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From Ice Skates to In-Line Skates

© Brian Malloy

Spring fever has finally hit us here in the Northeast, and it has hit us hard. My neighbors are tending to their yards,lawn mowers are humming along, home air conditioners are uncovered and are being serviced, and the faint smell of car wax is in the air on Saturday mornings. But, where have all the TV skating shows gone?

Yes, it's that time of year again when the skating season is near its end. Personally, I look foward to this time because I can put my ice skates away and take out my inline ones. Sure, they need a little bit of work, but it will be well worth the time and expense. My bearings are ABEC 3's and I'm about to replace them with 9's. This is a big jump in performance, but I know I'm up to it. My wheels are looking a little tired as well, so I'll probably spring for new ones as well. The boots and laces are in fine shape, so nothing needs to be done there.

In shopping for a pair of inline skates (or roller blades as some people call them), find a pair that fits your current athletic level and budget. The prices have really dropped in recent months, and the bargains are plentiful. My boot is a soft, sneaker-like design, and is not the hard, rigid plastic type. Select a pair that feels comfortable, light weight, and easy to put on. I find that you can get achieve a much better fit with the lace-up designs than with the plastic snap-shut ones. Comfort is everything, so spend a little more if you can and your feet will thank you.

Where do I 'blade' outdoors? Good question. Many parks and recreation centers have trails, paths, and bike routes that are accessible for inline skating. When I was first learning how to roller blade, I scouted my area on Sunday afternoons for smooth, level parking lots. After checking with the security guard, I was allowed on an IBM lot. I liked this one because there were no parked cars around that I could run into, no other vehicles in motion to look out for, no rocks or sticks or debris on the surface, and some nice shade trees to sit under when I became tired. This was a perfect, peaceful, and isolated place for me to practice.

Check the internet for places in your area. I know of several clubs that have formed, and members meet on the weekends to roller blade among friends. This is such an excellent form of exercise, and is a great way to stay in shape. Sure, I'm sorry to see the Ice Skating season come to an end, but I'm sure glad that I can roller blade outside once again.

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