HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mmwang@adobe.com (Michael Wang)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: Rollerblade miles = ? Running miles
Date: 22 Dec 92 04:48:48 GMT
Organization: Adobe Systems Inc., Mountain View, California, USA

In article <BzMxpK.LCp@csn.org> pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt) writes:
>Also, I'm wondering if you do better at ensuring adequate exercise intensity
>on skates if you're only on one skate at a time. Any ideas, Michael?

Probably not. Another way you can cheat on skates is to take very
short strides. This will minimize the time spent resting on both
skates, but you won't necessarily get a good workout. My problem right
now is that my cardiovascular condition is better than my skating
ability (i.e., my legs, back, hips, etc. get tired before my heart and
lungs do), so it is hard for me to skate for extended periods of time
at an intensity level suitable for a good aerobic workout. As I switch
off between skating and cycling to work, I find that I get a better
aerobic workout cycling than skating, even though it takes me longer to
get to work on skates.

-- 
Michael Wang
mmwang@mv.us.adobe.com
Newsgroups: rec.skate,news.answers
From: adchen@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (Tony Chen)
Subject: Re: In-line skate terminology
Organization: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 21:20:42 GMT

In article <1993Jan1.153034.11525@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> gcoleman@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (George Coleman) writes:
>>how can you have a hardness greater than 100?
>
>For that matter, how can you have an octane greater than 100.  Octane is 
>suppose to be the way a gas mixture burns compared to an ideal fuel.  The trick
>probibly is something like the gas burns even smother than the control fuel or 
>the wheel is even harder than the control material.  Just a guess.

This is getting a little off-topic, but having a chem degree, I have to inject
my two bits 8-)  Octane numbers are based on the two reference points with 
n-heptane (straight chain of 7 carbons) at 0 and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane 
(isooctane) as 100.  Many hydrocarbons give 100+ ratings since they're 
more branched/aromatic than isooctane.  e.g. Benzene is rated 106, toluene 
is rated 120.   

-Tony Chen
 adchen@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu
From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: In-line skate terminology
Date: 30 Dec 92 01:11:43 GMT
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Distribution: na
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

In article <C01Apx.Lt9@csn.org> pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt) writes:
> >What does this mean?
> 
> A number followed by an "A" is a durometer, or rebound, rating. It's
> based on a 0-100 scale where 100 would give complete rebound and 0
> would give none.

Uh Phil...  Durometer is simply "hardness", i.e. the distance the
indicator plunger will depress the material with a given spring
force.

Rebound would refer to the ability of the material to revert to
it's original dimension after the force is removed (elasticity)
and to some degree the internal friction/damping/viscosity.

Simply put, rebound == bounce.  High robound is generally a good
thing, since the energy absorbed from impact/vibration is returned,
however various additives might be needed for durability which would
detract from the rebound.

> Typically, for rougher road surfaces, you'd like to use a lower
> durometer number. Unfortunatly, low duro wheels will usually wear out
> much faster. 74A is the softest available wheel. 78A is a pretty good
> all-around wheel. 82A gives a bit too harsh a ride for my taste. There
> are 85A wheels; they should probably be used only indoors or on very
> smooth outdoor surfaces.

this is still correct anyway...


-- 
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
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: kimon@orac.holonet.net (Kimon Papahadjopulos)
Subject: Re: ROLLER-BRAKE Survey Results & Continued...
Organization: HoloNet National Internet Access BBS: 510-704-1058/modem
Distribution: rec
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 02:41:07 GMT

> Someone else claimed a 6ft stop from 25MPH.

Yea, but that brick wall was pretty badly damaged afterwards.  ;)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: tal@netcom.com (Tal Dayan)
Subject: Souh Bay Area, a skating place which I like.
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 06:42:21 GMT


I would like to share with you, south bay area skaters, a skating site
which i enjoy.

This is Cunnigham park in San Jose.  The park has a lake, and a trail
around it.  The Perimeter trail (a loop) is 1.9 mile long but if you use
the trail just neat the water, it a little bit shorter.  The park has
several parking lots which are virtually empty in this time of the year
(including weekends) which are good for figure skating.  The one I like
the  most is near the Marina (just below the Raging Water entrance)
which has new pavement and it slope make it ideal for slalom (you might
find the chalk marks I made this morning ;-> ).  You can feed the ducks
(millions of them), fish (or at least try to), or have Cock from the
vending machine near the entrance to Raging Water.  The parking costs
one $ but there is no body to pay for or a box to leave the money so I
consider it free (probably it is different at summer).

To get there, take 101 Tully exit east (one exit south to the point were
101 and 280 met) and go on Tully all the way until you will see the
entrance on the left side (just after the airport).

BTW, I am compiling a list of skating sits in the south bay area, if you
know of an interesting place, please let me know. I will post a follow
up.
 
Tal Dayan

tal@netcom.com





-- 

 =======================================================================
 Tal Dayan (TM)             tal@netcom.com              tal@cse.ucsc.edu 
 =======================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt)
Subject: Re: Rollerblade miles = ? Running miles
Summary: Buy, rent, or borrow a wireless pulse monitor.
Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 00:36:55 GMT

In article <1992Dec21.191239.19570@adobe.com> mmwang@adobe.com (Michael Wang) writes:
>As a side note, skating, like cycling, lends itself to "cheating."  Unlike
>running, you can "coast" while skating. It takes constant mental discipline
>to ensure that you are skating at a level that provides a minimum aerobic
>workout. With running, as long as you only have one foot on the ground at a
>time, you almost ensure yourself of an aeorbic workout.

Ensured? Hardly. You can easily go anerobic in skating, cycling, or running.
Too high is just as bad -- and maybe worse -- as too low.

Actually, going anerobic is a big problem for me on skates, especially when
using poles. I'd recommend to anyone with a fitness bent to use a pulse
monitor with hi/low audio alarms. It's too bad these things aren't rented,
since you can get a "feel" for appropriate intensity after a week or two.

Also, I'm wondering if you do better at ensuring adequate exercise intensity
on skates if you're only on one skate at a time. Any ideas, Michael?

>Michael Wang

--phil
From: torb@ii.uib.no (Tor Bastiansen)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Results, Norway-Netherlands
Date: 21 Dec 92 08:41:49 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Informatics, University of Bergen

Countrymatch Norway-Netherlands - Hamar Olympic Hall - December 20, 1992:

500 METER:
 1.Roger Stroem		NOR	37.53
 2.Grunde Njoes		NOR	38.20
 3.Arie Loef		NED	38.28
 4.Hans Janssen		NED	39.04
 5.Arnold van der Poel	NED	39.06
 6.Ingemar Bredeli	NOR	39.19
 7.Arjan Overdevest	NED	39.22
 8.Werner Gjevik	NOR	39.23

 POINTS:  NOR 20, NED 17

1000 METER:
 1.Roger Stroem		NOR	1.17.20
 2.Grunde Njoes		NOR	1.17.72
 3.Arnold van der Poel	NED	1.17.89
 4.Werner Gjevik	NOR	1.18.29
 5.Ingemar Bredeli	NOR	1.18.61
 6.Hans Janssen		NED	1.18.88
 7.Arjan Overdevest	NED	1.18.93
 8.Arie Loef		NED	1.47.58 (Fall)

 POINTS:  NOR 25, NED 12

1500 METER:
 1.Johann Olav Koss	NOR	1.54.31
 2.Falko Zandstra	NED	1.54.92
 3.Rinje Ritsma		NED	1.55.47
 4.Arjan Schreuder	NED	1.56.32
 5.Jeroen Straathof	NED	1.57.63
 6.AAdne Soendraal	NOR	1.57.76
 7.Rolf Falk-Larssen	NOR	1.58.30
 8.Bart Veldkamp	NED	1.58.56
 9.Steinar Johansen	NOR	1.58.73
10.Thomas Bos		NED	1.58.77
11.Thor Olav Tveter	NOR	2.00.44
12.Gisle Spidsberg	NOR	2.01.04

 POINTS:  NOR 33, NED 46

5000 METER:
 1.Johann Olav Koss	NOR	6.44.20
 2.Bart Veldkamp	NED	6.54.91
 3.Kjell Storelid	NOR	6.55.82
 4.Rintje Ritsma	NED	6.57.53
 5.Falko Zandstra	NED	6.57.62
 6.Thomas Bos		NED	7.03.78
 7.Arjan Schreuder	NED	7.04.49
 8.Steinar Johansen	NED	7.04.69
 9.Atle Vaarvik		NOR	7.09.14
10.Jeroen Straathof	NED	7.13.74
11.AAdne Soendraal	NOR	7.14.24
12.Thor Olav Tveter	NOR	7.22.66

 POINTS:  NOR 35, NED 44

 TOTAL PONTS:
 1.Netherlands	119
 2.Norway	113

Tor Bastiansen
World Speed Skating Statisticians Association
From: timh@meaddata.com (Tim Humphrey)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Pulled muscle in upper thigh
Date: 22 Dec 1992 19:30:07 GMT
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
NNTP-Posting-Host: neuron.meaddata.com

While skating, I pulled a muscle in the back of my upper thigh.  This
happen 4 months ago, but it is still bothering me.  Has anyone had this
happen and if so how did you get rid of it?

Tim
timh@meaddata.com
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: piltch@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov (Nancy Piltch)
Subject: Re: Wheel lore
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Distribution: na
Date: 31 Dec 1992 11:16 EST  

In article <38222@cbmvax.commodore.com>, grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins) writes...
>In article <C033JA.3MJ@csn.org> pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt) writes:

.. [about hardness and rebound]

>I'm not sure that there is any direct relation.  If you've seen one of
>those things that bounces ball bearings, you can see that even hard
>objects can give good rebound.  Whether rebound really matters or not
>is a good question, testing to see if a wheel bounces would tell you
>it's "live" and not 85% clay filler, but not much more.

A nice demo that they're not the same is in an item sold by Edmund
Scientific called something like Happy and Unhappy Balls. One (presumably
the happy one) is a "superball", one of those things that bounce extremely 
well; the other one doesn't bounce.

It's not clear to me either exactly what properties are needed in wheel
materials. You would want something that "sticks" well to the road
or other skating surface, absorbs vibrations without soaking up skater
energy (probably contradictory requirements), and has low rolling 
resistance. Meeting these conditions is a non-trivial materials 
development problem. 

>> Finally, Kryptonics has a disclaimer on its new wheels warning people that
>> polyurethane wheels are not intended for speeds over 30MPH. Does anyone know

>Hard to say.  It could be the point at which the wheel starts to show the
>effect of centrifugal force, but more likely it's just a notion of what
>constitutes a maximum skating speed where might fall without a guarantee
>of serious injury.

In view of the change in properties with temperature, it could also be
a point where the material heats up enough to change its properties too
much, possibly even to the point of damage to the wheel. 

Nancy Piltch            piltch@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov
NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland Ohio 44135
From: bdangelo@opal.tufts.edu (Barbara J. D'Angelo)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Torvill & Dean
Date: 29 Dec 92 20:47:00 GMT
Organization: Tufts University - Medford, MA
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

I recently heard a rumor that Torvill and Dean are touring.  Does anyone
know if that's true and if so have a list of cities & dates?  Thanks in
advance.

Barbara D'Angelo
bdangelo@opal.tufts.edu
From: mas@icf.hrb.com (Mark A. Singer)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Need help Ice skate purchase
Date: 29 Dec 92 12:50:54 GMT
Organization: HRB Systems, Inc.


 I am going to start to play ice hockey and need a pair skates. I am only
going to play on my friends pond and do not want to spend alot of cash for
the skates. Does anyone know what I should look for when I go to buy a pair?

                                                     Thanks....
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: gcoleman@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (George Coleman)
Subject: re-faq
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1992 04:48:16 GMT

After reading athe faq's I ran off to the ice rink to spread my new found 
knowlage.  I talked to this only lady doing her axels and she grilled me about 
the reason figure skating was graded on a scale of 1-6  the faq's state
>figure skating is graded on a scale of 1-6 because in the old days people
>had to skate compulserary figures.  They had to skate 3 figures (eights?) and 
>were graded for each part they did right.

Could somebody please give me a source for this information.  I feel like a 
dult and am ashamed to skate in the one and only ice rink for 100 miles.
Ed Coleman
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: tomg@cc.gatech.edu (Tom Gale)
Subject: Replacement wheel advice wanted (blades)
Followup-To: tomg@cc.gatech.edu
Summary: Hyperwheels vs. Kryptonics advice wanted
Reply-To: tomg@cc.gatech.edu (Tom Gale)
Organization: College of Computing
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 15:58:31 GMT

I need to buy some replacement wheels for my TRS blades and am getting
conflicting reports as to which wheels are "the best".  I've seen
postings in this newsgroup warning against the Rollerblade Kryptonics
wheels, but can't seem to find any info subjectively comparing the
regular Kryptonics to Hyperwheels.  Do any of you have any advice
or experience to relay regarding which of these wheels is better?

Also, do any of you use your blades for downhill ski training?  If so,
what durometer would you recommend for replacement wheels?  My blades
came with 78A durometer, but I didn't know whether I should get a
higher durometer for ski training so they might slide a bit easier and
last a little longer.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
T.
					
					-Tom Gale (tomg@cc.gatech.edu)
From: torb@ii.uib.no (Tor Bastiansen)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Results, Norway-Netherlands
Date: 21 Dec 92 08:37:44 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Informatics, University of Bergen

Countrymatch Norway-Netherlands - Hamar Olympic Hall - December 20, 1992:

500 METER:
 1.Roger Stroem		NOR	37.53  
 2.Grunde Njoes		NOR	38.20
 3.Arie Loef		NED	38.28
 4.Hans Janssen		NED	39.04
 5.Arnold van der Poel	NED	39.06
 6.Ingemar Bredeli	NOR	39.19
 7.Arjan Overdevest	NED	39.22
 8.Werner Gjevik	NOR	39.23 

  POINTS:  NOR 20, NED 17
 
 1000 METER:
  1.Roger Stroem		NOR	1.17.20
  2.Grunde Njoes		NOR	1.17.72
  3.Arnold van der Poel	NED	1.17.89
  4.Werner Gjevik	NOR	1.18.29
  5.Ingemar Bredeli	NOR	1.18.61
  6.Hans Janssen		NED	1.18.88
  7.Arjan Overdevest	NED	1.18.93
  8.Arie Loef		NED	1.47.58 (Fall)

  POINTS:  NOR 25, NED 12

 1500 METER:
  1.Johann Olav Koss	NOR	1.54.31
  2.Falko Zandstra	NED	1.54.92
  3.Rinje Ritsma		NED	1.55.47
  4.Arjan Schreuder	NED	1.56.32
  5.Jeroen Straathof	NED	1.57.63
  6.AAdne Soendraal	NOR	1.57.76
  7.Rolf Falk-Larssen	NOR	1.58.30
  8.Bart Veldkamp	NED	1.58.56
  9.Steinar Johansen	NOR	1.58.73
 10.Thomas Bos		NED	1.58.77
 11.Thor Olav Tveter	NOR	2.00.44
 12.Gisle Spidsberg	NOR	2.01.04
 
  POINTS:  NOR 33, NED 46
 
 5000 METER:
  1.Johann Olav Koss	NOR	6.44.20
  2.Bart Veldkamp	NED	6.54.91
  3.Kjell Storelid	NOR	6.55.82
  4.Rintje Ritsma	NED	6.57.53
  5.Falko Zandstra	NED	6.57.62  
 6.Thomas Bos		NED	7.03.78
  7.Arjan Schreuder	NED	7.04.49
  8.Steinar Johansen	NED	7.04.69
  9.Atle Vaarvik		NOR	7.09.14
 10.Jeroen Straathof	NED	7.13.74
 11.AAdne Soendraal	NOR	7.14.24
 12.Thor Olav Tveter	NOR	7.22.66

  POINTS:  NOR 35, NED 44
 
  TOTAL POINTS:
  1.Netherlands	119
  2.Norway	113
 
 Tor Bastiansen
 World Speed Skating Statisticians Association 
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: jaya@eng.umd.edu (Jayanti S. Kanal)
Subject: Re: Yamaguchi's and Boitano's boots and blades
Organization: Project GLUE, University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 01:48:45 GMT


>--Vantage blades are some of the
>MOST expensive blades out there.
>
Gold Star and Seal tend to run over $400, whereas the Vantage can be had
for under $300. It's still expensive, granted. I was able to get a good deal
on my blades, so that may account for me thinking they were much cheaper.
>


Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: blenko-tom@CS.YALE.EDU (Tom M. Blenko)
Subject: Re: Ice Figure Skating - A Competitive Spor
Reply-To: blenko-tom@cs.yale.edu
Organization: Yale University, Department of Computer Science, New Haven, CT
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 01:40:14 GMT


| >Also, I suspect that spending some quality time in the bedroom is  
a
| >necessary prerequisite for paired skaters to dance well together.  
It
| >ensures both their bodies and personalities are in synch, since  
their
| >sport involves touching each other all day.
| 
| >Why would a man who is gay choose a sport that required him to  
skate with
| >an attractive woman several hours per day? In other words, I  
suspect there
| >are fewer gays in paired dance competition than in other forms of  
ice figure
| >skating
| 
| I think you're confusing ice pairs dancing with the kind of dancing  
you do 
| on a friday at some club somewhere.  Ice dancing is a sport, not a  
social
| pick up event.

I don't know what the remark about bedroom time has to do
with anything, either, but I'm even more confused by your
article.

Ice dance is done for social purposes in every part of the
US that I've lived (right here in River City, actually, is
certainly the worst example, but...). So if you suppose
that off-ice activities follow from on-ice activities
(I don't necessarily), I guess there's some connection.  

	Tom
From: cs431109@umbc8.umbc.edu (cs431109)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Torvill and Dean Touring
Date: 30 Dec 1992 04:05:57 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland, Baltimore County Campus
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: umbc8.umbc.edu

Someone asked if Torvill and Dean are touring. Yes!  The 1993
Tour of World and Figure Skating Champions includes:

Brian Boitano      
Viktor Petrenko    
Peter Barna        
Mark Mitchell
Todd Eldredge
Gary Beacom

Nancy Kerrigan
Jill Trenary
Tonya Harding

Torvill and Dean
Klimova and Ponomarenko
The Duchesnays
Usova and Zhulin

Miskutenok and Dmitriev
Babilonia and Gardner (YES!, Tai and Randy)
Brasseur and Eisler
Urbanski and Marval
Kovarikova and Novotny

Of course this list could change before showtime. The only dates
I know are Baltimore, April 22 and Washington D.C. on April 23.

Good luck finding the tour in your area!

Mary
Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt)
Subject: Re: Rollerblade miles = ? Running miles
Summary: A knee is a terrible thing to waste.
Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 22:23:48 GMT

One thing that hasn't popped up in this discussion is the non-impact
nature of in-line skating. Rollerblading creates much less shock for
the knees and lower body then running. This shock can have an impact
on your day-to-day recovery cycle.

My first in-line mentor, Mike Farny of the Lincoln Guide Service
(Massachusetts), is convinced that the current generation of Americans
who are running will completely wear out their running-related
connective tissue and joints by the time they're 80. He adopted
in-line skating into his fitness regime as an early preventative
measure.

--phil
From: aboulang@bbn.com (Albert Boulanger)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: Wheel lore (skating floors)
Date: 31 Dec 92 13:49:59
Organization: BBN, Cambridge MA
Distribution: na
	<38196@cbmvax.commodore.com> <C033JA.3MJ@csn.org>
Reply-To: aboulanger@bbn.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: kariba.bbn.com
In-reply-to: pae@teal.csn.org's message of Wed, 30 Dec 1992 18:04:18 GMT

In article <C033JA.3MJ@csn.org> pae@teal.csn.org (Phil Earnhardt) writes:


   The other Fun Fact I know about durometer, from the former head of R&D at
   Kryptonics, is that the hardness of a wheel is highly temperature-sensitive. A
   10-degree F shift in temperature will radically change the
   performance/handling characteristics of wheels.


The same goes for skating floor coatings. The properties for the floor
varies with temperature and humidity. I have noticed two levels of
grip for floors -- a "static" grip and a "dynamic" or speed grip. The
current coating at my frequented rink is terrible -- it has a floor
that has a decent static grip but it is slip and slide at any
reasonable speed. (The rink is Roller Kingdom in Tyngsboro MA.) This
terrible "deceptive" property gets worst with lower temps and the rink
owners only run the heating around sessions. Humidity moderates it --
the floor gets tighter on humid days unless it starts to sweat in
which case it is back to slip and slide again. The artistic club is
using plaster of paris on the floor for more grip. The coating was
chosen by the rink management because of moisture problems and the
coating "breathes". The rink is on an old ice skating bed and the
contract they have with the building owners states that should be able
to revert to an ice rink again.


Newsgroups: rec.skate
From: alan@lancaster.nsc.com (The Hepburn)
Subject: Hockey Skates for sale
Organization: National Semiconductor Corporation
Distribution: ba
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 18:53:09 GMT


FOR SALE:

One pair of Bauer Hockey Skates

BAUER ALL STAR
SIZE 12
ICM COMP BLADES

Almost new (sharpened twice)

Asking $40 or best offer.


-- 
Alan Hepburn           "An ignorant person is one who doesn't know
National Semiconductor       what you have just found out."
Santa Clara, Ca              
alan@berlioz.nsc.com                              Will Rogers
From: ado@bbn.com (Buz Owen)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: wanted
Date: 30 Dec 1992 05:11:19 GMT
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: bbn.com

mark@sdd.hp.com (Mark Overton) writes:

>In article <1992Dec24.183821.599@wsuhub.uc.twsu.edu>, hchammou@wsuhub.uc.twsu.edu writes:
>|> Hello,
>|> 
>|> I am looking for a synthetic iceskating on which it is possible to skate.
>|> [...]
>|> Francoise.

>Are you referring to synthetic material which simulates the skating properties
>of ice?  I've never heard of any such thing.  Rink-owners in hot climates
>such as here in Southern California might be interested in it.

>The closest thing I know of to ice-skating is in-line skating (which is not
>real close, BTW).

>- Mark Overton,  mark@sdd.hp.com

There really is such a substance.  Unfortunately, I cannot supply
chemical formula or source.  A serious potential rink operator could
probably track it down it by getting in touch with a rink equipment
supplier.  (Or try calling NBC, see below.)  I can offer the following
anecdotes.

A few winters ago a rink made out of artificial ice was set up in
Boston (sometwere near Fanuel Hall/Quincy Market, I think).  I never
got around to skating on it, and don't know if it is there this
winter, although I didn't notice anything like that last time I was in
the area, which was probably not during winter.

I also saw an eposode of the David Letterman show, after the last
Winter Olympics, in which Bonnie Blair skated down a hallway in the
NBC studio building that had been paved with the stuff, in her own
skates, at a less than record pace.  I have the impression the stuff
is not quite as slick as ice -- maybe from a bit of tv news footage of
people skating on the rink after it was first installed, or from one
of Blair's remarks when she estimated her time based on her eyeball of
the length of the hall and how her run felt.  She came quite close to
the measured time, by the way.

Buz Owen, ado@bbn.com