Conference noted::bicycle

    I get out there and make a fool of myself most weekends that you
    can't ride.  I like the sport cuz you can keep going and keep warm.
    No standing in lines or riding in a wind-blown chair.. burrr!
    X-Country outings are often up north over a weekend, so you get
    to be social more than most biking day trips. NVP has had two
    White Mt.s area weekends this year (well, as of next Monday, cuz
    this weekend we're having one in N. Conway, NH).
      Warning to bikers: start out easy, a mile or so at first. You
    have the strength and endurance in most muscles to do some real
    harm to the new muscles that this activity uses [ the muscles that
    you'd use to catch something between your knees ]. You can end up
    with an aching groin if you aren't careful! - Chris

	Yes.  I do some cross country skiing on the off season.

    Just started cross country skiing this year.  My wife and I really
    enjoy it.  
    
    Denis

    yes!
    
    My feet especially and generally all of me is warmer on x-country
    vs. winter cycling.  If its too cold to cycle its just right for
    skiing.  We are having an exceptionally warm winter out here in
    the Northwest so its slush in the ski areas, leaving me with a lot
    of cycling days.  Either way you win and the endorphins are all
    the same. X-country and cycling is a great combo!
    
    Thom

    yes.  Sprained the tendon on the inside of my left knee in a fall
    on Jan 3 and have been recovering since -- but that was my eighth
    trip this year.  Have hung up the skis for the year so's I can fully
    recover before bike season gets serious.
    
    Going south for the weekend.  How far?  Far enough to bike with
    only a modicum of winter clothes. 

    
    Yes.
    
    For four years, I still don't feel I'm very good at it.
    
    Going up north tonight, to the Norsk Lodge, with a bunch of bike
    racing friends from MBRC.
    
    Enjoy
    CdH
    

    Yes, I ski XC also, I've got pair XC skis I bought about 8 years
    ago.  The only thing that I find 'bad' about XC is that it sometimes
    gets boring.  By this I mean that the speed is so much slower, so
    oftentimes I'll use the old mountainbike in the winter.
    
    			Joe(ZR) Can't wait for spring!!!!!

    
    	Me too, so with .0 that makes 8 out of 8, is that statistically
    significant ?  Hell no, its just the "me too" response syndrome.
    
    	Reg
    
    Can we get some "I don't" s  on this one ?
    

    We cross-country, too!  I'll second 211.1 by saying "Yes, do start
    out easy."  I got the cross-country gear for Christmas and really
    damaged my shoulder the first day out.  Of course, I was trying
    to show my husband how much more I was in shape than he was and
    overdid it.  So, I haven't skied since because I'm still in pain.
    BE CAREFUL!!
    
    Nancy

    Yes....but not at MKO.  After the first blizzard I retired my bike
    to the wind trainer for the winter and broke out my ski's to do
    some lunch time crusing at MKO.  After being spotted on the grounds
    by security I was requested to do my x-country skiing off the company
    property.  If you want to avoid an embarassing situation and a big
    disappointment better check with security to make sure its ok at
    your site.  Think I'll take up jogging at lunch like everyone else.

    
    I ski too.  It's a good way to keep up the long distance, moderate
    pace that biking in the warm season offers.   Especially when you get lost
    alot like I do.  I'm not quite convinced that the novice skier/decent
    biker is really doing that much for his/her bike legs, but it is a long
    contiuous workout.  Two hours is no problem at a good mountain.
    
    Now XC Ski-skating on the other  looks like a major league quad
    buster.  I'm not ready for that on yet...
    
    JD

I do a bit of X_C each year, as well as snowshoeing, ice skating, hiking,
and ice climbing. Actually I'm more of a winter buff than summer, and if
it weren't for bicycling, summer would be almost a complete loss. I don't 
care much for winter riding, but I have been out riding in -35F/40 mph
wind. Bracing.

                                               ken

Hate to be the first to say no in this survey, but I am a warm weather sports 
person.  Riding in temps below 50 makes me congested so I have been making 
excuses all winter why I shouldn't try X-C.  I did some in 6th grade in 
Alaska, but that was so long ago that I don't want to remember.  This New 
England weather is too cold for my old bones.

The other excuse is bucks.  I just bought a Cannondale SR-500 from Lincoln 
Guides - $500 for something I can't even use for several months.

cbs

    
    I do it.  Although not on a serious training regiment.
    
    Chuck
    

    I'm not a cross country skier. I've tried it three times and liked
    it less each time. Each time was when I was with friends or at a
    meeting at a ski resort. Since I know I don't like downhill sking
    or chairlifts, I had to do something since I was supposed to be
    having a good time. Actually, the most fun I had at ski resort was
    this past autumn when Forum 86 was held at Killington. I brought
    my bike and struggled to the top of the access road and flew(for
    me 50mph is flying) down.

    I do some cross country skiing.  I really love it.  My arms are
    usually sore the next day from trying to get up.  There are some
    nice back roads up Mt. Wachusett.  Nice and wide, so you don't have
    to get too close to those nasty trees.  And just hilly enough that
    it's work to get up, but not too terrifying to come back down.

    In Maryland, I could bike in the winter, because the snow always
    went away and they didn't use as much sand.  A little warmer too.
    
    I used to be into downhill skiing and I thought some about XC skiing.
    Knowing I'd love it, when I moved here to snow(?) country (MA) with
    Wachusett reservoir across the street, I bought a set.  I was right, I
    just go out and wander around without spending money and waiting in
    lines.  This is my third season. 
    
    re: can't ski at MKO
    
    Transfer to Shrewsbury (SHR).  The only security guard who's said
    anything only asked if it was fun.  Besides myself, several others
    ski here during lunch.
    
    BTW - Even though the skiing notes file is mostly down hill, there
    is some good XC info.  press KP7 to add DSSDEV::SKIING.
    
    Glen

    re: can't ski at mko.  Here at ZKO, there's a trail.  Get your
    "employee activities" persons to "work the issue" with facilities.
    
    I'm sure the security folks were talking a "there's no rule about
    it so it must be wrong" approach.  They're still too CS about skating
    on the pond to make life fun up there.

    
    It's a Running Club issue as I understand it.  ZK's Runners are
    affiliated with a MA based plant.  The charter or insurance has
    a clause in it for skiing.  MK's does not.  I work in MK, and like
    by ZK.  I tell them when I'm skiing there on a saturday.  In MK
    it's forbidden.  All ZK skiiers are supposed to be Running Club
    members.
    
    JD
    

    re: .19 "supposed to be running club members"

    that's news to a lot of folks (shhhh)
    
    ed                            

    
    	Sounds like a "CS" issue to me.

    Count me in.  
    
    Although I do spend more tion downhill than skinny skis
    
    karl