Two days after Christmas, Monday, December 27th, is the Double Birkie. It starts at the fish hatchery ski trails near Hayward at 8 am. It skis from Hayward up to Telemark and back to Hayward. Something over 90 km or so. Since Telemark Lodge is closed for the lunch stop, there is going to be a stop either at the North End Ski Trail warming hut or a cabin up by Telemark. I’m not sure which, but there will be a place to stop and dry off a little and eat.

I don’t know how long this has been going on. I first skied it in 1991, I think. It was started by Tom Schuler , (Ella’s Grandson) and and a few other cyclists. I don’t know why. In 1991, I’d skied maybe 5 times in my life and then did it. I couldn’t even V1 up a hill at the time. Only walking stick. And the guys I was skiing with were all professional bike racers and most had speed skated before that. It was Greg LeMond, Tom, Jeff Bradley, Michael King and a handful of others. I struggled the first 6 hours or so, but towards the end, on the hilly section, my walking stick paid off and I was nearly the last man standing. I was pretty fit from cyclo-x and what I was doing had nothing to do with the sport of skate skiing.

Anyway, anyone can show. It’s super casual. I’d make sure to bring something along to eat, just in case. The conditions of the Birkie Trail are unbelievable right now. It should be perfect. But, I’ve skied this thing in 6 inches of virgin snow, which doubles the energy output, at least.

So, if you have nothing planned next Monday, consider coming to Hayward and skiing for the whole day. It’s 10 hours from my house and I make the drive as often as possible.

Directions to the Fish Hatchery are here.

Dennis and Lauren in front of the North End warming hut.

I’m not a religious guy. I’ve had my moments. Mainly concerning deaths. Pets, parents. But, I don’t buy into the historical religious standards. If I were to pick a religion, it would probably be closer to some religion an American Indian tribe practiced than anything that “modern” society has come up with. That being said, I like Christmas. People seem to be nicer and happier during the holiday period. That is enough reason on its own. I don’t think most Americans would say religion is the main theme of Christmas anymore. I might be wrong here, but to me, the hanging with friends and family outweigh the religious overtones.

The presents are good too. Great, in this instance, this year. Trudi gave me a Eddy Merck Special Edition Book. I saw this book over at the BMC Service course. Och (Jim Ochowicz) owned it. I spent a couple hours going through it. I guess Trudi observed this.

So, she asked Jim about getting one. He said, “Sure”, called Eddy Merckx on his cell right then, and it was done. It wasn’t that done, though. The book didn’t arrive at the Service Course before Trudi left Europe, so she sort of stressed. She called Och again and he said just to get in touch with Axel, Eddy’s son. Axel lives in Canada. So, Axel was going to bring one to Texas and ship it to Kansas, but then decided against that and just shipped it from Canada.

I used to say that I wouldn’t really care if anyone robs my house. I’ve lived there for nearly 40 years and have never had a key to the front door. I really don’t have anything in my house that I can’t live without. Now I do. I’ve always wanted a full Campy tool kit. But, I really don’t. Most the tools don’t work with today’s bicycles. I didn’t know I wanted this book, but now that I have it, I’m going to read it cover to cover many times, and guard it with my life.

It is pretty cool having this book in a box sent by Eddy Merckx's son.