Ski Blog with Harald Harb

Why some World Cup racers are successful and others not.

2012-01-22T18:21:00.001-07:00

The first two racers are similar in body angle and hip position. Their ski angles which is what rally counts are also similar.

When you look at the bottom photo you see a different story. The hip is dumped into the hill and the skis are not as angled. Ted's hips are also much further behind his boots.

Ted is struggling these past two seasons in slalom and the reasons are evident. He is behind his skis, not achieving angles with his skis compared to the best slalom skiers.

Some of Ted's problems are related to his ski boot set up. But this gets complicated and he is not getting the help he needs.

Christian Neureither

Hirscher has completed more turn at this point than the other two racers. He consistently gets more turn completed than any other racer, because he develops more rebound and ski energy from each turn.

Marcel Hirscher

Ted Ligety

Baring an injury, Marcel Hirscher is your World Cup overall winner for 2012.

2012-01-08T09:39:00.001-07:00

When Hirscher is on his game no one can touch him. His technique and aggression, are taking ski racing to a new level. The rest of the field has to figure out how to lift their attack and technique. When you think your feet are too close together while skiing, look at the world cup skiers in slalom.

Feet together, narrow up your stance

2012-01-07T21:54:00.005-07:00

When you think your feet are too close together, watch the world cup racers.

Technique break downs and poor boot set up, makes it tough for Ted to score on the World Cup.

2012-01-07T21:41:00.000-07:00

In this photo, Ted is totally out of balance.

Ted is fighting two battles in slalom this season. One is his back seated position and the other is his boot set up. Ted skis mostly with his hips behind his boots in slalom, which doesn't work when the gates are close and turns are quick. In GS there is more time between gates so he can adjust.

Schild, makes it 5 in a row, two Austrians on Podium.

2012-01-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

Slalom Queen stomps her authority on the world, wins by 1 second. point 4.

Maze 2nd.

Austrian Women after a few rough years, are currently dominating world cup races.

2011-12-29T16:53:00.001-07:00

Fenninger, last year's World Champion in Combined, wins GS, Schild wins the last 4 slaloms. Lindsey preying for the Downhills.

Looks like Fenninger is well set up in Head boots, so it has to be the US Head boot techs that can't get it right for Lindsey, Ted and Bode.

New Series, "How to Ski"

2011-12-28T15:39:00.002-07:00

"How to Ski", is a new instructional Series with the basics for all skiers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s9qBIQtB4Q&feature=youtu.be

Counteracted upper body

2011-12-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes counter acting is better seen looking down the slope.

Inside hand leading, chest pointing toward the falline, skis headed toward the side of the slope.

Razzoli, Olympic champion finally comes through on World Cup

2011-12-21T09:55:00.001-07:00

Podium at Alta Badia slalom!

Slightly undisciplined with his upper body compared to the Austrians, but very fast when he makes it.

Same characteristics for Ted compared to Hirscher, as you see below with Schild and Vonn .

2011-12-20T17:14:00.001-07:00

Here you see Hirscher outside leg already straight, with strong edge angles at the skis. He has a bowlegged set up with his boots. The Bowlegged set up is the most successful in Slalom with shaped skis.

Knock Kneed Alignment

Here you see Ted Ligety, this is a weak position, his ski, edge angles that let the skis slip. Ted has to wait until the back of his skis hold, but with this set up, his knee has to drop in, which is weak, it makes him late and hold on to the turn too long. Hirscher is on and off the edges fast, Ted is skiing too round because he can't get the immediate pressure on his skis he needs to be quick.

Compare best slalom skier in the world to Vonn's set up.

2011-12-20T17:01:00.001-07:00

Knock Kneed Alignment
Vonn, twisted up! When the knee drops inside as shown here, the upper body follows with flexing at the waist, this loses power to the ski. Upper body rotation follows in this case, which helped to skid the tail of the stance ski. Notice how lindsey's outside boot doesn't have a strong angle it's slipping.

Schild, Straight leg, but still countered! Check out the great alignment on this girl. She just won her 30th World Cup slalom, amazing. Straight leg, upright upper body and skis headed where they are tipping. Strong angles on both skis, no knee drive, excellent!

The next two photos show not an obvious difference, it's dramatic.

Collapsed at the waist, excessive hip drop and excessive twist of the hips.

Head ski boot technicians still don't have ski boots figured out.

2011-12-19T18:46:00.001-07:00

Lindsey Vonn in slalom, over counteracted and knocked kneed.

Here you have the best skier in the world and she can't buy a slalom run on Head boots. When she skied on Rossingnol boots, she used to win 2 out of 3 slaloms. Neither can Ted Ligety or Bode Miller score in slalom, they used to win on other products.

So what is up with Head boots?

All three US champions used to win slalom races and were almost a sure bet to be on the podium in slalom, when they were on Rossingnol Skis, Boots, and or Nordica and Fischer.

Head has yet to figure out slalom, they have great skis and even their boots are great, but setting the boots up for any of their athletes, to win a World Cup Slalom, is mystifying for them.

Here is a hint, your setup for slalom, is too soft or too knocked kneed. This doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out, even if you have one, which I do.

"World Cup", ski technique, by Harald Harb

2011-12-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

Keys to focus on, inside hand lead, inside ski tipping and flexing. PMTS shows you how you achieve these movements. Skiing is not a position! You have to know how to move into these body angles and we can teach you how. www.harbskisystems.com

This is Deville a young Italian. Great skiing! The Austrians better watch out the other countries are producing some amazing skiers.

Svindal, If you thought when you were attending one of our ski camps, that inside leg flexing and tipping, was just for fun, you might be mistaken!

Cuche, Even the best skiers in the world, screw up, if they don't counter balance earlier in the turn.

This is Bode at his best, counter acting, and with strong counter balance, the inside ski has huge angle and the outside knee, is right up against the boot. His inside ski is too far forward, but that's Bode; he never follows established, proven skiing performance. But never, I say never, model yourself after Bode, there is only one Bode.

Exiting the turn by Dopfer

2011-12-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

Here Dopfer, one of the new stars of the German Team, is in the releasing phase of a turn. He has relaxed his holding leg, which begins his transition to the new turn. He will change edges using a strong retraction move to get the ski light.

The releasing movement result in flat skis and and floating light skis in transition.

Ivcia Kostelic: Winner of Slalom

2011-12-11T15:49:00.005-07:00

This is a much more efficient body transition and angulation. From here his release is easy relative to the winding and unwinding Ligety has to do. Ligety's boot set up is the main reason for his need for contortions and adjustments. (this is an update on the previous post, so read the previous post first.)

Ligety has had to adapt to his boot set up, rather than the other way around. Most racers don't even notice this unless their coaches or Boot Technicians bring it up. Such a minor change in the boots, can improve this situation, but not changed can effect hundreds of world cup points through a season.

A holiday special from Harb Ski Systems, Harald's books on skiing and Performance Skiing DVD.

2011-12-10T23:30:00.001-07:00

http://harbskisystems.com/Check this out

2011-12-10T16:01:00.001-07:00

Casper Nolan, US slalom star, Perfect body alignment, strong turn exit.

Ted Ligety, rotated, dropped hip, weaker knee angle. Minor differences like this in each turn result in differences of consistency and time over 50 or 60 gates.

Nolan Casper best of the Americans in slalom.

2011-12-09T23:08:00.001-07:00

Ted Ligety

This is a really weak set up for Ted Ligety, if it's not fixed soon, it will not be a nice scene. The outside knee behind the inside boot is not a good sign, also notice his knees are crossed and his blocking is much too early. His upper body is already far to over-rotated.

Nolan Casper on the other hand looks really strong, great set up and his technique is much cleaner than Ted Ligety's.

Ligety's slalom not ready for the best yet!

2011-12-09T22:42:00.001-07:00

Starting turns with leaning and rotation, doesn't set you up well for a hard, round, World Cup slalom turn. His hips are already back behind his boots. It means you have to save the turn late, when you should be releasing. That makes for a hard edge set, which is slower.

Huge difference here, same turn, compared to Ligety, this is the winner, Kostelic. He is on the outside ski, already Counter balanced and countered. His hips are forward and over his boots.

Hirscher performances the seemingly impossible.

2011-12-09T00:09:00.001-07:00

Photos by: Diana Rogers, Harb Ski Systems.

Another secret that coaches and instructors don't know. You can be forward on your skis without engaging the tips. Here the best skier in the world, Marcel Hirscher, he is forward with his body, but not loading his tips. His ski tips are off the snow. How do you explain this?

Follow this "Blog", more to come!

2011-12-08T22:43:00.001-07:00

The "O" frame release is prevalent on the world cup!

For more information about "O" frame releases consult the Harb Ski Systems web site, for vidoes and books!

Release old stance ski with movement, to the little toe edge! PMTS!

2011-12-08T22:29:00.001-07:00

Few in the world have equaled Mario Matt in Slalom, World Champion and Olympic Medialist.

2011-12-08T19:29:00.001-07:00

PHOTOS BY HARB SKI SYSTEMS, DIANA ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHER.

Ted Ligety is still ahead until this mistake.

2011-12-06T18:59:00.001-07:00

Ted Ligety: Reminiscent of a Bode Miller save! Ted had to recover from this mistake for the next three turns, that's what cost him the victory.

Marcel Hirscher: Perfect Balance wins every time.

Hirscher at the gate compared to Ted Ligety

2011-12-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

Leaning

Perfect Balance

Ligety Technical Comparison to Hirscher

2011-12-06T18:31:00.001-07:00

You can already see what is going to happen here. Ted is still ahead at this on the course.

He loses counter balance, you can see it by where is head is and his upper torso angle relative to his hip. It's almost a straight line.

Hirscher is more upright with his torso. His inside hip is higher as well.

Ted loses the race here, the next two turns; he is in saving mode, where Hirscher is attacking. A momentary lapse like this can be the difference between winning and coming second in a world cup race. These guys are the two best GS skiers in the world right now.

Proud to Say, another "Expert" skier and a PMTS product.

2011-12-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

Geoff Darst, Silverthorne Colorado

Marcel Hirscher, more on Perfect Transition

2011-11-29T19:38:00.003-07:00

Read the post below, before you read his one, they are in order of posting: Here is the second half of the next turn more detailed.

Frame1. After releasing his right ski, (see previous description) by flexing the leg and flattening his outside (downhill) ski, both skis are flat and his legs are at the same flex angle.

Frame 2. As Hirscher increases his inside leg tipping and flexing it allows him to add more angle to that ski because it's less weighted. This brings his body across his skis for the new arc.

Frame 3. Increasing his inside leg flexing and tipping allows his CG to move inside the turn.

Frame 4. Again he becomes more compact bringing his inside arm forward and flexing the inside leg to move it out of the way so his body can move closer to the snow creating more outside ski angle. He has yet to apply full big-toe edge tipping, that comes next.

Most coaches are focusing on the wrong side and wrong leg, for modern day skiing. The big toe or outside ski edge, has to come on late, but strong. This can only happen if the body is properly set up. If the big toe edge is the focus (from the beginning) the body is never set up correctly and the skier then grinds his turns, rather than slices his turns.

Marcel Hirscher perfect GS transition

2011-11-29T19:05:00.001-07:00

Setting up well above the gate, inside ski (the left foot) tipping and flexing to set up his body.

Here is the critical move, he brings his body together "compact", Hands forward, yet he continues to tip his inside foot and flex his inside leg. He also adds big toe edge angle, (that's the right foot and ski) Boots and skis always working together to create the same angles. Inside ski and boot tucked and held, well back, under his hips. Too many racers bale-out here and let the inside ski move forward, that's just slow.

Here is where you can be confident, he flexes his inside leg even further and to do so he has to clear space for it to move up, out of the way. This moves the hip more inside the arc. Most racers here, try to step out of the arc, with the up hill ski, hold on for more speed.

Hirscher begins to flex and relax the outside leg, (right leg) and prepares for transition.

Flexing the right leg allows the old holding edge, to dissipate, moving his Cg, center of gravity to the new turn. Now both legs are now evenly flexed. Notice there is no ski lead. Hirscher has minimal ski lead compared to most other contemporary racers.

Again little or no tip lead. This part of the turn is created because he continued to increase angles by tipping his inside leg and ski. Too many coaches focus on the wrong leg; the outside ski leg, it is less important and doesn't set up the correct body situations. Of course, once you are in the right part of the arc, adding outside leg tipping and ski angle is correct, but not to set up the arc.

I'm much more a Porsche guy. Especially this one.

2011-11-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

It's a little over the top but sure is fun.

Saw this in Cherry Creek yesterday, Denver.

2011-11-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

New Lexus Super Car!

PACKING UP AFTER A GOOD DAY OF TRAINING

2011-11-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

Harald and Jon Olsson

Shut up Lance everyone knows you are a doper!

2011-11-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

It's time for Lance to own up. We have lost total faith in him and any sponsors that are still using him are despicable.

One of the scariest pictures I've seen in a long while!

2011-11-28T19:56:00.002-07:00

What is really scary is, one of them "might" be our next president!
And the best one of the lot, the one, who's "up front" 'quote ha,ha', he's the best candidate for the right, and he's an independent, Good luck!
I'm not an Obama fan, but this is ridicules.

Two special skiers, Jon Olson and Warner Nickerson

2011-11-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

I went up to Loveland training today, to video, watch and help where I could, with Warner and Jon. They are two special skiers, working very hard to become regulars on the World Cup, without national support a team or an official coaching team. These guys work hard, play hard and have fun, they are great guys, very dedicated, very talented and fun to be around. Doing it again tomorrow, helping to prepare them for the World cup season. They are top 30 skiers in the world and I hope to see them become top 15 skiers in the world.

Skied with Jon and Warner today.

2011-11-23T17:18:00.002-07:00

Jon Olson studying his video between runs. You thought this guy was brilliant in the air, 6 time X Games big air champion, well let me tell you, he can lay down angles with his skis, on the snow, rivaling many of the world's best.

The last skier who could ski race at the world class level and be the best in the air at the same time was Hermann Gollner.

Jon Olson studying his video between runs.

Audi Corporation, supports the organization that unfairly uses or abuses ski athletes world wide.

2011-11-22T18:36:00.001-07:00

The FIS (federation international de Ski) is the world wide ski organization that controls all aspects of international ski racing. Sort of like how Bernie Ecclestone controls F1 Car racing.

There are tremendous amounts of money coming to the FIS from members, license fees, race fees, race organizers, national dues, sponsors, logo rights, TV rights, etc. Where does all this money go? It is difficult to ascertain how it comes back to the athletes, except for the fact that the FIS does maintain and publish a complicated ranking and points system.

The FIS does not organize or run the races, it doesn't pay athletes, it doesn't support training, so what does the FIS do with all this money? It does sanction events, but that is just a stroke of the pen.

It also makes rules, in many cases rules that are unpopular and unjustified in the view of athletes, coaches, manufactures, ski resorts, and spectators. Does something smack of a total authoritarian organization here?

The scary part is that the FIS also can arbitrarily change rules, about course setting, skis, length of courses etc. Often these rules directly impact the safety of racers and even spectators.

In the most reset situation the FIS has mandated a change in Giant Slalom ski, side cut or shape, which directly effects how racers ski or can ski a course. This in turn affects the speed, and trajectory of the skiers. The FIS maintains the new rules make GS skiing safer, everyone else disagrees, yet they are still going ahead with the changes.

Everyone presently associated or formerly associated with the sport has expressed their displeasure over the new ruling. Those in the know, including the athletes, say the new rules make the sport more dangerous, less fun to watch and less elegant; this ex-racer and coach agrees with the athletes.

The battle is ragging and the athletes are speaking out in their defense. In response the FIS has instituted a gag order on athletes; if they speak out, they are fined or sanctioned. Now is that democracy in action?

How can a respected company like "Audi Auto Corporation" and the other sponsors want to be associated with such Tyrannical organization?

Stay tuned for more to come on this subject.

How to beat the FIS

2011-11-20T18:38:00.002-07:00

Protests work, but not by athletes, by the public. Sponsors will disappear if the public stops showing up to watch GS races. You have to hit these idiots in the pocket book. Stop buying Atomic ski product, they are the biggest supporters of stupid rules. The World Cup towns, hotels and restaurants, will start to tell the FIS what to do when they stop selling rooms, and Wiener Schnitzels, and schnapps.

BTW. AUDI CARS ARE OVER PRICED AND THEY COST A FORTUNE TO MAINTAIN, A SUBARU IS A MUCH BETTER VALUE. PLUS AUDI SPONSORS THE FIS, A TYRANNICAL ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES RULES THAT HURTS ATHLETES.

The FIS is a tyrannical organization. Tyranny will never advance the sport of Skiing.

2011-11-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Because the FIS is such a repressive organization and about to fine athletes that speak out against their policies, it means we have to get vocal on Facebook, Blogs and any other public media,

to set them right. They shouldn't be able to do this in a democratic world.

Correct hip movements to set up strong edging and angles.

2011-11-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

This is what racers should strive for in their skiing.

2011-11-07T18:20:00.002-07:00

What always seemed strange to me when I watch ski coaching; is how coaches seem to lean toward or emphasize ideas that are the consequence of movements that are not intended rather than focusing on strong fundamentals.

Two examples of such misdirections in the history of skiing are the Jet Turn and White Pass Turn. Both were mistakes, and many coaches picked up on them as the "latest, greatest techniques", which they never were and never became.

The latest in this history of misdirection of ski technique, is the Skivot or the Pivot turn.
There seems to be an obsession with this type of skiing with many coaches. Unfortunately, it's something that most skiers can already do and can't reduce or control. The skier in this photo, shows what only a handful of skiers in the world can do. Whereas, almost every tourist skier knows how to skid or pivot, and doesn't know how to stop doing it! The same applies to young racers who will never make it, due to the misguided teaching of many coaches.

Rather than working with skiers to gain the fundamentals that will serve skiers well for the rest of their careers, it's always baffling to me, why coaches want to waste the careers of promising skiers with techniques that are dead-ends. Rather than teaching them the fundamentals that could guide them to the types of turns demonstrated by the skier in this photo (above).

Fitting your ski boots for happy feet.

2011-11-02T15:24:00.001-06:00

Fit you ski boots everyday to have happy feet.

Deciding on Ski Boots? Here's a guide to Performance considerations.

2011-10-28T15:49:00.015-06:00

Hey Harald, Since the Vonn boot discussion has morphed to a discussion of the Dodge boot, I’m curious if you’d be willing to shed more light on the new Head boot and general boot stiffness.

This is my post:
...how many athletes, even at the WC level, can actually make use of such a stiff boot? As I understand, an improper setup can render even the best boot, completely useless to the most skilled athlete [point of the thread really I guess]. I know that I and many other very good skiers cannot [do not] spend 100% of their time on even a 150 flex boot... So, what is the relation between setup and boot stiffness, and where do you draw the line on a boot being too stiff for an athlete [thinking racing applications only for the time being]?

I know we have discussed this before and you are an advocate of a stiff boot for obvious reasons regarding pressuring the ski, etc; but I know you’re also an advocate of tailoring every aspect of the boot to the skier/athlete. With guys I know [22 FIS points] skiing a ZB Rossi [140 flex] it seems that it would take a special athlete to handle a 170 flex boot. Even at the elite level not all athletes are created equal.

So to summarize the above – when do you hit the point of diminishing returns in terms of boot stiffness?

Here is a Dalbello 110 flex that skis great for 90% of skiers. It doesn't ski like a soft boot. It's a performance design. So if the design places you in the right balance point, there is enough support unless you are a racer on ice, or over 180 pounds or over 6'-1" tall.

HH response:

As you know I'm 150 pounds, I don't bend a boot and it's my philosophy not to, the best skiers don't want any boot bending or flexing. As far as your friend goes, , how does he know he wouldn't be faster in a stiffer boot? If the ankle position in other words, the dorsi flexion is right, in the boot, the flexing comes from the hips, knees and back. I have movement at the top of the boot, I don't stuff lots of spoilers behind my calf, and I adjust the booster so it's not over tight, and I leave the top buckle so I can move forward. That is how it works for me. I think the Dodge has some way to go before it's perfect, but for right now it's the best, super high performance boot, I know. I ski better "off piste" with a Dodge, it's just physics, it weighs about 1/2 of regular plug boots, less weight to move around if you get out of position and if you ski, "off piste", aggressively; you are bound to have to manage your CG over your boots or vice vera.

Ski Boots that hold up under pressure.
http://harbskisystems.com/retail/retailboot.htm

Thanks for the quick response. That actually helps a LOT. The most intriguing part is regarding where flexing is coming from. Your philosophy is different from many – especially in this area of the country where the current buzz is all about softer boots. You’re getting your mobility in the boot from not having it clinched down overly tight on your leg at the top, not having spoilers, etc. This is similar to how I ski my boots as well, although I might try backing the top buckle off a turn or two… might be why I haven’t found the “magic” in a softer boot.

This allows you [us] to still ski with our ankles, but also have access to lever the front of the ski when we have to – at which point, the boot is going to flex no matter what because of the amount of force being transferred. I do appreciate my 130’s off-piste though, because I tend to over-lever the front of the ski mainly because I can get away with in here in NY. The softer flex makes my fore/aft less “touchy” in softer snow.

This is different from how others are getting ankle mobility – they are doing it with a softer boot – and I’m assuming are not leaving room for ankle mobility in the top of the boot – meaning they are probably clinching the boot down tight. They are aiming for ankle mobility, which is great, but they are sacrificing access to the front of the ski to do so. The other possibility is that dorsi flexion of their setups is not ideal, which is likely as well since it takes time and attention to fine-tune (at least it has for me).

Racers I know, have been pondering this topic for awhile. Their thinking is, dropping down to a Rossi ZA potentially (ordered a ZB and considering swapping for a ZA). I’ve been urging them to keep the ZB because I think going to a super soft boot is a mistake. The part of the reasoning I was missing was the point you just made about how you get your ankle mobility.

Dodge Boot, The only "high performance", comfort ski boot, in the world, made of carbon Fiber.

BTW – I totally understand why you like the Dodge boot. After handling them in the shop, it makes complete sense. The weight is incredible. That alone could make the boot a tremendous success – not even taking into consideration the lateral stiffness that comes from such a stiff material as carbon.

HH response to: Your philosophy is different from many –

I'm not sure if that's a compliment, but thank you. It should be because the success rate from "the many" is marginal. Our success rate is phenomenal. My need and understanding, and the same goes for those on the WC, for a stiff boot, is simple, you get a faster response to re-balancing with the stiffer the boot. This goes for everyone once you learn how to use it. It goes with technique as well. If you want to steer the ski and skid it until you have to jump on the edge set, get soft boots. With a supportive set up, you can adjust the pressure to the tip more progressively as well. It sounds contradictory, but it's not, once you learn it. Think about it, if you are trying to get to the tip, before you get there the boot flexes, it moves away from you, you have to move farther forward, (while trying to tip the ski) and to do so you are working against the plastic. When I am at the front of the boot, I keep my hips moving forward until the ski tip bites, then I move off the pressure. This is a fraction of a second for each turn. If I am being thrown around, I use the back and front of the boot to keep me centered. If my boot is soft, when I want to rebound off it, I can't get it, because the boot flexes away from me and absorbs my energy. It puts your recentering timing way off. It slows your reaction timing. The cycles of boot philosophy change often, from stiff to soft, and this comes and goes over the years, just like opinions about wide stance to narrow stance change, for coaches. Most have no idea of why or what is actually happening. Coaches are weak at setting up boots, even at the world cup level. So they embrace most current philosophies or follow a trend instead of developing knowledge for themselves..

I believe as everyone here knows that soft boots are mostly cheap, under-performers, and they just hold back your skiing development. They keep you at the same level. Look at the sport car comparison, more performance means, stiffer springs, lower Cg, stiffer shocks and bushings. The German car makers have known this for years, even in their street, performance, road cars. Try to take a sporty approach to corners in an American road car of the 60ies, 70ies and 80ies you were wobbling all over like in a boat, they were a joke. Compare that to the first 911s or Jaguar XKEs. Or even road cars like the Saab, VW, BMW 2002 or a 530.

The other part, soft boots put your body into a compromised position, many cause you to over use your muscles, because you are holding yourself for every turn, rather than the boot helping. These soft boots tend to lower your hips, create more steering and give you lordosis (curved lower back) You might even tear out an achilles tendon. Ha!

Questions: Are there any people who you wouldn't recommend a stiff boot for? For example, would a green-level camper be hindered by a 130 flex?

Answer:
We have many Green (intermediate skiers) campers in 130 flex boots and they are better supported. Many are in good 100 flex boots, as well, because of the speed and steepness of the slope they ski. If you aren't going to need the support that comes with speed and terrain, it's not, "value smart" to over boot. As the flex index goes up, so does the price. We put many women for example, in a 90 flex Head boot, which is a great boot, great value and we have great skiing results with it. But to a 125 pound women, the 90 flex Head boot is like a 130 flex, for a 170 pound man.

Whatever you aspire to or dream, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic. Why waste your energy, time and funds practicing incorrectly when the right way is known?

What happened to Harb, is he losing his mind?

2011-10-27T00:43:00.002-06:00

I'm not losing anything and I'm not an over broad nut case, that Lenny Bruce turned into. He was on drugs, I'm clean except for a few cocktails here and there. I'm just appalled at what is happening in our country. And we go around the world telling everyone else, how to behave. If anyone looks at what is happening in the US of A today; the USA would lose all credibility, it has left, anywhere. The police and government are beginning to behaving like, Syria's, Assad regime, and their national police force (military police force).

Really, what is the difference, our police aren't shooting anyone yet, but they are beating, detaining and arresting innocent protesters.. Have the US police killed anyone yet? No, not yet, but history shows if this gets bigger, the National Guard is next and they kill people. Remember Kent Sate? It has to be brought up before a tragedy like this happens again. All you need is one scared cop or a trigger happy national guard cadet, things get out of control fast.

Funny how it's never too late to mourn the dead, but too early to be warning the population and authorities, of what might happen..... and this citizen lived through it almost fifty years ago, and no one saw it coming. History repeats itself, we are not in a good trend escalation wise, people are angry and not afraid to get out and show it. Can anyone say, Vietnam War protests? This movement can easily get bigger and more violent. If there is anything you can learn from the "Arab Spring", it's the more the police bully, arrest and fight the protesters, the more conviction the protesters gather. Don't underestimate the people of American's resolve, everyone thinks Americans are soft, not when they are angry and desperate, they are not.

The truth about the Federal Reserve!

2011-10-26T22:22:00.001-06:00

Every American should know the history of how the Federal Reserve was formed. The government, the bankers, the corporations and the industrialists, not one of them, want you to know this; what the Federal Reserve does or who actually controls it.

The Fed in layman's terms, takes our tax dollar with the approval of the government, and converts it into loans to the banks. They set the interest rates, they loan it back to you. It's the best Ponzi scheme ever invented. But it was invented by the smartest money men the world has ever seen. It was the JP Morgans, Warburgs Rothschilds, and Kuhn-Loebs of the world that dreamed it up and President Wilson signed the legislation in 1913-14.

The Federal Reserve, became an arm of the Banks. If you want to be an informed American and want to make good decisions about the government and it's financial policy you need to read a book called, "The Creature from Jekyll Island", by G. Edward Griffin. They took the country's finances and your tax dollars literally, out of your hands.

This is no joke and Ron Paul, who many people think is a crack pot, is absolutely right about one thing, the Federal Reserve has got to go, if people like you and me want to get the country back on even footing.
These videos I posted, are just the glory story, they are seriously the truth, but only touch the surface of the power very few men in this country have over everything. It's not a conspiracy theory, you can read the actual story in the history books, but you have to put it together with the knowledge of a economics professor and finance major. Everyone who studies economics knows this stuff, but few buck the trend, because they are making plenty of money being part of this corrupt system. You are being screwed.

I'll probably have the CIA at my door after posting this, so if I disappear from Facebook I'm in a dungeon somewhere.
· · Share · 4 minutes ago
Harald Harb
Everyone needs to know this, this is not fooling anyone, anymore. Alan Greenspan was a joke, as bad as May-doff. The Fed needs to go. The congress, the senate and the Fed need an enema.

Federal Reserve is a Ponzi scheme, an inside job
www.youtube.com
The following video was broadcast on MSNBCs Morning Meeting, Friday, July 24, 2009: Federal Reserve is a Ponzi scheme, an inside job Source: RawStory The Fed...

· · Share · 46 minutes ago

Barb Brumbaugh likes this.
1 share

Harald Harb Wow! This is a really bad week to stop drink=king!
44 minutes ago ·
Harald Harb likes a link.

Eliot Spitzer: "The Federal Reserve Is A Ponzi Scheme" - Inside The Fed's Secret Pile Of TRASH Asset

var ord = Math.random() * 10000000000000000; document.write('<script language="JavaScript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/invc.dailybail/textlink;kw=;kval=textlink;tile=6;sz=234x20;ord=' + ord + '?" type="text/javascript"><\/script>');

· · Share · 56 minutes ago
Harald Harb
This has go to go viral, a cause for justice. If you missed the protest of the sixties and seventies and feel you missed out, here's your chance to speak up.

Oakland Policeman Throws Flash Grenade Into Crowd Trying To Help Injured Protester
www.youtube.com
Footage from the Occupy Oakland protest, October 25th, 2011. After protesters ran to the aid of a badly-injured person, Oakland Police deliberately lobbed a ...

· · Share · about an hour ago

David J. Dodge, Matthew Aimonetti and Barb Brumbaugh like this.
Harald Harb
This shit has got to stop, this is getting out of hand and will end up like Kent Sate. Where is obama now when civil rights are being violated. This is out of control, but not in a police state. We have no right pointing the figure around the world Ms. Clinton, where are you when the rights of Americans are being destroyed before our very eyes. Disgusting!

Oakland Policeman Throws Flash Grenade Into Crowd Trying To Help Injured Protester
www.youtube.com
Footage from the Occupy Oakland protest, October 25th, 2011. After protesters ran to the aid of a badly-injured person, Oakland Police deliberately lobbed a ...

· · Share · about an hour ago

Lindsey Vonn wins World Cup GS at Soelden

2011-10-22T17:40:00.002-06:00

Every body knows Vonn is a great skier, but they finally got her equipment right. look below for further explanation.

Winner in women's GS at Soldon

2011-10-22T17:37:00.001-06:00

Huge improvement over last season

Head race rep, finally gets Vonn's boot set right, after three seasons.

2011-10-22T12:27:00.002-06:00

This is the first time I've seen Vonn able to straighten out her stance leg without huge knock-knee drop and "A frame" on Head boots.

I was able to watch the run on You Tube, the boots have made a huge difference. Don't know what they did, (they are so secretive about boots) but it has made a huge difference in her stance and power to the edge. Looks very strong and natural on the outside ski, she hasn't been this good before in GS. I hope this can carry over to her slalom, if so, she wraps up the World Cup.

More climbing before it snows.

2011-10-22T10:16:00.003-06:00

At the chains, topping out.

Off to the next climb

On the razor edge

Looking for the perfect line.

We support the "All Blacks" go New Zealand.

2011-10-21T23:34:00.000-06:00

2011-10-21T23:32:00.002-06:00

Go All Blacks of New Zealand

Ski Practice (Feature 1): Road to Carving, Expert Skiing Quick Tips: Ha...

2011-10-17T18:37:00.001-06:00

It's time to get ready for ski season. We are already skiing here in Colorado. This video clip is a great, short, refresher course, for your first days on the snow.

2011-10-17T18:29:00.002-06:00

It's time to start Skiing!

Lewis Hamilton miserable with McLaren Team

2011-10-17T18:20:00.003-06:00

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the Mercedes F1 Race Room.

"This can no longer go on; our English drivers are getting our butts kicked by a French engine, and an Austrian Race Team, put a stop to this, immediately."

Said with a German accent of course.

The contrasts of Fall in New England

2011-10-17T09:01:00.005-06:00

Beach off North coast of Boston

Canon mountain Cliffs

The beauty and great climbing at the City of Rock, Idaho.

2011-09-29T22:05:00.000-06:00

City of Rock climbing this week, September 25th, 2011.

2011-09-29T21:58:00.000-06:00

Get serious

Reaching the top

Old Friends get together after 38 years!

2011-09-29T21:49:00.002-06:00

Dick Dorworth, great coach, writer, skier, climber.

Haven't seen Dick in 38 years, it's like we never missed a beat.

Dick is one of those special people you might be fortunate to know or meet or pass, in life. I’m one of the lucky ones who met and got to know him. I’m also, one of the luckiest, late life climbers ever. I first met Dick in my ski racing years, back in 1970. He was a coach for the US Ski Team. He stood up for the athletes, he was never a US Ski Team coach for aggrandizement, which is in-itself an rare quality.

What I didn’t know, until 1973, is that he was and became a pioneer rock climber. He is still today, at 72 years, an excellent climber. He’s climbed with the best climbers of his day, which happen to be some of the best climbers in the history of climbing. People like Lito Tejda-Flores, Royal Robbins, Warren Harding, Jim Bridwell, and John Backar just to name a few.

I got to climb with Dick when I was 23, he took me climbing, but unfortunately, climbing didn’t grab me at that time. Now after, 40 years, it has and I’m able to re-connect with Dick, on the rock. A pleasure that I wish everyone could experience. Dick is walking history. He’s a gentleman and although competitive with himself; you would be hard pressed to notice any in his demeanor. Dick is also a successful coach, skier, instructor, writer, and author.

It is either luck or the connection to skiing that brought me in contact with great climbers. I’ve met, Peter Habaler Jim Bridwell, John Gill, and am friends with Lito, Dick and Hermann Gollner, all great climbers, and this all came about through skiing.

Call it luck or being in the right place at the right time, but what wonderful experiences knowing, meeting and talking with these climbers.

It doesn’t stop here, the climbing community is small, like the skiing community. Although I have not met Lynn Hill, and many others who are the best in the world, they never-the-less inspire us all. She waved at me as I drove by her car at Rifle last summer, you never know, Lynn Hill or Chris Sharma, David Graham, may want to learn to ski some day and knock on the door.

Compare and contrast techniques, Hermann Maier

2011-09-14T13:28:00.007-06:00

Here is one of the best ski racers ever, Hermann Maier, using a retraction, flexing release. And he lifted a ski, thought no body on the World Cup did that?

Here, Hans Knauss shows us that he had the technique of the future, back a few years. He uses a flexing release and transition without an up extension. This is what the top, present day GS skiers like to do. It won’t happen if the FIS stays with the 35m GS ski rule. GS skiing will not be as pretty as this, in the future.

Harald Harb Ski Reviews 2012, Skis we like, skis that work and skis that make you a better skier.

2011-09-13T14:18:00.003-06:00

Demonstration of a large arc turn, with obvious up movement to create a transition.

2011-09-13T12:14:00.002-06:00

Technical description of skiing in these frames.

We must remember everyone’s skiing to them is measured with their understanding of the sport. If this skier were skiing PSIA taught technique he would be considered too edge dominant. In his world he is probably doing exactly what they expect of him. This leaves the skier based only on the photos we see here, vulnerable to critic or suggested alternatives.

Let’s begin by defining the arc, it’s more of a GS size turn, so their is plenty of time between edge changes. And the skier is extending and raising his body and hips to make an edge change. This series of movements extends the time in transition.

Since the skier is tall in transition, he has no place to go but down again, or lower his hips to enter his arc.

This puts his hips low and behind relative to his ski boots, very early in the arc. When ever you ski like this, you do use some uphill leg extension to initiate the body toward the inside of the next arc.

If we want to compare to how we teach this turn in PMTS, it’s different. In PMTS we use the energy from the previous turn, by flexing the extended stance leg at the end of the arc. This movement combines to help the skis change edges with tipping, basically shortening the transition time.

With the PMTS method, it also reduces the disconnect from the snow, example is the 4th frame, where the skier is extended and waiting to cross his skis. We don’t have that frame in PMTS skiing.

More on FIS Giant Slalom Skis!

2011-09-07T16:20:00.007-06:00

When GS Skis were shaped!

Carving a ski is a beautiful skill. Watching a World Cup skier carve a giant slalom ski with his hip brushing the snow, from one turn to the next, is exhilarating and magical.

This kind of unmatched skill, entices all snow sport participants and fans to watch the best perform.

This is what World Cup, Giant Slalom used to be about 4 years ago, until the FIS screwed up the sport.

They mandated that GS skis should not have as much shape or curve from tip to tail. This changes the way skiers can arc around the gates. Rather than seeing clean round curves and tracks in the snow; you now see a skidding, sliding, bouncing, struggling ski racer. The FIS is putting the best skiers in the world, into situations where they at times, look like total beginners.

Under the noble assumption that carving is bad for athletes, due to knee injury and bad accidents, the FIS in their infinite wisdom has assumed that if the skis don’t arc round turns; a ski racer is less likely to get out of control, run into barriers and is less likely to get injured. No scientific study or record of events has been initiated or consulted by the FIS, to back up these assumptions.

In my opinion, after observing and competing and officiating in ski racing for 40 years, making the skis less curved or straighter, requires and trends toward GS courses that are straighter and set with more distance, because it’s difficult to arc straight skis into tight turning gates. Therefore: the distance between the gates increases, and the off-set is reduced, so that the racers can make the next gate.

This causes what we used to deal with in the 70ies, racers heading in straighter lines, throwing the skis sideways, into big holes or chatters in the snow, at or below the gates. Straight skis also, are much more difficult to make hold on bullet proof, injected snow and therefore harder to control on fast, steep, courses.

Solutions:

Bring ski design and shape back to somewhere between 25 and 28 meters and 185cm to 190cm in length. Make the courses shorter and use wider slopes. Make course setting, rounder, in accord with the ability of the skier and the ski to perform carved high angle turns. This will slow GS speed (to a reasonable 35 to 40mph and give racers the chance to develop techniques that offer control and elegance. Take out blind corners and long, steep, narrow passages.

We already know what will happen if the new FIS rules are employed, it’s obvious, we had it before, we will go back to 1970ies skiing. Creating and letting new technologies thrive, like ski design, makes the sport better and more fun to watch. The FIS officials are not future thinkers, ski designers or engineers. They are old men, with old ideas. The ski manufacturers are the creators that will make skiing exciting, not at the peril of the athletes, but with the creativity of what the human body has to offer the sport.

If the FIS wants to reduce terrible injuries and increase safety; they should address the jumps on some of the World Cup Downhill courses, that’s where the serious injuries and life threatening accidents have occurred recently.

The governing body that orders World Cup ski racing rules, blows it again.

2011-09-07T10:31:00.007-06:00

After a terrible rule change two years ago, that increased the Giant Slalom skis from approximately 22 meters to 28 meters, the FIS now wants to increase Giant Slalom skis to a 40 meter radius.

FIS officals continue to demonstrate that they are out of touch with the althetes, the fans, the spectators, the manufacturers, the ski resorts, the coaches and racer safety.

They are, or say they are, concerned about injuries and safely. These issues are not proven to be on the increase or that the ski radius increase is a solution. Many experts in the sport consider the new rules will make the situation worst; setting the sport back 20 years, rather than addressing the issues that should be addressed in the first place. This is a worst band-aid case scenario this former FIS competitor, coach, former FIS referee and World Championship race organizer, has yet seen.

The Sport of World Cup skiing has seen a shrinking audience, and the growth of competing winter sports. This is directly related to the unpopular formate and inconceivable ugliness, in part of the Giant Slalom event. It's hard to watch even for hardened racing fans.

The courses are poorly set, partly due to the rules, and the racers look like they are struggling on skis, rather than performing brilliantly.

There are many solutions being offered, yet the FIS has not opened up to the field of experts that would easier find much better logical approaches to this growing problem.

(more to come)

Just in case you thought this BLOG, wasn't about skiing!

2011-09-05T16:13:00.008-06:00

Lead with the inside arm to keep your "Counteracting" strong. The inside leg is bent to increase the "Hip to the Snow" angle. The spray, OH, that's because it's perfect snow.
Learn it and get it all right here:
My web site

Diana with "Halidome" in the background.

2011-09-04T14:17:00.000-06:00

What a great day for a climb. Feels like the Alps up there.

2011-09-01T22:39:00.002-06:00

Diana leads to the top of the climb.

This is "RA" a big stone face, a 30 minute hike from the highway up on Berthoud Pass.

Click on Photos to enlarge

Top 2 pitches are "Nearer to Thee" on Mountain Project.

Great Day, tough climb, Looking out from the top.

Topsfield Circuit Race Results

2011-08-30T21:42:00.001-06:00

Topsfield Circuit Race Results

Harrison Harb, 4th place, same time as winner in a Pro cat. 1&2 race. Congratulations!

US Pro Cycling Challenge

2011-08-28T22:23:00.000-06:00

Colorado is a great place for a bike race, breath taking scenery, wonderful roads, great mountain roads for climbing, but the TV coverage was disappointing.

Phil and Paul's, descriptions were redundant and trite. Very little perspective for the true nature of the race came through. I followed the race, know the roads and then watched on TV. The TV coverage was poor, the sponsors need to demand better, and get better advice about how to run the TV presentation.

The Tour de France has many years of experience in bringing cycling to the public, the US Pro Challenge TV producers, have much to learn from the Tour de France coverage. The racers were great, the quality of the racers was superb, to bad the coverage was so poor. I hope they do it for many more years, maybe they'll get it right next year, let's hope. Why waste such a great opportunity to show the world, a great race and our beautiful country, at the same time?

The actual on the road phases of the race were well organized. The state and local police did a great job. Congratulations to the towns and the sponsors for their efforts.

Major Bike race in Colorado on last big climb, on last day.

2011-08-28T21:59:00.001-06:00

NBC did a terrible job of covering the race, three times they rehashed the week, during the last day of TV coverage, no looks of the final climb, they totally missed the great road up Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado.

The road up Lookout mountain

Lead riders near the top

Ride with Geoffda, up the west side of Loveland Pass from Dillion.

2011-08-26T15:22:00.000-06:00

Top of Loveland Pass from the West side

Geoff is a good rider, he's tough and hangs in there even on a heavier bike. We did 3800ft in three hours. And we didn't talk about skiing or skis once, right!

Peloton on Cottonwood Pass

2011-08-26T10:21:00.001-06:00

Tour of Colorado, USA Pro Cycling Tour scenes

2011-08-25T19:44:00.002-06:00

View from the camping spot on the road

Car and tent camping all the way up Independence Pass.

You can pick out Levi in Yellow

Andy, not having one of his better days.

One of the best climbing days! Serious Business 3 pitches, 3rd, on a 5-11c

2011-08-18T19:42:00.004-06:00

First thing, never look down!

Second thing, don't make this Sport confusing.

Diana, fixing the mess

Is that the Highway down there?

On the Way down after a great climbing day.

Dumont to Loveland Pass: One of the most beautiful rides in the world

2011-08-12T10:10:00.002-06:00

Gary rides the last big corner to the top of Loveland Pass. It's about 23 miles, over 3000 feet of climbing on roads with no traffic. Sections are on bike trails in beautiful forests. It's cool and fresh, whereas Denver can be 96 degrees, it's in the 60ies from Silver Plume to the top. This can be done in 2 hours, with moderate fitness. Riding it in under two hours starts to get interesting.

Ride to the top of Loveland Pass, 4,000ft climb.

2011-08-11T17:22:00.004-06:00

We ride higher than the Tour de France everyday.

Harald Gary

Perfect Colorado day, riding with friend, skier and my dentist Gary.

Riding to the top of the Rockies, Squaw Pass.

2011-08-07T23:25:00.007-06:00

This is a great ride to 11,000ft, 54 miles total round trip, 4 hours, 3000 calories burned and 4700ft of climbing. To day felt like my first real bike training day of the summer.

Serious climbing at the 5-12 level at Rifle.

2011-08-06T14:30:00.002-06:00

Diana on Fossil Family a 5-12

Very steep over hanging climbing

Time to clip the draw.

One arm rest

Click on the photo for full view.

Another sled "leg press" type machine

2011-08-03T15:14:00.001-06:00

This is another safe leg building machine, it is controlled by weights and a cable. As with any of these exercises start with very light weights. You should warm up with 30 reps easy and slowly feeling all your leg muscles working.

The farther you bring your feet back to your hips the more glute (butt) muscles you will use. This is good for skiing as the are really important stabilizers of the hips and thigh.

My right leg is the surgically repaired Achilles Tendon, the muscles are slowly coming back.

Leg Press, important muscle group for skiing well.

2011-08-02T20:45:00.000-06:00

Since I am working on my calf, push off muscles, as well as my legs, my feet are lower than normal to put pressure on the toes and ball of the foot. If you want more glute (butt) and quad training, move your feet forward or up the ramp.

This is just one of the many types of lower back "safe" leg press machines. It works reasonably well and you don't need a spotter or years of squat technique training..

Great Cycling Poster

2011-07-30T23:09:00.002-06:00

Use this link to see great poster for the US Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado. Or click on my Facebook page to view it. (below to the right)

http://ow.ly/i/f1zD

The best and highest quality Bike race in the history of US Cycling is coming to Colorado.

2011-07-30T22:26:00.006-06:00

Check it out at this Facebook address.

http://www.facebook.com/USAProCyclingChallenge

The world's best cyclists: including the best teams.
Cadel Evans- 2011 Tour de France winner

More information to come stay close to this Blog or my Twitter site. http://twitter.com/#!/haraldharbski

Total body training, use a climbing wall.

2011-07-30T14:10:00.001-06:00

Moving around on all the holds for two minutes, is a workout on an over hanging wall like this, 45degrees. Do 4 sets of two minutes 3 days a week and you can stay fit and do well on your local crag. As long as it's not Rifle, for Rifle you have to stay on the climbing wall 4 minutes, times 4 sets.

Technique, is keep your hips up on the wall and keep your shoulder blades pulled back. You want to try to avoid sagging or rounding your back.

Week 15: Everything is going in the right direction.

2011-07-26T12:09:00.002-06:00

Lots of weight training in the gym, has improved my overall leg strength, I know now that I injured more than just my Achilles tendon in the ski accident in April. The back of my knee has been really sore for months. This indicates I stretched or tore calf tendons and ligaments, from this accident. Fortunately, my overall leg strength is building and I can really feel it when cycling. Big gains this week. I can stand on my right (injured side) bike peddle and push down to increase power.

When I started rehabbing my Achilles tendon, and my body, in May, it quickly became evident to me, that the whole right side of the body had atrophied. This can happen in a short period of even 5 or six weeks. I was in great shape and 6 weeks later I was a slug through lack of normal activity. I could not imagine skiing in this condition, even without an injury. I'm sure that most recreational skiers realize, how fitness or lack of fitness, impacts their ability to ski, be safe on snow and improve their skiing.

More on this topic and what you can do to create the best ski season yet, on this blog, coming up, so check in often.

Harald

Ski season in the distance, but I'm still planning strong bike and climbing season.

2011-07-08T22:50:00.003-06:00

Week 13: rehab of ruptured Achilles tendon:

I was not so good climbing a 5-10b vertical face, which I've done easily many times before. In face climbing, you have to stand on your toes, on small edges. This is really tough of the the calf and achilles tendon.

I did however, successfully climb a 5-11b ( which is a harder rated climb) overhanging climb, but that's a totally different style, which requires much less pressure on the feet to hold you on the rock. It's going to take another two weeks before I have really face climb. But the biking is good. I can finally stand on the steep hills and that is what it is going to take to get the muscles and tendon really strong again.

So my routine today was, this morning, 1 hour weight room upper body and shoulders, afternoon, two hours biking, 2000ft climbing on that ride, and then in the evening, weight room to do a leg routine. The tendon rehab and calf muscles are one thing, but I also have to get that leg in shape, it's lost a lot of muscle mass doing nothing for more than 10 weeks.

In the weight room for the calf muscles, I do lots of leg presses, toe stands, assisted and unassisted, and some trampoline bouncing.

Ultimately, the goal is to be in top form for the ski season, but I'm hoping to get in some big rides and tough climbs before the ski season starts.
The finish line is in sight.

5 things aging recreational skiers and athletes need to know.

2011-07-07T11:38:00.000-06:00

1. Start your activity slower, warm up properly and build to top performance.
2. Better preparation for your season, means more rest days in between hard workouts or activity.
3. The best technique, during training and your sport activity; and the most efficient movements will save you from over working your body.
4. You'll find more aches and pains, so ice and rest are important.
5. In training, less weight and more repetitions are the right formula.

Hardest ride this season so far, 2000 feet climbing.

2011-07-03T18:52:00.000-06:00

frontage Road to Bakerville, last exit before Loveland ski area.

Pads, for hiking shoes and biking shoes.

2011-07-02T13:26:00.000-06:00

Here is a Neuroma pad built into a custom designed walking footbed.

These types of footbeds can be made for any shoe, or boot.

How to fix a Neuroma pad in a cycle shoe.

2011-07-02T13:18:00.001-06:00

Here you see a bulge on the foot bed shoe insert (under black tape) . This is a foam pad about 1/4 inch thick, at it's highest point. It is rounded off and tapered to each side. It is attached with tape until the idea location is determined. After that it can be glued or permanently fixed.

The idea is to spread the pressure that comes from pushing on the ball of the foot evenly across the front of the foot. This gives you more ability to apply pressure for longer periods of time.

One reason that forefoot discomfort occurs is from too narrow a shoe or pressure from the sides of he shoe. This can happen in cycling or ski boots.

I've been using this neuroma pad for two seasons, it makes a huge difference in comfort and peddling ability.

Neuroma in cycling, foot pain!

2011-06-30T00:15:00.005-06:00

A neuroma (metatarsal neuroma) Often associated with post leg or ankle surgery, due to inactivity, because foot, especially forefoot loading is rare after time off due to injury. Very painful neuroma (metatarsal neuroma) can be cured with metatarsal pad properly placed behind the transverse arch, (behind ball of the foot). A well constructed footbed is also a necessity. I have experienced this after knee and foot surgery, but after a few months of use; I find the pain subsides. However, I continue to use the neuroma pad in my bike shoes as the load is so concentrated toward the front of the foot. The pad spreads it across the ball of the foot, this really helps with comfort.

Also for serious bike riders a neuroma pad can help to produce more equalized pressure across the ball of the foot giving you better power into the peddle. The comfort improvement alone is worth the effort of getting this done.

12 weeks after surgery, right tendon.

2011-06-29T23:19:00.003-06:00

Because activity of both legs has been limited it's hard to tell which is the reconstructed Achilles tendon, they are both small..

Double two raises and toe stands are an important first step after 10 weeks. Use assisted hand support before beginning this series of exercises.

The right heel has a clear thickened Achilles tendon from the surgery, but it's getting strong.

The calf muscle is returning, but less than half it's normal size after 12 weeks. in two weeks this improve quickly.

This Bosu ball exercises are great for overall proprioception and lower body and one footed balance training. Also it strengthens all the small muscles you need around your ankle. Use assistance with crutches at first.

At this point one legged squats on the ball and cycling are my main exercises, and leg press for upper leg and hip strength are also important to develop. So any leg press machine with controlled resistance is a good supplement.

My Bike has wings!

2011-06-24T17:40:00.003-06:00

Going into week 12 of my Achilles Tendon rehab. I'm riding stronger all the time, riding is great for the tendon, it loosens it up without hurting it.

This bike literally flys up mountains. It's an Orbea, Opal, under 15 pounds. Very stiff frame, but comfortable.

No, I don't sell them, or this one.

Starting the Climbing Season with an easy 5-11b

2011-06-21T22:29:00.001-06:00

Rifle-Piledriver 5-11b

11 weeks post surgery, I'll really happy with the progress.

Three and four pitch climbs in Clear Creek.

2011-06-20T09:57:00.002-06:00

Enlarge by clicking to see climbers, look closely and you can see three climbers on this wall. This is an easy 5.8 until the last bit at the top where it turns to a 5.11d

There are four people on this pitch, three are visible.

Normally this is where I would ride my bike.

2011-06-18T11:44:00.001-06:00

Morning drive in the Rocky Mountains, Squaw Pass.

Click on photo for better image!

Beautiful Colorado morning, time for a drive in the mountains.

2011-06-18T08:47:00.000-06:00

When you can't go for a bike ride and you did a full work out the day before, it's rest day. Time to fire up the old clunker and just go for a drive.

Achilles rehab, with Bosu ball.

2011-06-17T14:22:00.000-06:00

One of my go to training techniques is the Bosu ball. This should be started no earlier than 8 or 9 weeks after surgery, as the tendon has to be well formed before you can introduce this kind of stress, on the repair.

I do gas peddle toe pushing and ankle rolls on the ball. I also try to balance with the aid of crutches. After a few weeks you can support your body weight on the ball.

You can see a calf muscle starting to develop.

Exercises for rehabbing an achilles tendon! How's the Achilles coming?

2011-06-17T14:08:00.000-06:00

This strap is connected to a Bowflex machine, which I have in my gym. You can use rubber cords as well.

Achilles Tendon Rupture 10 weeks after surgery!

2011-06-17T14:01:00.001-06:00

Click on photo to enlarge

Lucky not much swelling and a very smooth repair with thick growth around tendon. This growth will recede and a normal tendon size will develop after about 10 months. The bump on my heel is from Lange boots about 40 years ago, it's still there, as many Lange skiers can attest to.

Let's have a look at why "Carbon Fiber" works for Ski Boots!

2011-06-16T12:34:00.003-06:00

http://www.dodgeskiboots.com/images/boot,right.JPG

Benefits of Dodge Carbon Ski Boots for Skiers

We know that carbon fiber has amazing performance characteristics in sport applications. Examples are: the advances made in road and mountain bike design; strength and lightness are the most obvious benefits. But the power that can be generated by carbon fiber in Tennis rackets, is also well know.

So we know that carbon fiber gives us more strength and less weight, but also gives us more power in many applications.

Less know or less realized is that carbon fiber, also has different vibration characteristics. This is important for rackets, bikes and ski boots. In rackets, Dodge Boots and bikes, less bad vibration is generated, reducing fatigue, therefore you can ride longer, play longer, at a higher level..

What does this have to do with ski boots and how do all the benefits that happen in other applications, work out for skiing?

The first thing you notice when you pick up a pair of Dodge boots is that they are light. in relative terms they are about half the weight of a “Plug”, racing, plastic boot.

When you begin to ski the boots, you notice the immediate strength of edging. Fitting aside, because anything you want can be accomplished with proper fitting, your skis will feel like they have better hold and feel like they are new again.

This is a result of the power of the side wall provided by the carbon fiber and the lack of vibration, which normally makes the skis bounce, in a plastic boot. Well, you didn’t know your boots made the skis bounce! This is not obvious until you ski the Dodge boots for a few weeks.

The next thing you notice when skiing Dodge boots is how far you can tip the skis on edge. You feel like the skis hold better, so the immediate result is more confidence, which means you are willing to go deeper into building angles to the snow.

This has an amazing result and response in quickness as well. The boots are so much lighter that it’s easier and faster to go from edge to edge.

The next performance improvement is fore/aft balance. Because the Dodge Boots are so much lighter they are easier to keep under your hips. They are easier to pull back and quicker to move.

The following are also all benefits, which may not be directly viewed as performance related by some, but they can also enhance comfort. For example: the boots do not change stiffness in extreme temperature changes. So you can put them on in the parking lot and remove them there, because they are not stiffer or harder to bend, when it’s cold. They are not much harder to remove then if they were in a ski lodge.

Another benefit not directly related to performance, but you can derive performance benefits from, is fit. Because Dodge Boots are so stiff, in the right places, you don’t have to over buckle them. in fact, too much buckling may give you less performance. This helps your feet and allows you to stand in the boot longer without pain.

So let’s do a recap, benefits of Dodge boot over Plastic Boots.

Much Lighter -Dodge Boots- Yes, Plastic- No

Stronger -Dodge Boots- Yes, Plastic- No

Edge Hold -Dodge Boots- Yes, Plastic- not so much

Quicker -Dodge Boots- Yes, Plastic- not so much

Temperature dependent -Dodge Boots- No, Plastic- Yes

Comfort -Dodge Boots- Yes, Plastic- not so much

Balance enhancing -Dodge Boots- Yes, Plastic- not so much

Better ski performance -Dodge boots- Yes, Plastic- same as usual
No Boot board -Dodge Boots, quicker transitions, Yes, Rubber Boots- not so much

There you have it in a nut shell, why I ski in and sell Dodge boots.

Unfortunately for cycling Armstrong and Hamilton keep the focus on doping.

2011-06-14T19:53:00.000-06:00

Hamilton and Armstrong duke-it-out in Aspen restaurant. This is just the next step in the legal battle that is bad for cycling, bad for Armstrong and a losing hand for Hamilton.

Whether or not they ever prove Armstrong was doping doesn't matter, the luster on his coat and the shin on his victories are tarnished. His beer commercials won't last much longer either, so this is going to cost him some big bucks.