The 10 Essential Things you must do this summer!!!!!

[b]1. Talk to random folk in the pub that they should try skiing.

2. Make sure the pub serves quality, ice cold crisp continental lager.

3.Tell random folk's friends in the pub, that skiing really is very worth while trying

4.Soak up mid afternoon rays in the pub beer garden/restaurant terrace/public park/country meadow/friend's gaff's garden/your own gaff's garden.

5.Have some cereal bars and loads of water.

6. Ask one of your friends to order more cold drinks, and steak and thin chips with mustard and garlic mushrooms on the side,with perhaps bread and quality butter. Then ask for seared fresh scollops.
(Or, you may alternatively order loads of really delicious veggie or vegan food)

7.Accentuate how much more your converted ski chums will benefit the ski experience even more, by doing certain tried and tested ski specific excercises.
(practical displays of these are optional)

8. Announce to the entire pub/bar/restaurant/friends' house how absolutely essential it is, for all of them to try skiing at the earliest opportunity.

9. Go and watch "Speed Racer" in the cinema right now (in an IMAX if you can)-
It's the closest cinematic experience I'd had to skiing.

10. And above all,

Introduce them to j2ski.com

[/b][b][/b]

Dave Mac wrote:

Incidentally, I still am of the opinion that the old Marker latch-up heel binding was terrific, it was so simple in construction. In disclosing this, I am, of course admitting to pre-dating step-in bindings.

That's a fairly modest step, I could admit to so much more..... 

STOP PRESS


In a shock announcement Dave Mac, admits he's actually 102 years old

ise wrote:

caron-a wrote:

Forgive me for being totally ignorant in these matters - is there any way of telling the person how you want the bindings set, ie: figuring out which number you need in advance?  

http://www.dinsetting.com/dinchart.htm might help, it lays it out fairly reasonably.
 

So I did the calculator thing. I'm thinking I may be a little nervy when I get back on the skis so I tried two skier types. One came up as 5 and one as 6, which releases quicker?

seeing my boots (to measure the sole length) has made me pine even more

Pine away Caron. Thats all the motivation you need to get right again.

caron-a wrote:

So I did the calculator thing. I'm thinking I may be a little nervy when I get back on the skis so I tried two skier types. One came up as 5 and one as 6, which releases quicker?

seeing my boots (to measure the sole length) has made me pine even more  

The lower the #, the easier it will release.
I regularly set mine at 5 and have no problems, yet I am a 6.5/7.0 on that calculater. I am sure you will be taking it easy and not hitting the moguls or jumps next season so if it were me, I'd go light on the setting. Or to be really easier on your knees, you could snowboard


Trencher

Bandit wrote

STOP PRESS


In a shock announcement Dave Mac, admits he's actually 102 years old  

And still skiing! I think people should be told!

caron-a wrote

So I did the calculator thing. I'm thinking I may be a little nervy when I get back on the skis so I tried two skier types. One came up as 5 and one as 6, which releases quicker? 

The higher the DIN number, the more force required for binding release.

Keep doing the exercises!!!Build up to knee muscles to like Desperate Dan, and set your bindings at whatever DIN number you want.

Speaking about DaveMac's "advanced" age may I note the following;

Age can be seen in many ways. I think of it like we do about wines! The older the better ( if kept in a cool calm context)!

Now back to my title. Have you all noticed that there are some correction factors in the DIN setting chart for; large feet and age!
I will not comment about the large feet since I am sure to start another long long chat about large feet skiers and the physics or dangerous to having large feet!

My focus is on the age factor! If you carefully read chart you will all note that you are "supposed" to reduce DIN scale after 60+ years!

Here is an excellent example in NOT using statistics or charts blindly!

Let me explain.

Charts are based on "normative" data that has been collected to represent the "normal" population! Then this is used as a basis to generate a chart! An excellent example of this is the famous "normal" weight/age charts we see in physicians offices or the famous children's weight charts we also see in physicians offices.
For those two last charts,,,look at the very bottom in small print and you will read, " 1953 study of....)
We all know that populations change and children are on the average bigger at birth and grow taller! No wonder every child seems to be in the 98 Percentile!

So it is with the DIN chart! The assumption is that as you get to 60+ you get weaker, softer bones, more fat etc.....

My experience has been that there are some skiers like DaveMac that are as fit as when they were 40. So if you can still run Boston marathon, do +30 push ups, or do +100 laps swimming,,,the DIN setting rule which makes you reduce your level should be questioned!

Yes of course consult DIN chart,,however understand that this chart was generated in the early 70's using lab data from corpses and traditional skis ( +200cm.)
As always I ask people to think, before doing anything blindly!

If you do not fit the "average" mold.....by all means begin with chart then wisely set you DIN level!

Hope this helps fellow skiers like DaveMac!

PS
Just a another comment,,,,, all IQ tests charts stop at 100! I conclude that at this age you have arrived at Nirvana, the wisdom state that no IQ test can sample such wisdom!

Pavel wrote

Yes of course consult DIN chart,,however understand that this chart was generated in the early 70's using lab data from corpses and traditional skis ( +200cm.)  

Pav, do you think they want my body now, or are they prepared to wait?

Huh, and on the days when my dodgy knee is feeling less dodgy, I sneak a few runs on my K2 Merlin 5s, 200cm. They are a bit scary, they are carvers, so easy turn, but on the schuss, they are very fast, but front chatter like crazy.

I confess that I am definitely not as fit now as in my 40's. I wish. Didn't take up marathon running til I was 42, but then did manage several sub 3 hour runs. Then along came the knee stuff, out went the running and squash, and along came the tennis.

I think that it is important to keep competitive at whatever you can manage. I'm sure I have told the story before about skiing past a local in Niederau who turned out to be a 94 year old ex police chief.

Here's a Dave Mac age story, (Admin, should I number these? Carpet innersoles from under the bed, DM1, The Niederau Blackburn ski school, DM2, Diamond grinder toe slicer, DM3...)

So, I'm in the Bichlwirt, mit guitar, and some Manchester lads dirging, when in walks a lovely looking twenty something girl. She looks at me, points, and says, "You're Dave!"

My, "aged" heart did it's best to give a leap, as she continued, "My Dad told me about you!" Man, what a let-down.

She turned out to be a delightful lady, but I had already figured that it was possible that her old man might have been thinking about Dave Lambert, who was a great guitar player/singer, ex-Strawbs, (Union Man). Dave went on to become a Niederau Instructor, who also played three nights week at the Hotel Vicki. Fantastic nights.

However, I did not enlighten Sarah from Essex of my suspicions. And it is entirely possible, that her old man had had one great night in the Bichlwirt with the real Dave! Crap guitarist, non-singer, but a few Zipfers works wonders for everybody.

Go for it....

Dave Mac,
Since you mentioned bodies and wanting bodies, and of course those young ladies I have to ask you a very personal question!

Please feel free if you do not wish to answer it!
I should say that it also is a way to ask a Scot some "advice"!

Have you ever worn that famous Scottish "kilt" while skiing! Why I ask is that my wife is part Scot and some years ago she bought me the full attire!

I do not know why,,but I have this desire to wear it one day while Spring skiing! I mean the full full dress up!!!

My skiing life will then be complete!

PS You have inspired me to have another Pavel Contest in which the most "unusual ski outfit will win a pair of North face pants! (coming in July)

Does this mean that you will be going commando Pavel CHillieeeeeeeeeeeee.


AJ Adele

Pavel. Here's some Scots to show you how it should be done.






Then of course, there's this fella:


He could wax my skis anyday

He can ski rather well too

Bandit, With those kilt photos I think you have won already.

Pav, My location is Scotland, My OH, and two skiing and sometimes kilted sons are Scottish, but I am from Manchester.

However, having lived for so long in Scotland, I qualify to wear the kilt, and a finer looking pair of legs.....

My tartan is Hunting Robertson, (I like the colour, and, erm, it was a bargain) My sons have the Black Watch and the Matheson tartans, each their own altruistic reasons.

They both dress in the Kilt as true Scotsmen, which they are, I dress under the Kilt in M&S Y fronts.

I can say for sure, in my case, there is zero chance of kilt and ski coming together.

Well maybe when I am a bit older.