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Saturday, August 22
Skate Club T-Shirt
by
Lars Hindsley
on Sat 22 Aug 2009 12:30 AM EDT
For skate club members, this is what our T-Shirt would look like if we get enough advanced orders. Sorry, I don't have the cash to front this alone.
more » Monday, August 17
Big Apple Roll - Comments
by
Lars Hindsley
on Mon 17 Aug 2009 01:10 PM EDT
Here I am at the Big Apple Roll. I'm having a laugh during our second skate of the day. We skated for almost 40 miles between two skates. I'll be posting a full video of the skating soon.
more » Tuesday, August 4
Lars' Video Pick of the Day: Delaware Skate Club
by
Lars Hindsley
on Tue 04 Aug 2009 02:04 PM EDT
We put together this promotional video for our club. Thought I'd share with friends.
I've hidden or saved an easter egg at the end for everyone to enjoy... more » Thursday, July 30
Lars' Video Pick of the Day: Landskaters Highlights
by
Lars Hindsley
on Thu 30 Jul 2009 01:38 PM EDT
Here is some video and photos set to music from some events with the Landskaters inline skate club. It's just a little something I threw together as thanks to the Landskaters.
While I have a skate club I participate with in Delaware and I also skate with the Wednesday Night Skate Club in New York, all the photos and footage here are exclusive to Landskaters events. Locations and events: Sunday Rec Roll: Philadelphia PA Philly Free Skate: Philadelphia PA Wilmington City Skate: Wilmington DE Philly Food Tour: Philadelphia PA Doylestown Skate: Doylestown PA more » Sunday, June 14
Philly Skate Route
by
Lars Hindsley
on Sun 14 Jun 2009 05:22 PM EDT
Here is a typical example of what skating in Philly is like. This map is from a GPS cardio training program you can download free on the G1 phone running Google Android. It is in fact set for skating, NOT running, NOT biking. The trip lasted almost 2 hours. Stops were often enough as the lead skater would allow back skaters to catch up with the main group no less than 8 or 9 times. A pause in the action is not uncommon. Stop lights stop the group too, but if the group is broken up, we stop traffic so that our group can re-collect as a unit.
 Each week we start at the steps at the Philly Art Museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Many times we'll shoot down the parkway and then meander around the city from there. This time we broke north east of the Ben Franklin Parkway. These events always have a midway point at South Street. Skating through China Town, Old City, Penn's Landing, Society Hill, Center City, Rittenhouse Square, across the Schuylkill River into University City is typical. When we finish back at the Art Museum steps the group disbands unceremoniously, there is no fanfare. It's an easy skate for anyone with intermediate skating skills. A helmet and wrist guards are all that's required but knee pads are really a must. Should you go down for even a moment due to a false step, knee pads will mean you don't have a miserable night sleeping with road-rash or having to stay out of the pool for the next week. People make a big deal out of not being able to brake. While braking is an essential skill in city skating, it's not that hard. Most people think they should stear clear of a city ... more » Wednesday, March 18
Delaware Skaters Club featured in Spark Magazine
by
Lars Hindsley
on Wed 18 Mar 2009 01:32 AM EDT
 The good people at Spark did a feature our Delaware Skaters Club. http://www.sparkweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090317/SPARK0102/903170354/1129/SPARK more » Saturday, February 28
Skater Found Guilty - And I agree
by
Lars Hindsley
on Sat 28 Feb 2009 02:30 AM EST
Remember earlier this month (February 10 2009) I penned an article about a 71 year old skater (Geoff Dornan) testing the boundaries of an ordinance in Southport England? Well, he was found guilty of skating unsafely and fined. And you may be surprised but I'm behind his fine. While I would normally champion the right for a man of 71 to keep himself fit and healthy by inline skating, this guy just doesn't get it.
Geoff Dornan gives legitimate and SAFE skaters a bad name. He was fined 300 English pounds for his actions. His argument is that he is safe and even used the same damning (video) evidence that the prosecution used against him to make his claim he was safely skating on the streets of Southport. In the accompanying video you can see he weaves in and out of walkers in a public shopping area. His antics of skating in and out of people is ludicrous and serves no purpose either. If he was showing off for the camera's then he is a fool. He had a chance to be an ambassador for the activity of inline skating, he blew it big time. Here is my perspective. When you are a skater in a public area you must not skate any faster than someone is walking. You are NOT a walker, but you are subject to the common sense of walkers. For instance you can't approach any corner from an isle or corner of a building at any speed faster than a walk. If you are traveling faster than a standard walker and someone suddenly comes around the corner... 'Wham!' You will run over them. It can happen. Small children often run and they will the first person you would run over. It's not worth it. It's bad enough stores won't allow you in to skate, but who blames them when people have no respect for safety. Now if a skater is on a skate path, or roadway, they can skate at a moderate speed. But when people are about, you must simply slow down. There is NO way around it. Would a biker speed past a walking pedestrian? No, they slow down. Skaters must observe the same common sense. And here is where everything comes together. Skaters have the luxury of being both pedestrian and vehicle. When on a side walk you MUST observe the laws of being a pedestrian. When on a road way, you must observe the laws of bicyclist. This is pretty much a standard across the U.S. In the U.K. this guy had every chance to do the right thing. They have an ordinance that allowed him to skate! But he pushed the limit on purpose it seems. The bylaw in Southport was not a complete ban. It simply stated he could skate on Chapel Street (public mall walkway) as long as it is a safe manner or NOT annoying. There is no doubt, even if he was safe which I don't see a safe skater in the video, he was most likely annoying to everyone by more » Friday, February 27
Lars Recommends: DelawareSkaters.com
by
Lars Hindsley
on Fri 27 Feb 2009 01:08 PM EST
 Today I get to recommend my own site! I'd like to officially announce the Delaware Skate Club. If you have any interest in socially networking with other inline skaters in Delaware; please visit DelawareSkaters.com where the site redirects to our club location using the social networking site MeetUp.comAs founder of the Delaware Skate Club, my interest is in helping expose the recreation of inline skates to people that are fearful of learning or would like to skate with a group and have no one to skate with. We will skate through Delaware locations at Bear Park and city skates through Newark, Wilmington and other locations where we skate to a destination as a group, enjoy some social time and then back to our starting point. Each skate can last from 40 minutes to 3 hours. Another activity will be field trips or road trips to skate with other groups such as the Philly and New York skate groups. We are already getting some support from the local community from Troop 2, the YMCA and various other businesses which have helped with FREE signs to post throughout the area. I hope you'll show up and skate with us. -Lars Hindsley more »
Wednesday, February 11
How to Stop On Inline Skates
by
Lars Hindsley
on Wed 11 Feb 2009 04:43 AM EST
Stopping and the fear of not being able to stop are both issues new skaters have with inline skating. Control is a perhaps the most important aspect of inline skating. When on skates, we want to be in as much control as when we are walking in shoes. Stopping is a crucial part of the control and peace-of-mind you need in order to enjoy the sport of inline skating. Want the best tip of all in control when inline skating? Lower your body. Get low. When you are in any trouble, (ex. speed-wobble) the lower you get your body the more control you will get over your skates. As you read ahead on stopping, take any style of stopping and lower your body to improve it.
SOME BASIC BACKGROUND TO STOPPING WITH INLINE SKATES There are various methods beyond the standard heel brake. But so many people want to learn the "no heel brake" methods. I've assembled these videos which really help people learn to stop. Keep in mind that aggressive, and recreational inline skates are much easier to learn how to stop in than speed skates (for beginners). This means you folks watching these videos whom are most likely new to the sport, will have an easier time than the people in these videos at executing stops. WHAT IS AN AGGRESSIVE INLINE SKATE? What is an aggressive skate? They are compact inline skates with very small wheels. These allow for nimble movement and the slick hard wheels allow the rider to perform tricks due to the absence of friction. WHAT IS A RECREATIONAL INLINE SKATE? A recreational skate is your typical inline skate you'll buy at your sporting goods store. But in terms of design, they have a high 'cuff'. The cuff is the height of the boot up your ankle. The higher it is, the more support you have. New skaters want a high cuff. Experienced skaters and speed skaters invest in skate boots with lower cuffs. The exception is the aggressive skates. They all have a mid to high cuff and it's needed as your ankles demand it. SO WHAT ABOUT STOPPING? The key to stopping is simple. Manage your speed. Let me say it again. Manage your speed. If you are bombing down a hill, the quickest way to stop is using a heel brake. Shocker huh! Avoid bombing down a hill unless you are free to coast back to a normal manageable speed. I said it again. manage your speed. But do I really need to advise against bombing down a hill if you are concerned about how to stop in the first place? This first video features Eddy Matzger. He's well known in the speed skating world and an ambassador to the sport. You'll be in awe of his moves and complexity but he keeps it friendly. He goes over everything including slaloming which is my preferred manner to stop because this saves on wheel wear. THE VARIOUS WAYS TO STOP ON INLINE SKATES What are the many ways to stop on Inline Skates? Let me count the ways. I'll start with the basic or easier moves with the more difficult or technical stopping techniques last. I won't describe how to do each one as the videos I've assembled will cover everything I have listed. Consider that all the slides and carving require some degree of pronation. The only time you want to pronate. (Pronating is when you collapse your weight to one side of your skate which will give you sore ankles and a sore back). 1. Fall (throw yourself to grass or roll to avoid road rash)
2. Parachute - Impractical. Never do it. 3. Spin Stop- Swing in a circle. Ill-advised - beginners prone to more » Tuesday, February 10
71 Year Old Inline Skater Fights the Law
by
Lars Hindsley
on Tue 10 Feb 2009 01:25 PM EST
In the middle of England on the western shores of a resort town named Southport a 71 year old inline skater has found his way into the 15 minutes of fame window, but more importantly he brings Inline Skaters rights into focus once again.
In watching the news report video below it disturbs me as an inline skater to see him weaving in and out of pedestrians. When on inline skates, a person should not skate any faster than people are a walking when on a sidewalk or crowded pedestrian paved area. It is why inline skaters struggle around the world to be recognized as vehicles when on roadways. This video makes for great news but unless he was showboating for the camera to prove his abilities, the footage I see below tells me he is not safe on the sidewalk. Inline skaters have a unique privilege. That is to have the rights of a pedestrian when on a sidewalk and to have the rights of a vehicle when on the roadway. Those rights come with a greater responsibility. The case has yet to be resolved but I'll keep you posted. I think it's great a 71 year old man is skating. But he is no better than a teenager that disrespects others when he weaves in and out of pedestrians. I caution all my fellow inline skaters to remember, you are an ambassador of the sport at this point in time. Know the laws of your states and towns. Observe them. And remember you are a pedestrian when on the sidewalk, and a vehicle in the road. You have two sets of laws to abide by. Here is a small background video on Geoff Dornan. Read More on the story: Pensioner calls for support in his bid to prove ... more »
K2 Radical Pro Inline Skate Review
by
Lars Hindsley
on Tue 10 Feb 2009 03:43 AM EST
Great Step Up From Rec Skates
DangerMan Newark, DE 2/10/2009 Pros: Super easy wheels off, Lightweight carbonfabric, Easy in and out, Support for distance, Durability over time, Absolute comfort, Midcuff, Slow wheel wear, Great speed off a push, Combo 110 100 wheels Cons: Almost a good first skate, Not an agressive skate, Wheels pricy to replace, Any damage hard to repair Best Uses: Long distance, Made for distance Speed, I skate daily, Speed I'm a recreational skater but heavy duty. Skate to the gym, the video store etc... These get you down the road smooth and fast. Sunday, January 11
What is the law for inline skating on the road?
by
Lars Hindsley
on Sun 11 Jan 2009 01:28 PM EST
One of my interests is marathon in-line skating. As a result I skate on main roads from time-to-time. I don't skate on roads without shoulders. If there is no shoulder, I don't skate it. I prefer to skate in parks of course as I've discussed in previously. Beyond safety there is the law. What is the law for skating on roadway? After all, if we don't skate sensibly on the roadways, local politicians and city councils will pass skate ban laws which will only take away our rights to the road and still allow kids to aggressive inline skate on city sidewalks. I've looked into this question from time-to-time. From basic Internet research to discussing the matter with law enforcement. There seems to be conflict among many officers of the law. The answer for Delaware inline skaters and inline skaters everywhere lies in motor vehicle statutes as far as police are concerned. You may ask, "Is an inline skate a motor vehicle?" It does not matter to a police officer. Police interpret it as they desire at the time they stop you. If they ticket you (as a pedestrian), then you must address your argument to the judge. That has been the prevailing dilemma of inline skater discussion on the Internet in previous years. Discerning police will not consider you a pedestrian, they will categorize you as a 'motor vehicle' and more specifically under the laws of bicyclists. I've gone as far as to visit the my Local State Troupers office and discuss this rationally with police. As in any situation, rational behavior is greeted with understanding and will to resolve the issue. I can't stress this enough, check your attitude at the door if you enter a police station. When on the roadway however I've learned that depending on what trooper you encounter, you will find different positions. The good news is most Police agree inline skaters are subject to the same law of bicyclists. INLINE SKATERS SHOULD BE TREATED AS BICYCLIST Sunday, July 8
From Skating to Skating In Central Park
by
Lars Hindsley
on Sun 08 Jul 2007 12:51 AM EDT
VIDEO: Skating At Home Some time ago when I was a boy of 14 I learned to roller-skate. I had to. Every friend I knew was at the roller rink. I didn't consider the learning curve, I just did it. By the age of 16 when I could finally drive and didn't need my parents to drop me off at the skating rink I almost didn't have much use for it. But I continued as it was a great place to meet girls. Let's face it, I was 16. But eventually even the lure of the female persuasion couldn't keep me at the skating rink, there was a lot of world to see and I hung up my skates for some time. Eventually I'd learn to snow ski and later on water ski. My strong ability to skate came in handy. I once tried to ice-skate and found that it was not the same as skating on four wheels, this made me wary when the a new type of skate came along... the inline skate or rollerblade as many people will call them still. They are called inline skates because the skate wheels are inline, centered under your foot. Believe it or not an out-of-line skate has come on and they may be my next purchase, just two wheels and they are on the side of the foot. I've listed at the bottom of this article some good skating resource links. NOTE: Remember you don't need speed skates for recreational skating. You don't want to jump barrels in speed skates, you only need good pads and a helmet. You should also own wrist guards too if not round out the whole set with elbow pads IF you intend to jump, grind or slalom. If you are learning, these are must have investments. But I'm getting ahead of myself... let me tell the story... more » |
WHY MOSTLY PHOTOS OF LARS? The answer is simple. It's to protect the privacy of friends. I'm not a narcissist. LOL  ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lars Hindsley is a self-employed single full time father, a writer, a non conservative Republican, a reformed idealist (a compromisationalist), ex-musician, God fearing cynic that could more easily be described in two words as a "Rugged Intellectual". Lars writings range from "how to" articles to commentaries and advice. You'll find movie reviews and video picks of the day side by side with serious writings. Lars offers perspective from an Anglo-Christian moral position while never lording over anyone unlike himself. Lars is of the opinion that if you are going to complain, you should offer a solution. His perspective on the world is that many of us fight societal evolution to frustrating ends without a genuine understanding of what it is we are all up against. Reading his articles should provide you with positive energy towards living out your day. You may not be able to change the world but you can navigate it to live a rich and rewarding life. Enjoy Lars’ works, there are years of writings to choose from.     Recent Photos
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