Liz and Beth atop the Lake Placid Olympic Bobsled Run
This time I won't bore you with lots of "fun-filled facts." But we will take you on a ride inside the track. The original course (1932 and 1980) was made of concrete and lacks much of the modern technology. That said, wheeled bobsled rides commence therein in summer when school lets out around July 1st. Top speeds are around 50 mph; sound like fun?
The new course built in 2000
The new course is one (1) mile from top to bottom
A totally new, modern bobsled, luge, and skeleton run was completed in 2000. It's a mile in length and is constructed of gunnite just like the swimming pool in your back yard. It has a cover that is put in place before coating the inside with ice; that keeps the leaves and twigs out as the ice is applied and hardens. If the weather is cold enough (say, around 20 deg.) water is sprayed onto the cold walls to form the icy runs. The new 2000 vintage run has a cooling system built in just in case it's needed.
Here's a starting gate just below the top of the run
Sleds are queued up to the right on the grey wooden surface.
When a team's sled arrives it is held in a staging area top down/rails up. Each sled is inspected to ensure no tampering has been done to the rails. Inspectors check for illegal warmth, oils, synthetics, or performance enhancing drugs that may have been applied to the rails. Also, the rails are chilled to a temperature that matches the temperature of the ice before being loaded into the starting gate.
For some reason our tour guide said we could walk down inside the sled run to the bottom. Are you kidding? You only have to suggest once to we three crazies.
So down we go!
Truly...I never in my wildest imagination dreamed I'd be walking down an olympic bobsled run even if it were summer and the surface was gunnite. What a trip?
Outa the shoot and into the first turn we go...
Liz is entering a turn where g-forces = 5. Two man luge cannot run the course from the top because the man on the bottom would be experiencing a 1000 pound rider on top of him. So, 2-man luge starts lower down the run.
Beth and Liz are setting up a sharp left hander. Sled speeds exceed 80 mph on this course.
Teams train on this course and world events are run here as well. The course is intentionally built to be the toughest possible. The idea is, if you can run here, you can run anywhere.
To quote a much overused phrase, "you'd have to be there" to appreciate the size and severity of this course.
Imagine being in a sled positioned upon this wall in the middle of the "L."
This entire experience was far too cool. Next time I see a bobsled event on TV, I'll have an entirely new perspective and appreciation for what's really goin' on.
Our day began with coffee at the home of the queen of Lake Placid, Beth's mom, Ruth. She's so totally cool and with it and beloved by all the residents of L.P. We followed that warm chat with brunch at the Breakfast Club in downtown Placid. After some light shopping and a quick rejuvinating rest, we set out to the sled run. We had no idea we'd be walking down inside it. Of course we were tired and famished. So what better remedy that an awesome meal at the Hungry Trout. Check this out...
This exquisite restaurant offers everything from venison, to quail, duck, trout, pork belly...you just name it.
The surrounding environs are not to shabby either...
...nor is the view.
And...it's situated next to a civilized saloon. What more could you ask?
After a comprehensive tour of Lake Placid, it's quaint homes and thriving deer population, we headed back to the modest, timber frame "cabin" in the woods to rest and relax in preparation for our final day in lovely Lake Placid. What a treat it has been.
Many thanks to Beth, Nancy, Nancy, Peggy, Sean and Queen Ruth!!
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