Whenever we step out of the house, we would always make sure we are looking our best and would be as presentable as possible. We all have our own fashion styles and senses; this makes us unique from each and every person we encounter. This is the reason why we would usually take a long time in having to prepare ourselves to make sure we are looking great.
Aside from clothes, most of us invest in various accessories which allow us to enhance the style and look we would want to achieve. One of the surefire ways to improve one’s look is through sunglasses. Options such as Von Zipper sunglasses are not only stylish in themselves; they are also functional pieces which allow the person to protect their eyes from the intense rays of the sun. Nothing beats being able to look our best and still make use of functional as well.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, I would always prefer to take my bike whenever I take on trips. This is a much better way of experiencing travel, since you get to bask on the surroundings and enjoy the view without any hindrances. It is also more cost-efficient compared to bringing along my car instead whenever I decide to take a road trip.
Whenever I get out of the house in my motorcycle, I would always have my motorcycle eyewear with me. This way I can protect myself at all costs and be able to prevent any dirt or small particles from hurting my eye. Since it can be quite windy whenever I would ride out on my bike, I would need to protect my sensitive eyes from anything that can come flying my way. This would be a huge risk not only for myself but for others as well if I suddenly engage in an accident.
I always use my complete longboard whenever I need to get to school and work. As a working student, I prefer to get from one place to another without having to spend as much. I rely on my board to get me anywhere I need to go. This helps in saving up on transportation costs which I can use to spend on more important items such as food and school expenses.
My board is also more convenient since I would not need to spend on gas. I would not have to worry about traffic, as I can easily cruise my way on sidewalks without any hassle. What’s great about it is that I can also get my much needed exercise at all times. There are a whole lot of advantages when it comes to using skateboards, and I am very much enjoying each one of them.
I often wondered about skateboarders and what they get out of it. I mean, yes it looks cool and everything and I think it is simply amazing for them to be able to do longboard tricks and go so fast in a race. My heart would probably jump out of my body if I ever tried it! So, I just satisfy my curiosity by knowing all I can on the subject.
For those who do not know, the ones at the bottom of the board are called longboard trucks. Trucks are the turning mechanism and wheel mounts of a longboard. A truck consists of a baseplate which screws to the deck, a hanger (axle). There are several different types of longboard trucks, differing from ’shortboard’ trucks in many ways. The primary difference is that the hangers are often wider to accommodate the different sized decks (and provide a wider track), with 150 mm and 180 mm being two of the most common widths. There are more to learn about trucks. For now, know that it takes a lot of practice to be a skilled longboard skater. So, if you want to be one also remember that without pain there is no gain!
Of all of the gifts I received for my birthday last week, the bamboo longboard was by far my favorite. I’ve been a longboard racer for the past 8 years and my collection of boards includes about 12 different types of longboard, which vary in color, shape, speed and manufacturer.
However, I’ve never used a bamboo board before. As I unwrapped the package, I was in awe of the craftsmanship. The sleek design of the board that measured about 3 feet in length was intoxicating. It was almost love at first sight; I couldn’t wait to get it out on the streets for a spin.
When I think of my childhood, I think of my carefree play. It’s the best time of my life bar none. I remember spending hours and hours riding my skateboard or my bike. Those were the days. That’s why I bought a skateboard for my son complete with skateboard accessories.
The skateboard accessories include safety gear as well as customized gear to get the most from the skateboard. Safety gear includes helmet and elbow and knee pads. The other stuff I got him includes wheels and bearings. This enhanced the performance of the skateboard. By changing the wheels and the bearing we lessen the drag of the boards. It rolls longer with less effort. Also, this made his boards so much cooler.
Have you seen this lighted roller skate? If you haven’t then it’s time you did. These skates are so much fun because they light up every time you skate. You can easily choose from different colors that your kids will really love.
The best thing is that these skates are adjustable. Your kids can enjoy using them for years unlike those other skates that your kids can outgrow. And with the lights, it makes them easy to see in the dark. These skates are just awesome!
We have been discussing some of the basics of roller skate terminolgy and skate selection this week. Yesterday it was quad skates and today we are going to look at the main types of inline skates. Inline skates are very popular for good reason, particulary if you want to skate outdoors or to speed skate. They behave much like ice skates with three to five wheels aligned in a straight line. They are preferred for outdoor fitness skating but actually there are 4 primary types of inline skates:
- Racing Skates: The sole purpose of Racing Inline Skates is to go fast. The boot is designed to fit closely to the foot in order to reduce wind resistance. The wheels are designed to interchange easily to allow the skater to skate either indoors or outdoors.
- Fitness Inline Skates: The inline fitness skate is aimed at the skater that likes to skate outdoors and whose main goal is to exercise enjoyably. The boots are high top which gives the skater very good foot and ankle support. That can be a factor on some outdoor terrain. They are also designed to be very comfortable so the wearer can skate for longer periods without foot fatigue.
- Aggressive Skates: Aggressive skates are primarily aimed at the outdoor skater that likes to perform tricks. They require a durable, supportive skate.
- Hockey Skates: Inline hockey skates are designed for the sport of roller hockey, an activity that is growing in popularity, particularly among active kids and young adults. This is another high top skate to afford good foot protection and support. The competitive nature of roller hockey calls for a very durable skate to stand up to the abuse it will receive.
Guess that will do it for today folks, now all you have to do is – go shopping!
The last few days we have been talking about roller skate terms and how to use those terms to help us select just the right skates for us. We also talked about inline skates and quad skates. Quads are the “traditional” roller skate and probably what you rented when you went to the rink.
Quads are broken down into two primary categories, indoor or rink skates and outdoor or sidewalk skates.
The indoor grouping is further divided into subcategories depending upon the type of skating being done.
Quad speed skates: Skates meant to go fast with a low cut boot, speed style wheels (harder wheels) and faster bearings. The low cut boot allows greater ankle movement that helps on the corners. This characteristic makes the speed skate popular with the jam (dance) skater also.
Recreational Skates: A style of quad skates that are sometimes referred to as Artistic Skates. These are the traditional high boot roller skates that allows the skater greater control in the spins and jumps found in an artistic dance routine.
Roller Derby Skates: This is a category of quad skates that is growing in popularity. Popular in the 30’s it is known for rough and tumble roller skating. Derby skates are generally characterized by low boots and durable construction that can stand up to hard knocks. Roller derby skaters are looking for a skate that can get up to speed quickly and hold well through tight corners.
Outdoor Roller Skates are quad skates designed to be used on the street or the sidewalk. They can be either high boot or low boot and the major difference between the indoor skate and the oudoor skate is in the wheels. Outdoor skates feature a softer wheel to give you an easier ride and more control on the rougher surface of a sidewalk. Here is where the durometer term we discoussed a couple days ago comes into it’s own.
Of course, these types are further divided into Adult Skates and Youth Skates but those subcategories are pretty much self-explanatory.
That’s it for today folks. Happy Skating!
Yesterday we talked about the term “durometer” and what it means to the skater. Today let’s touch upon the term “ ABEC” and what it means to the roller skater.
Bearings
ABEC is a term used in conjunction with the bearings that fit inside the wheels of your roller skates. It stands for Annular Bearing Engineers Committee. All that mouthful means is that “ABEC” is a rating to determine the heat tolerance, rotating accuracy and other measurements of a bearing.
Basically, at least in theory, the higher the ABEC number the better the bearing. What I mean is, not all bearing manufacturers rate their bearings and some of those are the best bearings available, Powell-Bones for instance. Also, the difference between a high rated bearing and a lower rated one can be very hard to detect at the rink.
The long and short of this term is that it gives you a tool for comparing skates but don’t depend on it as the final determing factor when buying. Don’t hestitate to talk to your fellow skaters and get their opinions.
Champion