Anybody Rollerblade for fitness/fun?

[slodave]

First time I put on a set of rollerblades, was back in 91/92. It was my first year in college and a number of the guys in my dorm were into both ice hockey and roller hockey. Being a long time skier, I don't lose my balance and had no problem getting going.

A couple of years later, one of the first dates with my now ex-wife, included a day at the park rollerblading. I rented the first time, then bought a pair of mid range recreational blades. I can't say they got a lot of use for the first ten years owning them, but they were great for taking up space and collecting dust.

This past February, I decided to change my diet and start rollerblading again as a way to exercise and try and get my mind off of some nagging (still) personal issues. I seem to focus more on the issues, not forget about them, but that does cause me to extend my session and burn more calories I have not given up and blade just under 5 miles, sometimes more, at least 5 days a week. I consistently do the circuit in 25 minutes, but on a good day, 20 minutes. I think my blades are limiting me from going any faster. I do rotate the wheels and replace about every two months. Max wheel is 80mm for these blades.

So, anyone else enjoy rollerblading and are you into speed/distance, freestyle, hockey or just a mode of transportation?

[masraum]

Back in the early 90's my roommate who was an ice hockey player when he lived up north and myself each got a set of blades. We spent anywhere from 1-2 hours a day rollerblading around the campus (big college campus, lots of sidewalks, parking lots and low speed/low traffic roads. I haven't roller bladed in years. I suspect that I'd discover muscles that I'd forgotten about if I bladed a mile right now.

I'd love to get back into it, but don't have anyplace interesting to go.

[slodave]

Your leg muscles will definitely be pissed at you for the first couple of days. As a skier, leg muscles are important and I know that as I get older and less active during the summer months, ski trips longer than two days are very much enjoyable, but the legs get tired on day three. I have a feeling that will not be a problem this year, although with the weather the way it has been, there may not be any snow this winter

Sounds like you were more into freestyle. I put my hands behind my back, lean forward and cruise. I don't think I want a pair of true speed skates next, but a something that has a higher boot and can accommodate up to at least 100mm wheels.

As for where to go, there is a local park that has a nice long layout. There has to be close to 20 miles of concrete paths (it's a huge park).

[Sonic dB]

I started skating on wheels back in 95. My girlfriend and I used
to go all the time. We were in great shape that summer. There
is a park in Michigan that is about 8 miles up and down hills, it
is an azz kicker and takes about an hour to get around. We and
I skated there many times. Later, I skated in Nashville and now
along the beach in LA. I usually go about 3 times per week
usually at night after the beach clears. Its a straight shot
about 3 miles in total, followed by some time in the gym lifting
weights and cycling. Skating has put some major muscle into
my legs, which is fine cause I dont like doing squats etc. It also
is easier on the legs than running is, however running has its
cardiovascular advantages. The key is to mix and match all
forms of excercise. Skating is great though it is fun to go fast.

Dave, im assuming that you go to the big park there in Encino?

[slodave]

Originally posted by Sonic dB

Dave, im assuming that you go to the big park there in Encino?

I start about 2/3rds up Balboa, going south to Burbank, heading west. Left on Woodley, with another left onto Victory and back down Balboa. I can't really run anymore. I used to run x-country, but am not really interested in that. My knees and hips can't deal with running on hard ground anymore. In-line skating doesn't seem to bother me at all.



Dave

[dtw]

I used to do it in college '92-'96 - I lived in Boston. I had a lot of issues on my mind then, basically female-related. Heartache etc. Skating was a great way to get them in check. On my own, I'd hit the Esplanade and go up and down the Charles, Boston-side and Cambridge-side. Usually at least 8 miles. It was fantastic exercise, that was my aerobic workout 3x-week at least. Then I'd also do weights 3x per week and go out once a week with a team and do a 3-4 hour skate. We were regularly thrown off the Harvard campus for skating on pieces of architecture that weren't designed for it.

Lately I've been wanting to get back into it. I've got an elliptical trainer in the house for aerobic, but since the weather in NC is so good most of the year, I'd like to do an outdoor workout sometimes as well. I hit every athletic/sports store I could find a few months ago, and came up with nothing. All I could find were hockey skates - NOT ideal for distance/speed skating. Too unstable. How does one find good distance/crosstraining skates these days? It seems like the fad is definitely over.

[slodave]

Not over at all, but all of the gear is sold over the Internet. There are a bunch of skates out there. I have the same problem here. Not much I can touch. I have found my potential next set of blades, but I would like to see them in person first.

[dtw]

Originally posted by slodave
Not over at all, but all of the gear is sold over the Internet.

Link(s)?

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by dtw
. On my own, I'd hit the Esplanade and go up and down the Charles, Boston-side and Cambridge-side.

I lived in Boston for a year and did the same. I'm biker at heart, but bicycling in Boston is suicide.

[slodave]

Originally posted by dtw
Link(s)?

Heh, I would really like a new set of blades now, but, they'll have to wait. I don't have any handy, as I figured the next gen would be around by the time I can afford them. I'll try and post some info later today.

Dave

[dtw]

Originally posted by HardDrive
I lived in Boston for a year and did the same. I'm biker at heart, but bicycling in Boston is suicide.

Dude...on Comm. Ave., I used to grab hold of the nearest car, and hang on for dear life. I can't tell you how many near-death experiences I had, blading among the cars in Boston. Even at 6'3" and 235 lbs, I could dodge cars with cat-like reflexes. One of my friends had another friend with a yellow 993 coupe. He put on his blades and grabbed the fender well of the 993, and had his buddy go through the gears on Comm. Ave. As it turns out, acceleration was managable, it was braking that was an issue. He did live through it, though.

Ahhh, to be young and invincible again.

In school it was commonplace and acceptable to show up for class with blades on. Nobody cared. Anyone who knows the BU campus knows it is LONG and a class at the other end of campus could take a lot of time to get to. Blades were a godsend.

Now that I think of it, cropdusting joggers on the Esplanade was fun, too.

[Sonic dB]

I start about 2/3rds up Balboa, going south to Burbank

I know the park...I used to drive by there all the time while
working...it is huge and I saw several cute ladies out there
skating around in bikini tops.

Boston Esplanade sounds like fun...
I went one time on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago
when I was there for a couple of days on business alone...
It was summertime and awesome...nice path to skate on and
unbelievable bikini traffic. lol.. even better than LA... where I
live now, I dont bother going down there in the daytime cause
it is filled with way too many people...but at night after 9 its
just perfect. There is one other guy who skates there late,
sometimes I chat with him.....he drives a black Vette,
and he actually complimented my 993 recently, which was
unusual coming from a Vette owner. Anyway, skating is a good cardio
workout with not nearly as much pounding on the legs as jogging.

[Noah930]

Balboa Park. Wow. I haven't been there since high school, when we used to practice and play our lacrosse games there.

In grad school, my classmates and I used to rollerblade around the Rose Bowl (I think the loop around the parking lots/golf course is about 1.5 miles) and along the bike path from Santa Monica down to (almost) Palos Verdes. Guys also used to play pick-up street hockey in the beachfront parking lots in Venice (at least, during the week they did). Of course, it's quite a bit more scenic at the beach.

Esplanade in Boston is also nice, as is Memorial Drive over in front of Harvard when they close it to vehicular traffic on Sundays during the summer. I'm impressed you actually used 'blades as transportation in Boston, though, as the streets and sidewalks are so not-smooth.

[sammyg2]

It's hard to be healthy with a broken arm

[lendaddy]

Reminds me of a joke I heard:

What's the hardest part about rollerblading?


























Telling your parents you're gay


(not that there's anything wrong with that)

[scottmandue]

Rollerblade? Looks like fun and I'm always looking for new ways to get exercise...

But at my age I heal slow.

[slodave]

Originally posted by dtw
Link(s)?

Here are two links.
http://www.skatestop.net/
http://www.skates.com/Rollerblades-Inline-Skates-s/168215.htm

Oh and lendaddy, I think you meant to say roller skating


Not my type of skating, but she's impressive none the less.


Dave

[Hugh R]

Originally posted by HardDrive
I lived in Boston for a year and did the same. I'm biker at heart, but bicycling in Boston is suicide.

1973 I was a student at BU and I was riding my bike in Boston at night in the theatre district, and went through an intersection and a yellow cab turned left in front of me and I hit him. The impact took the right side of my 10 speed, racing handle bars and shoved it into my bag and it came out just below my navel. I was taken to the nearest hospital, which turned out to be catholic, and I was told that they gave me the last rites. I lost my right nut and a few feet of small intestine. I was also told I'd never have kids, I have two kids as it happens. BTW, the cab left me for dead on the street. Someone called 911. Boston is a very dangerous place for bikers.

[masraum]

I finally got back into blading. I bought a pair of skates back in Nov 09, and I've been blading since. I use them to walk/run my dog. In the winter she loved it. Now that it's hot, she still does, but goes much slower and can't manage for as long (gets too hot). I usually take here for somewhere from 1-2 miles and then do a few more on my own. I usually run about 4-6 miles which is probably 20-30 minutes. I love it. I used to run track and cross country in HS. I enjoyed it, but not thoroughly. Blading gets me the exercise, but it's much more enjoyable.

This is the longest I've managed some sort of fitness activity non-stop in many, MANY years. I usually only manage 1-3 months.

I've got a pair of Rollerblade Speed 90s. Hard 90mm wheels. I wish the frames were adjustable, but these are comfy and fast. I probably top out at about 20mph, but average 12-15 mph.

[Tobra]

Have the American River Parkway for blading here. Good cross training for skiing.

Steve, there are some pretty nice paved trails up by the Woodlands, near Spring.

Hugh, I am pleased that it didn't take when they did the last rites thing. I am surprised you did not bleed to death.