| Build an XC Sled |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Administrator |
| Monday, 18 January 2010 19:14 |
|
 So, I knew I wanted to use Brock's bike trailer because it provides a roll cage if he did happen to turn over. Also, it's more comfortable then a plastic sled. I thought about just putting skis on the bottom of the wheels and locking them in place, but the idea of a sled that fit in the groomed trail kept calling me. Why does no one else make them? I figured I'd make it and something would go wrong and then I'd realize why, but Brock and I have taken it out a couple times for many miles, and so far I think it rocks!
To make the sled I took Brock's cheap Schwinn bike trailer and took off the wheels. On the underside I wanted to mount metal T track but couldn't find any in Sandstone so my father-in-law routered a t slot for me out of 2 pieces of oak. Those I mounted to the bottom of the trailer. I bought some old XC skis at the local thrift store and cut them the length of the trailer. I screwed 2x4s length wise along the skis to give them some height and put a bolt in the 2x4 where they would meet up with the T track allowing them to slide within the track. On each side of the skis I put wood blocks with a bolt and wingnut on them to allow locking the skis in place when you figured out the width of the groomed trail. The sled doesn't have much height and it would be pretty tough to flip him unless I seriously wiped out. I stay away from the hard stuff with him. For the harness system, I used Ed's poles. Can't get any better then his goods. Get them at www.skipulk.com He also has info on how to make your own, but once you spend the time hunting down parts and putting it all together, you're better off just buying his system and having something that will last forever. i don't have his harness, so I used an old kiteboarding waist harness. Works perfect. Mount those poles to the C channel pieces on your trailer and you're ready to pull your kid all over the snow.
So go retrofit your bike trailer and have some fun out there with your kids. They'll love it and you'll be glad you can spend a Sunday in the snow versus hearing the same musical jingles from their toys, over and over and over...
Here are the GPS routes Brock and I have tackled with the sled. Great fun and we can't wait for more.
|
| Last Updated ( Monday, 18 January 2010 19:48 ) |
XC skiing is one of the best family outside activities you can enjoy. You're not hurling along at dangerous speeds and it's a great workout, but Brock is too little to ski yet and I need to get outside or I go stir crazy. I thought about a backpack, but if I fell, Brock falls too. I thought about an expensive Burly with ski option, but the skis ride outside the tracks and I'm cheap. Sleds aren't allowed because they mess up the groomed trails. So I did what any cheap dad does, rigged Brock a sled out of his bike trailer with adjustable skis to fit in the tracks. This allowed less resistance riding in a groomed trail and a sort of side stability to help with the turns. If you want to read more about our adventures with it, check out the rest of the story!
Since Brock isn't sweating his ass off like I do skiing, I wrap him in his sleeping bag. He usually takes a nap and wakes up mid session to do a little hootin and hollerin, but has never cried. I think he likes getting out a much as I do. this sled will grow with him too. Once he is able to ski, we can pull it with to carry baby gear and also to rescue him when he's pooped out 2 miles into a 4 mile loop.