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| Skate Across America (157 Posts)
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Skate Across America for Lowe Syndrome |
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On 8/22/2003
Nick - SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.133.nnn.nnn)
Skateboarding Across America Equipment Reviews:
We rode Rolls Rolls decks across the USA - 3000 miles. Each of the four of us were greatly impressed with the design and quality of the Rolls Rolls boards. They were perfectly designed for the task, and I couldn't imagine a more appropriate choice for transportation skateboarding.
In addition, these decks were awesome for serious downhill bombing (Cascades, Tetons, Rockies, Appalachians) - these were not your typical hills. To say we were impressed with the Rolls Rolls boards would be a gross understatement.
We are auctioning off our SAA boards on eBay, but I want another one for me. I think all the other guys feel the same way.
Four thumbs WAY UP for the Rolls Rolls boards!
We rode Independent 169's across America - 3000 miles in 21 days.
The configuration was a Stage 9 hanger with a Stage 8 baseplate, but otherwise dead stock. We didn't change the bushings, or even bother to tighten down the bushings even more than stock.
They performed flawlessly. They took a lot of abuse; we cruised, climbed, and bombed mountains (Cascades, Tetons, Rockies, Appalachians) and hills with no problems whatsoever.
The trucks were a set-it and forget-it item on the trip. They performed flawlessly throughout the trip. We enthusiastically endorse the Independent 169's.
We rode ABEC11 FlyWheels across America. Jack, Scott, and Josh rode the 92mm's in a 72a and 78a duros, and I rode the 101's in a 72a duro.
The wheels were fastfastfast and very comfortable over the road. The 72a urethane was magic. Only the very worst roads caused any cutting or chunking. We bombed 10% plus grades, climbed the same, cruised smooth and rough roads, and did it for 3000 miles with no worries.
Thanks to Chris Chaput for making and providing us with such a great product for our Guinness Book World Record ride.
We rode Biltin Bearings across the USA. No problems, no worries, no maintenance. I don't know (or care) what ABEC rating they were. I wrenched all of the boards for the trip, and they were spinning as freely at the end of the trip as they were at the beginning. They took a whole load of miles and abuse with no complaints and no reliability issues.
Thanks, Chris, for making and providing us with such a great product.
- Nick
Now Completed Skateboarding Across America!
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On 8/22/2003
Mike Allen
wrote in from
(198.81.nnn.nnn)
To Jack and team........too way cool...you guys just skated in 20 1/2 days way more than I have in the past 40 of my 50 years!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats...you have to try a Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Virginia...mmmmmmmm anyway, I'm really proud of you all. Good job, hope you get to drive or fly back home. Jack: let me know when you get here, and are rested, and we'll have that burger and a skate( all you guys) What can we all say? WELL DONE! Mike, Rolls Rolls
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On 8/22/2003
Joe & Nick
wrote in from
(63.87.nnn.nnn)
Heroes indeed!
I barely know two of you, yet I couldn't be prouder of all of you.
God bless little Jack.
God bless the SAA Team.
The Iacovelli Family
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On 8/22/2003 peter* rolls rolls Germany
wrote in from
(217.184.nnn.nnn)
You have done what seemed unbelievable to me; you skated a distance we do not have in Europe in 20 and a half days; you set two world records on skateboard. I do not have the words in your language to tell you what I feel about it. I stand in huge respect for your spirit. I would call you heroes. It's a great day for you and I hope it's also a great day for the fund raising of LOWE Syndrom.
Regards from Germany, peter*
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On 8/22/2003
JOE
wrote in from
(199.108.nnn.nnn)
Congradulations boys I knew you could do it. How does it feel? I am getting shivers just thinking about you guys dipping the nose of your boards in the atlantic. So what do you think guys are you ready to do it again next year? I call a spot on the team for the whole trip. Once again you guys rock. Jack, Nick, Scott, and Josh you all are now in the guinnes book of world records congrats.
All my Strgenth and respect
JOE B
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On 8/22/2003
Stubbs
wrote in from
(209.117.nnn.nnn)
Nick called me today around 11 am CST to let me know they made it. At the time the guys were headed to the beach to dip the noses of their boards in the Atlantic. Congrats guys! Well done!!!!!
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On 8/22/2003 stan the media man
wrote in from
(168.103.nnn.nnn)
Just hit up all the major networks ABC, CBS, NBC. And Time, USA Today for the team.
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On 8/22/2003
HMello
wrote in from
(63.102.nnn.nnn)
Wow...just about done. Been watching you fellas for 20 days now, loving every minute of it. What you've done here is truly awe-inspiring. Let me ask you...how does it feel to be heros?
Been harrassing the sh*t out of the folks I know @ MTV and VH1...might be arrested for stalking, actually. Alas, life as a peon (pion? pee-on?) nets little results on this one. It sounds like you've got some great folks coming through for you media-wise, so rock out. Best to you on your final day...you rad mo'fo's...Hannah
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On 8/21/2003 ian
wrote in from
(203.109.nnn.nnn)
Nice one. Where can I see a picture of the board you are skating on?
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On 8/21/2003
Claude Regnier
wrote in from
(66.185.nnn.nnn)
Well guys so far so good. I'm glad you guys we're able to make it without any major hasles.
Good Luck with the last leg. I sent a note and a link to here to the major local papers for you so I hope it works out.
All the Best,
Lil Jack is smilling.
CKnuck
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On 8/21/2003
Nick - SAA Team
wrote in from
(63.164.nnn.nnn)
TOMORROW IS OUR LAST DAY ON THE ROAD!
Please call/email/pester all national and international news outlets about what we are doing!
One national news story could generate tens of thousands of dollars for Lowe Syndrome research.
One national news story is as important as getting out on the road and pushing every day.
- Nick
Currently Skateboarding Across America
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On 8/21/2003
Nick
wrote in from
(63.164.nnn.nnn)
Day 20 - Harrisonburg, VA to Richmond, VA
WesE joined us for today's skate. We BLAZED across Virginia - at one point I calculated our speed (8:15AM to 11:28AM) at 25 mph - our highest average of the trip (not counting downhills in the mountains). Highway 33 had great pavement, and we crossed over the Blue Ridge Mountains (or whatever they are that separate the Shenandoah Valley from the rest of Virginia - up in 23 minutes, down in 5.
Our skate stopped a few hundred yards short of our planned end today, when I was stopped by a County Sheriff, who politely informed me that no skateboarding was allowed on State-maintained roads in Virginia. Okay, fine. By my count, that was my 9th or 10th encounter with law enforcement while skating on this trip. Only two of those involved officers of the law who wanted us to modify or discontinue our behavior.
Tomorrow will be easy - only 55 miles from Richmond to Williamsburg. At this point, we could do that in our sleep.
Much love to all the members of our "Core Four" - Jack Smith, Josh Maready, and Scott Kam - and to all those who have helped us out along the way. This has been a momentous undertaking.
Skateboarding is fun. I love skateboarding.
- Nick
Currently Skateboarding Across America
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On 8/21/2003 Lizzie
wrote in from
(67.118.nnn.nnn)
Duhhhhhhh....brain fart. I meant PAY IT FORWARD, guys! Nice talking to ya Nick. Safe trip back. Hugs.
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On 8/21/2003
Hamm
wrote in from
(63.175.nnn.nnn)
Jack,
I am incredibly humbled and in awe of your accomplishment. In addition to Jack Jr., I'm sure your son Dylan and Jack Jr's mom must be very proud of what you've done too.
God Bless your wife Maureen for sticking with you through all this skateboard madness(FCR,BAHNE/SAA/etc) as well!
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On 8/21/2003 Skategeez
wrote in from
(208.207.nnn.nnn)
Could someone tell me if all four skaters are riding simultaneously (ie, each doing the entire distance) or are they riding it as a relay team? If it is as a relay: they are reportedly trying to set a world record, is the current world record for a relay team as well? Is there an individual record for a cross-country skate?
I'm very intrigued by the feat and wish them the best!
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On 8/21/2003
Mike Ohm
wrote in from
(66.44.nnn.nnn)
I was able to hook Jack and crew with a meal at Chilis restaurant as they rode into Harrisonburg VA. Thanks to Bill Norcik the GM of Chilis for his support in providing a well deserved meal for total strangers on a mission.
I was not able to meet Jack and crew on the road but have been thinking about them all day. Props to Kenny Mollica and WesE for their support as they skated along side Jack during his journey.
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On 8/21/2003
Nick - SAA Team
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
Day 19 - Philippi, WV to Harrisonburg, VA -
Up, down, up, down, up, down, repeat, repeat, repeat...
We skate today from Harrisonburg to Richmond via Highway 33.
I'm going to repeat our call for you guys to contact the national media and hammer these guys on our behalf. I'm talking CNN, ESPN, USA Today, NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, talk shows, magazines, etc.
Remember, it's not just about skateboarding. The trip is a means to promote Lowe Syndrome awareness, diagnosis, and research. Skateboarding is really secondary, and I've been pushing a skateboard for 19 days and 2800 miles now.
We arrive in Williamsburg, VA, tomorrow (Friday) about noon. Please take a few minutes out of your day to help us out and make some noise on our behalf.
- Nick
Currently Skateboarding Across America
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On 8/21/2003 Jack and the SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.167.nnn.nnn)
Philippi, WV to Harrisonburg, VA
I always tell everybody the Appalachians are more difficult to skate over than the Rockies and today the rest of the team found out. Highlight of the day was Josh Maready gliding down from the summit of Shenandoah Mountain...4.2 miles in 12 minutes. Got the whole run on video, Josh was also shooting as he rode. Josh had never even stepped on a longboard until the day before the trip began.
For some crazy reason I have developed a rather large blister on my left heel, tried the mole skin treatment, didn't work. I ended up cutting a big hole in the heel of Etnies. You should see us when we walk out of the motel in the morning, we look like a bunch of old men...all stiff and limping. Takes a run or two to loosen everything up.
Wes E. will be skating with us tomorrow. A big thanks to Mike Ohm for hooking us up with a free dinner at Chilis in Harrisonburg. Also a thanks to Charles for contacting the media for us in Harrisonburg.
Tomorrow onwards to Richmond.
General Smith
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On 8/20/2003
John Dillon
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
It's 10:35pm wed....i just got off the phone with Jack Smith and the SAA TEAM. They are in Harrisonburg, VA at the Econolodge on the east side of town. WesE will join them for the 8am start tomorrow morn on their way to Richmond,VA. Then Brian Parsons will catch up to them in Richmond. Jack says all is well and finally they are in the home stretch of their cross-country journey across the USA. They left Kenny at the OH/WV border and it would be great if others could join them in their final pushes to their goal: noon-1pm in Williamsburg's town square is the end of this journey....so, if you are in the area and you've got the time to spare....go on and welcome the SAA TEAM as they arrive in Williamsburg...in fact, I know they will be travelling on rt 33 between Harrisonburg and Richmond....dunno the road they are taking to W'burg yet. Keep those wheels-a-spinning guys!!!!!Yo Geezer-X....give BP a shout and myself a shout tomorrow. If anyone needs to call Jack, the cell # is 805-748-6814, leave a message and your tel # where he can call you back. Peace!
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On 8/20/2003
John Dillon
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
All the computers have been down at work since monday afternoon so I'll make do at my sister's....anywaysI spoke to Jack last night and him and the SAA Team are doing well, despite the high traffic, shoulderless roadways in parts of WV....but they are making incredible progress in my opinion. To those who wish to meet up w/them as they head into Williamsburg, right now the rough plan, according to Jack, is to arrive at the town square in Williamsburg between noon and 1pm on friday, aug 22....so if you are free at that time....go out there and greet Jack and the other skaters as they roll into Williamsburg....I should speak with him again tonight and I will post any new or changed info for you....if work will let me off friday I will be there to greet the team in W'burg....if not, then I hope someone else can be there for me....I know WesE wants to join the team as they sk8 from Harrisonburg onwards and BP wants to greet the team in w'burg and Geezer-x is looking to sk8/cheer/greet during these precious last legs of their journey. Thanks WesE for searching on his computer the tel #s for the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce & then calling me w/that info so I could contact them. Keep on rolling SAA TEAM...you CAN do it! Lots of people are pulling for you!! It's too bad you guys have to cruise back to the west coast so soon after skating all the way here Thumbs up!
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On 8/20/2003 WesE
wrote in from
(216.164.nnn.nnn)
Jack, what address are you staying at in Harrisonburg, and what time are you planning to leave from there tomorrow? I can meet up with you if I know these things, and that would be cool.
--
bigwheel AT eudoramail DOT com
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On 8/20/2003 G
wrote in from
(172.199.nnn.nnn)
Almost There!!
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On 8/20/2003 Lizzie
wrote in from
(63.195.nnn.nnn)
One last thing...."PLAY IT FORWARD".
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On 8/20/2003 Lizzie
wrote in from
(63.195.nnn.nnn)
Hi, Jack and gang! My very good friend & customer Charles in Virginia said he has the media ready for you when you arrive. His cell # is (434)249-7979. Lunch or dinner is on the Purple Skunk when you arrive. Charles has volunteered to be the Skunk liaison and is ready to greet you with open arms. He plans to luge or skate 15 miles down some steep _ss road with you guys! Be safe....lots of xoxo
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On 8/20/2003 Dave G
wrote in from
(65.177.nnn.nnn)
Jack..
My wife was called into work (she was gonna take the day off ) I've got 20 things that need doing(kids) If you need anything in Harrisonburg call 540 896 2617 he's one of my best friends and moved up there a few years ago..His name is Smiley aka Robin..And his wife is Cheryl!!! The will help if you need!!!
Enjoy,
DaveG
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