ProHi Bikers: Please Learn how to Ride (BK ain't the 'Burbs)
Comments
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Amateur longboarders bombing hills _rarely_ make it above 40MPH, I really doubt you are seeing even 30MPH on a skateboard on flat ground. I dunno, maybe I am missing something.
Umm, not true. Longboarders often hit 60 or above. I have a good friend who was clocked above 60. World record speed is over 60, but there are tons of unofficial speeds in the 60s.
If you say so, but world-class sprinters top out in the mid-20s. On a 'board, on a flat surface, you CAN'T move any faster than a swipe of the foot. You'd have the advantage of reduced friction, but I have a hard time believing that you can move your leg almost twice fast as Carl Lewis can when he was flat-out, winning the gold at the Olympics.
WhyFI , for a human being, Lewis was very fast, but compared to a car, bike, in-line skates (fruit boots), or even a skateboard, over 20 mph is easily attainable. I've hit over 35 on flat several times while shadowed by a friend in a car. On a downhill, 35 is a snap. Allow me to explain: 82A wheels + ceramic bearings, or bearings with 6 balls= very fast on flat or downhill. It's all technique. Your statement about reduced friction is true, so how does moving my leg twice as fast as Carl Lewis have anything to do with how fast I go on a board? It has nothing to do with it. But thanks for the scientific breakdown.
Integrityman, I'm glad I made you barf. Way more than I hoped for.
Yay! Everyone is so happy! -
liftandcut wrote:
I skate and I second that disbelief. There's no way--not even going down the slope.I also have a really hard time believing that you're regularly reaching speeds that aren't easily maintained by greyhounds... unless you're talking about coming down the backside of bridge or a realllllly long hill.
You probabaly don't skate, but that's cool. 35-40 on a board is not that crazy to skaters who have hit those speeds on flat ground. When I'm in the mood, I can probably beat any car or any bike to a given destination.
Also, for EVAN, and other bikers who are getting worked up over this thread, if you know that you are not one of the bikers I am complaining about then take a minute to cool off. Why get so upset? How about you fill a tub with ice, kick back in it for a few, and take a little of the heat off? Better yet, get your milk levers, change an inner tube or two, and relax. Just take a deep breath, take it all in, and chill. It's okay. It's gonna be okay. Smile! -
I for one think that skateboarders can reach speedz of more than 50 mph. I was walking through BocoCa last wed and several light skinned Asian men flew by me on these boards almost killing my Boston Terrier. Police in this area should really not hesitate to bring in these characters and charge them with whatever crime they probably committed.
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erikka wrote: I skate and I second that disbelief. There's no way--not even going down the slope.
I guess you would know, huh? Ever bombed the hill at 103rd and Lexington Ave. on the UES? Ever killed the hills in Central Park? Ever hit the hills in Riverdale? Ever bombed 9th street in the Slope with the light stagger? Ever done 2nd street in the Slope? I have, and not with a longboard. Okay then. Jeez. I'm a frail 35-year-old. If I were a fearless young buck again I'd take you to those spots with me, and we could do them together, but maybe you should just take my word for it. I don't know how this became a skateboarding conversation.
The whole point of my post is to identify, and hopefully change the behavior of those bikers who don't know what they're doing and maybe make it safer for bikers and drivers. -
liftandcut wrote: WhyFI , for a human being, Lewis was very fast, but compared to a car, bike, in-line skates (fruit boots), or even a skateboard, over 20 mph is easily attainable. I've hit over 35 on flat several times while shadowed by a friend in a car. On a downhill, 35 is a snap. Allow me to explain: 82A wheels + ceramic bearings, or bearings with 6 balls= very fast on flat or downhill. It's all technique. Your statement about reduced friction is true, so how does moving my leg twice as fast as Carl Lewis have anything to do with how fast I go on a board? It has nothing to do with it. But thanks for the scientific breakdown.
Do you or do you not push off of a planted foot as a means of propulsion? Doesn't matter how slippery your bearings or wheels are - there's always friction that will rob energy, and unlike bikes with higher gearing or skates which allow you to (essentially) push off of a moving plant foot, you can't trade power for increased speed and you'll never be able to go faster than you can move your leg from front to back (again, on a flat surface). Or do you have some other means of propulsion? -
liftandcut wrote:
haha. as usual liftandcut and the skater community of park slope (including that lame dude who loves corbin berenson) want to seem macho.. i have never seen a skateborder who goes more than 5 MPH. maybe you guys were talking about 35 centimeters an hour?erikka wrote: I skate and I second that disbelief. There's no way--not even going down the slope.
The whole point of my post is to identify, and hopefully change the behavior of those bikers who don't know what they're doing and maybe make it safer for bikers and drivers.
anyway, us bikers can and will continue to kick your asses, and with integrity. period. -
Do you or do you not push off of a planted foot as a means of propulsion? Doesn't matter how slippery your bearings or wheels are - there's always friction that will rob energy, and unlike bikes with higher gearing or skates which allow you to (essentially) push off of a moving plant foot, you can't trade power for increased speed and you'll never be able to go faster than you can move your leg from front to back (again, on a flat surface). Or do you have some other means of propulsion?
I don't know what to tell you, man. I really don't know what you are disputing. Can a bike or (probably) fruit boots technically max out at a higher speed on flat ground? Yes. I'm not arguing against that. Do you have a problem with my statement that I can probably get from point A to point B faster than most on bikes or boots, or cars? I comes down to speed, manueverability, skill, endurance, and the fact that I generally don't have to stop for lights, as bikes and cars do.
As far as all of that stuff about power vs. speed and pushing with one foot, the only thing I can tell you is to get yourself a board and learn how to skate and get a good technique down. I promise you that you will find that you can beat many fruit booters or bikers even going uphill! -
Skateboards can definitely hit high speeds. But 40MPH on flat ground? Doubt it. And frankly I'd be surprised if you could hit that speed on any of the hills mentioned.
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darkblue wrote: Doesn't matter how slippery your bearings or wheels are - there's always friction that will rob energy, and unlike bikes with higher gearing or skates which allow you to (essentially) push off of a moving plant foot, you can't trade power for increased speed and you'll never be able to go faster than you can move your leg from front to back[/color] (again, on a flat surface). Or do you have some other means of propulsion?
Liftandcut is absolutely correct that skaters can reach speeds over 40 MPH. Anyways, why do local hipsters who probably work @ places like PupSlope, come to message boards and portray themselves as physicists? Please answer me that! -
in fairness to karl the druid that is not the most flattering photo of him. right profile is where he is strong.
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Subject: Re: ProHi Bikers: Please Learn how to Ride (BK ain't the 'Bu
I'm a born and raised BK / NY'er and have always thought that all things being equal the messengers in the city have THE WORST habits of all bike riders...
...and what are you doing driving car but complaining about cyclists?
Ride public transit. ONE LESS CARliftandcut wrote: Okay, so what's the deal with you people? As a driver, day after day it amazes me how inept so many of you are at riding bikes in the streets of the city, particularly in this, and surrounding neighborhoods. Here's what I see: you don't ride at the speed of traffic, preferring to leisurely pedal at 5 mph, without a care in the world. You often ride two, or even three abreast, in order to better facilitate conversation with your biking buddies as you make your way down streets. You even ride against traffic on narrow streets and get mad when honked at. You have been seen riding so far from the curb and parked cars that you end up in the path of moving cars. You don't use headlights at night (illegal), hand signals, bells, and you almost never look over your shoulders. To top it all off, most of you don't even wear helmets, which baffles me.
As a former bike messenger, daily driver, and native New Yorker, the only thing that makes me curse out loud in my car is how so many of you bike like your on a sun-dappled, suburban sidewalk. It makes me furious, really.
I don't know when this happened in New York. Used to be, bikers and drivers had an understanding, and a certain rhythm in the streets of this city. Sure, there have been accidents, and middle fingers flipped, and filthy words hurled, but jeez, at least traffic used to move. Last thing I have to say to you "bikers" is: learn how to ride those super cool, retro metro, "I bought this $25 bike so I can sport a $100 Kryptonite chain," bikes. It would make a lot of pedestrians, and drivers a lot happier. -
Does anyone here have a carefully calibrated speedometer on their skateboard?
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bill c wrote: in fairness to karl the druid that is not the most flattering photo of him. right profile is where he is strong.
didn't you think that profile shot made me look a bit swollen? -
integrityman wrote: haha. as usual liftandcut and the skater community of park slope (including that lame dude who loves corbin berenson) want to seem macho.
skater "community"?
they leave the tribe shortly after they discover girls. -
one of my skater friends used to skate as i biked ---- he was way faster which always surprised me ---- but it was true. he could kind of stick to surfaces like velcro and launch off anything. i don't know about speeds though, never kept track --- well, not since i was like 11 years old and in the county.
as for cycling in the city, i ride slow. the reason is that you never know who is going to walk out in front of you or what idiot cyclist is going to be a dumb ass and break the law thus putting your safety as a fellow cyclist at risk. actually, i don't care if you break the law, just don't put other cyclists at risk!!!!!!! i mean, cars fuck with you, too. but as a cyclist it's better to be safe than macho, that's at least how i ride. -
liftandcut wrote:
seriously? what on earth made you think i was worked up? i said the conversation was entertaining and told everyone to relax. several people did however make a statement about "fixed gear riders" as a group, which i would be included in, but i'm confident that most folks i know who ride track bikes are way more proficient riders than most others in the city, so i am comfortable making the assumption that folks who make comments like that are pretty clueless and just parrotting something they read on gothamist or whatnot.I also have a really hard time believing that you're regularly reaching speeds that aren't easily maintained by greyhounds... unless you're talking about coming down the backside of bridge or a realllllly long hill.
You probabaly don't skate, but that's cool. 35-40 on a board is not that crazy to skaters who have hit those speeds on flat ground. When I'm in the mood, I can probably beat any car or any bike to a given destination.
Also, for EVAN, and other bikers who are getting worked up over this thread, if you know that you are not one of the bikers I am complaining about then take a minute to cool off. Why get so upset? How about you fill a tub with ice, kick back in it for a few, and take a little of the heat off? Better yet, get your milk levers, change an inner tube or two, and relax. Just take a deep breath, take it all in, and chill. It's okay. It's gonna be okay. Smile!
in the end, everyone should go ride a bike, skate, run, or do something else fun and enjoyable outside, and if you happen to piss off some impatient jerk in a car while doing so, well that's just a perk. -
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
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vanilla wrote: one of my skater friends used to skate as i biked ---- he was way faster which always surprised me ---- but it was true. he could kind of stick to surfaces like velcro and launch off anything. i don't know about speeds though, never kept track --- well, not since i was like 11 years old and in the county.
it's funny - I used to read thrasher magazine when I was in jr. high, mostly b/c of the band info (it was a great source for skate punk), and looking at the photos, and talking to skateboarders I knew, I'd always thought of skateboarding like rowing crew or something. you can do it at a leisurely pace or you can really step it up. it's more full body than just a leg movement (or in crew, just an arm movement). the friction issue is negated, I'd guess, partly because the foot doesn't plant down fully - it sorta does a stroke against the pavement - and partly because the skater's entire body is shifting into the momentum of the board. it's a pretty efficient movement. perhaps, for shits and giggles, we should take over a bit of prospect park and have a whoever-biker v. whoever skater speed competition. too bad rhodamine doesn't seem to be reading anymore - i can try to contact him since he has a longboard and a bicycle. -
I must just suck. I've skated a lot in my day, still do from time to time, street vert and downhill. Was a sponsored am back in phx for awhile. I've even done some timings downhill. But I've never hit 40MPH on flat. And I haven't hit it downhill either, fairly certain. When I was road biking I hit 40MPH+ downhill (by el-cheapo cycle computer) a couple times, and that was faster than hell on those little narrow tires. I'd love to see how ya'll hit 40MPH flat ground skateboarding, I'll bring my board and try to figure it out. My idea? Tie a rope around yer waist and let me ski behind you!
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Forget about a race. How about the bikers and skaters just fight? It will be fun. We can all meet in the middle of P'spect park like the greasers and the sosh's, (during a rainstorm, of course), and get brolic. Alfairnadia and Vanilla can ref and apply first aid. Only weapons allowed will be boards and bike locks. Fruit booters can cheer us all on. It'll be splendid, and super fuel for DH posts. SPD SHOES NOT ALLOWED!
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Did you ever see that youtube vid where the skater cracks the security dude over the head with his board after he got caught chucking it at a passing car? It is teh ultraviolent. The other best skatefight classic vid is Mike Vallely taking on like four or five young "jocks" who called him a skate fag. Mike Vallely is and has always been a badass, you just don't _do_ that!
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When I was road biking I hit 40MPH+ downhill (by el-cheapo cycle computer) a couple times, and that was faster than hell on those little narrow tires.
Yeah, I've done 40 mph on my mountain bike on 7th Avenue South at night and it was scary as hell. For some reason 30s on a skateboard is not as scary. Maybe because I can always jump off.
Vallely is one of those guys who is just a master of the skateboard. That video of him taking on those kids is classic. If you have hi-def TV you should catch his "Drive" series on Fuel TV on the Rush network. Worth DVRing or taping. -
liftandcut wrote: Yeah, I've done 40 mph on my mountain bike on 7th Avenue South at night and it was scary as hell. For some reason 30s on a skateboard is not as scary. Maybe because I can always jump off.
If you jump off your board doing 30MPH+ you are guaranteed a grade A face plant. Yer legs can't run that fast, so it will be tuck and roll time, which is always fun on the pavement.liftandcut wrote: Vallely is one of those guys who is just a master of the skateboard. That video of him taking on those kids is classic. If you have hi-def TV you should catch his "Drive" series on Fuel TV on the Rush network. Worth DVRing or taping.
What is this fancy thing you call Fuel TV? :alien: And what the hell is that little green thing??? I'll have to see if they have it on DVD at the library, that would be cool. Me and a couple other spAms got a chance to skate with him at and after a few Bare Cover demo's in the late eighties. He did such off the wall crazy stunts that no one would ever have thought of, much less attempt. -
doored on my way into work today. fortunately not seriously hurt. you people.
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bill c wrote: doored on my way into work today. fortunately not seriously hurt. you people.
That blows. Words of advice:Getting doored accounts for up to 8 percent of bike-car accidents, according to the bikers' bible "Effective Cycling" by John Forester. A Metropolitan Area Planning Council study of bike-car accidents in the Boston area (within Route 128) in 1979-80 put the figure at 5.3 percent, said Paul Schimek of Boston, a certified Effective Cycling instructor.
http://www.ltolman.org/99arch/502doored.htm
The problem is that cyclists are afraid a car will strike them from behind, so they ride too close to parked cars, said John S. Allen of Waltham, author of "Street Smarts: Bicycling's Traffic Survival Guide."
However, that fear is misplaced, Allen said. Straight-line, rear-end collisions account for only about 0.5 percent of bike-car collisions. Car doors are a greater threat.
The solution is simple: Ride at least 3 feet to the left of parked cars. If that doesn't leave cars room to pass, the drivers will just have to wait, Allen writes in his guide "How to Ride in Boston Traffic -- Or Anywhere." -
daver wrote: If you jump off your board doing 30MPH+ you are guaranteed a grade A face plant. Yer legs can't run that fast...
No, no, no - you just gotta learn some good technique. :study: -
WhyFi wrote: No, no, no - you just gotta learn some good technique. :study:
I must be living in my own private Idaho. What techniques are there to run over 30MPH?
Wait, wait. Don't tell me.
Um, just don't tell me.
Bored now. -
If you jump off your board doing 30MPH+ you are guaranteed a grade A face plant. Yer legs can't run that fast, so it will be tuck and roll time, which is always fun on the pavement.
A few weeks ago I was flying down a long-ass hill in the Slope probably doing about 25 and one of my wheels popped off. One of the worst spills I've taken that didn't involve a trick. It was one of those that I didn't see coming and I fell crazy awkwardly. Did something really bad to the gluteal muscles on my right side. Couldn't walk for a week.
That's really cool that you got to skate with Vallely. I remember the kind of stuff he was doing back then. Really ill, dope tricks. I remember when he got on Powell around '86 people used to say he had orange eyes because he was so aggro. I was 15 and because of Vallely and Natas, all I did was spend hours busting up my hands learning ollie airwalks and ollie judos. Ahh, the good, young days... Yo, if I can, I'll try to make copies of his show and get 'em to you. -
[add to joke below]
a stroller, a bike, and skateboard walk into a coffee shop
the barista says... -
daver wrote: [quote=WhyFi]No, no, no - you just gotta learn some good technique. :study:
I must be living in my own private Idaho. What techniques are there to run over 30MPH?
Wait, wait. Don't tell me.
Um, just don't tell me.
Bored now.
Man, don't be so serious - it's a joke. Chill. Kick back and relax...
:geek:
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