pavedwave longboarding

barefootboarder · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 51 Location: England

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/

wafflesole · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 82

Stoked for this! nice work Jo.

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

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

rip · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

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 Smile

SkateKi · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 36 Location: redmond washington

very cool! congrats. looks like a beautiful place to ride.
_________________
Derek Munson
masakatsu agatsu
http://www.alienallstars.com

A.G. · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Awesome!

barefootboarder · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 51 Location: England

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 Laughing

Thanks again for all the nice comments.

This is my pivot cup afterwards...

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

barefootboarder · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 51 Location: England

Odiwan · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:36 pm Post subject:

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.