2011 Potto Raid Back Country Ski Race:

[john rutherford]

Yo Free Heeled Skier Freaks and Outlaws: Here's the lowdown on the coolest race hardly anybody goes to:

When: Sunday January 16, 2011 (alt. no snow date Sun Jan. 30, 2011) 10:00 am. Saturday before is a MI Cup Freestyle race in Brighton.

Where: On the world famous Potto Trail. Silver Lake main lot.

WTF: A 17+ MILE BACK COUNTRY SKI RACE. All open class, bring any skis you want and ski whatever style you can. Better wear knee pads and duct tape your heels.

Why: Need to ask, don't bother showing up.

Who: Open to all who dare. Any, and all, Nordic freaks welcome. No entry fee. No regulations.

Prizes: 1st place, Cheesey Gold Medal along with lack of respect and ridiculing from your peers. 2nd place, lonliness and despair. Various cool shwag for odd categories as well.

Don't miss this opportunity to really mess up your skis, blister the pi** out of your heels, and maybe, just maybe, bash your knee on a rock.

Contact RadNord @ (734)-417-4227 for more info and to register (it's free)

Be there to go for the gold, or, stay at home and knit with all the other sad sacks.

[JeffOYB]

PS: The DJ says it's a firstly a Ski Race, but if anyone else wants to show up on whatever else kind of gear, the more the merrier! Bikes, snowshoes, cleats...skis...what's the smoovest way to go? Let's find out! We have a Non-Bias Party Policy.

[burning bush]

I would be down with bring some eats if that's OK? Open to suggestions.

[adroit rider]

If I do five shots of whiskey at the short cut, and take the short cut, can my time still qualify for the gold medal?

The entire Poto on skis is attainable by few!

[john rutherford]

Yes, The Potto Raid is a back country ski race first and foremost. That said, we have had bikers and runners every year. It's all cool. Only skiers can win prizes, except for the "coolest socks" category, which is open to all folks.

Any and all food / drinks is/are welcome and appreciated.

Only 5 shots? C'mon lads, you can do better than that!! The full Potto is a push, but it is a great ski. Any folks that need/want to cut it short can, and that is cool.

I skied @ Stinchfield Woods last night. The new snow is great, and we are supposed to get more on Saturday with cold temps. This might be the best year yet for snow. C'mon out and ski. I know there is a conflict with the "classic" Frosty 15 the same day. Likely the cats who go to that would not ski Potto anyway. Wouldn't want to risk breaking a carbon ski pole. Hope to ski you there. Cheers, JR / RadNord

[Bcar]

niiice, was hoping we'd get some more new snow. Friday says 40% chance of snow, sat shows 60% chance (fingers crossed!!!).

John, I'll do shots with ya
I may do the short ~5mi loop on AT with skins, and then do another 5mi on classic XC. gotta get ready for jackson hole touring! ...may even bring the bike with studs!

im not man enough to xc ski the whole 17mi... ;(

[john rutherford]

Snow and cold temps for Friday and Saturday. A low of 13 degrees for Saturday night. Perfect conditions. We are planning a bonfire after down at the East end by the Losee Lk trail head.

B-car, I hope you make it out. I'd like to see someone on AT skis! Your trip to tour Jackson Hole sounds great. One of my fondest ski memories is of skiing out of a Rendevous yurt with Glen Vatucchi up on Acid Ridge in the sunshine. Sweet!!

Potto Raid 2011 is shaping up to be the coolest yet. Maybe we'll actually get some more skiers this year. I am hoping they let me out of the nursing home to compete. That is if I can get my AARP sponsorship back!

C'mon out folks, it will be great. JR / RadNord:twisted:

[burning bush]

I'm down with making a big pot of chili and bringing my gas burner to heat it. Can bring the bowls and spoons too.

[john rutherford]

Burning Bush, that would be great. Thank you. If you are who I think you are, is a certain someone going to contest farthest distance traveled?

It is snowing fluffy pow here today, and supposed to keep snowing through Saturday. Should have epic conditions that favor a potential sub 3 hr new course record.

We will be meeting at the usual spot in the main Silver Lk lower lot, then move down to the fire area right before the start. Hope to start by 10:15 am. The plan is to allow all skiers to go at their own pace with a mandatory 2 stops for all of at least 5 mins each, one in the first half, and one in the second half, at each skiers choosing. This will allow at least the potential for some socializing as well as make sure everyone hydrates and eats to minimiize bonking. The real "socializing" will be around the fire post race when the cheezy prizes are awarded.

Prize categories this year include: 1st overall, best crash, farthest distance traveled to the race, coolest socks, first place off the podium (4th), and lantern rouge for final full course finisher. Might be a few random prizes too.

Potto Raid is shaping up to be EPIC this year. Ski you all there this Sunday. I got my pass from the nursing home, and AARP reinstated my sponsorship (free Depends and metamucil..)!! GAME ON! JR / RadNord

[bikemerc]

Hey Rutherford,

what fire pit?

this one or somethin on the beach?

[john rutherford]

We will have a fire back toward the East end of the lot near the entrance to the Losee Lk trail.

[Bcar]

Woot woot! Looking good for the non-race race!

[bikemerc]

We will have a fire back toward the East end of the lot near the entrance to the Losee Lk trail.

ahh, good choice! DNR never looks there! Are you gonna use a barbque or ground fire? There's no ring there, right? They used to have a hidden outhouse there too. I'll call the V-man, and barrybs, and mebbe zak.

[barrybs]

The DNR put in a ring and some benches last year. It's up on the hillside overlooking the lake at the start to Losee Lake
See you there...

Barry

[Bernard Smith]

Last year it was too icey for my liking, so I rode it with my studded tired bike. I didn't get pelted with too many snow balls for that, probably because the snow was too ice coated for snowballs (I'm just kidding, there was no negitive vibe for me punking out on the skiing). It is a great time, anyone that loves outdoor winter fun should show up. I don't remember skiing the whole Poto, maybe this will be my first. I think I'll bring my wife's cell phone (so she can rescue me) in case my body can't get beyond the "Damnsite" inn/bar.
Thanks RadNord.
bernie