HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt)
Subject: Re: abrupt stopping of inlines
Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 21:08:49 GMT

In article <55870021@hpcc01.corp.hp.com> kirk@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Kirk Lindstrom) writes:

>>>Er...by 'fall down' I mean use your knees, elbows, and wrist guards when
>>>you reach the ground.
>>
>>Actually, I prefer a controlled collapse onto my rear end and then sliding.
>>Protection is for uncontrolled falls...
>
>Do you wear jeans or leather pants?  I usually wear shorts.

Patagonia makes some double-seat shorts that do a pretty amazing job. I've
trashed the lightweight cloth version, but never the heavyweight guys.
I believe there's also some sort of plastic rear end skid pad these days.

>I don't think my arse will like the skid marks much.  I just try not to fall,
>skate in control, etc. but I've had to use the protection a few times and
>have been glad I've had it.

Protection is for unanticipated falls. Unless you're a master telemark skier,
you're probably not tremendously stable when sliding on one knee pad. I'm near
certain that you're not stable when sliding on wrist guards or elbow pads.
I'm absolutely certain that you're not stable when sliding on your helmet!

>Haven't tried a controlled collapse yet.  Should I?

Yeah. That was part of our original stopping FAQ. It should still be there.

The best example I can give: after climbing this narrow, steep trail behind
NIST in Boulder, I found myself at the top of the public part of Table Mesa --
just before the private road to NCAR. I started the descent of Table Mesa,
making slalom turns, but was unable to control my speed. The road was too
rough for me to effectively brake. Given that there was traffic, I did not
have the option of increasing my turn radius.

Rather than wrap myself around a telephone pole or a car, I "slid" towards the
side of the road. I didn't trash myself or my pants -- the main problem is
that it looks horribly undignified. After a quick look to see who saw me make
this ugly manuver, I dusted myself off and continued.

Like everything else, controlled collapses (aka ditching, smothering, etc.)
should be practiced in a controlled situation. And, as you have noted, they do
provide some risk to one's skin and clothing. But, just like bicyclists should
have a picture of how to successfully fall from their bikes, skaters should
know how to ditch when all else fails.

>Kirk

--phil
From: pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: abrupt stopping of inlines
Date: 8 Oct 92 12:06:18 GMT
Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc.

In article <1992Oct8.012925.96438@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu> ctl3@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (CHARLES THOMAS LAINHART) writes:
>Are you crazy?  You'd rather peel skin of your a__ then fall on your knee
>pads?  No thanks.

If you're going to master outdoor skating, you had better learn how to
ditch at some point. I don't advocate losing skin. In fact, in probably 50
or so ditches I've ever done on skates, I've *never ever* lost any skin.

In fact, that's the whole point -- if you learn how to ditch properly, you
probably won't hurt yourself doing it. If you wait until you're in a situation
where you have to learn ditching when in a panic situation, you may lose it
(skin, etc.).

>As for the person that asked how to use the brake, no one told you.

Someone was advocating slowing down by sliding on their knee pads. Generally,
this is a bad technique. It will work poorly when you need it the most -- on
steeper narrower terrain.

>Say the brake is on your left skate, bend your right leg and slide
>your left out in front of you. The farther out your left leg gets and the
>more your right bends, the faster you will stop.  The first few times
>exaggerate the leg bend and bend forward at the waist.  Always bend the non
>braking leg, make a point of it, otherwise you will be practicing stops with
>your behind.

There's a lot more to braking than this. Look in the FAQ postings for
state-of-the-art braking information.

In summary:

Protection is for preventing injury in unanticipated falls.
Braking works for all-around speed control. Read the FAQ.
Ditching is used to kill speed when all else fails. And it doesn't necessarily
imply losing skin.

--phil
From: larrya@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Larry Anderson)
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 10:23:58 GMT
Subject: Re: What is the address of Kryptonics and Hyper Wheels ???
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.skate

Well, here's a little story.  Last friday after classes, a friend and I
decided to drive down to Mecca and see how those little colored wheels
are made since we saw an article about it in INLINE.  We packed the car
with road trip food, plenty of tapes, back issues of skate magazines and
of course our skates, and did the drive from Ft Collins to Boulder.
Without too much trouble, we found Kryptonics 5660 Central.  We were so
pumped about visiting that we were jabbering at a high frequency.  Well,
we went inside...
And were met at the door by an attractive young woman in black who asked
the nature of our business.  When she learned we were merely scumbag
urban gorilla skaters on a joyride to cop a thrill, she told us they
were closing in a few minutes, and that there was nothing she could help
us with anyway.  So we asked:
Can we have a tour?  No, proprietary process.  Like elves, or what?
Can we meet the technical support person.  No, not at that site.
Can we see your product display?  Yes, but it was incomplete.
Can we see some demo cut wheels?  What is that?
Can we see some hard product documentation?  What is that?
Can we have some stickers?  None available.
Can we have a brochure?  None available.
Does anybody here skate?  Nobody she's seen or heard of.
Do you know that this address is plastered in INLINE?  What's that?
Is there any message you'd like us to give to the hordes of skaters that
we represent?  Yes, Kryptonics manufactures for a wide variety of
markets using Advanced Polyurethane Technology.  Oh good, polyurethane
pooper-scoopers.
CAN WE PLEASE HAVE A LITTLE COURTESY???  Everywhere we skaters go, we
are told of being a hazard to ourselves and others, and variously
snubbed and despised.  And now even at Kryptonics?  We thought surely
here we'd find a haven for our kind.
Well, we left deflated.  We went to our favorite healthy restaurant and
wailed on Mexican until dark.  After dark, we skated up Boulder Canyon,
then flew down, incredibly fast, incredibly scary, incredibly stupid(?),
but very exciting.  We wondered, standing at the base of the canyon,
hearts pumping to burst, with faces flushed and windburned, on our
inlines with Kryptonics wheels, whether HYPERS might have felt a little
better?
The rest of the story is that before we left, we axe-murdered her, then
pistol-whipped her, drew and quartered her body, put the remains in a
huge vat of acid, then cursed her to the third and fourth generation,
all very politely, of course;  with that, she reluctantly agreed to give
us a small token, one iota of information, from which you may draw your
own conclusion:

Kevin Lee, Technical Support
KRYPTONICS INC.
740 So. Pierce Avenue
Louisville, Colorado  80027
(303)665-5353  FAX (303)665-1318
Advanced Polyurethane Technology


Representing only my own humble intermediate skating self,
standard company-type disclaimers apply,
I remain,
Lars.

BTW, if God hadn't meant for us to skate, our feet wouldn't be in pairs
and fit so well into those little boots.  So there.   8-)
From: lyndw@pogo.wv.tek.com (Lynd Wieman)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: NY Skating?
Date: 7 Oct 92 15:11:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: pogo.13703
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR.

I just bought the Oct-Nov issue of Inline magazine and it has an article
on skating in NY.  All about Central Park, what streets to skate, where to
eat, etc.  It sounds like just what you're looking for.

By the way, the magazine includes a subscription offer for $17 something
for a years subscription and includes 8 wheels.  This sounds like a pretty
good deal.  All they say about the wheels is they are "standard 70 mm".
Has anyone taken them up on the offer?  What kind of wheels are they?

Lynd
From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: Sealed bearing maintenance?
Date: 14 Oct 92 18:34:41 GMT
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

In article <42090040@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM> aites@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Jim Aites) writes:
> Just a quick note to say that popping the cover and cleaning the bearings 
> WORKS!!!
> 
> I've been riding two or three times a week, and covering 5-10 miles at a 
> time for over a year now.  I've recently noticed some drag, but I didn't 
> think it was bad enough to worry about buying new bearings.
> 
> Finally, one bearing started squeaking, and would only 'free-spin' for about 
> three seconds. A friend gave me a spare bearing (German make), and I tore IT
> apart to check the cover removal.  Simplex!
> 
> Soaked both bearings from that wheel in mineral spirits, cleaned and re-soaked 
> several times, a light spray of WD40, wiped and re-installed.  Free-spin is
> now closer to a full 60 SECONDS!
> 
> Anyone think it will make a difference?  <grin>

Well, if the only lubrication you are using is WD40, you'd better oil them
everytime you go out or you'll notice a difference real soon.

There are various recommendations, sewing machine oil, baby (mineral) oil,
motor oil - there probably isn't a big difference between any of these,
the key is you need to make sure there is some clean lubricant there when
you need it.

Radio-shack used to sell a nice little "hypodermic" oil thingie (actually
just a squeeze-tube with a needle) that would be great for putting just
a drop where you need it, not sure where you can get these now.

-- 
George Robbins - now working for,     work:   to be avoided at all costs...
but no way officially representing:   uucp:   {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!grr
Commodore, Engineering Department     domain: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com
From: adchen@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (Tony Chen)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: Which wheels where?
Date: 8 Oct 92 21:56:38 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.1992Oct8.215638.11444
Organization: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

In article <1992Oct8.194804.3488@news.media.mit.edu> kanarick@media.mit.edu (Craig M. Kanarick) writes:
>
>I don't think this is in the FAQ, but could someone please post what
>size wheels will fit on which skates?  (Tony, maybe you
>could add this to the FAQs?).

Well, there's only really two groups of skates.   Skates which take
up to 72.5mm wheels and those that go all the way up to 80mm (or 82mm
if you like 'em tall).

As far as I know the designed-for ranges are :

   up to 72.5mm:  Bauer, any model under XR/10, 
                  Rollerblade, any model under Aeroblades.
                  I'm not sure about Coolblades, since although they
                  come with 72mm wheels, but I'd bet they can take
                  76mm wheels (since they have the Aero chassis).
                  Anyone know for sure?

up to 76mm-80mm:  Aeroblades (actually, I'm not sure if they go to 82mm,
                  but at least to 80mm),  any racing skate (i.e., 5-
                  wheelers, or 4-wheelers if you've got small feet 8-), 
                  SwitcHits 1141.  

Generally all the high-end skates are designed for 76mm and up, while any
model below are in the 72.5mm range.  However, this is only the intended
range.  For example, you can fit 76mm wheels on Bauer XF/3s and XS/5s,
provided you adjust the front/rear wheels inward (to shorten the wheelbase).  
I don't think the Macros or TRSs can pull it off though.   I think they 
have plastic separators between wheels so you'd have to scrape them down
(which I've seen people do) to take bigger wheels.  Like I said before, 
the Coolblades should probably take 76mm.    I'm not sure about the 
Ultra Wheels or Roller Derby lines, though.

-Tony Chen
 adchen@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu
 adchen@lee.cs.uiowa.edu
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: cowl@elec.canterbury.ac.nz (DAve.)
Subject: Blade shops in Fort Worth Texas?
Organization: Electrical Engineering, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 02:42:51 GMT


Hiya.

Can anyone recommend rollerblade shops in the Fort Worth or even Dallas
area of Texas? I have a friend who is looking out for stuff for me.

US make stuff like Blading Edge edge kits and roller hockey stuff is what
I seek - these things are impossible to find locally.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!
DAve.
 


Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: adchen@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (Tony Chen)
Subject: Re: NY Skating?
Organization: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 06:18:37 GMT

In article <13703@pogo.wv.tek.com> lyndw@pogo.wv.tek.com (Lynd Wieman) writes:
>I just bought the Oct-Nov issue of Inline magazine and it has an article

>By the way, the magazine includes a subscription offer for $17 something
>for a years subscription and includes 8 wheels.  This sounds like a pretty
>good deal.  All they say about the wheels is they are "standard 70 mm".
>Has anyone taken them up on the offer?  What kind of wheels are they?

Well, you're getting a set free wheels, so don't expect too much 8-)
I'd bet they're stock Kryptos that you'd normally get with Rollerblade 
skates.  Cruddy, but hey, for free, even I would skate on 'em 8-)

-Tony Chen (P'92)
 adchen@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu
 adchen@lee.cs.uiowa.edu
From: Ward_Travis@transarc.com
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: abrupt stopping of inlines
Date: 8 Oct 92 16:36:56 GMT
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

Phil Earndhardt writes:

> Rather than wrap myself around a telephone pole or a car, I "slid" towards the
> side of the road. I didn't trash myself or my pants -- the main problem is
> that it looks horribly undignified. After a quick look to see who saw me make
> this ugly manuver, I dusted myself off and continued.

I've been impressed with how I can generally get through some rough
tumbles unharmed. The problem is that, after some of my more
spectacular bail-outs, the bystanders either are convinced that I
should be writhing in pain and -- since I'm not -- that I'm in some
kind of shock, or they attack me for being a hazard (arguable).

One instance was cruising across some of Pittsburgh's worse sidewalks
down near Duquesne U. I jumped onto the curb at a crosswalk and
snagged wholeheartedly. Complete forward to vertical momentum
exchange. Loud thumping sounds. Bounced. An elderly lady standing
some yards away nearly swooned, she thought I'd killed myself for
certain. I hopped up and began to show her the pads and such to let
her understand that I was all right, but to no avail. I felt bad for
scaring her, but hey, she wasn't at risk at all; she was upset that
she had seen me crash!

Anybody else see this phenomenon, that crashes are harder on the
spectators than the skater?

--
Ward C. Travis		Pittsburgh PA	"The fact is the sweetest dream that
travis@transarc.com	(412) 338 4388	       labor knows."  - R. Frost
From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: the FAQ + more ice skating stuff?
Date: 7 Oct 92 05:25:33 GMT
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

In article <1992Oct6.170008.10466@news.weeg.uiowa.edu> adchen@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (Tony Chen) writes:
> 
> For you ice skaters out there, I know you feel swamped by the in-line and
> and roller crowd, but you are more than welcome to add stuff to the FAQ
> files. (Granted, there haven't been too many FAQs for ice skating, but
> we gotta start somewhere 8-)

I've worked up a conventional roller skating FAQ.  It's about 7/8's done,
still need to write a brief on learing to skate and either fill in the
indoor speed skating section or toss it (I don't really know anything
about speed skating, not that that will stop me 8-).

I've forward the draft to a couple folks for comment, after completing
and addressing any problems that turn up, I'll post it here for comment.

I think it would be pretty easy to convert this roller FAQ to an ice
skating FAQ - at least easier than starting from scratch...
From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: questions on skating technique
Keywords: skating, stroking, technique
Date: 8 Oct 92 05:30:32 GMT
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

In article <ld7b88INNldv@news.bbn.com> ado@bbn.com (Buz Owen) writes:
> 
> I have a couple of questions on technique: clearly they apply to more
> than just speedskating, but I expect that it is in speedskating, ice
> or other, that these things are given the most attention...
> 
> I have often read on this list, and elsewhere, the following two bits
> of advice:
> 
>    a) when stroking, push directly to the side, not back and to the
>       side, and
> 
>    b) place your foot directly under you, or even a little beyond
>       that, when starting a new stroke.
> 
> I try to do these things (blading), sometimes manage to, and can see
> that they do produce a reasonable stroke, but would anybody care to
> offer explanations as to why they are good technique?
> 
> On point a, I don't see that there would be any loss of efficiency if
> the push was angled somethat back.  The sideways component of your
> push works against the angle of the blade to produce a forward force,
> and the backward component of your push should produce forward force
> directly.  I have also noticed that it is possible to skate with your
> stroke going somewhat forward of your body -- sometimes you will see
> people do it when skating casually, for example.

When skating casually, you can do all kinds of fun things, but for
speed you want to remember that your skate are mechanically working
as an inclined plane.  Force exerted to the side allow a fairly short
movement to result in a long forward travel.  Just pushing back means
you foot is trying to move as fast as you are moving forward, resulting
in faster leg motion and lower efficiency.

On thing to note is that some of these things are somewhat crude
descriptions that serve as mnemonic aids.  If you think about thrusting
to the side, then you will incline your efforts in the right direction.

On crossovers, if you think about thrusting sideways and back, you
insure that your body is rotating to follow the curve and not skewing
outward.

Foot placement is also important, in that if you don't strive for the
right placement, you will put your foot down where it feels lazy or
secure, then start you stroke/balance from that point.

In dance skating, my instructor constantly reminds me to "push with
all four wheels".  This insures that that skate is held at a good
angle for thrusting and prevents the tendency to make the final push
end with a roll off the toe.

> On point b, if you place your foot across the center line of your
> body, don't you immediately start to fall a bit to the (wrong) side,
> and then just have to do something to stop it?  Why would this be a
> good idea?

I think the way it works is that you add a little longer sideways
thrust by starting over the centerline, too far and the muscles couldn't
cross pull effectively.
From: aites@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Jim Aites)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: Sealed bearing maintenance?
Date: 12 Oct 92 19:28:39 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO

Just a quick note to say that popping the cover and cleaning the bearings 
WORKS!!!

I've been riding two or three times a week, and covering 5-10 miles at a 
time for over a year now.  I've recently noticed some drag, but I didn't 
think it was bad enough to worry about buying new bearings.

Finally, one bearing started squeaking, and would only 'free-spin' for about 
three seconds. A friend gave me a spare bearing (German make), and I tore IT
apart to check the cover removal.  Simplex!

Soaked both bearings from that wheel in mineral spirits, cleaned and re-soaked 
several times, a light spray of WD40, wiped and re-installed.  Free-spin is
now closer to a full 60 SECONDS!

Anyone think it will make a difference?  <grin>

Thanks netters!  I *was* going to spend $$$ on german bearings...but I think
I'll hold off for a while.
From: baran04@wharton.upenn.edu (Dave Baran)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Wanted: A good in-line skating slogan
Date: 9 Oct 92 05:55:39 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

We're looking for ideas for a good T-shirt and/or club slogan for
an in-line skating club.  Some ones that we've seen are:

People dream about flying.  Birds dream about skating.
I hate sit-ups. I hate sit-ups.  I hate sit-ups.
We don't want your body. We only want your mind.
Fall in-line with in-Line skating.
We're on a roll.
Cheapskates.
It's a lifestyle.

Any ideas here?  Please send EMAIL to baran04@wharton.upenn.edu
and I'll summarize to the net.

-- Dave Baran
From: aites@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Jim Aites)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: Good clothing (Was: Re: abrupt stopping of inlines)
Date: 12 Oct 92 17:28:11 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO

|>Er...by 'fall down' I mean use your knees, elbows, and wrist guards when you 
|>reach the ground. 

>Actually, I prefer a controlled collapse onto my rear end and then sliding.
>Protection is for uncontrolled falls...

|Haven't tried a controlled collapse yet.  Should I?

Hum...(skate story by way of example)...value-added 'arse slides'.

It was fast. It was air. It was screaming fun. But the landing left something
(lots) to be desired. I had my weight too far back on my heels, and the skates 
were together. So, it turned into a 'five point' landing...ie. back wheels, 
wrist-guards, AND arse!  I lost skin from my wrist/thumb, but none from my 
tail.

It may sound dumb to 'practice' falling, but if you don't learn how to fall
as a beginner, then you might have the 'wrong' reflexes later.  
From: larrya@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Larry Anderson)
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 13:51:25 GMT
Subject: Re: washing Rollerblade liners?
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.skate

In a mutually beneficial trade, I swapped knee pads with a skater
friend.  The first day I used my new pads, my sweat and his saturated
pads made a smell worse than dumpster scum.  In persperation desperation
I consulted my gurus at OUTPOST SUNSPORT, who sell and rent inline
stuff.  They said some of their rental inline protection smells even
worse, so they just throw it all in a commercial washer and dryer with
soap and hot water.  Since I cannot buy new pads wholesale, and am generally
broke anyway even at retail, I asked my soul-mate to soak them for me in
woolite.  She didn't have any woolite, but she did have some non-animal
tested, citrus derived, phosphate free, ozone friendly, environmentally 
safe, happy face, all-purpose detergent soap cleaner stuff, and
it really did the trick of making my pads smell better than fresh
squeezed orange juice, even kind of edible.  Well, my mutually
benefitted friend reported to me that my pads stunk (the nerve!!!), so
he washed them at a duds and suds place, but was disappointed when
somehow a velcro strap attachment got a tear in it.  (I actually didn't
see the tear with my own eyes until after he biffed badly on the student
U. stairs, so he might have been extorting me).  I haven't really soaked
my boot liners, but I did scrub the outsides all over with a brush and
water to remove memories of a muddy ending to a truncated dash at fame.

Pull my string, make me talk.
Lars.

Pedestrian: one who travels on or by foot.  Think about it.