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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:27 pm Post subject: April Fools Ultraskate Number 9
At our last wind-blasted Halloweiner Ultraskate (the windiest day of October) we chatted about a Summer Solstice Ultra for 2010.
Then that led to a number of suggestions to do one even SOONER.
So it's time to start burning off the protective holiday layers. I know I could personally use a random reason!
As before, I'd like to encourage those shooting for 100-milers to join us Saturday evening and do the over-nighter, finishing at 8 a.m. Sunday.
Saturday, April 3rd. 8 a.m. Greenlake, Seattle.
Food Drive coordination is in the works, once again with North Helpline. I'd like to ask anyone who wants to skate with us please bring at least $10 or more to pitch into this organization. They're an extremely frugal group so your donations are well-invested.
i have a new school set up so i will be able to make it all friday and maybe over nighter with you _________________ The concrete is our canvas, our wave, our playgound, our catalyst for growth. When you feel it, flow with it, live in the moment; and shred it like you'll never skate again, everytime.
i have a new school set up so i will be able to make it all friday and maybe over nighter with you _________________ The concrete is our canvas, our wave, our playgound, our catalyst for growth. When you feel it, flow with it, live in the moment; and shred it like you'll never skate again, everytime.
Oooooooooo Ultraskate nine, cool!
I'm sure that we will keep you company from over here, although after our luck with the Halloweiner weather I feel pretty sure that we'll get soaked and suffer from strong winds! hahahaha not personally though I hope
Rad Jo-- rain skating's mental, but I'll take that any day over heavy wind! I remember pushing the last one and being slowed to a stop instantly with the gusts, no glide, like pushing straight up some steep highway, and thinking "this wind will die down soon" lap after lap after lap. I know you and Jack toughed it out as well. At least from a probability statistics perspective, this next ultra date WILL have better weather!
I just got a text from Subsonic Scotty that he'd be up to Seattle for it in early April, and we're obviously fools, so we shall call it
Word on the street is...I'm hoping to be over in Houston with Eric that very weekend! We might need to delay the start of our Ultra to allow me to get rested (I don't sleep well on flights), but hell, might as well roll with the jet lag...what do you think Eric?
Oh my god - I could actually do an Ultra in N. America! How perfect!! _________________ Laura | Proud Practitioner of Karmic Longboarding | http://www.happyskater.org
Stoked, another global skate! Pretty cool the date worked out for UK, I hope you guys find a good venue. Since NZ legalizes skateboarding on their streets, hopefully that task's a little easier. And that's awesomely unexpected you might be coming stateside Laura!
Locally I'm hoping to get a few inputs from the skaters on NWLB on whether we skate Greenlake-only or add the Burke. If we add the Burke for daytime hours, we could move the skate to April 3rd (Sat morning) instead. But there's + and - which I rambled quite a bit on their forum:
"Here's some Pros and Cons from past experiences
+ Burke adds 50 (or 100) miles of much better scenery and varied terrain.
+ Burke breaks up monotony of doing laps.
+ Burke is rarely crowded.
+ Greenlake means you're back at basecamp every 2.8 miles, easiest support situation all day.
+ Greenlake-only ride is easier to find and skate with everyone else.
+ Greenlake surface is smooth and predictable.
- Burke adds complexity to food and drink support. Everyone must be self-reliant, or have a biker friend join to support, if you need that.
- Burke has intersections that force you to stop or slow down when you don't feel like it.
- Burke might have some construction / detours.
- Burke adds 2-mile uphill on Stone Way, if you skate the whole thing.
- Greenlake laps require to prepare your mind for...laps. It's mental.
The Burke makes it a much more challenging ride. Because of the long solo distance it does tend to weed out the more laid-back skaters, but it really shouldn't. Raw stubbornness and a slow pace goes a long way.
If we spend most of the day on the Burke doing 100 miles, then Saturday would work as well (because we avoid Greenlake's daytime crowds) and people wouldn't have to take Friday off work/school. I base the final decision on the opinions of the skaters who commit to attempting a full 24-hours, since this is more of a solo ride than a 'group' ride.
What I really recommend is people just trying a first or half-day ultraskate try to just skate the overnight hours - then the Friday plan works for everyone. We like having more people out there, the later the better... to keep our basecamp hoppin and from going insane. Scotty will be bringing his van and pop-up, and unlike me he's got the lamp and campstove stuff dialed for hot drinks when it gets cold. Blankets and dry extra clothes are always a good idea.
Me and Eric are going to have a little chat over the next few days, and if things work out, we might not be in Houston...we might come to Seattle!
From my perspective, a Saturday morning start would allow me to fly out on the Friday and then get some sleep, but I'm not going to be fussy. Any time out on an Ultra in Seattle (anywhere in Seattle!) would be a dream come true for me.
I look forward to seeing how this develops.
If I get there in time...I'm committed to the full 24 hours. I'm used to getting off planes and hitting the ground rolling _________________ Laura | Proud Practitioner of Karmic Longboarding | http://www.happyskater.org
WOW!! Def keep in touch on this one. If it works out, that would be insanely cool!
Right now here's the plan: If you and Eric make it (I understand a lot depends on how long Eric will be in Haiti) we'll move this to Saturday 8 a.m April 3rd and skate Gasworks-->Redmond-->Greenlake plan.
And if not, then roll back to Friday April 2nd and skate Greenlake for the full 24. We could still do the Burke-Greenlake plan on Friday, but it will take a few other fully committed 24-hour skaters.
April may be too soon for Rachael and I. However if I can make it jive with my trip to LA before the Morocco skate with Longtreks (granted I raise the funds for the next video} Then we will stop by. Otherwise, I'll have to do it later in the year. Got to beat my personal best by at least 60 km.
Much more physio is needed on my Achilles first though. har d har _________________
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:05 am Post subject: Minnesota Crew Forming for the Ultra 9
We plan to skate April 3 - April 4. We had a small group (2 people) for Ultra IV. Our group for Ultra 9 should be around 5. Spring time in Minnesota makes for some interesting weather and trail conditions. We have a nice route, which one way is about 15 miles from downtown St. Paul to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The route follows the Mississippi River for a good portion of the route. This Ultra will be done as part of training for our June skate across the state of Minnesota (SKateboard across Minnesoate - SKaM). My personal best during the UltraIV was 30 miles. I hope to improve on that considerably.
Awesome Burt! I bet if you just keep chipping away at it, take some decent breaks, you'll knock your previous mileage out of the ballpark. You've got a pretty scenic city and I'll bet some good burger places along the route? We also have some trepidations about weather as just about anything can happen. I'm getting mentally prepared for a wet all-push ultra and just be smiling more if the sun comes out.
Paul, that would be great if you and Rachael can swing through! I would also like to exchange some notes on your Achilles rehab strategy, I feel like mine hasn't really blown but I really pay attention to the feedback I get from it over the last couple years.
It's looking more like I'll be support-skating (and maybe biking) for Panda Dave and Eric at this point -- as that UK skate is starting to look like a possibility the following week. Maybe just a dream and someone will pinch me but I'd rather be delusional for now
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