pavedwave longboarding

skatersjourney · Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Posts: 40 Location: Plymouth, UK

I'm currently sitting in the university library here in Plymouth with my mind blown by all the cool goings on around the world. I got to meet some amazing people in Dorney over the weekend and re-meet some familiar faces. I'm constantly astounded by the quality of distance skaters here in the UK, and whilst the overnight shut down might have forced some to realign their goals/indeed, depart, we ended up with an event which in my mind was entirely perfect in spirit.

Stat-o-licious: I reached my goal of 100 miles on my first Ultraskate. I skated 102 miles in 11 hours 38 mins, at an average speed of 8.7 mph. In fact, after the night break, I went up by a mile an hour thanks to the iPod and the company I was in. Whilst I had another board with me (dubbed the evil Mermaid! rave reviews!), I felt that it was unwise to change the game plan completely with such a short preparation time. So I pushed regular the whole way. I didn't feel tired at the end, just elated, I could have gone on further, but it seemed fitting to finish the lap and all head home happy. I was surrounded by support, some people who I'd seen through their 100 early in the day, others who just skated a few laps and wanted to leap around in the dark with me to share my joy.

I enjoyed the event enormously - I have found the access key to a higher state of happiness! Addiction is such a harsh word...how about compulsion...or need...oh, they all have the same end... Before the next Ultra, I think we've got some challenge/race format style events planned, to give us enough time to sweet talk Dorney management into hosting an event proper. The conditions this time were perfect, and on that basis alone, I am going to name Dorney one of, if not THE, premier distance longboarding event locations. I'm sure it would rule even if wasn't clement outside!

I really hope everyone got what they wanted out of the Ultra this time around, and I hope to learn of many more dreams coming true. Thank you to everyone who helped me get where I needed to go, and where I'm going to go next! Expect pumping to take a much larger role!

Here's my pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php...4251&l=bc945&id=776045581

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Laura | Proud Practitioner of Karmic Longboarding | http://www.happyskater.org

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Congratulations Laura!!! The world's first female 100+ mile ultraskater!!

Great shots, and what an amazing tribe over there. You could be right about Dorney being the premier location. With the right weather and wind conditions, it may well factor into some vacation plans in an upcoming year!

skatersjourney · Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Posts: 40 Location: Plymouth, UK

Really? Oh my gosh! How did the girls do over there? Wish them all the best from me!

I believe a fine roast dinner is called for.
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Laura | Proud Practitioner of Karmic Longboarding | http://www.happyskater.org

Barefoot Ted · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 11

Howdy Folks

I happily sat out Ultraskate V. It was more fun watching it from my computer screen.

Very happy to hear about the 100 mile ride by Laura.

Sounds like weather got in the way of the Seattle crew.

I think I will remain semi-retired until a few more of you push this edge of the envelop of what is possible and inspire more to join the ranks of long distance pumpers.

I have my eyes open to find the perfect new location for a 24 hour LDP ride here in Los Angeles.

Best to All, Barefoot Ted
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One foot at a time. One sole at a time. One hell of a good time.

Barefoot Ted's Adventures
956 10th Ave E #306
Seattle, WA 98102

www.BarefootTed.com
206-552-9144
Skype:tedmcdonald

Barry · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:51 am Post subject:

Congratulations Laura on your 100 mile ride I am so exited for you, just very sorry that I was not feeling the stoke enough to stay till the bitter end and congratulate you in person.

Superb pictures too, nice to see a picture of me for once Wink

Congratulations to anyone I did not cangratulate the firts time round too, you all rock and I will include myself in that statement also, "We All Rock"

I fell a long way short of my goal and only accomplished 63 and a bit miles, but I am blaming a security gaurd, a cool crash from my board before even reaching Dorney and a cold that I thought was dehydration for that Wink

I would not have missed it for the world.

Take care,
Barry Wink

LD skater since 1971 · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

Wow congratulations to Laura on breaking the 100 mile mark!!!

Well I got up early and they said the Santa ana winds will hit and the temperature would hit 85 degrees inland valleys where Miramesa lake is located.
I met my goal of 6 laps around the 4.92 mile lake so I ended up with 29.52 miles. I felt good and I was even think of pushing it up past my goal on the beginning of the 6th lap.I started a 7:50 a.m. and end it at 11:37 a.m. I was on tear because it's a fun fast lake to ride around. But the heat was getting me towards the end of the last lap I was starting to feel lethargic so I knew I need to stop or have a heat stroke. That the problem of inland skateboarding and hiking the heat will get you here in southern california. I also basically hit the proverbial wall that marathoners hit.

The road inclines a little bit toward the lake for run off. But were the road ends their is what I named Oceanside wave close out section for about 50 feet.It inclined even more you have a canopy of trees that look like wave that is going to close out on you so you can carve a bank like your surfing as fast as you can to make the section of the pretend wave.
I forgot I was also naming different turns and corners after formula one drivers. I know I am a nut?

I was even using the santa ana wind to my advantage across the dam I would weave wide on the road towards the water and let my body act like a sail to tack across the dam road and then swing back across the road towards the water and repeat.

I am glad I did this when I use to run quite a bit in my younger years I always want to run a marathon now I kind of know what it is like. What was cool my support vehicle was only 4 feet off the trail I would drink 16 oz of power aid or water after each lap and part of a power bar every few laps. I did the power bar thing because I was going in to waters uncharted by me personally after lap 3.

Plus I feel I proved a doctor wrong that told me when I was 38 years old I had the body of 60 year old and wanted to fuse my left ankle back then I got up and left the office. I will be 47 years old next month I am glad I did not have my ankle fused or I would not even be on this board ride now.

James Miramar lake opens at sun up and close at 7:00 p.m..

Barefoot Ted you always have the Dogtown/ Santa Monica board walk it a long haul. Or Orange county has a few bike trails also a real long costal boardwalk from Huntington beach to corona delmar. You might check out silverlake I think it paved all the way around. Go to Cal state dominguez hill and ride the olympic velodrome.
But Orange county has the most red lines
http://www.efgh.com/bike/redrouteorange.htm
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Terry

A.G. · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Congrads Laura (The first Ultra Sister). Wow James your not alone anymore so many people, so many places. Congrads to all who skated and James the father of The Ultra 24hr Skate.

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

Laura you freaking rule!!!!

skatersjourney · Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Posts: 40 Location: Plymouth, UK

No...you guys freaking rule! Very Happy

Thank you for your nice comments everyone. I am stoked as hell to push through that 100 mile barrier. I went out for a skate yesterday and my pushing leg felt invincible! Fully recovered after 2 days - that's about the same as it took when I skated my previous highest daily total of 32 miles. Perhaps when I kick off a long distance journey, giving it everything at these kinds of events will set me in good stead.

We've got some lively discussions going on at the Skate Further forum on how to make Dorney an official event next time!

Big love to all - thank you so much, Eric, A.G, LD, Barry, Ted, and el Hombre...James.
_________________
Laura | Proud Practitioner of Karmic Longboarding | http://www.happyskater.org

rodgon · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 88

ok so after resting and feeling better i thought id take some time to recall my ultraskate experience.

My day started off at 8am here in beautiful San Diego, woke up and got my stuff ready to go, Ipod, WaterBottle, and some tiger bars. took my skate tool, some extra bushings and head out the door.

I got to mission beach at about 9:45 and stretched getting ready to embark once again on my pumping journey, very happy and very pumped up to get to it. i knew that this time i had to pace myself as last time i was completely dead and wheezing after 9 hours. anyways, i put on my ipod, tuned to some techno music and started off. here i go!!!!

First lap i took i took it easy and realized that the wind was kinda heavy but nothing to worry about, i was still going at a steady 13mph pace and a little faster going back since i had the wind helping me. Went on for a couple laps and at 6 miles in Mister Skogg himself Chris Yandall joined me.

Yandall and me went on skating for a good 20 miles together ( so 26miles for me) when he ahd to go back home to work, the man is fast... pushing and just flying as he went, carving like crazy but no pumping for him... hahaha, still fun to skate with though, peoples reactions to both of us were priceless. after he left i again had to jump on a steady pace and keep on track.

35 miles down i decided i needed a little more food than just tiger bars so i stopped for a quick bite in a store thats on the boardwalk, got a sandwhich and ate it up fast and head on out again.

i switched to my pushing deck at mile 52 since my toe was annoying me and i thought i should give it a little rest, it proved to be a very good choice since wind picked up and it would have been alot harder to pump with that type of wind. specially since my core was feeling the hours of skating. it was about 5 in the afternoon when i switched.

about mile 56 my friend jerry came to join me and took my pumping board since i wasnt using it, her went and rode with me for about 3 miles, looked at me like i was crazy and went home wishing me goodluck. his pressence kinda gave me a second wind though and i was once again re energized and went on.

when i got to mile 68ish, my girlfriend made her way out to mission beach to see how i was doing, i was about ready to go to my night trail in Eastlake, so we went for one more lap and then at 72 miles we took off for Eastlake.

I was not even feeling the ride all that much except for my little toe on my leading pumping foot. ( might have to find a way to reinforce that area of my foot ...shoe.. ) we got back to my house and i head out to my trail. this trail is awesome and a good way to get some mileage in, its a very easy slope for about 1.6 miles. you can carve, pump, and do anything you want during 1.4 miles, then a very steep hill which you can bomb or carve down, then you just have to push up .3 miles ( 2 minutes ) and you can do it again. all residential area, no people or cars really at night, and no wind! i love this trail ^_^.

So going on my 15th time riding the loop and feeling really good about my mileage, i was going down the trail, ( i have lights and reflector vest on by the way) i get to the part where there is the steep hill, i start bombing it and notice a small shadow, bad thing for me and him was that it was a bicycle rider going fast uphill, i was longboarder going very fast downhill ( 25mph) and when i went to carve around him ( after realizing what the shadow was) he moved in the same direction... i went to avoid him by changing direction again and he does the same!!! so next thing i know i brace myself and crash into him at full force. 200 pounds... going 25mph with him going a good 10mph... im not a mathematician but thats alot of force... i end up knocking him off his bike, and my board totally wrecks his front wheel and chain, i end up with the dude as my cushion, and my board intact! only thing is i pulled the back of my thigh and gouged my knee with the spokes of his bike and road rash the same area. i got up made sure he was ok then told him he was a moron and he needs lights... he agreed and we went our different ways.

so with that i stopped since it was a very bothersome pain in my back right thigh. checked my GPS and i was happy to see it said with the 35 extra miles that i was at 107.

decided to rest and past out the moment i touched my pillow. ^_^ at 1am.