01.28.08

Luging (and skating) in Michigan!

Posted in recreation at 2:45 pm by heidihoho7

As promised, bela and i went to Michigan to go luging. My paddle club – chicago whitewater- planned a social outing and we just couldn’t pass it up.

We met up with Diana, Steve, Pat & Lisa, Randy & Theresa, Humberto, Dave & Megan at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex. It look probably 3-4 hours to get there and it was snowing pretty good when we got there. Muskegon is right on Lake Michigan and the complex is in the middle of a state park. The area was just beautiful with a lot of evergreen trees and a lot of white fluffy snow .

After getting all settled up at the complex (those pesky insurance cards had to be shown), we headed up to the luge course. We were joined by a few other groups with about 25 total student lugers. We were fitted with helmets and put on elbow/knee pads onto our forearms for protection. After a very quick lesson on steering and braking we were allowed to give it a go.

I ended up waiting to go so i could get pictures of just about everyone as they came down the run. It takes less than 20 seconds for each run so it went fairly quickly. Bela was the first one down, which frightened me just a little when near the end he had a bit of a crash landing. We soon found out that the last curve of Verizon (at least that’s what i think it was called) seemed to cause a lot of carnage as folks “stopped steering” we were told or possible weren’t steering at all (which is what i was for sure doing).

After most of the group had gone, i was forced to get in line. Bela was quite the gentleman and carried my sled for me to the top, but headed back down so he could get pictures as i figured i’d only be doing it once. Waiting was very nerve-wracking. We’d watch, but mostly listen as the announcer would commentate each run, most folks got an offiical time as well. We’d hear where the rider was or how they were doing. We’d occasionally hear the nasty sound of a sled hitting wood or a crash landing. We’d anxiously await the “all clear” which meant everyone was ok.

When it was finally my turn, i took a few deep breaths and let the girl push me down. I pretty much screamed for the first half and then couldn’t stop laughing, smiling, and screaming the rest of the way – “having fun in ping and pong”. I am told that the group at the bottom was guessing who the lugers were and had no problem guessing on my run haha. I had a bit of a crash landing but overall it was exhilarating.

Most everyone would run up and do another run, and i was eventually convinced by Diana to do 2 more runs – to double prove that we could do it. A few folks got bumps and bruises, me included. At one point we saw a lone sled coming down with no rider, we’ll let the cwa prez explain that one!  At one point Diana and i realized that turning the sled was very similar to doing eddy turns and peel outs. You turn your head to the direction you want to go and lift the opposite knee.  Our kayaking skills came in handy!

Our 2-1/2 hours of luge time came to close and I think everyone was tired but satisfied. The group went out for food and drink at a local bar before folks had to head back to either Chicago or the local hotels (for poker & more drinks).

I’ve included a few pics here, but we have many more to see of everyone else who joined in on the fun – visit the full site.

The next day our crew went back to the complex for some ice skating. A few more bumps and bruises were had, but mostly a good time hanging out with good friends. More pictures are available of that portion of the trip. Pics may be a bit dark, as i haven’t had a lot of time to lighten them up yet.

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