As a year-round runner on the dirt roads near my home in Montpelier, Vermont, I know a thing or two about cold, wet, muddy feet. I’ve worn Saucony running shoes since high school, and I still love them, but the slush and mud just soak right through the mesh fabric.
This fall I bought a pair of Salomon XR Mission CS running shoes (the CS stands for Climate Shield). They have
been super comfortable and have kept my feet warm and dry all winter, but their real value became apparent this past weekend when the temperature soared to 40 and my dirt road run became a quagmire of mud, slush, and snow. These shoes aren’t waterproof, and my toes were damp after 4 miles in the mud, but I was much better off than in my traditional running shoes. I didn’t have a cold puddle inside each shoe, splashing and squishing with each step.
The XR Mission CS is classified by Salomon as a door-to-trail shoe, a name it lives up to. I’ve been running in them several times a week, and they have also become my go-to shoes for a quick trip downtown or to the chicken coop. I was worried that my old knee problems would surface again with a change in shoes, especially to something not quite as cushioned as my regular running shoes, but I have been injury free.
I’m predicting the Salomon XR Mission CS will be my favorite hiking shoes this summer as well!
Reviewed by Patty
Onion River Sports Presents
The Green Mountain Enduro
At Norwich Universty
October 13, 2013
Enduro is one of the fastest growing mountain bike disciplines in the country, and for good reason. Ride to the top of some sweet trails with your friends and race back down, sound like fun? Onion River Sports is excited to bring this racing format to one of the most talked about trail systems in Central Vermont at Norwich University.
Racers will compete in three timed stages over the course of the day, which will feature the wide variety of terrain Norwich has to offer. From old school, ledge strewn, sections high above the village of Northfield, to the buffed out berms and doubles of the Orange trail, they’ll be something for everyone. Racers will ride to the top of Stage 1, race Stage 1, climb to the top of stage 2, etc. A racer’s combined time from all three stages will determine his or her overall place. If you’re interested in learning more about enduro racing, check out the Enduro World Series Rulebook. We won’t be following the World Series rules to the T, but it’ll give you a good sense of how enduro racing works.
Registration: Online registration will open soon at Bikereg.com and in the store at Onion River Sports. You’ll also be able to register “day of” Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning at Norwich University’s Shaw Outdoor Center.
All competitors at the Green Mountain Enduro will receive the following:
A fully marked and signed three stage enduro course
Professional Timing on all three stages from BART Timing Services
Custom Green Mountain Enduro swag
Post race meal
Cash purse for Pro Men and Women (Equal Payout)
Merchandise and Prizes for ALL Amateur categories
In addition, competitors will have access to the following events:
All day bike demo on Saturday featuring 2013 bikes from the top brands at Onion River Sports
DJ’d dance party at the race venue Saturday night (Tentative)
Enduro Skills clinic on Saturday
Additional Event Details: Course map, registration info, parking and camping details, and a full schedule of events coming soon. Stay tuned!
Sunday, May 5th 2013
Sunday, June 16th 2013
Sunday, August 11th 2013
Registration: 4:00 pm, Day Of Race
Race Start: 5:00 pm-7:30pm
Where: Court St. and Hillside Ave, Montpelier VT
Are you at peak riding or running fitness this summer, or trying to prepare for the Race to the Top of Vermont or another big race? Come test your fitness with an epic evening of “casual sprint racing” up Cliff Street in Montpelier! This year there will be alternating riding and running heats, with a final face-off between the top four riders and runners.
Course: Straight up Cliff St. and Corse streets in Montpelier. This short stretch of uphill is one of the steepest climbs in Montpelier and is sure to instill pain in the best hill climber, especially when done repeatedly! The starting line is at the bottom of Cliff Street with the finish at the top near the Hubbard Park gate. Riders will cool-down through Hubbard Park and loop around to the start via Winter, Elm, and Corse Streets; runners will head back down the course.
Racers will compete in heats of four, determined by random seeding, and will be placed for the next round according to their finishing place. The number of heats will be dependent of participation, but most likely will be between 2 and 4. Top finishers will be awarded with unique prizes and gift certificates. While this is a competitive event, all abilities and ages are welcome!
We’re also excited to announce that Brooks is sponsoring Cliffhanger #1 with prizes for the runners. Are you the fastest man or women in Montpelier? Come win yourself a pair of Brooks running shoes! We’ll also have apparel for podium finishers.
If you are not up for racing, please feel free to cheer on the racers up the hill. The atmosphere is jubilant and festive, not unlike big bike climbs in European road races! Bring your noise-makers!
We will also need at least 6 volunteers to help us at the start and to marshal the course during the race. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Matt (events@onionriver.com).
Registration: Register day of starting at 4pm. Race fee $10.
Questions: Contact Matt at Onion River Sports at 802-229-9409 or events@onionriver.com.
Onions hit North Africa!
Onions on the way to Marrakech
Thanks to Barry Goodman for the photo
4th Annual Frozen Onion Series
Presented By Onion River Sports and Muscles not Motors
Race #1 – January 6th, Hubbard Park, 11:00am Highlights Results Press
Race #2 – February 3rd, Hubbard Park, 11:00am Highlights Results Press Press
Race #3 – March 2nd, Millstone Bike/Ski Center, 11:00am Highlights Results Press
Update on Race #3: The third installment of the Frozen Onion Series will be held on Millstone’s new snow bike loop. Parking and race start/finish will be at the Little John Road Parking lot. It will be a more technical/challenging course than Hubbard Park, but will still be doable on a wide range of bikes (snow bikes, mountain bikes, etc), and of course will have a fire going, food, etc.
Registration: Registration will open at the Little John Parking lot at 9:30 am. Cost is $25 and all proceeds benefit the Moxie Sparks Scholarship Program.
Start Time: Mass start for all races at 11:oo am.
Laps: To be determined by course conditions. We’ll probably do three. Finish times should be around 25-30 minutes for the top riders.
About Mountain Moxie:
Mountain Moxie is Vermont’s women’s mountain bike race team with a mission to:
* Learn about ourselves and our environment through the pursuit of sport;
* Find camaraderie around and direct support for riding, training and racing;
* Support women’s access to and participation in the sport of mountain biking; and,
* Hone technical skills, race well and contribute to the greater mountain bike community.
In the team’s second year, a collaboration between Mountain Moxie, Little Bellas and the Stride Foundation led to the creation ofMoxie Sparks, a mountain bike mentoring program for girls. Two girls experienced a summer of mountain biking in 2012 – from gearing up to technical skill building and personal empowerment, as well as whetting their whistle for the race start (and finish) line.
Sugarbush, Onion River Sports/Muscles Not Motors, Skirack and the Vermont Natural Resources Council sponsored MoxieSparks, a package which included podium incentives for Mountain Moxie members. The 23-member team competed in over 30 races and rides across New England (and even as far as Idaho, North Carolina and South Africa), accomplishing 26 podium finishes, which raised $1,150 for Moxie Sparks.
ORS, Long Trail Brewery and Vermont Peanut Butter Company are teaming up for a sweet opportunity for one lucky VMBA member to win $1000 toward a new bike at ORS!
