Mille Lacs Kite Crossing

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:02 pm

Just got off the phone with Mike. The dates for the crossing are Feb 23,24, and 25. Psyched for the snow to come...

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:56 am

Is it just me or does that seem like a really long time from now?.I'm going nuts this fall, too cold, then no wind.
Thanks heavens the last day I got on the water, that nice sunny saturday at Reddy, was such a good one.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:16 am

Yeah it does seem far off. I think we may want to have a few Gathering type events this winter, locally or on Mille Lacs.... or on Cedar. I know of two other events locally. Nathan is putting something together for his Terrain Park, and Aaron is doing a winter camp/ride on the North side of Mille Lacs (3rd week in Jan).

psyched for snow

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:31 pm

Who keeps scheduling these things on Birkie weekend?!

I was so happy to be able to join in last year when the crossing was the first weekend in March.

pete168 · Post by **pete168** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:22 pm

Nancy, Let the Birkie go and hit the Book Across The Bay, in Ashland. Go up for the weekend and bring the kites to cruise across the frozen bay.

Pete

klimber · Post by **klimber** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:15 pm

I'm there!

hopefully this year it won't be so hazy. this year i'm not gunna listen to the snowmobiler who pointed me in the direction of the casino and end up in freakin last place. there I was following a pack and the guy said to get closer to land so I didn't get lost. I guess i should have followed the pack closer. oh well, looking forward to this time!

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:07 pm

I think the crossings, regardless of water or snow, are not necessarily about being fast, though that's a huge part. It's about preparation, choosing the right gear for the day, knowing what the heck is going on,having an idea where you're going, making sure your gear is in good condition and will not break down.
Every year there are so many "if only " "I got lost" "I didn't know we were going there" " My `2ru0`24 j.efg2e[ 8g broke" etc. etc.
The same has happened to me, I've had gear failures, listened to the hype of others and let them influence me into wrong choices, sailed towards the wrong land mark thinking it was X when it's Y. etc.
The crossing is called the "ultimate Challenge" it is, you have to get your mind into the Xing mode, listen to forcasts, directions, start sequences, what the organisers are doing, make a plan and stick to it, make sure your equipment is set up right,then once you have all that figured out...go fast ...in the right direction.
A good tip is to make sure your ready long before the start, go out into the lake and make sure you have good power, not overpowered, try to see where your going to go, make a plan for the race. Then get back to the start and wait for the gun...go fast.
What a challenge, what a gas, if you get it right and win...what a prick!

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:26 pm

Right on bro!

One cool thing about being lost, I felt in a huge snow globe that someone just shook. There was a big sphere of white around me and no reference points for my eyes to focus on. I felt drowsy. I looked at the kite and my gloves from time to time to refocus. Never felt so glad to see the shore.

Can't wait to do it again!
Denis

Woody · Post by **Woody** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:00 pm

We're all chompin' at the bit to get down south with you all again! Really looking forward to another fun Kite Crossing at Mille Lacs!

Woodette · Post by **Woodette** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:09 pm

I can't kite, but I'll be there for the party

Woodette

klimber · Post by **klimber** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:02 am

steveb wrote:...what a prick!

I'm a prick?

Professor Robae' · Post by **Professor Robae'** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:25 am

Yes! Another chance for Crossing immortality!

I am already predicting Ultimate Victory for myself!

hmm, wait; that strategy didn't work so well the last time, now did it...

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:00 pm

Rob, you'll never win. You're fast, you're tactically savy, just not enough of the prick quotient. :lol:Got to work on it.
So who's won most crossings?.

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:46 am

Pete, great idea!! Have you done that?! (kited the Book Across The Bay xc race) I've got a couple more to go to get to 20 Birkies, then I'm all kite!! I'll come over to Mille Lacs Sat. after the race, so Woodette, I'll be ready to party with you! Um, a disclaimer: I'm usually only good til about 10 tho after getting up at 6 and skiing hard for 51 k!!!

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:08 pm

That's my wife.....nothing but lame excuses.

Woodette · Post by **Woodette** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:24 pm

Whoohoo, I found a party buddy. Are you good till about 10am Nancy? Then no worries

Marked down my 90th. windsurf session for this year last Sunday! Yehhaaa!
We (Woody) had to rig in the snow and break through the ice on shore with all our gear to get to the water..us crazy canucks:)
I can hear you Steve, this October was really lousy. Way to cold!

Woodette

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:00 pm

Hey now, Steve - what's this quotient you speak of??

pete168 · Post by **pete168** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:07 pm

Nancy,

Haven't kited it, but have skied it. Its pretty awesome to do a ski race at night with luminaries every 20 meters. Then pray for wind on Sunday and you have about 20 square miles of open area to kite on.

Pete

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:25 pm

I was wondering when you'd get around to reading the Forum....LoL. Forgive me my childish humour.
Woodette, don't you go leading my wife astray.

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:45 am

Pete...I've heard about that race and it sounds awesome!!! Do you know if they try to track for classic at all? Then maybe even my hubby who usually likes wind or gravity assistance to travel might join me! No, I did not SAY lazy! It would be fun to all get together & do it sometime. (Have at that one, JRN & Kiteboy!)

Looks like I've got to rewrite my training plan to include alcohol endurance as well! I'm sure there are some excellent Canadian training manuals out there somewhere!