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Do You Live in the Mountains?

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:15:02 -0700

In the past I have lived in the mountains (and the delta), and my home in the Bay Area now is a stone's throw away from the mountains. I have the best of both worlds, I think - the benefits of city life immediate to me, and dozens of outdoorsy activities not far from home. How about you?

Skiing Defined

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 04:04:17 -0800

There are tons of ways to get from the top of a snowy mountain to the bottom. Here are all of the different types of skiing so you can get them straight, and know which one might be right for your personality.

Alpine or Downhill skiing: This requires you to take a chairlift to the top of the mountain, and then you ski down. This type of skiing has your foot inside a tight boot, that's completely binded to your ski - gravity and the slippery snow allow you to go super fast. Can get expensive with all the equipment and having to buy lift tickets or a season's pass.

Cross-Country skiing/Nordic skiing: This is much more physically demanding because you're doing all the work. You don't need a chairlift because you're mostly using trails in the woods, and it's cheaper too because you don't have to buy lift tickets. The boot is soft, and your heel is not attached to the ski. The skis are lightweight, and thinner than downhill skis.

To find out the rest, read more

Telemark Skiing: This type of skiing is sort of a combination of the first two. You're going downhill, but your heel is free. You're able to bend your knees, and move more fluidly, kind of like jogging. It's focused around the Telemark turn, which allows you great control.

Alpine Touring/Randonnée: It's pretty much the same as regular alpine skiing. But the heels of the bindings release, and you can attach straps to your skis called skins, so you can hike up a mountain. Then your heels can click back in so you can ski down the mountain. It's for hardcore skiers who like to hike to where they want to ski.

Heliskiing: Just alpine skiing, but instead of taking a chairlift, a helicopter brings you to the top of very tall mountains.

All are different from each other, but now you can figure out which one is right for you.

Do You Have a Mountain View?

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:30:12 -0700

At my husband's family cabin in Washington, we're lucky enough to enjoy this view from the deck on non-foggy days. The cabin overlooks Mt. Index, in the Cascade Range. What mountain do you get to look at?

Gear Review: Radiance Jacket by Mountain Hardwear

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:33 -0700

If you are looking forward to Winter but not the cold that accompanies it, Mountain Hardwear has constructed a jacket for you. The Radiance Jacket ($230) is pre-wired for the Ardica Moshi Power System ($145).

When fully charged, the battery powered energy pack will keep you warm for a little over eight and a half hours when set on the low setting and three hours when set for high. The heater fits into an internal pocket in the back of the jacket that sits between your scapula with extra heating coils in the front just above the pockets. Simply pressing the black button on the top of the jacket turns on the heater. The contrast between the lightweight jacket and the stiff battery is quite noticeable though. Known for their lightweight yet warm jackets (I ski in an older version of the company's Flip Jacket), the power system makes the jacket heavy.

I sat in my cold house (why houses in Northern California aren't well insulated is beyond me) and cranked the jacket to the high setting and was quite toasty. I was sweating in minutes. I have no doubt it would keep me warm on the slopes or sitting at a snowy football game, I am not sure I want to pay $375 to stay warm. Think of all the hot chocolate you could buy, even overpriced ski lodge cocoa, with that kind of dough.

If you're an electronics junkie, the jacket will charge them. To learn how read more.

The left pocket of the jacket houses a USB cable, they come with a variety of adapters making it useful for charging your iPhone, iPod, camera, or BlackBerry. The Ardica System takes more than a few hours to fully charge, but it can fully charge your phone multiple times once it's charged.

I think the concept of a warming jacket that helps you stay wired (or at least charged) is cool, but I am not completely sold on the technology. While the jacket is cute and streamlined - it would fit well under a shell to keep for added wind and water protection - but if it is so cold that I need a heater to keep me warm riding up a mountain, I might just opt for a lodge day. What about you? What do you think of the Radiance Jacket?

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Reasons to Try Mountain Biking

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:47:34 -0700

Road biking was my first taste of exercising on wheels. I loved the smooth terrain, how fast I could speed along, and how much distance I could cover, which made for great sightseeing. I never gave much thought to trying mountain biking, until my hubby persuaded me to go with him. I tell you, it's a completely different feeling riding on a woodsy trail than it is riding on the road. Here are some reasons you should give it a try.

It's the perfect time of year - the air is chilly so you won't overheat, there are no bugs, the ground is less muddy, and the foliage is gorgeous. It's a great way to celebrate Fall.
It's a major calorie burner. An hour of mountain biking burns over 500 calories.
You can forget about doing endless squats and lunges because mountain biking will effectively tone your thighs and booty. Since you have to pedal hard up steep hills, you really feel the burn in your lower body.
Once you purchase a mountain bike, cycling shoes, and a helmet, the trails are usually free, so it's a great way to stay fit during a time when we're all pinching pennies. Visit a bike shop and purchase an old model that stores are trying to get rid of, or check out Craigslist if you're on a budget.

To see why else you should start mountain biking read more.

It's a great alternative for people who say that running hurts their knees or back.
Since you're biking through narrow trails, over roots and rocks, dodging tree limbs and holes, you really tune your sense of balance. It also requires more awareness and quick thinking, so boredom just isn't an issue.
It's a great form of exercise you can do with a friend or whole group. Not only is there safety in numbers, but your pals can suggest new places to ride.
It's hardcore. I feel so tough after a ride in the woods because mountain biking is so challenging. I come home with scratches from branches, bruises from falling (since I'm a beginner), and mud on my legs. Aside from strengthening my body, my inner self feels stronger.

Tell me, have you ever tried mountain biking?

The Radiance Jacket Keeps You Warm and Charges Your iPod

GeekSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:50:05 -0700

Yesterday, FitSugar brought a fun product over to my desk - this cute bomber style ski jacket. At first glance I thought it was just a jacket, but little did I know that this Radiance Jacket from Mountain Hardwear is outfitted with all the necessary gear to heat up the jacket and to charge your gadgets, you know. . . for those long ski runs in the Swiss Alps. The way it works is the jacket needs a high-tech Ardica power system to perform all of its geeky functions.

The padded heater goes into the back of the jacket (I'm not gonna lie, she is a bit heavy), and the tiny square Moshi power system connects to the USB port which is accessible from the lower left pocket in the jacket. With the heater, you can get up to nine hours of heat on its lowest setting and three when it's on high. When charged up, the Moshi power unit can connect to a variety of devices, thanks to its handy adapters, and at the end of the day, you can just directly plug it into the wall to recharge it for another day. FitSugar took the jacket for a test drive, so you can see what she thought of it by reading her full review here.

To see my overall thoughts about the jacket, just read more.

You know I appreciate a teched-out jacket as much as the next geek, but I just don't know if it's worth the additional $150 for the high-tech features (the base price of the coat is $230 and for the additional gadget gear, you have to pay $150 on top of the original price). Also, the insulated jacket feels nice and airy, and well, lightweight, until you slip in the big battery powered energy pack. I'll give it an A+ for its geeky coolness factor, but I can't say I'd want to invest so much money in something I may not get a lot of wear out of.

Mountain Biking with Gary Fisher

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Anyone who mountain bikes should know what a Gary Fisher bike is. I know it particularly well because my husband's Gary Fisher bike was stolen when he was in college, and he has never fully recovered from the loss.

Gary Fisher, named "The Founding Father of Mountain Bikes" by Smithsonian Magazine, will guide mountain bike enthusiasts on a 363-mile ride September 3-10, 2007 through historic villages in and around Portugal's mountains. This is an amazing opportunity to bike one of the most scenic bike rides with one of the most famous bike makers -- Fisher is credited with inventing the mountain bike in 1975 and has a line of bikes appropriately named Gary Fisher.

This advanced-level ride takes bicyclists 363 miles over eight days, with two guides along the way. The shortest day will include 32 miles of riding, while the longest day will be 66 miles. All meals, including 7 dinners, are provided. Riders stay in two- or three-star inns. Transfers and a "chase" vehicle are provided, all for 1,150 Euros (about $1,567) per person. Without lodging or food, the price is 650 Euros ($887). Sign up today at A2Z Adventures.

FYI: This trip is not for the beginner mountain biker, 66 miles in one day is a long ride.

Tips For Beginner Mountain Biking

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you love hiking and biking, then why not combine the two? Mountain biking is really challenging, and not only does it work your thighs (it's tough going up rocky hills), but all those windy and narrow trails challenge your sense of balance and trust in yourself. Once you get the hang of it, a power inside takes over and you'll find yourself going faster and taking more risks. It's really exhilarating since it makes you feel strong, confident, and tough. If you're thinking about trying it out, here are some tips.

Make sure your bike has wide, knobby tires and a sturdy frame. The seat should be set at a height so that your legs reach almost full extension when your pedal is in its lowest position. The handlebars should be positioned slightly lower than your seat so that your back is at a 45° angle. You may want to consider purchasing a bike with suspension so that the bumps are easier on your joints.
A helmet is a must. You're bound to fall off your bike, and you want to make sure your head is protected.
The terrain may be very bumpy so keep some softness in your knees and elbows to absorb shock and prevent joint injury.

To find out what else you'll need to know for mountain biking read more.

Mountain bikes will have either platform pedals, toe clips, or clipless pedals. Platform pedals are flat and you can wear any type of sneaker with them. Pedals that have little baskets on the front to slide your shoe into are called toe clips. Some mountain bikes have clipless pedals that you wear special shoes with that click into them, which makes it easier to pedal with force. Practice clicking in and out of these pedals so if you start to lose you balance and fall over, you can remove your shoe from the pedal and use your foot to catch your fall. It's best for beginners to use platform pedals or toe clips.
Learn how and when to shift your gears. Higher gears are harder to pedal (good for soaring downhill), and lower gears are easier to pedal (good for tackling uphills). Practice biking up and down hills so you can figure out when to use which gears.
Learn how to pedal while standing. This enable you to use the strength of your legs to go up hills and over rocky terrain.
Learn how to go downhill. It's important to lift your bum off the seat and shift your weight slightly towards the back of the bike. This will give you more control and will also prevent saddle soreness the next day.

Reader Recipe: Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:01:31 -0800

I was checking out the recipes in the Kitchen Goddess group, when I saw this one from TeamSugar member ashleyk4214. Her recipe is for a simple dessert, but unique dessert. Not any old apple dumplings, these ones are made with Mountain Dew! That's right, the golden pastries are cooked in a mixture of Mountain Dew, cinnamon, butter and sugar. If this sounds intriguing to you, get the recipe, just read more.

Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
From TeamSugar member ashleyk4214

I got this recipe in my email this afternoon and I KNEW I had to make it just as soon as I had the chance, it sounded so good! Well, the chance just so happen came up tonight when my sister invited me over for dinner (I think she is feeling sorry for me since the husband is still out of town). Anyway, here's the basics:
2 cans crescent rolls. I used Pillsbury 8 count cans in original flava.
2 apples. I used green apples, I believe they were Granny Smith.
2 sticks butter. I don't skimp, the recipe says you can use margarine, but what's the point anyway?
2 cups sugar.
2 tsp. cinnamon.
1 can Mountain Dew.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Core and slice apples (I removed the skins as well).
Wrap each in a crescent triangle. I basically just tried my best to get every inch of the apple covered by the dough.
Line up in a 9x13 inch pan.
Melt butter, cinnamon, and sugar together. I just nuked the butter and then stirred in the sugar and cinnamon until it had a pretty smooth, pourable consistency.
Pour the Dew around the perimeter of the pan.
Bake 45 minutes.
Eat warm with a scoop, or 3, of vanilla ice cream.

The apple slices wrapped in the crescent dough.

2 cups o' sugar

Butter, sugar, and cinnamon

Do the Dew!

Before the oven

After the oven.

Ta Da!!

Print recipe with images | without images

Fittingly Mad: Share the Mountain

FitSugar — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 02:30:00 -0800

I have written here before urging and maybe complaining about the need for both cyclists and drivers to share the road, since I have been on both sides of the situation. Now, I must tell you I feel the same way about the slopes – you've got to share the mountain, people. On busy weekends, snowy mountainsides are filled with skiers and boarders of all levels. It can feel crowded and scary. Both newbies and experienced skiers/riders need to be aware of each other. Seems simple, right?

I know that people who spend all their Winters going downhill fast (I mean that in a good way) feel really in control of their motions. But skiing quickly and closely to a downed newbie adds another layer of fear to the green skier who has lost a ski or a boarder giving his or her bum a break. So be mindful and use those skills to steer clear of those learning to love downhill sports.

On the other hand, if you are new to skiing or boarding, pay attention. Your job as a newbie is to get down the mountain in one piece, but that also involves being aware of your surroundings. Ski or board defensively. I do hope that experienced mountain folk will be on the lookout for you too.

Hopefully, we will have a long ski season so everyone will get his or her fair share of powder days - "getting some fresh-y," as I like to say.

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