Wear What Works In The Wet. I usually take most of my vacation time in the winter because I like to ski out West and in the Adirondacks. And more often than not, the trips are something to look forward to when you live in the Mid-Atlantic and have to deal with the rain and sleet events that plague our[Read More…]
No Matter What You Are Sliding On, Basic Athletic Principles Apply. When I was a boy, my dad knew a woman who was a former USGA Senior Amateur Champion from South Carolina named Carol Cudone. She constantly reminded my dad to finish his golf swing with his “belly button to the ball.” Ultimately she was trying to get my dad[Read More…]
Skiing Binds Friends Together; Don’t Skip A Trip. One of the great things about the sport of skiing is that it is a conduit for friendships. There is nothing like the anticipation of the weekly get together with friends or the ski trip with pals that you have skied with for over 40 years. There’s a buzz: the excitement, the[Read More…]
Do You Know What Underfoot Measurement Is Best For Your Kind Of Skiing? One of the hardest questions a seasoned skier has to answer is when someone new to skiing or maybe even a friend says, “So what kind of ski should I be on this year?” Really a tough question to answer without delving into particulars like, athleticism, age,[Read More…]
There Are Other, Fun Ways To Get Ready Besides Hitting The Gym. One of the myths I hear from people at the beginning of the ski season is that they can “ski themselves into shape.” They have not really done any preparation for the ski season and feel that they just have to start skiing, and their ski legs will[Read More…]
New Technology In Mountain Bikes Can Keep Seniors On The Trails. Remember when you first bought your first pair of “shaped” skis? I do. I jumped on them to take advantage of an easier turn and less work. Fast forward, I have a nice quiver of skis now with some 107s under foot for powder, loose snow, and crud. Just[Read More…]
Bottom Line: Knoweth Thy Limits, Wise One. As I was pounding the rocks of Laurel Mountain on the mountain bike with a group of younger riders here in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Laurel Highlands, I was thinking strategy. At 63 years old, I am still in pretty good shape but the older I get, I start thinking about the old adage “age[Read More…]
Blind Skier Inspired All Who Knew Him. The first time I skied with Fred Siget was in Snowshoe, WV, with Larry Walsh of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. This was my maiden voyage guiding a visually impaired skier. I had Fred, the first blind skier in our area, in front of me. Right turn, left turn, right turn, stay, stay.[Read More…]
Son Of Immigrant Parents, Herman Dupre Found A Way To Give The Sport Snow. Aside from building the Seven Springs ski area in western Pennsylvania into a major mountain resort, Herman Dupre’s claim to fame is that he is a pioneer in snowmaking. He always tinkered with how to utilize high pressure air and water to help Mother Nature spread[Read More…]
Mountain Bikers: These Trails Are Worth The Trek. One of the smoothest, most buttery trail systems in the east is situated in the middle of rural Pennsylvania near a beautiful body of water—Raystown Lake. The Alligrippis Trails were IMBA( International Mountain Bike Association) designed in conjunction with the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the[Read More…]
Serious Cycling For This Senior Who Hangs With A Younger Crowd. Nothing like a road trip with 23 of your mountain biking friends to State College, Pa. aka “Happy Valley”. Our merry band of warriors converged on the Hilton Garden Inn and prepared for three days of riding the challenging terrain of the Rothrock State Forest. As one of two[Read More…]
A Good Lesson Is One Where The Student Comes Away With A Positive Feeling. [Editor Note: Pat McCloskey is a Level III PSIA Instructor and a wicked, good skier and teacher, according to his friends. This article is his response to last week’s “Taking A Lesson At 72.” Fun Fact: A past subscriber survey revealed that almost 40% of seniors intended to[Read More…]
There Is A Clear And Distinct Difference. Which Is For You? Just returned from my annual ski adventure with my group of guys from all over the country. We all converge on our friend in Tahoe and enjoy the Tahoe areas and then head to Mammoth to end the week. Have to tell you folks, there is a lot of[Read More…]
The Lodge At Glendorn Named Number One Resort Hotel In US. When I first said to our friends that we were having my wife’s 50th birthday party several years ago in Bradford, Pa. they cringed and all remarked, “In the middle of the winter in the icebox of Pennsylvania?” They were sure surprised when they all drove through the wrought iron gates[Read More…]
Western PA Pioneer Area Comes Back To Full Operation. There has been a lot written about the lost ski areas. For one reason or another, ski areas sometimes are unable to meet the financial or operational requirements and end up closing the lifts. They fall into disrepair and end up on a list of lost ski areas forever. But, there is[Read More…]
Keep An Eye On Your Arms. One of the best tips I ever got was from a guy who was a former Colorado Pro Tour racer. Frank Anderes had a keen eye for what was happening on the hill and besides telling me that it was important to make a lot of turns on a smaller hill, his tip about[Read More…]
If You’re Buying, Know Before You Go. This is the time of year when a lot of people buy ski equipment for the upcoming season. Ski swaps, retail sales, online blowouts, etc. are all in full swing once the weather starts to turn cooler. But aside from the great deals, caution should definitely be applied when purchasing equipment. As a ski[Read More…]
Correspondent Pat McCloskey Rides With Cycling Pro Over Technical Trails. What in the world is an ex-World Cup mountain bike racer doing leading a bunch of old guys around the rock strewn trails of West Virginia? Well, that is exactly what happened when Sue Haywood graciously agreed to lead our group of aging warriors around some of the most challenging trails[Read More…]
Miles Of Mountain Trails On The OC Coast. My wife Janet was a flight attendant for US Air for many years, and she always referred to some crew members as “slam clickers.” They go to their hotel, slam the door and click the lock and don’t go out to visit any of the local sights. Too bad, especially since there is[Read More…]
Scot Nicol, A Founder Of Mountain Biking, Is A Heck Of A Rider In His 60s. Dirt Fest is an annual event that is presented by Dirt Rag Magazine and always takes place in May at Raystown Lake, Pa. The nationally known Alligrippis Trails are there, and it is an opportunity for 5,000-plus people to attend, ride the trails, and intermingle[Read More…]
Cycling With A Champion On A Charity Ride: Priceless. One of the more enjoyable events in cycling are those which support a charitable cause. Throughout the country there are road rides where participants receive donations per mile or flat donations to support different organizations. These are usually marked with support from the local motorcycle club escorts, food vendors and volunteers at[Read More…]
Western New York Ski Town Has Lots Of Cycling Opportunities. One of the more interesting things that happens to a ski town is the metamorphosis that occurs after mud season. Mud season is traditionally when spring rolls along and the snow melts and the locals in ski town head for vacation. Soon after, the festivities that define the area in[Read More…]
Senior Skiers Shift To Mountain Bikes To Ride Coast Of California. So, my ski buddy Eric says to me, “Patrick, let’s ride the Lost Coast of California”. The next thing I know I am winging westward to Sacramento with my mountain bike packed securely in my bike box and looking forward to a week of “van camping” with my good[Read More…]
Good Times On Gore Mountain With Senior Skiers. I am riding the chair at Gore this week with my good friend Mike Smith. He said to me, “McCloskey, I have found the meaning of life—speed, horsepower and altitude.” Mike is an avid skydiver and pilot as well as a real good skier. At 66 years old, he has more energy[Read More…]
Comparing Veteran And A New Comer Energy Boosters. Energy bars and gels have been on the market for a long time for endurance athletes and weekend warriors alike. Cycling, running and skiing require a positive store of energy that can be augmented by a power snack stored in a cycling jersey, pack or ski parka. It is especially important to[Read More…]
