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New Skike Models On The Way

19/3/2014

v7 Fix Cross

Skike International has continued developing skike products. New models were announced in late January 2014 and scheduled to be released 1 May 2014. Skike Australia has locked in orders so that we will again be amongst the first markets worldwide to have them available. In advance of the new product announcement we have been trialling the new models and a few of the Melbourne Skike Force have put them through their paces.

The new models look very good. We are pleased with their improved features and ride and their quality and finish. The v07-PLUS will continue including with Road Star tyres but will have new brake pads (aluminium instead of brass) and a change in the velcro belts (the pad over the forefoot will no longer be there).

The new v7 FIX is a revised version of the v07-PLUS with quite a number of improved features including new wheel bearings and new design wheel rims, improved belts, new quick releases and new brakes. The velcro belts now have end tabs so that threading is made easier and rethreading constantly is no longer required. The brake shoe material has been made lighter and our testing has found an improved feel and control on a dry track. Brake wear seems to be just as good if not better than with the previous models. The improved quick releases make it easier to change wheels and adjust the brake position. They also add to the improved design and lock down of the orthotic adjustment that is available on the calf cuff. The redesigned wheels, apart from having a new stylish spoke pattern and new bearings, also have an improved fitting / locking of the tube valve into the wheel rim.

v8 Lift Cross 2R

The v8 LIFT is the other main new model release for 2014. It is more related to the VX-TWIN, the
first skike model available with a free heel that can be lifted. The v8 LIFT has the new features and improvements of the v7 FIX as well as having a redesigned and longer chassis (to improve ride
and accommodate larger shoe sizes) and a permanent free heel that suits both classic and skating cross country skiing techniques. Although the v8 LIFT has been targeted for those wanting to do classic technique, we really enjoy the v8 LIFT for skating and think that it is an even closer replication of skating on skis on snow, which is done with a free heel.

The other big news is that both of these models have a choice of wheels. There is the improved version of pneumatic wheels that we love to use to CROSS both sealed and unsealed surfaces. Now there is also available poly urethane (PU) wheels for SPEED which come in two sizes (145/24 and 125/24). The small and large PU wheels are a skike real alternative to the speed and performance of PU wheels on roller skis, rollerblades and inline skates. They go fast and we really enjoy them. We can’t wait to see how well skikes with the PU wheels will perform in roller ski races. The PU wheels are not intended for off track use but we were surprised how well they performed on the bush single tracks.

Yet another improvement is a new reverse control wheel that can be used on the v7 and v8 skike models, They enable classic (stride) technique as well as provide help to climb inclines (especially when the track is too narrow for skating) and assist new starters (including children) to learn skating. For those that are interested and want to be amongst the first to own or trial the new models, get in touch with us via our website or [email protected]

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Skikers XC Skiing in France Jan -Feb 2014

17/3/2014

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We recently heard from Nola Payne following her recent skiing holiday in Europe. She writes:

After an invitation to try skiking last September, I thought why not! A nervous beginning then an hour on the trails at Westerfolds and by the time I'd arrived home had decided I needed a pair. Training on them proved invaluable when I headed to France in Jan with fellow skikers Chris and Peter. Waxing skis and packing down jackets etc seemed ridiculous during the first week of the heat wave but before long we were in the village of Bessans, a x-c skiers dream in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise region of the Rhone Alpes in south eastern France.

I discovered the village 2 years ago when I spent a week spring skiing in each of 4 different x-c areas in France. Returned last year for 2 weeks with fellow skiker Paul Waller and his wife Sue who also loved it, then again this year for 4 weeks which was still too short. Travelled for the first time without a car but once in the village there's no need, everything is within walking distance. We flew to Lyon, arrived in the evening and stayed in a hotel at the airport then the next day an adventure via three buses all well coordinated by the local company eventually delivering us to the village centre though in future will catch the TGV from Lyon airport to the town of Modane at the end of the valley then just one bus to the village.

Bessans is a traditional French village with around 300 inhabitants, surrounded by 133 km's of mainly undulating x-c ski trails with one small beginners downhill slope, it's set in a narrow valley at 1740m surrounded by 3000m peaks and glaciers, so can always guarantee good snow. The scenery is spectacular and rugged, frozen waterfalls everywhere and the ice climbers often come out at the weekend. If you're lucky you'll see Chamois roaming on the slopes. It's home to the Marathon de Bessans, the French Euroloppet ski race held in early January each year.

The attraction isn't just the skiing but life in the village where cows, sheep, goats etc spend the winter in barns along the main street and in basements under houses. The village dogs placidly roam the streets not at all bothered about visitors. Most of the businesses are run by villagers whose families have lived there for generations. There are groomed walking trails, just as popular as the ski trails, some people wear snow shoes but most just boots and Nordic walking poles. This year a fascinating exhibition was held in the Mayor's office telling the story of the the invasions by the Italians and Germans during the 2nd world war, the Germans burned three quarters of the houses, those that survived are still standing and date back to the 1700's.

During our first week there was much excitement in the village, a stage of 'La Grande Odyssee' was held one afternoon near the Nordic centre, it's part of the 5 day festival of dog sled races held along the valley. About 16 teams each with 8 to 12 dogs, they race about 70 km's each day. There were thousands watching, on both sides of the starting area, then everyone raced across the snow as they came past again and headed along the valley to the village of Bonneval sur Arc which is right at the start of the Col de L'Iseran of Tour de France fame. It was a bit like the Tour, people hardly left space for the dogs and mushers to get past, many of them didn't seem to be in a great rush though and and high fived all the kids along the way. Lots of hot choc and vin chaud was provided for everyone.

Most days/evenings there are events you can attend ranging from the 'Welcome' every Sunday, a short talk about the events for the week followed by generous tastings of 'chocolat verte' - hot chocolate with Chartreuse and the local cheese Beaufort to visits to a home to see the their animals wintering in the basement, waxing info sessions and an introduction to Biathlon both traditional and laser. Some of the villagers speak a little English and we get by with our small amount of French as everyone is very friendly and welcoming. The xmas decorations stay up for months so it's always looks pretty walking around the village in the evenings, shops are open till 7 as they all close for lunch.

During our stay the temperatures ranged from -16 to 4 and everything in between. We only had 2 windy days, the second quite extreme with wind blown snow on the trails and when it started to ease by early afternoon, the groomers came out for the first time in daylight and groomed everywhere back to it's usual perfection. The trails are never crowded even though you see skate marks along them, so you often feel like they've been groomed just for you.

I'm told the village is just as popular in summer for walking, mountaineering and cycling. There are trails for roller skiing and blading, so good for skiking too though I'm not sure how extensive they are. The Biathlon range is used year round including summer competitions.

Bessans is a very special place and well worth a visit.

As a result of Nola's and Paul and Sue Waller's enthusiasm for Bessans, skikers Peter O'Brien, Christine Roberts, Michelle Armstrong and James, Freya and Finlay Clark also visited Bessans this year. We have also recently met Benoit from France who is living in Melbourne and came skiking with us. Benoit told us " I would love to be from Bessans but I am not, that is fortunately my favourite holiday place in the world and I love to be there."

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News from The Wenona Team

17/3/2014

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Lara Hamilton

At the start of February 2013 Skike Australia was approached via our website by James Hamilton who enquired about skikes. James along with other Wenona girls school (in Sydney) parents Richard Logan, Ben Stoner and Anne Hemmings had decided that they would in conjunction with the school, establish a cross country ski team for the school. They formed a training squad, met with us in Sydney and purchased skike equipment and they sought and employed a coach. The result was that Wenona qualified 7 girls from an 8 girl team to the 2013 National Interschool Cross Country skiing Championships. The team was comprised of girls from years 6 to 10. For some 2013 was their first season trying XC skiing. In the Nationals their best result was the Division 3 relay which came a close 4th. When we asked James this week he told us that:

"We trained once a week last year using skikes on a large netball court complex with surrounding bike trails. This allowed younger children to get comfortable on the skikes on a flat area for technique training before venturing onto gentle paths. Most children do not use rollerskis as they are still growing and their parents are reticent to buy expensive XC ski boots at this stage. The skikes are less likely to stop on a stick or stone as well due to their pump up tires. We have just started dry land training again in 2014 with 9 girls so far. D’Arcy Baxter is coaching the girls with parent back up. The Sunday dry land training is a 1.5 hour mix of hill bounding, some exercises, some running and skiking. Some of the girls are also doing road running with the schools cross country group as well. The aim is to keep training fun and inclusive. All the girls do other school sports. We hope to progress some of the girls to train with skikes on a 2 km traffic free track with some hills in a few months."

The Wenona team also achieved another success recently with Lara Hamilton being announced as the winner of an Australian Sports Commission scholarship. The following article is about that announcement http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/lara-hamilton-scores-asc-grant/story-fngr8ih3-1226836707675

Congratulations to Lara, the Wenona XC ski team girls and the support provided by the coaches, parents, family and school. We are really pleased to see your initial successes and look forward to observing as you continue to progress.

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availability of spare parts for older models

8/3/2014

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As of 3/2/2013 the supplier Skike Sport International announced a final sale of replacement parts for the discontinued V07-120 and V07-S series of Skikes.

These models have now been out of production for three years and our local stock of spare parts is running out. Many parts such as ankle joint bearing kits, axle kits and brake shoe kits are not interchangeable with the later models.

If you are likely to need parts for older skikes, contact us now as no more orders will be possible once our local stocks are sold out.

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Skike Demo Sessions

4/3/2014

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Madison and Lauren

Last Saturday we conducted another Skike demo session and were joined by parents Charles and Abigail and their daughters Madison and Lauren. Along for the ride and assisting us were Kate and her daughter Emma who purchased their own Skikes after attending one of our demo sessions at Westerfolds Park last December.

After a lesson on technique from Len, the family were all rolling. Madison and Lauren both did well on their first session and previous skating and skiing experience helped them gain confidence.

Charles finding his skiking legs

Why not join us at one of our free regular demo sessions. In Melbourne we hold them regularly at Westerfolds Park Templestowe, usually on a Saturday morning from 10.00am. Bookings are required. The sessions go for about an hour and are tailored to your level of experience and include an intensive technique lesson designed to get you rolling quickly and enjoying the benefits that Skikes offer. Bring your own helmet, gloves, knee and elbow protection if possible and we will take care of the rest. A water bottle and sunscreen is also recommended.

Lauren on a roll

For those outside Melbourne wanting to try out Skikes, get in contact with us and we can put you in touch with other skikers around the country that would be happy to help.

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Authors

Len - Well known in the Australian XC skiing community as a competitor, coach, race organiser and instructor who is also passionate about skikes.

Marshall - The first to introduce and import skikes to Australia. Enjoys outdoor pursuits and has a strong attraction to anything with wheels.

New Skike Models On The Way

Skikers XC Skiing in France Jan -Feb 2014

News from The Wenona Team

availability of spare parts for older models

Skike Demo Sessions

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