Big Bear Blog

This last Saturday the mountain bikers of Big Bear got together for the second “Team Nigel” ride to help raise funds for our little brother Nigel Holland and his family while they go through this challenging time. Special thanks go out to Tom Sitton for organizing the ride and to Bev Brown from Rim Nordic for timing the riders so they could see how fast they could complete the course.  Even though it wasn’t a race and speed didn’t really matter, it made it more fun for riders to know just how long it took them to ride the 8 mile lap that Tom had mapped out. They chose a nice long loop around the perimeter of the Snow Summit ski area. This track could be quite a tiring ride, especially if you try to go fast. However, not one bit of whining from the “Team Nigel” riders.  

It’s going to be a long, tough recovery for Nigel, but he’s got a lot of people pulling for him and his family. One thing mountain bikers learn early on is that if you want to see the top, or if you want to make it to the end, you’ve got to keep on pedaling. Well that’s how it’s going to be for our little brother Nigel for awhile so we can’t stop sending our love, good vibes and positive energy his way.  Much thanks to all who came out for the ride and to show their support for Nigel. It was obvious that everyone had a great time! Go Nigel!!

Spreading the love, rev

It felt a little bit like Christmas this morning: Our normally crystal blue sky was colored white with wispy streaks of thin ‘horse tails.’ Their lofty spindles signaling the approach of that promised Thanksgiving Holiday storm system. I flipped on the news and caught the weather – it looks like we could see some snow out of this one. With temps holding mild today, I decided to take a trail run and a mountain bike ride – a thanks-giving multi-sport of my own.

My boyfriend joined me for a quick run on ‘Don’t Shoot Me’ over to Van Dusen Canyon Road. The trail sneaks in altitude gain so subtley I hardly noticed we were climbing. Boulders and rocky drops challenged us to look for solid footing. A sharp descent to Van Dusen signaled our turnaround. We ran back over the same terrain honored with a view of Bear Mountain across the Valley. Back at the house I jumped on my mountain bike and returned – climbing over the same rocky trail. More technical on the bike -  I navigated the short climbs and drops without taking flight over my handlebars. As I climbed up from Van Dusen I noticed the horse tails had been replaced by a solid bank of high clouds. Even the wind had picked up; it felt great on my face as I made my way home.

There is only one thing I like more than witnessing an approaching system – experiencing a storm’s fury and listening to the insulating silence of a big snowfall!

Earning my turns – Glade Girl

The snow is coming sooner than you think. The forecast shows snow sometime this week. The good folks at the Big Bear Lake Resort Association have a special “Guess the First Snowfall in Big Bear” contest for the 2008/2009 season, check it out at www.visitbigbearlake.com. The winner of the contest will win a pair of one day lift tickets good for Big Bear Mountain Resorts (Snow Summit & Bear Mountain).

I know the snow is going to be here soon, so I went out and bought a truckload of firewood. I just finished stacking it up in the storage area at my house. I should be set for at least two months.

A crackling fire in the middle of winter in Big Bear is such a treat. It’s the epitome of winter ambiance with toasty flames proving warmth and outside the snow quietly cascades to the ground.

One of the great things about Big Bear is there are plenty of lodges and cabins that provide a fireplace. Some are gas, but a good majority are the good old fashioned wood burning fireplaces. When you book your winter stay in Big Bear this winter make sure to get a fireplace.

Stay warm,

Daniel Pea

Our recent snow put up a tough fight and stuck around for a couple of days before the sun got the better of our north-facing slopes. Mother Nature has teased us over the last couple of weeks but it is still undeniably the ‘Off Season.’ That’s okay. This reprieve gives me an additional week or two to get into ski shape for opening day. I decided to take advantage of our extended season with a lap around the Lake on my road bike. It was a chill ride of rolling hills, beautiful fall scenery, hardly any traffic and just one other rider seeking the solitude of the road.

I paused to hydrate at Boulder Bay – the water’s surface was flat and reflective in the protected cove. Beyond the Bay, white caps peaked in the open water providing a nice backdrop to the rocky outcropping. It was spectacular – just me and a lone fisherman taking in the post-weekend quiet. A hint of wind at my back fueled an anaerobic climb from the trail head of Castle Rock to the crest where once again the Lake came back into view. I sailed down to the dam stopping to check out the steady gusts blowing out of the east. I welcomed the head wind as I rode along the South Shore towards Fawnskin. Windy Point added a nice resistance segment to my ride and tested my mental conditioning for staying focused and not giving up any cadence. A peaceful ride – it gave me time to think about how demanding it is to ski all day and how best to boost my fitness during this brief intermission before the snow flies. I came up with a few preseason training ideas.

While cardio conditioning provides the endurance to spend most of the time on the slopes, skiing and snowboarding tends to be more anaerobic: Awesome bursts of energy separated by a brief rest on the chair as you circle back to the top. When you break it down – riding requires great balance, endurance, and strength, and the best workout bet is one that mimics the movement patterns of skiing or snowboarding. I use the bike to relate to staying in position on my boards: It strengthens my quads and engages my core similarly to when I am descending the mogul field on Olympic. Inline skating translates to great independent foot action and simulates edging turns on Geronimo’s steeper face. For strength training I am focusing on my lower back and hamstrings to counter the tug of my quads. This stability helps keep my center of gravity in my hips. For balance, flexibility and coordination I like to hit a yoga class twice a week.

I’m staying positive in this short-lived ‘Off-Season’ and looking forward to hitting it hard on day one!

Earning my turns – Glade Girl

I left the mountain last week for a little getaway with the girlfriend. Big Bear’s weather was just starting to get that autumn feel. Warm days and chilly nights signaled the end of summer, and the steady slide into winter. However, I had no idea how quickly it was coming!

We were only back one day from our trip when a freak storm rolled in with beautiful fresh flakes that covered the mountains. The snow turned some of my favorite single-tracks into perfect white luge runs. The best part is I had them all to myself.

For some reason everyone I called was either gone or couldn’t…or wouldn’t go with me. If you’ve haven’t ridden in the snow you’ve just got to go.

Try these tips…

Make some soup or stew or chili, something thick and hearty and leave a steaming pot full on the stove. Dress warm, but be sure to wear something that breathes. Pay attention to your feet, hands and head with the proper gear. Get on your bike and go out smooth and steady. Try not to sweat too much, ride until it hurts a little then hammer back to the house, a warm shower and a hot bowl of whatever you have on the stove. Once you’ve got your core warmed back up be sure to call your friends and tell them what they missed.

There’s something special about new snow whether you’re on skis or a snowboard or on your mountain bike. It’s always more fun when the tracks are fresh! Get your gear ready so next time it snows you’ll be prepared to taste our mountains freshness.

Spreading the word, Rev