NOT scrape the third layer? How do you polish? Is there an incantation I should be chanting while doing all this? And by the way, what do y'all think of the new wax in a tube? I like the idea of not breathing flouros.... Please pass on any solace and wisdom you care to share. I guess I could just take them to a shop, but who? The grouchy guy on Monroe St., or the snowboarders downtown? Yarghh.... --
Glide: Dibloc LF Molybdenum, scrape, brush, Dibloc HF Blue, scrape, brush. Iron in JetStream Old Snow, brush, and polish. Lightly rub on JetStream Old Snow and polish. **Wave 2 and later should substitute HF Red for HF Blue**
Clare Seguin
REACH Program
Lincoln Elementary School
909 Sequoia Trail
Madison, Wi. 53713
(608)267-4262 X150
(608)241-5663 (home)
