| Banana Belt Skiers Rise Up for the Winter of 2002
By Bob Richards  Please, let it snow.
Really, we don't ask for much.
We're just hooked on cross country skiing.
We're the Banana Belt skiers, and we're out of our cocoons for another winter.
Heaven help us.
Another cross country season is upon us in northern Illinois and Indiana. The excitement can't be contained for the hard–core skiers who annually look at the months of January and February as a magical time. Even if you don't ski the Birkie, getting out on skis whenever you can is a goal,
and for Illinois skiers, a challenge. I know many a skier who puts just about everything else on hold this time of year. If there's snow, it's time to ski.
The rest of the time in Illinois/Indiana, we're an e–mail nation of runners, cyclists, triathletes, in–line skaters, golfers, fishermen – you name it. The white stuff brings us all together. Incredibly, we all have this bond on snow. It's really something.
But finally, it's our time to make the long drives, sweat the wax, worry about our training and love every minute of it. The skis are out of the closet and we are, too! Maybe we won't even sweat the wax. Just skiing is a luxury for most of us.
After an autumn that featured a lot of above–average temperatures and enough roller skiing to wear out the wheels on my V2 803s, I am ready for the real thing. Hopefully, by the time you read this, we'll all be skiing,
somehow, somewhere! That's not always easy for Illinois and Indiana skiers without some long–distance travel. But hope springs eternal, even in winter. As I've written before, in our neck of the woods we count our snow one flake at a time.
I'm banking on good snow locally, the kind of season we all dream about and the kind that will bring more people into the sport. When I see Illinois and Indiana producing some of the top cross country running
talent in the nation, I only wonder what some of those athletes would do if given an opportunity in the nordic world. In the meantime, for those of us who have discovered the joys and physical satisfaction this sport can deliver, there's no time like the present.
I have to hand it to a lot of people who make it happen in this region. I think I'll start with the Rockford–area skiers. They have been out faithfully, working on the trails at Rock Cut State Park, to provide the
closest thing we have to north–woods skiing without having to drive four to six hours to experience it. The Rockford branch of Northern Illinois Nordic maintains roller–ski workouts during the fall, and staged a very rainy roller–ski event in September that didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm. The Rockford crew also maintains a top–notch Web site.
Several weekend events in Illinois are worth checking out or attending.
The one program that stands the test of time year after year is the Camp Sagawau Nordic Ski Program at the forest preserve trails near Lemont at Routes 83 and 171. Camp Sagawau's Ski Fest 2002 will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6. This is a celebration of skiing and a chance to learn new tricks. It includes lessons, novelty events and a half–kilometer race. The camp's trail system is short, but superb. Call 630/257–2045 for information.
The next weekend is the Northern Illinois Nordic 11K at the Wheaton Park District's Arrowhead Golf Club. Race time is 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12. This event is in its sixth year and attracted more than 200 skiers last year. I am a bit biased because I direct this race, but we (Chicago–area Northern Illinois Nordic) do try to make it fun as well as competitive. Sometimes the conditions are dicy, but that's part of skiing
in Illinois. My feeling is that any conditions are better than no conditions at all. This is the race to try if you've never raced because the course is very forgiving. If you would like to learn more or register online, go to www.signmeupsports/10601.
Eight days later, the Joliet Nordic 10K is set for 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20. Race director Bill Kozol is a grizzled ski veteran. He's been injured skiing in as many ways as anyone I know. The most recent was
in August, when he was hit by a car while roller skiing – in front of his house! This man also has broken his back skiing in Colorado. But that doesn't prevent Bill and the Joliet Nordic Ski Club from putting on a great race. The Woodruff Golf Course is hillier than Arrowhead, but it's not anything to worry about if you're a beginner. For info on the Joliet race and club, go to http://jolietnordic.homestead.com.
The Joliet and Wheaton races are the mainstay of The Illinois Nordic
Series, which probably will also include the Crystal Lake Classic 10K, on Sunday, Feb. 16. It all depends on snow. The diagonal–stride race is put on by Jim and Terry Heil and the Crystal Lake Ski & Bike crew. I would call 815/455–5450 for up–to–date information. Last year, the race was not held because of poor snow conditions. Plus, the Heils were in Europe, where they were hoping to ski France's Tranjurassienne. Guess what? No snow there, either. Ahh, the curse of
being an Illinois skier!
Racing isn't for everyone. Good skiing on a cold, crisp day is.
While quality skiing usually is taken for granted when there is adequate snow in the Rockford area (Rock Cut and the golf courses), that hasn't always been the case in the Chicago area. But grooming has grabbed a foothold. You can find it at Arrowhead, Katherine Legge Park (thank you, King Keyser) in Hinsdale, Woodruff in Joliet and Camp Sagawau, and occasionally at other locations.
This year, there is good news from the Chicago Park District and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. Chicago plans to groom four courses along the lakefront (Waveland, Diversey Driving Range, Mayor Daley Bicentennial Plaza and Jackson Park). DuPage has purchased a roller and a tracksetter. If they learn how to use them, expect some big improvements on the trails at Herrick Lake, Blackwell, parts of Danada and, rumor has it, maybe Waterfall Glen. We'll just have to wait and see
what really happens.
The reality is that we'll be making road trips to places like Lapham Peak, Greenbush, McMiller, Nordic Trail and Petrifying Springs, all within three hours in Wisconsin. Loves Creek Park in Berrien Springs, Mich., offers another nice alternative less than two hours from Chicago.
So there's your very brief summary of what's going on. I try to keep skiers posted on the latest news through the Northern Illinois Nordic Newsletter. If you're not on my mailing list and want to be added,
e–mail me at bobnanrun@aol.com. Snow is coming! Count on it! It's time to get out and play!
Hope to see you on the trails this winter.
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