Buy now while there's still good size selection.
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Or, visit the Birkie Store at our office in downtown Hayward, WI
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Greetings From the Birkie!
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Dear Friends -
It has been a cool, wet spring here in Birkie-land, but warmer temps are coming and things are turning green! However, due to the late snows, cool temps and persistent rains, trails are currently closed to protect them while in this fragile state. Keep an eye on the Birkie Trail Page for updates as they dry out and re-open for running, biking, hiking-summer fun!
Our ABSF membership drive is on! Members play a vital role in our success-- electing our board, serving as great ambassadors, and supporting the foundation financially.We have a bunch of new membership options (check out here)--please consider joining. Along those same lines make sure to SAVE the DATE--our annual meeting is August 9th at the Birkie "OO" trailhead in Seeley. It will include a full day of group hikes/bikes/rollerskis/trail work options, and more, along with a cookout party and year-end review. We would love to have you all attend--keep an eye on the website for updates and final plans.
The Birkie Trail Run & Trek is next on our calendar of events. Staging out of the new Birkie Ridge trailhead, these 5 events will feature all new singletrack sections, easier relay handoffs, onsite parking for all, a wide variety of events, and a great party after (like usual!). Hope you can make it.
It is hard to believe, but Birkie/Korte/Prince Haakon registration opens in less than 3 weeks--on June 2!! Preparations are in full swing already, and we are excited to get the 2015 race off and rolling!
See you out and about in the northwoods! Until then, train on!
Ben Popp
Executive Director
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
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Here's What's New for May ...
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If Your Email Has Changed ... Please help us make sure you, your friends and family are getting ALL communications from the Birkie. We don't want you to miss a thing!!
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To re-subscribe to Carpe Skiem ...
using your new email address!
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Bring Your Love of Running ... To the Birkie Trail!
TWO things are new this year!
The Marathon, Marathon Relay, and Half Marathon now include SINGLETRACK! And, all events now start/finish at the BIRKIE RIDGE trailhead. For complete details, maps, and to register CLICK HERE!
5 BIG Events:
Marathon . Marathon Relay . Half Marathon
5K . Nordic Trek Plus Kids Games & 1K
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For Details and to Register Now!
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Registration Opens JUNE 2
For the 2015 American Birkebeiner
Presented By SWIX
Click on the Events Links Below:
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Fundraise and Get a FREE Birkie or Korte Entry!
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Starting in June! JDRF will be again be offering 50 "Charity Registration Slots" for the Birkie and Korte. By fundraising a minimum of $500 for JDRF, you will receive an entry in the 2015 American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet, a JDRF cross-country ski hat, and be entered into a drawing to win a trip to the 2016 Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet (includes three nights lodging for two people, air travel allowance up to $1000 per person). JDRF will also offer fundraising opportunities for skiers who register directly with the Birkie. Registration will open on June 2, and the JDRF fundraising website will open in June as well.
Get the whole story, incuding how JDRF, through Birkie Skiers for Cures, has already raised $120,000 to help fund research and a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research ... Keep Reading!
For more information about fundraising for a 2015 Birkie or Korte registration and other perks, call 866-233-3354
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All New Birkie Membership Drive!
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It is spring and that means it is ABSF Membership renewal time! We have a great new membership program in place with lots of perks just for YOU!
Whether you are a renewing member or contemplating joining the Foundation for the first time, your membership in the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is very important to us! Membership dues play a major role in our funding and we are striving to grow our membership numbers significantly for 2014-2015. Foundation members are a great voice for the organization and your input helps us succeed with our mission of maintaining the Birkie Trail year-round, hosting world-class events, and promoting an active outdoor lifestyle for people of all ages and abilities. It is YOU who creates "Birkie Fever" so thanks for that!
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In an effort to give something back to members, last week we launched our 2014-2015 Membership Drive and included a whole bunch of perks for our favorite people - YOU! We still offer 3 types of memberships - Individual, Family, and Business - but within each type there are now 3 levels, each with their own benefits. You may have seen our monthly newsletter Carpe Skiem in your inbox last week that talked about this. In addition to the perks we've always offered, now you can roll in your season ski pass, get a one-of-a-kind neck warmer made from repurposed 2014 race bibs, and some amazing discounts from our sponsors available only to you as a Birkie Member! If you sign up at the Birkie Fever level, you even get this sweet ski/bike vest to proudly show your alliance to the Foundation!
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As one of our many efforts to go green, the ABSF will not be snail-mailing you a paper renewal form. Please visit our website to learn more about our new program and to renew your membership now! CLICK HERE TO RENEW!! |
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Why Roller Skiing?
Ski training during the summer and fall is critical to improving cross country ski technique and fitness. Roller skiing is an important part of a well-rounded summer program because roller skis do an excellent job imitating on-snow training. Like skiing on snow, roller skiing exercises arms, legs, core and improves cardiovascular fitness. Roller skiing is also great training for injured runners who are looking for an alternative low-impact, weight-bearing workout.
The saying "Skiers are made in the summer" is absolutely true because winters aren't long enough to get all the workout time in to build the base needed to improve at an endurance sport like cross country skiing. So skiers need to roller ski in the summer, along with strength training and running/pole hiking, to get the work in to build their base and develop technique.
"Okay, You've Convinced Me - Now, What?" You're now ready to make very personal choices--skate or classic, for what road surface, and what about "combi" roller skis? Keep Reading!
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7 Ways to Embrace the Nordic Lifestyle
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"Why Are You Out There?" Have you ever asked yourself this question while gliding across the winter landscape? In the Birkie when the tracks are gone and the wind is howling? At the Birkie Trail Run Marathon when you see snow on the trail in September?
If you do, that is good!
One of the great joys of silent sport is the time you get to reflect on your place in the GRAND scheme of things. For many folks there are many reasons. Some feel they want to place high up in the event, win, or place in their respective age group. Others want to place one more check on the "Bucket List." Others just want to participate and have the sense of accomplishment for getting done. No matter what your end goal is you should always take time to sit a moment and see what inspired you to get Out There in the beginning and see if you can work on extending that legacy to others.
As we try to grow Nordic Sports, we look to see how to get more folks involved, help them grow in the sport to new heights, and in the end bring more folks into the fold. There are many ways that you can do this from young to old, beginner to advanced. Click Here for 7 Ways ...
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Life Time Cycle Monthly Safety Tip:
If you ride on the roads or are riding on the roads while waiting for your local trails to dry out and be bike-ready (see Birkie Trail under "Latest Trail Report), here is a tip to keep you safe.
If you are on the right side of a slow car or a stopped car at a red light, you are very likely in the driver's blind spot and are set up for one of the most common problems--right angle collisions. Better to take your rightful place in the lane where drivers must slow down and stay behind you while you safely proceed. See more at www.LifetimeFitness.com.
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COMING SOON!
Summer Program Schedule:
Presented by the Birkie
Hosted by Out There
A big idea here at the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is to be part of and support your year-round healthy, outdoor lifestyle. Although we put on some great events, we know there's more going on for you the rest of the year--like getting ready for those events or just getting out and enjoying the beautiful outdoors. That's why we incorporated a "Programming" page on our new Birkie website and a link to that on all of our "Ski," "Run," Bike," "Live" web pages. To get moving and make that dream a reality, starting this summer, we decided to connect with a group that is already "Out There" doing all this already.
Out There Nordic Sports is headquartered in Rice Lake, WI, about an hour south of Hayward. It is owned and run by Bjorn and Kristin Hanson, who have been leading training and recreational groups through Out There for five years. In addition to leading groups on the Birkie Trail, they also hit up a lot of other area trails so they can welcome more people--beginners and seasoned athletes alike--to all the great active lifestyle resources that are all around us.
The Birkie is not just a destination. As a true lifestyle, it happens wherever you are. So, come and enjoy the Birkie Trails, but we're also happy to bring the Birkie Lifestyle to you, wherever you live and train!
This is just the beginning. We hope you will be part of it!
Summer Schedule Will Be Posted Soon! June Outings Include:
JUNE 27 The "Just For the Ladies" Dryland Clinic in Rice Lake, WI
JUNE 29
Birkie Trail Nordic Walk and Trail Run--From Birkie Ridge to Fire Tower, followed by Pizza at River's Eatery in Cable, WI
CLICK HERE
For Info from Out There
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Run for the ABSF Board of Directors!
Share your ideas and passion for the Birkie? See details below--deadline for applications is July 1.
Contribute your ideas and passion for the Birkie, by being on the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation's Board of Directors! We encourage you to run for one of the five board positions opening up in 2014.
. Applications Deadline - July 1, 2014:
All of the materials below are due in the ABSF office on or before . Election Results - August 9, 2014: Results of online voting will be announced at the ABSF Annual Meeting in August. This year the meeting will be a cookout hosted by the Birkie at the Birkie "OO" trialhead, following a day of hiking, running, biking and other activities on the Birkie Trail.
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To visit the Birkie Board of Directors page
and see the current BOD, minutes, and more
Go to "Elections" for the following Application Materials:
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Check Facebook First!
Get Birkie news, announcements, photos, contests, registration info,
and more ... as it happens!
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American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
 The Birkie is a year-round lifestyle choice for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From its signature ski race--the legendary American Birkebeiner--sponsored by SWIX, the Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 88-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars. Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the Birkie is now an outdoor sports mecca, a series of great races, a fitness destination, and a Lifestyle.
SKI . RUN . BIKE . LIVE!
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