Unless you live under a rock, you know what a marathon is. You’ve most likely heard of a triathlon. But it was not until I had the honored privilege of interviewing local author Walter Rhein about his new book Beyond Birkie Fever that I had any idea that a cross country ski race existed (outside of the Olympics, that is). I was also completely unaware that a mere one-hour drive up north to our beloved Hayward in early February would seat me in the middle of one of the most sacred sporting events in Wisconsin (heck, the nation!).

The American Berkebeiner is the second longest cross country ski race – spanning 54 kilometers from Hayward to Cable, Wisconsin. Rhein’s book talks of his own experience as a skier and unfolds very much like a memoir, but also includes an interview with Dave Landgraf, one of the founders of this legendary race. Not only did Landgraf participate in the first race, but he continued to finish among the best for nearly four decades.

Rhein’s own experience has been successful in a different context. “If it had not been for the American Birkebeiner, I really doubt I would have ever developed the thirst for travel that dominated my early adulthood. It was through the Birkie that I was able to meet and become good friends with people from places like Australia and Germany, and it was these friendships that enticed me to go to these places.”

We previously interviewed Rhein for the release of The Bone Sword, his first published fantasy adventure novel. When asked what he is planning next he replied, “I have about a half-dozen books waiting to be dusted off and finished lurking in the dark corners of my hard drives. ... Honestly, I’ve made a half dozen stabs at writing this book, and I have two complete unsatisfactory novels to show for it, but I haven’t quite figured out the format that will make all the various stories I’ve collected work together as a novel.”

While he hunts for his next volume in those dark corners, we’ll continue to enjoy catching our own Birkie Fever. It might just inspire you to do something crazy like be a competitor in the next Birkie!

Find Beyond Birkie Fever at The Local Store, Amazon,
and ShopHermalda.mivamerchant.net.