American Birkebeiner

From start to finish, Rob Seeds and Megan Evans have a lot of love for the Birkie.

In the winter of 2006, Megan Evans was a senior at UW-Madison and a co-director of the Hoofer Nordic Ski Club. Rob Seeds was also a UW-Madison student and a new member of the team. Throughout the ski season, the two got to know one another at weekly practices, weekend training trips, team pasta feeds, and en route to citizen races. Megan always made a point to assign Rob to her van; Rob didn’t mind being the last one dropped off.

The American Birkebeiner traditionally caps off the race season for UW-Madison skiers. That year, Megan and Rob both looked forward to the race and the team’s legendary post-race bash.

For her fifth Birkie, Megan donned angel wings and a fairy skirt over her UW spandex (as did her fellow UW women “Skiñoritas”) and lined up with the fourth wave. Rob was in the fifth wave for his second Birkie start and wore, well, what most skiers wear. 2006 was a fast year! The snow was great and the temps comfortable. Megan was on pace for a personal best time. So was Rob. Just after the final rest stop, Rob passed Megan, shouting, “nice wings, lady.”

They’ve been together ever since. Naturally, each subsequent anniversary has been celebrated on skis at the Birkie.

When it came time for Rob to propose to Megan, he knew exactly where to take her.

Months in advance, Rob asked Megan to reserve the weekend of October 24th for “nothing special.” Megan decided to believe him. Imagine her surprise when, after stopping in Cloquet and Duluth, Minn., and driving past the exits for Bayfield and Ashland, they ended up in Cable!

It was a rainy fall weekend and the couple picked up groceries and set up camp at Telemark Lodge. Rob suggested they relax for the day on Friday, but on Saturday he wanted to hike the Birkie trail.

Saturday morning was a beautiful fall day made even more picturesque due to the cover of snow that had fallen the night before. The two packed sandwiches and walked to the start of the race. They trudged through the wet fields, admired the views, inhaled the crisp fall air, and imagined how they’d be feeling at each K with skis. And then, just after cresting the highest of the power line hills, Rob brought out their 2006 Birkie bibs and asked Megan to marry her. Then, while still on one knee, he asked her to pursue Birchleggings status with him.

As a final surprise – and thanks to the cooperation of the Birkie – Rob arranged for the couple’s closest friends and family members (skiers and non-skiers alike!) to receive a special edition of the Carpe Skiem e-newsletter announcing their engagement.

The couple is planning an October 2010 wedding and will be skiing their fifth and eighth Birkies in February. Until then, they’re engaged in Birkie fever!