the point6 blog
21 May 2009
To promote point6 in the cycling market, we are proud to announce that we have formed the point6 Sock Racing Cycling Team. Five team riders will compete in Nor-Am sanctioned races this summer.
As an added benefit, each team rider is also responsible for introducing a youth team rider to the sport, who would not have access to the funds normally associated with racing. Each youth rider will be sponsored by point6 in partnership with his or her local point6 retailer.
We congratulate team riders Alain Delorme and Mathieu Delorme who both finished on the podium at the Nor-Am Grand Prix in Ste. Martine, Quebec. Alain also finished on the podium at the 3 day Nor-Am Grand Prix in St. Raymond, Quebec. For more information on our cycling team, contact point6 Sock Racing Team manager, Alain Delorme 450-534-0592.
13 May 2009
Mountain bike racing can bring all kinds of surprises, as Scott Alexander of Marietta, Georgia has found out. Scott is one of our point6 product testers, and has been racing encurance and expert XC this season. When asked for a testimonail, Scott had this to say about point6 socks:
"Well done, is the first thing I have to say! You guys have designed socks for the truly active people that need their products to hold up under extreme conditions. I am an endurance mountain biker and I have put point6 socks to the test and have loved them.
When I'm racing and the rain comes in, the race doesn't stop. In the past, my feet would get wet, then cold, even in warmer temperatures. With point6 wool socks, i haven't had any issues regardless of the conditions. Now my feet are the last thing I have to think about and I can focus on racing."
01 May 2009
"You can't compare it to any other competitive event in the world! A race over 1150 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. She throws jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast at the mushers and their dog teams. Add to that temperatures far below zero, winds that can cause a complete loss of visibility, the hazards of overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs and side hills, and you have the Iditarod. A race extraordinaire, a race only possible in Alaska." (excerpt from official iditarod website: www.iditarod.com)
Local Oak Creek resident, and friend of Peter and Patty Duke, Tom Thurston competed in the 2009 Iditarod Race. Outfitted with a supply of point6 socks, Tom put our warm merino wool socks to the ultimate test in the figid Alaskan temperatures.
Tom described his experience and how point6 socks performed during the race:
"The Iditarod is an extremely challenging event in every way imaginable. What is of most importance is dog care and management. Efficiency is a must and time is short if you want to get any sleep during your short 6 hour stops. This leaves a person very little time to care for themselves. During the 1,100 mile race a musher may change their clothes once or twice at most and some not at all with the exception of socks. Your feet are of most importance considering you are standing on the runners from 6 to 8 hours at a time. Your feet get wet they get cold and they begin to deteriate. Terms like trench foot and athletes foot are common terms used during the race.
I have struggled for years trying to keep my feet warm and dry. Like most mushers I always carry a large bottle of foot powder to combat and or prevent foot problems. This year on my 14 day trip from Anchorage to Nome I had my usual stash of foot powder and a second bottle sent out halfway along the trail. It did not dawn on me until about 200 miles into the race when I realized I had not changed my socks yet and had not used any of my foot powder. I decided to change socks since I had them and when I took off the first pair and found them completely dry, I was impressed. After putting on my new pair I giggled. That is no joke. These socks are so comfortable that it made me giggle. I never expected to have socks become a highlight of my race and as the race continued I looked forward to being able to enjoy the feeling of putting on the next new pair. When I reached the halfway point I still had not used any powder and had no need for the spare I had sent out. This years race was brutally cold reaching down to -50 F with wind up to 60mph. Lots of frostbite was reported on both hands and feet. I finished the race with very comfortable dry feet never using any foot powder and a firm believer in Point 6 socks. My only regret is that they do not make other products such as long underwear and glove liners. When they do I will wear it all without a doubt."
Thanks, Tom, for letting us be part of your journey!
28 April 2009
I can't imagine running 150 miles! Paul Stofko is an amazing distance runner who thrives on 100+ mile running races. He has been testing point6 socks for us this last year while pushing his own physical limits further and further.
When we first spoke to Paul, he had never run in merino wool socks. He expected his feet to suffer during his races no matter what socks he was wearing, particularly those races with stream crossings. Paul was pleasantly surprised by the comfort and performance our point6 socks provided. Recently, Paul ran in the McNaughton Park 150 miler. Check out the race website www.mcnaughtonparktrailruns.com for details.
"The socks work great and I am very impressed. I ran 41 hours and 49 minutes for an overall 3rd place finish. I did not change your socks and I went through 2 water crossing per lap that's 30 times in the water. The socks dried out quickly and I did not have any blisters. 150 miles and still in great shape. "
14 April 2009
