RollerSkating/RollerBlading

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Please alert me when you post Ruby pictures because I LOVE THEM! Ruby is a pistol!

Don't encourage her.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Went skating tonight...they had a special session open this evening at the rink, but I didn't quite realize it was a major local public school outing skate, and I wound up dodging little kid bodies for the entire 2 hours. The worst pandemonium I've ever seen there. Can't believe I didn't fall. It was lousy skating for me, hazardous and unpredictable even when going slow...but it was excellent practice, like an obstacle course. I'm a little bit better now because of it.

Some mother told me she thought I was the 'rink bouncer' with my helmet and pads on. Guess I look sort of authoritative gliding around with my black helmet, black skates, black wrist guards, and my being older (54) and all. I told her 'Good, then the kids won't MESS with me.' Truth is, whenever I politely ask some kids or wild teens to not do stuff that is dangerous (usually when it's dangerous to ME), they always seem to whip right into shape all respectful-like. Honestly I'm not used to that, I don't expect such immediate obedience and respect from strange kids. Must be the sinister black helmet....but I admit it's secretly kinda FUN. Maybe they think I have a billy club and handcuffs hidden under my skirt.

[dex]

Must be the sinister black helmet....but I admit it's secretly kinda FUN. Maybe they think I have a billy club and handcuffs hidden under my skirt.

Maybe it's that they're not used to being asked politely. An adult not snapping at them could be startling them into good behavior. They straighten up because they're not sure what else to do...

Nah. Your black helmet/billy club theory is WAY more fun.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Nah. Your black helmet/billy club theory is WAY more fun.

Yeah, that's it.
Here's my helmet:


my wrist guards are pretty 'Robo-cop' too:

Maybe they think they are like brass knuckles....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Today was my first time skating outdoors in 45 years, since i was about 9 or so.
I use quads (the old fashioned roller skates, not blades), and have been skating only in the rink for a few months now.
I got some special outdoor wheels and went to our local fairgrounds which has no traffic and lots of paved and asphalt paths and roads.

It was way harder than I thought it would be!
My balance was all thrown off and I felt like a beginner again, ugh. I was often doing the windmill arm panic thing and leaning forward too far, losing my balance, etc.
There were some very rough paths, and other smoother paths. My skates did trip up when going over some debris sometimes, though I tried to avoid rocks and sticks and gravel.
It was way more fun on the smoother paths. Often the paths would change from smooth to rough and back again though, hard to predict. Good practice I suppose.
There was a lot of wind which didn't help either.
But despite all this, somehow I managed to skate along for 2 hours without falling. By the end of my first outdoor experience, I was noticeably better than when I started, thank goodness. It was scary but also kind of fun. I'm exhausted and sore all over from working so hard! This, I can tell, will make my legs stronger.
I'll have to go back regularly and practice more so I can leave the dork-ette phase behind as soon as possible.
But tomorrow I go back to the rink, which will seem like a piece of cake now.

[farrellcollie]

I like to rollerblade my dog around the park (he sets the pace so we tear out at first and then settle into a nice pace) - I get bored skating without him. I look a poster for rollerblade safety with helmet, wrist and elbow pads.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just check out these cool dudes on quads....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BLJ5a6aJOb8

[Miranda]

I couldn't stand it and bought new skates for myself and the kids. Then, the kids don't want to go. I went by myself once so far. But, this week one kid has a school skating party. Looking forward to that. Oh, btw, we have traditional quad skates for indoors.

[Jolt]

I couldn't stand it and bought new skates for myself and the kids. Then, the kids don't want to go. I went by myself once so far. But, this week one kid has a school skating party. Looking forward to that. Oh, btw, we have traditional quad skates for indoors.

Have fun! As for the quad skates, good for you for being able to skate with them! I am not so good on those--they don't turn as easily which is a problem because I am not great at crossover turns.