pavedwave longboarding

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

So i went to greenlake for a couple laps yesterday after our garage sesh and it freekin blew chunks. First off, there was some event going on where greenlake was the finish line. This was mildly annoying becuase they thought they owned the goddamn park, but understandable i suppose. Next, NO ONE was following the lane rules. It goes wheeled vehicles on the outside lane going counterclockwise, foot traffic on the inside lane going clockwise, how hard is that???? Nobody could manage it apprearnty. Then, for icing on the crap cake i was eating, people dont seem to understand what "on your left" means .... i had to get pretty rude with some people to get them to move their asses out of my way. even more often, i had to footbreak or carve off a ton of speed so i could follow behind a massive crowd of sloooow walkers taking up both lanes. I even had to put my left wheels in the dirt once to get around a line of people that absolutely refused to move. ARRRG!!! why can people just follow the rules. On a side note, i did see somone i didnt recognize riding a mermaid around the lake, i dont know who it was and i couldnt catch up to him cuz of all the traffic, but whoever you are, nice board and nice moves, you were definetely out pacing me.

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

Dave that sucks, and I know exactly what you mean. In last fall's Ultra, there were two groups doing walks for charity or in memorium, and they just dominated the entire trail on foot, at 1/3 our pace, which meant we had to ride in the gravel and just pick up our boards and run around them three times for their lap. One Sunday morning a few of us were just out for some laps around 8 a.m., and a gigantic group of runners were running the entire width of the trail, with organizers ahead telling everyone to get off the trail....I don't know how or if Greenlake actually endorses this kind of thing.

In any case, this is one of the reasons I've decided against trying to hold an Ultraskate during the daylight hours at the lake on any weekend, and we just tough it out on the Burke all day and do Greenlake when it's a lot more sane, at night. I'll be bringing my obnoxious hand-held bell next one Twisted Evil

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

I feel your pain. Solution - find a crazy bike rider and trail him. When people give you dirty looks, point to the bike rider in front of you like it's not your fault... Confused

Belegnole · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

but seriously .....you could move to somewhere like i live. Few trails or paths....most only around a mile long....covered in snow 7 months of the year....skating illegal anywhere else....

need I go on>?
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No matter where you go, there you are....

blake · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 198 Location: Seattle

yeah that sounds. but think about this. your all ready to skate because its dry for once in a month and you are stoked to the max. when you go you have to stop and get off your board every 5 min to run around a group of slow walking "deaf" people because they will not move. by the end of the day you have ran more then you have pumped. so you are very pumped to ride but you you quit because you just cant ride enough you think "oh you think i will just do this agian tomorrow." Then it rains for another like week and you have to wait for it to dry so thats another couple days then you go out to ride again and then the same thing happens.
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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.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

We're definitely spoiled here in seattle, the burke gilman, Alki beach, greenlake, cedar river trail, interurban trail etc. etc. BUT greenlake is extra frustrating becuase it SHOULD be awesome and rarely is. The path is wide and divided, there are clear markings about who should be in what lane, it surrounds a beaurtiful lake. And yet I cant think of a single overall good session ive had there. Ive been attacked by dogs or slowed down by pedestrians or hassled by people every time ive gone.

Also my wallet is too big for my pants and my diamond shoes dont fit Laughing

Belegnole · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

Once upon a time I almost moved to Seattle....the thought hasn't completely left my mind. In fact it is starting to look positively.....sunny

btw the last post was meant to be a leg puller
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No matter where you go, there you are....

blake · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 198 Location: Seattle

yeah i know i just wanted to rant haha. i love seattle more then any were i have been before. sometimes it gets anooying but the play is the best
_________________
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.

Belegnole · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

well it hit 57 here today! No jacket and short sleeves....

Ye Haw!

of course it's turned into a lake, but hey it's spring!
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No matter where you go, there you are....

dustm · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 37 Location: Raleigh, NC

Hmm, I wonder if a quick air horn blast would help, or just make them want to be in your way more...