Sunday turned out to be another warm (no, let's call it hot) late winter day, with no clouds and abundant sunshine. We had a number of items planned for the day, the first of which was a visit to the Lake Placid Olympic Bobsled facility - something which we had driven past so many times over our years of hiking in the Adirondacks, but had never visited. We decided that this was the day where we'd have a look and perhaps give the ride-the-bobsled experience they offer a try.
Lake Placid Bobsled Complex
The complex was quite extensive, consisting of an old and a new bobsled track (the old track was used in the 1932 and 1980 winter olympics), as well as a modern visitor center. There were indeed bobsled rides being offered (I had wondered about whether or not the extra-warm days we were having might have shut down the operation). The price was fairly steep - eighty dollars per person - but we were feeling in a generous mood. I figured that it would be a neat thing to have tried at least once.
courtesy RHanel
Approaching visitor center
View along modern run, outside
After paying our fee, we were soon ferried up in a brand-new logo-emblazened Chevy Suburban (there were many GM products and banners around - clearly some sort of sponsorship deal) to the start of the 1/2 mile course on the new bobsled run. This is where the tour rides start (I guess starting from the top of the full track would be too fast for untrained mortals like us). We were given a helmet, then led around to a deck where two burly guys shoved a big bobsled through a tarp curtain and into the coolness of the start of the run. The smooth curves of the iced track led down and around the corner. The whole length of the tunnel was covered in a canopy to keep out the elements and keep in the coolness.
courtesy RHanel
courtesy RHanel
Sara is ready for bobsledding
Isabel and Jean had decided to skip the run, so it was just Jenn, myself, Roland and Sara. The sled managed to fit all of us plus the two staff members, and once we were all snugly in place, they radioed down and got clearance to start the run.
I was near the front, so I got to anticipate the turns. Even so, there were a couple of turns where I underestimated the G-forces, and as a result I let my head bend forwards a bit too much. These turns are sharper than they appear. Other than that, it was a lot like being on a roller coaster ride, as I suppose you would expect. It all went by fairly quickly. Our top speed was somewhere just shy of 55 mph, if I recall correctly.
After getting our picture taken, we took a brief tour of the exhibits at the visitor center and some of the old 1932 and 1980s Olympic facilities outside, then headed off.
Uphill runoff after finish
Our next stop: The Mountaineer - a large and well-stocked outdoor gear store in nearby Keene Valley. We all wanted a look to see what might be had for a good price; Roland in particular was on a mission to see if he could find a good pair of mountaineering boots for his troublesome feet.
Visiting the local outdoors store
After over an hour of looking and trying and fitting, Roland did in fact end up finding a decent set of La Sportiva Mountaineering Boots. Overjoyed, he was.
