Category: Skikes - skike australia

Hotham to Dinner Plain

5/8/2014

On Saturday 2nd August the fourth of the Skike Australia Victorian Ski Chase events, the Hotham to Dinner Plain (also known as the Pub to Pub) took place. A full report of the event and the updated results can be viewed and downloaded at our Victorian Ski Chase Page.

There are four events this coming weekend at Mt. Stirling (Saturday, 11 AM, Stirling Silver Hill Climb), Mt Baw Baw (Sunday, 10:30 AM, Tullicoutty/St. Phillack Cup) and Falls Creek (Sunday, 10:30 AM, Rocky Valley Rush/ Sun Valley Ramble). With so many locations to choose from there’s an event for everyone.

After this weekend the final event of the series will only be two weeks away, and that’s the Hoppet/Birkebeiner/Joey. So to maximise your points and increase your chances of winning the prizes, make sure you turn up to as many events as you can.

Skike Australia Victorian Ski Chase 2014

8/6/2014

Hey, want to win a set of v07 PLUS skikes?

Well it's on again folks, and Skike Australia are proud to sponsor the Victorian Ski Chase 2014 for another year.

Check out our Victorian Ski Chase page for the details and visit frequently during the season for the latest updates and results as they are available. Further information is also available at www.ausxc.com

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Lake Mountain Rollerski Skike Challenge 2014

19/5/2014

Kevin Tory approaching the finish line

Fourty-five skikers and roller skiers competed in the Victorian Rollerski/Skike Championships at Lake Mountain on Sunday 11 May. Drizzle and foggy conditions greeted the entrants for most of the race while family members and spectators at the finish line didn't have much time to get cameras ready for those coming home with visibility down to under 50 metres. Skating skikers Kevin Tory and Jon Spring finished in 2nd and 3rd place behind skating roller skier Nick Montgomery who flew out of the fog and across the finish line in a time of 37:41.1.

As well as the race there were other activities. Our Skike tent set up and we were busy with people trying out Skike demo sets. The Melbourne Nordic Ski Club held a rollerski clinic and a Laser Biathlon come and try session was also held. This event is growing each year and with all the activity on the mountain will be sure to attract greater numbers next year. For more photos of the event see our facebook page and see the full list of results here.

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]

Skike Demo Sessions

4/3/2014

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.

Skikes on TV - The Living room Update

20/8/2013

We had a terrific response after skikes were demonstrated last Friday 16 August on the "Hot or Not" segment of the popular Channel 10 lifestyle program The Living Room

If you missed it you can watch the show (Series2, episode 25) online at the shows website http://livingroomtv.com.au/video.htm Around the 9 minute mark of the video you can see Barry Du Bois rolling around very well as a skike noobie. Well done Baz!

Please then go to The Living Room “Hot or Not” webpage and vote for skikes as being ‘HOT’ http://livingroomtv.com.au/hot-or-not-listing-4462.htm?pritab=6 and view the progress of voting.

Skikes on TV - Are they Hot or Not?

14/7/2013

Skikes are going to be demonstrated on the "Hot or Not" segment of the popular Channel 10 lifestyle program The Living Room at 7.30-8.30pm on Friday 16 August 2013.

We know that skikes are hot but watch the show and see presenter Barry "Baz" Du Bois on a pair of skikes and see what the audience think.

win a pair of skikes

17/6/2013

Want to win a pair of skikes?

Once again skike australia are proud sponsors of the Victorian Ski Chase 2013

Now that the Ski Season has begun, check out the Victorian Ski Chase page that we've added to our website. We will post updates and pictures after each event so get involved and enter any or all the events of the season for a chance to win.

upper ferntree gully to flinders street

23/5/2013

On Thursday May 23rd 2013, a small group of skiking diehards, Paul, Merv, Niina and Len, skiked all the way from Upper Ferntree Gully to Flinders Street Station. A long distance session like this had been on the minds of some of the group for a while as part of training for the coming XC ski season. A crisp morning turned into a lovely day with the group thoroughly enjoying themselves as the route took them along Blind Creek Trail, Scotchmans Creek Trail, Gardiners Creek Trail and the Main Yarra Trail.

Of particular note, Niina had only skiked a couple of times prior and this was only her second time on her new vX TWIN skikes. Well done Niina – an inspiring effort!

Here are some statistics of the session: Starting time 9.19am. Finishing time 1.34pm. The total distance was 46.1 kilometres. Paul's total active time was 3 hours 22 minutes and average active time speed was 13.7km/hour. Elevation varied from 129 metres at Upper Ferntree Gully down to 58 metres at the start of Jells Park. At the end of Jells Park the altitude was 116 metres. The highest point on the trip was recorded at 150 metres. Elevation at the finish point at Flinders Street Station was 15 metres. All in all there was a total ascent of 830 metres and total descent of 950 metres.

Through this journey the group stopped a number of times for water and snacks, a couple of wheel changes and a few photos. Check out all the photos on the Gallery page.

Do you have any stories and pictures of skiking adventures like this? If so, let us know and we would be happy to share them here with likeminded skikers.

skikes at the lake mountain roller-ski challenge

15/5/2013

Skikes were at the recent Lake Mountain Rolller-Ski Challenge on 5th May 2013 and it was pleasing to see almost a quarter of the entries on skikes.

It was a cool crisp morning with strong winds blowing and the finish line was fogged in at the commencement of the race. At the conclusion, the sun was poking through the cloud cover and the wind did begin to subside somewhat.

Congratulations to Andrew Walker on being the first to cross the finish line on a pair of skikes.

We commend Andrew Paul and the organisers for a great little event with a good turnout of entrants participating on the day, especially considering the short notice and quick planning only few weeks earlier. If it does become a regular event, with interest like this, it will only get bigger and better. We can't wait for the next one!

Check out The Lake Mountain Roller-Ski Challenge video of the event that Erwin from Walker Street Productions put together.

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.

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