| Archive for pavedwave longboarding distance longboarding, flatland pumping, cross-country adventuring, boardwalk cruising, and all things skateboarding and good times |
| barefootboarder |
An impromptu 100+ miles...LDP at beautiful Dorney Lake...
I'm really stoked because I've just done my first full day of distance skating, I hadn't meant to do it, it just sort of happened. It was around the rowing lake at Dorney here in the UK. It was during the first lap that I suddenly thought to myself 'hmmm... I wonder if I just keep skating, how far I can manage?'. It was very very windy but with my Mermaid, a bit of effort and a decent rhythm I was surprised to see the miles clocking up. After a couple of hours, a big rain storm caught me out on the far side of the lake and I had to shelter for a bit before pushing back around. The track dried out soon enough though and I could get back on it. I stopped quite often for water, snacks and to record my lap times which I was surprised to see were all pretty consistent at about 20 minutes for each 5km. My MP3 player with pumping tunes was a boost as was the hot cup of tea I had mid-afternoon... there is a video of me throwing my arms about, not because I have a weird crazy pumping style but because I was dancing to the tunes. The lake was closing at 8.30pm and by then I had done 86 miles so I thought it was silly not to try for 100 miles but not before refuelling in the pub. After dinner and a change of clothes, we measured out a mile with the van on a pitch black country lane and dug out a wind up torch. The whole thing was all pretty low tech! During one mile, I met some holiday makers who were convinced that my board was powered by a motor until I showed them that it was actually my torch that was making all the noise and me that was making my board move! The night time skating was a bit sketchy but that was more to do with my imagination and being a big girl more than anything else. I skated the mile back and forth until after 1am when I had a bit of a crash, skating in the dark is way sketchy with a wind up torch over speed bumps. My other half was riding my G-Bomb and he drifted over as we were going round a bend and his wheels went under my board. I know how stupid it was to skate without a helmet on at night. We skated on for a few more miles, until I'd done a total of 21 and by then I was beginning to feel achey from the fall. We had to leave early the next day so decided to call it a day and head back to the camp just before 2am and celebrated with a nice hot shower and a glass of red. I felt fine the next day, just a little dehydrated maybe, my only pain was the bruises from falling off. Seriously though, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without someone there providing me with drinks, snacks and for keeping the torch going so I could see. I am pleased to have pumped the whole way, apart from the half lap that I pushed in the rain. Basically, it was a completely impromptu decision to see what was possible with no preparation and no specialist equipment, gear or anything. Pumping is normally what I do just for fittness but it was great to have a go at covering some real mileage. I skated 12hrs 48mins over a 16hrs 37mins period and covered 107 miles. If it wasn’t for PavedWave I wouldn’t know anything about LDP or the Mermaid so thanks to you guys, it was an adventure. I’d like to do it again sometime. A few more pictures and a couple of video clips can be found at... http://s254.photobucket.com/album...tboarder/Dorney%20Lake%2025-8-09/ |
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| wafflesole |
Stoked for this! nice work Jo. | ||
| skatersjourney |
Geddon Jo! Well done girl - such a wonderful write up and a total reminder that you don't have to plan forever to do distance when it's right there in your heart and under your feet. Congrats on getting past 100 - it's an amazing feeling and I'm so chuffed for you. Considering the injury you've got past this year, and no doubt the annoyance at having to sit around whilst others cane it, you've come through great guns and, well, I'm just stoked for you!
Let's keep pushing (and pumping!) what girls can do on skateboards - we've got the legs, we've got the heart, now it's time to see where we can go with it! Watch this space... Congrats again!!! |
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| rip |
Hey Jo,
yeah, congrats to this performance! I also like the photo documentation! Please tell me: which trucks do u use for rear? And not least: what trainers did you wear? (it's because of the sole structure - my emericas are not very comfortable, though mid top, but the sole is a way too thin for foot braking)- Thanks for your comment! So have fun and spread the ldp spirit 
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| SkateKi |
very cool! congrats. looks like a beautiful place to ride. | ||
| A.G. |
Awesome! | ||
| barefootboarder |
Thanks guys!
Rip I just have the standard RTS rear - my board is set up just according to the advice I read from James on the gear page when I first got it so thanks again James. I'm not much for changing things around especially when they work so well. I have 20* front and 10* rear for easy going and climbing. Here's a little clip of me going up one of the bridges at Dorney Lake. The crazy shapes are all down to the music, I was really buzzing when I put my MP3 player on, certain tunes really helped my rhythm but I was getting funny looks. Actually, does anyone else listen to tunes when they are doing some miles? My shoes are Converse and then I changed to Vans. I like no socks as I feel more connected to the board. Actually I prefer bare feet on the beachfront to be honest 
Thanks again for all the nice comments. 
This is my pivot cup afterwards... 
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| pavedwave |
I think there are people whose DNA are inextricably bound to music. I do ride without tunes sometimes, but the experience is completely different. Have to tiptoe around the safety and legalities with some folks (especially in the biking community) but there are ways to have music and still be responsible about it. Your experience was awesome to read about. Captures the essence of the ride and of LDP. Less on pursuing and more on focusing on the moment, the distance just happens. Truly inspiring Jo! |
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| barefootboarder |
Thanks again James! It was amazing to just pop along to Dorney for a little skate and end up clocking up so many miles... I still haven't quite got my head around it yet  Certainly the kind of zen approach of just focusing on the moment and letting things happens for as long as they feel good works best for me.
It might just be worth saying that I'd like to avoid sounding like an advert for skating at Dorney Lake! The lake belongs to the famous Eton College and we had to explain ourselves to a senior member of coaching staff while we were there. They are not very keen on anyone going there on a mission! I'm very glad that I was able to continue skating and I promised that I'd spread the word that anyone going there for anything other than casual recreation should contact them first. I guess this isn't very relevant to most of you Pavedwavers over in the US of A but it's just something that I mustn't forget to say. Looking at pictures of your Seattle paths... you are very lucky, they look very nice. I definitely think that the best public LDP trails near where I live are in France!!
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| Odiwan |
That is an inspiring post. I thought you may be interested to see my solution to the problem of lights, as I have lights on my helmet, which I find indispensable. I just uploaded a full description in the Crash and Burn forum.
I wish that we had something like Dorney Lake around here, as it is nice to be away from roads... though I can't really complain as I live in a pretty lovely area that does have a few good bike paths... just nothing uninterupted, by roads. |
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| barefootboarder |
Helmet lights would have been good for me, mainly as it would have meant I was wearing one when I fell! My ponytail did a good job of cushioning the back of my head. Helmets in the dark when you're tired is a very good idea. 
The clockwork torch I was using needed to be cranked constantly to light up the path - the speed bumps were hard to spot and caused some emergency braking a few times, not very helpful to keeping a nice rhythm. Actually skating in the dark was a completely new experience, there were no streetlights or moonlight or anything. Pitch dark - except for the stars and the cranky little torch. I was going slow but it didn't feel like it, so the pumping felt really easy. Also the day's strong wind had died down completely so it was all very quiet and still. It was a strange feeling to be skating into the blackness all the time, quite weird. Relaxing and sketchy at the same time, if that makes any sense. Easy to drift off and lose concentration 
This is the solution to night skating I reckon. We decided not to use it as it was actually TOO bright, this thing shoots light out in all directions and lights up the path way ahead, and behind and everywhere. It seemed a bit brash and uncool to use it along a quiet dark country lane after midnight. I like being a bit more discreet. Someone in a distant farmhouse would probably have reported it as a UFO or something. Recommended for urban situations though! 
HUGE thank you to Sven Von Schalata for these pics
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| Mimosa |
Hey Jo,
I remember about one year ago we had this short discussion about the best bushings for Carver CX. And now, here you are : world champion ! Congratulations and thanks a lot for sharing this experience with your great writing and pictures. About your pivot cup eating : I had the same problem with a similar stack of Khiro barrel + small cone. It's a little bit thicker than the stock Bennett bushing. It's more easy to pump but it doesn't fit the size, this is the main cause of pivot cup eating, in my opinion. Personally, I use a hourglass grey Holey (same size as stock Bennett) and Khiro orange barrel on top. It's quite efficient and it lasts without causing exessive stress in the pivot cup. Keep on riding, you do it beautiful Eric |
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| barefootboarder |
Thanks Eric, you are very kind.
I remember those chats about bushings and what combination was the best... was it really a year ago?! WOW! Can't believe that time has gone so fast. I definitely think it's time to have another little tinker, I'll let you know if I discover anything new.
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