![]() Skiing, I have learned, is much like cycling. Rhein’s story starts early in his life with a growing attachment to skiing and equipment and training. Tony Wise started the tradition in the United States in 1973 with thirty five participants the event has grown to 13,000 participants, including the author. Apparently bonking and the temptation to eat the “prince” may have been too strong for many. ![]() Norway revived the tradition as a race in 1932, burdening the participants with a carrying a non-food item weight to symbolize the the prince. The race began in 1973, inspired from the Birkebeiner skiers who took the the king’s son to safety in the Norwegian civil war in 1206. The Birkie, the 41st annual Birkebeiner for 2014, is a marathon cross-country skiing race through rolling hills of Wisconsin. I didn’t make the connection immediately until he said he owned a bike shop and that one of the legends of the Birkies was recently killed by a car while riding his bicycle. ![]() Rhein stumbled across my blog and asked if I was willing to review the book. He was born and currently owns a bike and ski shop in Wisconsin. He has written at least five novels in the fantasy genre, something people my age would call D&D type books, which I will need to look at. Beyond Birkie Fever by Walter Rhein is his personal experiences in marathon cross country skiing. ![]()
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