Run out speed wobbles and almost got burned.

LD skater since 1971 · Run out speed wobbles and almost got burned.

This morning I went on my regular run down the coast highway to Edge of Delmar. I decide to extend it some extra mileage by going around the Delmar fair ground.

So I turn right down via del valle rd. It had a little hill about 900 yards long. The traffic on the road was next to me in the bike lane so I can't weave to burn off speed.
I started to get speed wobbles half way down really bad I tried to put my foot down and slow down but instead it made me hop off the board because of the Big Zigs height. So I am running out a 20 mph speed trying not to fall flat on my face.

I am also chasing my new long board larry walkabout down the road trying to grab it or kick it aside.But the board is picking up speed I am think oh crap !! their it goes $140.00 . But I am still chasing it down the middle of the road then it hit a small rock and redirects and heads for the asphalt berm hops on to walk way and turns over. Then I get out of the road.I did not know i could run that fast still !

I think the only thing that saved the board from getting ran over was me the idiot running down the street chasing my skateboard. The cars slowed down I am okay my left ankles with arthritis that gives me problems is little sore from the impact of running. But i will get over it.

The stupidest thing about this is last night I changed my bushing set up on the rear truck because I read that a little softer bushing would help you pump better. It did not and also caused me to get speed wobbles. I normally don't get with my all red khiro bushing set up.

I think I need a spare board in case this one get ran over some day.
I also got in my car today to see how far the extra miles was I added to my route. Map quest and map blast had posted my regular run was 13 miles round trip. I find out today it is 6 miles to my normal turn around point. I drive the whole route with the extra Delmar fair grounds loop added to it comes out 16 miles round trip from my house.

So my regular route I thought was 13 miles is really 12 miles round trip.Oh well lesson learned don't trust map quest or map blast straight line mileage.

jdnorthrup

Yikes, glad to hear you and yours are ok!

I had a similar but different fall going downhill in Golden Gate Park in SF. I had just passed a large float with a bunch of Hindu deities and people in holiday costume, about to have a parade up to a Sunday morning festival. Distracted, I kept going on past an intersection with some slow traffic. As I passed through the intersection, I got going way too fast and tried to start footbraking -- speed wobbles ensued and I was instantly thrown down and flipped over a few times as I flew down the pavement. I was wearing a track jacked and jeans so I wasn't torn up too badly. My board went flying across the road, and as I watched, it rolled straight under a sedan (thank god it was low enough to clear the underside) and into a soft curved curb.

What really killed me was I wasn't comfortable with carving the hill in the light yet close traffic, otherwise I would have been fine. Anyhoo, I got back up and kept going -- only later the same morning to eat it going 1mph uphill during a push, the prey of an acorn. Ironically the slow speed fall actually did a lot more damage.

-j

aschmidt

We do love our boards...

Couple weeks ago I was approaching an intersection where I turn right and in front of me, turning in the same direction, is a big 18-wheeler. I stupidly thought, "I wonder how long I can stay with him?" so I blasted through the turn and began to accelerate hard to catch up only to then have to throw the brakes on hard 'cause the truck is pulling over to the side of the road and I suddenly have no where to go. Unfortunately, I had to ditch because I lost my balance when trying to change stance to brake but my board kept going. I had to dive and grab it before it went under the rear wheels of the truck. I'm sure I looked like an idiot but there's no way I'm going to let my Galac get crunched by a truck. Lesson learned- don't race trucks.

Terry, every time you mention Del Mar in your posts it makes my mouth water thinking about the delicious fish tacos at the Brigantine. Ever had them?

LD skater since 1971

I am glad your made it out also and board unscathed.
Do they still close all car traffic in golden gate park on sundays?
Nope brigatine is to rich for my blood but the best fish tacos in socal is Wahoo fish tacos. The fish is grilled ands served with white rice and black beans. It also has all kinds of surfing ,skateboard,snowboard,bmx sticker plaster all over the walls. Plus signed pro boards in frames displays.
It kinda of like In and out burger cult following.

aschmidt

I've heard that Wahoo is good but in all my travels I've never seen a restaurant. I'll have to look one up...

jdnorthrup

AFAIK, they do still close off half of GG most Sundays. I find the pavement a bit rough in a lot of the park though. Maybe I just need to stick to the smooth clean parts until my acorn dodging skills have reached ninja level.

-j