Kiersten,

That was a great video to end the work day, So much fun!

Now my husband (who is NEVER at home) wants a husky AND an Oscar......

Thanks- that was just a perfect day, the video came out better than I'd expected, and the temperatures were perfect for the dogs. Seeing that 8-dog team around the 10 mile mark really kept us rolling.

I think I'm catching the mushing bug...Betty, be careful, running dogs is a bit addictive. But worth it!

Kiersten, how long did the 17 mile run take? Did you guys take breaks or did that monster just keep on running the entire way?

Kiersten, that was a really enjoyable video. Tikko can really haul @ss!

What kind of speed factor are you getting on the flats? Looks much faster with dog pulling than if skating on your own.

Barbara- we usually take breaks about every five miles, or so, depending on the temperature, total distance and effort (speed). Tikko rolls around in the snow, I give him a few 'Yummy Chummies', and off we go again. Tuesday's run took about an hour, not counting breaks (each of about 2-3 minutes).

Tim- we go MUCH faster (twice as fast or more) than I ski, especially on flats and gradual ups. A solo dog pretty much has to slow to a trot on steep or long hills. A really small-light skier, or two dogs might be able to canter all the way up. I have a GPS, and wish I had checked our speed yesterday. I'd guess we were travelling 20-22 mph on the flats, 10 mph on steeper hills, 15 or so on gradual uphills. My GPS recorded max speed as 23.5 mph- probably on a downhill.

Top dog teams of about 14 to 22 dogs run 20+ mph for 20 miles in the Fur Rondy, which has gotta be fun for the musher!

We're really lucky to have such long, groomed trails out the door. Literally I walk out the door, walk on the frozen creek, duck under the bridge to cross the road (watch out for homeless guys), and I'm at the trailhead. The city and various clubs do a great job maintaining open space and trails.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Do you snowshoe daily for practical or for sport purposes?

I mean, is snowshoeing how you folks in Wisconsin get from house to garage to barn to training facility, etc.?

I snowshoe daily for retention of sanity. 30 plus inches of snow on the ground and 3 Malinois living in my house necessitates snowshoeing.

I go out for 1-2 hours every day to get the dogs their necessary exercise. It's good for me too and I really enjoy it, but it looks really boring compared to skijoring.

 Quote: Kiersten Lippman

Tim- we go MUCH faster (twice as fast or more) than I ski, especially on flats and gradual ups. A solo dog pretty much has to slow to a trot on steep or long hills. A really small-light skier, or two dogs might be able to canter all the way up. I have a GPS, and wish I had checked our speed yesterday. I'd guess we were travelling 20-22 mph on the flats, 10 mph on steeper hills, 15 or so on gradual uphills. My GPS recorded max speed as 23.5 mph- probably on a downhill.

Just from watching the fence poles in the video it looked like about a 2X+ pace. Thats up in the range of comp cycling/blading speeds---nice. I imagine the quick release comes in handy every now and then.

Any particular type of skis, or just your regulars?

btw, Tikko looks absolutely cut and buff. What breed is he?

Kiersten, that was fabulous. I remember days like that (from my long gone childhood in Maine) Beautiful!

Do you ever wipe out?

Lynne- yup- I do, especially on tight or icy corners. Generally, though, I manage to stay upright. I have lots of XC ski experience- raced on the college team, which helps.

Tim- I use 'skate' skis. So, the skiing motion is similar to rollerblading- on skis. The skis are light and springy, if you rollerblade or ice skate you could pick it up quickly.

Tikko is an Alaskan husky, the first dog I actually chose and raised from a pup. He's a mixture of Swingley distance lines (Doug Swingley won the Iditarod multiple times) and Saunderson 'sprint' lines (sprints being up to 20 miles). Alaskan huskies are purely a utilitarian 'breed'. They are a mix of sighthound, native village dog, often pointer. Colors can be anything, ears up or ears down, coats heavy or pointer thin. eyes blue or brown. Weight from 45 to 85, but most around 50 to 60 lbs. Ti weighs 72 lbs race weight, which I wanted for skijoring. Generally, they have a high prey drive, are very people friendly, do well with other dogs, and are intelligent but independent. It's been fun and challenging working with him. I really enjoy the breed.