Fun on ice and snow By Mike Lomas
S
ay “kicksled” and most people respond “Huh?” Variously described as a winter bicycle, snow scooter, dogsled without dogs, or “two parallel skis joined by a kitchen chair with handlebars,” it’s a gawkylooking, human-powered vehicle. Looks aside, the craft glides swiftly on ice or compacted snow, and can carry a passenger or gear on its neat little front seat.
F
irst developed in northern Europe more than 150 years ago, kicksleds are prevalent today in small towns of Finland, Norway and Sweden. Side streets aren’t sanded or salted there, and people use kicksleds to shop and run other errands. But mundane pursuits pale next to highly competitive racing. Kicksledding was a demonstration sport at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994. Finland even boasts a professional racing circuit. Built primarily for use on ice, the sleds rest on long, steel ice-blades. Most models come with clip-on plastic skis or snow runners to adapt them for compacted-snow surfaces. On hard, glass-like ice, the sled travels very fast, faster than most skaters. Even when the Rideau Canal’s ice has suffered overuse and developed a scruffy, scratched surface, you can still go at a pretty good clip, and outstrip most skaters. Kick-starting a kicksled isn’t rocket science. You pilot it as you would a
scooter, but you won’t need as much balance. Grip the handlebars; put one foot (bearing most of your weight) on a non-slip pad on the rear section of one blade. With your other foot, kick at the ice between the blades. Continue kicking with a repetitive, leg-swinging motion. Once you build up speed, stand with both feet on the blades and coast. Switch to kicking with the other foot to keep up your forward momentum. Steer the kicksled by twisting its handlebars in the direction you want to go. For a faster turn, drag one foot on the ice. Foot contact with the ice is even more effective if you strap a pair of steel-studded crampons on the soles of your winter boots. They also help you brake. Crampons are available for just a few dollars from kicksled retailers and stores, such as Canadian Tire. As an alternative to crampons, you could use spiked shoes designed for track, cross-country or orienteering. Kicksleds don’t do well in deep, soft snow or on steep, icy slopes. If
Photo by National Capital Commission.
KICKSLEDDING
Kicksleds kick butt
you do tackle a steep slope, remember the sled has no brakes beyond your foot dragging on the ice. Safe operation may vary depending on your weight, strength, and agility and whether you have a passenger on board. Also remember, you can’t turn as quickly as when you’re skiing. And unlike tobogganing, you can’t simply roll off if the going gets rough. You’re in a vulnerable, standing position. Start out slowly on gentle slopes, to get a feel for downhill operation. Take care on steeper surfaces. Exercise parental caution and control if your children operate a kicksled downhill. Can you mush a kicksled? It depends on your dog. A standard harness will work, but unless you’re an experienced musher with trained dogs, you’ll have limited steering ability. Donna Leaman gave up in frustration. Her family’s two-year old Labrador/Collie dog resisted attempts to train it in a kicksled harness. “His tolerance is a lot lower than www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
