I had seen on line that the canals have frozen over in Netherlands for the first time in 12 years and the link says there is a plan for the Elfstedentocht for January 15. But, it has to stay cold and the ice has to be 15 cm thick minimum (except they run around on carpets around some thin areas). This means 11 cities tour, and it is a 200 km race and tour on canals clockwise around the Friesland province of the northern Netherlands. This month is the 100th anniversary of the first one. I completed the course the day before the official tour in 1986. This is probably the achievment I am most proud of (besides HW and HD of course). I like to tell people who don't know me that my claims to fame are skating 200 km in one day, and that my high school principle was sentenced to death for mass murder (both true).
HWs Dutch co-workers quit at about 3PM half way through, and so I had to set out alone for the last half, which was against the wind as it got colder and then dark. After about 50 or 75 km more I started hooking up with some other people who were doing the same.

The next day 16,000 Dutch skated the course: I think most completed it. They had until midnight. The first 300 were racers and the winner completed in less than 7 hours: won 2 years in a row (1985 and 1986). I took 14 hours, but 2 hours were hanging out in bars (but drinking soup and eating sandwiches).

I would love to skate this officially but I'd have to live there and skate daily for a month or so to be in shape for this. It may be 3 days away and I'm in Long Beach, the Santa Anas are blowing, and it is in the 70s.

the Elfstedentocht is televised live all day in the Netherlands. More people knew the name of the 1985 and 1986 winner, a farmer, Evert van Benthem, than knew the name of the Prime Minister (I don't know his name).

2 blizzards coming in next 2 or 3 days for upper midwest including Chicago.

Chris

• 100 year Elfstedentocht