From: byer@adobe.com (Scott Byer)
Subject: Re: Rollerblading
Reply-To: byer@adobe.com (Scott Byer)
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 22:23:23 GMT


[I'm replying to it here because it really is good
cross-training for bicycling, and I figured some other
cyclists would be interested.]

Lib writes
   
> I'm interested in trying roller-blading, kind of as an
> adjunct to cycling, just to do something different that's
> still good exerecise.
   
Blading is awesome!

I'll tell you my story and you can glean what information
you can from it.

I started off with a pair of Rollerblade (TM?) Lightnings.
Fairly good, around $225 where I got the from (it was
four years ago, I might not be remembering correctly.)

It took a week to learn how to break and stop and get my
balance.

After I got good, I found that the laces weren't the best
thing - it was hard to get them tight (I like my blades
on *tight*), and they wore out fast.

Last fall I stepped up to a pair of Aero Blades (from
Rollerblade again) - a little over $300, and worth every
penny.  Comfortable, light, quick to get on - they are
a blast.  But I was also glad I didn't make them my first
pair - I know much more about what kind of fit I wanted,
etc.

I don't know what to say about non-Rollerblade in-lines
(except that those aluminum base racing skates look really
good - though expensive.  And I hate laces).

I go out with just good wrist gloves (I gave up the
plastic wrist guards soon after I was good enough to not
have to bail very often).  I average about 12-15mi/hr,
and I stay on bike paths (passing many of the recreational
cyclists :-) or sidewalks.  I will use the bike lane of
the sidewalk is unpassable - but it's hard, and only good
on roads with nearly no traffic, ad you end up needing
more room that the bike lane usually has.  I don't wear
a helmet - maybe I should.  I always wear one on my bike,
but I just don't feel the same sense of danger on the
blades.

For a beginniner, I'd recommend knee pads and elbow pads
in addition to the wrist guards.  Find a nice flat space
(such as a parking lot) and *practice braking*.  Also,
learn how to have one skate (usually your dominant foot)
slightly ahead of the other - you can go over almost
anything less than half as high as your wheels this way.
(It also gives you a really narrow profile while coasting,
good for letting cyclists or cars pass you).  This also
lets you do pretty good on sidewalks.  Beware of
descending on sidewalks, until you are really comfortable
with braking.

Rent them first!  Try them on!  If a shop doesn't rent
them, I wouldn't buy from there.  There may be exceptions,
but I find the places that rent them usually have more
knowledgable salespeople.  There should be no extra rental
charge for the additional safety equipment.

Have fun!  And work those quads!!

Scott Byer                                   NeXTMail: byer@adobe.com
Adobe Systems Incorporated               These are *my* opinions, and  
1585 Charleston Road, P.O. Box 7900        do not necessarily reflect
Mountain View, CA 94039-7900             the opinions of my employer.
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From: kg@hpsad.sad.hp.com (Ken Gurley)
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 20:56:22 GMT
Subject: Re: Stop My Spokes:TrashBar Wheel Editorial
Organization: HP Signal Analysis Division - Rohnert Park, CA