RollerSkating/RollerBlading

[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]

We had our first chilly night last night, and for some reason it got me thinking about a gear question with skiing. I decided to look for an answer I thought I knew was on here, but THEN I saw this post! I know it's a bit old, but I can't help but chime in.

I was the disco ball roller skating queen when I was younger. Recently when my children decided they wanted to try rink skating (DD had been to 1 b-day party, I didn't skate with the fear of falling and my back issues), I joined in this time too. OH MY!!! ...what memories. AND, I could still do it. PLUS, the rink still has a disco ball. Guess some things never change, go figrue.

To my total disappointment, my mother has just within the last few months given away my custome made very expensive leather speed skates to charity!!! DD told me the last visit to g-ma's house, she saw them there. Now, they are gone. Gheez, they were complete with purple and yellow alternating laces too.

BSG... I wish I had a picture of this to post. One of my gym GFs was a roller queen too. For her b-day this summer she had a 70s theme b-day party. Everyone was to dress up. Pretty much she and I were the only two that did (well, she made her DH do it). She has a tennis court in her backyard where the party was. She had just gotten herself a new pair of skates. She left me have a turn wearing the skates, while wearing my 70s retro outfit, and did some laps. What fun.

I can not do the roller blades. I hurt my ankle at the pool this summer. I just don't have the same strength to hold my foot into position with the blade wheels without pain.

Now that more indoor activities are coming soon, I think I will have to get myself a new pair of skates. Thanks for the inspiration!

EDIT: Btw, that video of those two guys skating just gave me the biggest chuckle with my morning coffee... what a great way to start the day.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey Miranda,
(you know, Miranda is my middle name!)

Thanks for sharing that post. Sounds like you and your GF know how to have fun.

I have not been skating for a few weeks since they closed the sunday hours at the rink for the summer- I loved going on sundays. Gotta get back into it- been enjoying my new bike too much lately.

Here is one of my favorite clips- Gene Kelly dancing on roller skates- watch the whole thing as he gets fancier as it progresses. What an amazing man!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aus1PA5-SyI


I have two identical pairs of Riedell Carrera skates. Carreras are sort of mid-range skates. I keep one set for indoor and the other pair set up for outdoor skating on rougher pavement. The outdoor setup has very wide axles and large rollerblade wheels. They cruise over pebbles and sticks really well. But still I am better skating in the rink. I am not a great skater, but I have fun.
Here are my indoor and outdoor setups:

[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.