Sled Club: We don't know where we are.

Sunday, February 12, 2006-Written by: Sled Club Pasha
A pretty terrific snow storm missed us very barely, with seemingly every state surrounding us getting 20 inches except zip code 03755.

Sunday, January 15, 2006-Written by: Sled Club Pasha
The first ride down a hill on a sled is the most important, but most difficult, as it determines the path of the sled for further runs down the hill. It is essential to steer the sled along the most exciting course, perhaps adding twists and turns to make the run down the hill more exciting, or faster! Also, to make the ride more fun you can turn around, lay on your belly, or close your eyes. Running up to a sled and jumping onto it causes your momentum to start the sled off at a much faster rate. This technique is called “Flopping” and is quite exciting if you and your sled can hold up to the stress. There are 4 types of sleds used commonly today: disks, toboggans, tubes and runner sleds. Each type has advantages and disadvantages if one is trying to get the most out of a given slope. With each course down the hill, the sled's path through the snow becomes more icy. After several runs down a hill, the path will be very slick. This adds significantly to the enjoyment of sledding. Sleds with a greater surface area (disks, toboggans and tubes) are able to make the first runs a great deal easier than the variety with metal runners. These sleds are able to slide down a hill regardless of the type of snow by spreading their weight over a large area. On the other hand, runner sleds are the fastest once the snow has compacted or turned icy. In the 1880's Samuel Leeds Allen invented the first steerable runner sled, the flexible flyer. Since that date, the ability to steer the sled away from obstacles has proven this type of sled to be appropriate for the safety conscious. In addition, runner sleds force the weight of the rider onto two thin runners where the pressure causes a microscopic film of snow/ice to melt as the sled passes over it. This invisible layer of fluid reduces friction to a negligible amount causing the sled's speed to greatly exceed that of its flat bottomed relatives.

Monday, January 9, 2006-Written by: Sled Club Pasha
When vincent and I realized we were doing a craptastic job of getting the club together, we decided to hold off our roll as sled club captains until next year. The club has been handed over into tubing expert Toby Bokum Fauth, the senior. I'll still probably handle any updates to this site. Also, anyone coming to sled club should know it's during activity periods on Tuesday, and to meet in the area in front of Mr. Bournes room by that back door. Bring a sled, snow pants if you want, boots, your friends. Sled out.

Tuesday, December 6, 2005-Written by: Sled Club Pasha
And thus, a new chapter in sled club will begin. Next week on Tuesday (13th of December) we will officially launch the new expedition into sled territory previously believed unexpeditional. I would like to make my own goal this year to be: sled down a mountain. That's right, sled down a mountain. I'm not talking golf course mountain, I'm talking a two and a hour hike and then returning to the base via sleddage. We should all make goals to broaden our sled horizons. Perhaps some people will look at you in vain when you mention something about catching 7 feet of air, doing 360's or flips, or going down backwards as what you wish to do. But know that there are people here who relate, people here who instead of fainting at challenge, embrace it like they embrace snow. To borrow from our football brethren: leave yourself on the hill.