We still didn’t make it down the Ski Centre before 10 AM. This week we made good time to Huntly, but somehow the time got eaten up between parking at the pool and arriving at the Ski Centre, mainly due the atrociously icy conditions on the road. Thanks to Rick for running Alice down, although I don’t think she was too keen on Tilly! Continue reading
Did the Secret Clash Tour with Colin Miller today – More of that later. Here’s the snow state:
The road from Rhynie to the Clash was clear as far as the forest, although it is marked as closed on signs going out of Rhynie. Aberdeenshire council have obviously done a great job clearing the snow, they seem to have employed a snow blower to bash through the worst. Care is still required because of narrowed sight lines and generally narrowed road, plus there are icy strips along the sides of the road in places. Traction was no problem with 90% tarmac along the route. Continue reading
Report from Claire Newman
I have just done a quick recce up to the carpark at the Clash. There are road closed signs in Rhynie but they do say Cabrach on them as well. The roads are clear but there is still limited car parking space. It was also snowing/sleeting when I was there at 10.30. I am afraid I did not venture into the forest as I just did not have quite enough time.
From Cameron Miller race waxing skis
Fischer RCS Classic – NO binding Size 172 Asking price £60
First come first served. Contact Andy 01464 851377 or andymiller8@btopenworld.com
Another Sunday morning and another mad dash up to Huntly. I got up an hour earlier this week but still didn’t get the the ski centre until 10AM, where did the time go?
This week had to be the coldest I have ever seen it at Huntly, Sandy said her car was reading -15C in the car park. It was freezing. Continue reading
There was so much snow this year that the Clash Dash was cancelled and some informal sprints were held at the ski centre instead.
Conditions were bitterly cold (for the UK) at -14C, fortunately there were blue skies and no wind. The freezing Deveron made an attractive backdrop to the races.
Results below.
I’m often asked by work colleagues about the efficacy of snow tyres and wether they are worth it.
By accident I have carried out an experiment to prove the hypothesis this week. I didn’t manage to get the snow tyres on our volvo V40 in the autumn for various reasons so I have had the opportunity of driving the car without snow tyres in wintry conditions. Getting the car up our short track to the road with the standard tyres proved impossible and I had to resort to snow chains. After a visit to the garage to swap across the font wheels to snow tyres (Vredstein Snowtracks) the car will go up and down the same track no problems forward and in reverse. It seems to run better with the snow tyres than the chains! Continue reading
Tomorrow’s Clash Dash has been moved to Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre because snow conditions at the Clash are not suitable for racing. Some informat classic races will be held, any helpers welcome.
Club member Olwen Thorn has qualified for World Cup Biathlon (on December 18th in Obertiliach).
Olwen Thorn Racing
Unfortunately she has picked up a nasty chest infection since Christmas which has prevented her from entering any World Cup Races yet..
My daughter has been signed up to attend the Junior Development Squad (JDS) this year so I have been recruited to be one of the parent helpers. The JDS is run by Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre, but receives support from the club in the form of helpers and coaches.
My daughter is only 5 years old which is right at the bottom of the age range accepted for the JDS so I was a bit concerned that she would struggle Continue reading