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| Long Distance Pumping (LDP) (1492 Posts)
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Parks of the future/ More Dreamin'
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On 1/16/2006 Al Williams
wrote in from
Dominican Republic
(66.98.nnn.nnn)
Last night, after an afternoon skate session, I ran into another 'Gringo' here in Santo Domingo..and in all places..at a Baskin Robbins! I heard him speaking some English and so quickly enquired and found out that he was from CA, and San Diego at that!I think he is the first Californian I have met here so far, after being almost two years in the country, and so I was pretty happy to talk to a fellow countryman! Anyway, he is in the business of building golf courses, pretty much exclusivily for the 5 million, or so, tourists who come here for vacations every year. Anyway, I wasn't going to let the conversation devolve around golf..I needed to steer it towards the future!...Skate Courses. After discussing skateboarding a bit, we talked of the possibilities of including some type of a skate course as a sideline to a golf course. That is...to take some of the golf course, maybe only 1 hole for instance...and pave it! There would be no need for mowing, watering, fertilizing etc... and would be a place where the children of golfers, or other adventurous tourists, might go for a little adrenlin. Anyway, the whole conversation was great! What dreams! What possibilities...if there is some rich developer out there who wants to take a chance and build the greatest, most fun-pumpin'/cruisin'skatecourse in the world, and probably for less than the construction of a few holes of regular golf! And to cap things off...I had my 43" longboard on hand..and after pumping around the parking lot for a min. or 2.. to prove the point of how fun it is!.. at about 9 in the evening..he had to try it out! Being an ex-skater from San Diego, he couldn't resist! Anyway, we are going to try to communicate in the future..and who knows?? maybe something will come of it?? If not? .. I still think that skate courses/resorts will be a part of the future of skateboarding. I think anyone who has enjoyed the whole thrill and ambience of ski slopes/resorts, as I have growing up....cannot help but think, that possibly, something of the sort can be translated into the sport of skateboarding. A great dream! .. just hope it happens somewhere near where I live! What the heck! I hope I can help develope it! Any ideas??
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pumpin popsickle
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On 1/15/2006
Munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(86.132.nnn.nnn)
Looks like today was a good day all round?
I too finally had some nearly dry tarmac, it was a mixture of no riding for 2 months and the race tracks i think, but the deck is great.
Me and my nephew drove round some usual haughnts andsome new ones spotting the dry stuff. We tried a cycle track that i spied on the way home from work that will be getting alot more use in future.
As this was the 1st time i've riden the race track trackers, i can only go on 1st impressions, but i reacon they are the nuts!
The rear truck is so stable compaired to any i have, considering the 22" WB i found that i could carve at speed with no problems with wobble. The front truck is more turny than anything else i ride, but still it gave me great confidence, i'm sure the 70mm flashbacks had alot to do with it aswell.
I was able to gain speed easily when pumping the front truck and having my front foot directly over the truck made a big diffrence (thanks for the tip James). I havent got any cones, but when i look at the video i was able to pump i would say 6' centers offset by 4', it felt great, i was pushing quite hard and it never felt like the wheels were going to let go.
All in all, i look really stiff compaired with the vids i've seen of you guys, so i've got alot of time to spend getting my arms into the pumping motion, i only rode slight hills and i think i can afford to go looser with the trucks (i was a little worried about decking, but i managed to anyway when i was just pushing along to the car uphill, ouch! The stock bushings are creaky, just like the yellow Randal ones and didnt really give me the return i was hoping, so they've got to go.
Nice to be rollin again.
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Carver CX's and Hot Spots
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On 1/15/2006
Erin
wrote in from
Canada
(66.183.nnn.nnn)
Today was also the first time I really put the Carver CX'x and Hot Spots to the test on the road. I found the Carvers to be by far the easist truck I have ever tried to pump. I was able to kind of 'roll' through the pump motion more than on any other trucks. With the R2 150's it seemed I really need to 'crank' them back an forth whereas the Carvers naturally led me to a smoother more flowing kind of pump. I really liked that feeling!
I still have to work on generating fast accelerations as is necessary for the Trap but for longer continuous pumping these trucks are delightful.
As for the Hot Spots, I was running 77a all round and found them to be a really grippy, fast wheel however the scattering of pea gravel that is found all along my flatland seawall route acts as deadly 'brake' with this size wheels. I have found this out the hard way on my cruising boards as well. It seems anything less than a wheel in the mid 70's will suddenly slam to a stop when it hits a camouflaged bit of this type of gravel. For this reason I think I will try out the split duro Avilas I have. I think that Avilas will likely take more effort to get going but they will be much more forgiving when encoutering the dangerous pavement shrapnel that constantly threatens to dump me off the deck at the least expected moment.
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first time 'trapping'
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On 1/15/2006
Erin
wrote in from
Canada
(66.183.nnn.nnn)
Well its nothing to brag about but maybe my first times for running the trap will inspire those lurkers out there that don't quite have the skillz of the 'big boys'.
I finally had dry enough pavement to run the Trap that I had measured out over a month ago - before the monsoons!
I had the Vice set up with Carver CX's, stock bushings, and 77a Hot Spots. There was a headwind one way, tailwind the other so I did a bunch of runs in both directions and my rough estimate of my average time was 12.5 seconds. Hardly gonna make it into any record books with that time but it will be a good early season baseline from which I am sure I will only improve as I gain more skill at pumping and get more tuned in to my board.
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my last on bearings
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On 1/13/2006
Munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(86.132.nnn.nnn)
Its all much of a muchness, six of one and half a dozen of another....
The industry guy could never understand how i got hold of abec 7's so cheap, his prices were 3x what the skate shops charge unless you were buying a thousand (he says that they are mostly chinese and the ratings a dubious), he seemed to think that when tested to the silly RPM they do, the weight was evenly distributed around the shaft they were fitted on, this is not on the other hand how we use them, with the bearing taking most of its load sideways, so being that the abec rating basically dictates the spherical perfectness of the balls, the higher the rating the better for me.
(I need a coffee, there was some long words in there!)
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re: bearings
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On 1/13/2006 matze
wrote in from
Germany
(84.161.nnn.nnn)
Good bearings can make your life much easyer. As Peters said, biltins are great. Another good deal are ceramics. I made may best experience with dry and clean ceramic-bearings (no grease and no oil inside). But this works only for short distances (like the trap). After a few hundret meter there will be to much dirt on the running surface. Nonetheless I drove these dry bearings for about 10 Kilometers without cleaning them and they still work like they are new (after cleaning). To prevent the dirt and to have anyway a fast bearing you can use 0W-30 Oil from the gasstation. This Oil will be as well used in the formula1. Its not cheap but it works verry well. Another great idea is to fill the biltins with ceramic balls. Never tested by myself until now, because the biltins don't fit on my hardened precise 8m axles (only because of some 1/100mm).
The avon Boosters looks great.
http://www.avon-rubber.com/default.htm
I hope this helps.
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re: bearings
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On 1/12/2006 peters
wrote in from
United States
(24.18.nnn.nnn)
The truck/bushing/kingpin and wheel combo is where I invest the most neurons, so I don't give much thought to bearings. I go with whatevers lying around and once they blow out or gunk up, I upgrade to Abec5 Biltins. Just not much into tinkering with rings+spacers and I like to switch out wheels, a lot. I think biltins handle the side loads best as anything out there. If you've got a good source for the abec7's, stick with it, you crazy speed freak!! ;-)
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Indoor pump site
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On 1/12/2006
Adam
wrote in from
United States
(198.144.nnn.nnn)
One of the best times I've had on my slalom board was doing indoor laps at the inline hockey rink in Paso Robles, CA where the Cyber Slalom Cup was held in 2004. Being the first to arrive, the linoleum floor was squeeky clean and dust free.
I proceeded to pump fast laps on my Comet/Seismic/Avalons equipped deck with a huge smile on my face. It was effortless and amazingly efficient. Once the floor got dusty after the event it just wasn't the same.
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bearings
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On 1/12/2006
Munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(86.132.nnn.nnn)
Yeah i think your right, if i had some spare cash i'd get some just for the try, but without grooves, there is little fear of them being a great find!
Something i have never asked you lot about is bearings, what do you generally use? I'm assuming the excessive pumping, must put extra stress on them compaired to most other skating?
Since starting with the board making, i've never bought anything but rubber seal ABEC 7's, i've been told i'm crazy and a speed freak, but i just thought they we're normal (i found a good sorce) what do you think?
I know the hype about the abec ratings and that alot of people think its all lies, i spoke to a guy who has been selling industrial bearings for years of all shapes and sizes and he gave me the usual, '+20,000rpm, glass flat surface, never tell the diffrence....' speech, that i've heard over and over. I've used so called 8balls and stopped after they made some crunching noises, i thought it was my ample bulk killing them, but my 5 1/2 stone nephew had the same with his, so it was back to the old trustys.
Munchh.
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whos yer Trap Daddy
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On 1/12/2006
peters
wrote in from
United States
(64.236.nnn.nnn)
Yer right Steve! Got a pump speed up to par with the push, over a couple weeks on the 176footer -- some madman pushes leading into the start, then a pumpilicious GS setup to pump the rest of the course, its a killer sprint! Hopefully we'll set up this weekend with the real timing gear.
http://home.comcast.net/~jampet99/images/trappin.wmv
That rain wheel stuff is nuts! The ad is cool, thx for posting Munchh. Looks like old marketing hype, 'cause the only wheel I ever thought would really make a difference was a grooved indy-rubber one by Xtreme wheels, some of the downhill lugers recommended it and I tested them but still never felt too comfortable on any hard carves. Wet equals slick for urethane... True about the bearings Al, somewhere you can buy 100 Abec3's for like $25?? The decks I prefer for rain, are carbon fiber or at least sealed so the board will last longer.
As for the marathons, I seriously trust that someone will come whip my 2:04 hour time on the 25-miler this summer, its hard being the world's reigning flatland distance champ! ;-) Munson, McGuirk, Westberg, you out there??
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Trap times & distances
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On 1/12/2006
Trap Daddy in AZ
wrote in from
United States
(192.175.nnn.nnn)
Yay! More folks are running The Trap now.
I should also remind those folks who think that pushers have the advantage over a shorter distance:- You are still allowed to push THROUGH The Trap at any distance...you don't have to coast.
- Most accomplished skaters can make their boards go FASTER than their fastest push by pumping at FULL SPEED.
- For this reason, it seems as if GS or SGS or short carvers with mid-to-large size wheels have the best combination of accelleration and top-end speed, grip and pumpability.
Finally, please try to run the 88' or 176' distances. I know the 44' distance is easier to find on a flat area w/a flat approach, but timing this distance is not a very accurate thing (without a real timing system), and it's not much fun to watch as the 88' or 176' distances are. 44' will be phased out by year end, and all Trap contests on a GRS basis will be of the longer distance.
Oh, and check out CYa's Blog! Sweet.
-=S=-
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Wet wheels
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On 1/12/2006
Munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(86.132.nnn.nnn)
Hey guys,
not to much came out of england in the 70's to rival the U.S, but these i spose had to, as it says our weather just isn't like yours?
They are still available over here from session1.com(Lush longboards), heres the link to their shop, dont know what they are like or how many they have as they are NOS, but mabie worth a look?
Click here for link
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Rain Sessions
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On 1/12/2006 Al Williams
wrote in from
Dominican Republic
(66.98.nnn.nnn)
James,
Rain, I think isn't suitable for serious races, but at least here, in the Carribbean, it doesn't seriously affect 'fun pump' sessions! The only thing to be considered is the skate location. Asphalt is generally bad for skating, and usually because of the oil. But concrete bricks are another issue! Here we have parks that utilize cheap concrete bricks for their pavement and we skate in the worst, hurricane type down pours! Actually its possibly more fun than regular skating, in that you can blast through puddles leaving rooster tails!..skate down streets turned into creeks, and all kinds of other wacky things! But for good cruising in the rain ..paved concrete bricks are great! they give good traction(which leads to confidence), are usually in places where cars are prohibited, so no oil,and somewhat retard 'slicks' because they have the grooves between the bricks to channel the water. The only consideration for the NW is the Cold! I'm from SF, and riding in the rain there isn't too much fun! How much less fun in Seattle or Vancouver! But for those who live in warmer area's, rain-sessions in concrete brick paved parks is the way to go! Uh, that is, as long as you can afford the bearings!:)
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some catching up to do
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On 1/12/2006 Al Williams
wrote in from
Dominican Republic
(66.98.nnn.nnn)
"I've got a bit of catching up to do if I want to skate with James and the gang"
Erin, I think 'catching up with James'..might be like trying to catch up to Lance Armstrong...riding a STINGRAY!:) However, we're only too lucky that this sport is so new, that we can have access to ride and chat with the best! There aren't too many beginner cyclers out there that have such opportunities to gleen info. from the world record holders of their sport! Gosh!skateboarding's great!! But,of course we can have fun, tryiinnng to 'catch up' to James!...and who knows??.. One day, one of us might put a smile on his face..by Kicking his A-- in one of these races!!:)
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0% chance of rain in the garage!!
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On 1/12/2006
peters
wrote in from
United States
(24.18.nnn.nnn)
That rocks Erin! Sounds like both you and Eric have got a winter location now. I guess we're nearing the record 33 days of rain straight in the NW, it might end Sunday so they say... I did see some vid on SF of guys in Europe pumping around cones in the pouring rain, dunno what the hell wheels THOSE were?!
But those Hots will definately stick your turns, I had a clear test of the Grippin/Avalon grip comparison last summer - on the same exact offset, 8 times in a row, the first 5 on Grippins with a controllable slide and the last 3 on Avalons stuck like glue. I'm guessing thats what the ZigZags will be all about?
Catching up is NO issue! Our mellow sessions are 'drop in and try it out' -we got extra gear and setups and I'll let you know when the first dry outdoor ones start up. Until then if you ever happen to be seattle-bound on a Saturday morning even on a wet day there will be some skatin!!
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This update as been brought to you from the sunny dry left coast.
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On 1/11/2006
Chris Yandall
wrote in from
United States
(68.224.nnn.nnn)
this msgbrd is just bubbling!
:D
keep up the good work you all.... and Adam! you rock!
cYa
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Indoor pump site has been found!
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On 1/11/2006
Erin
wrote in from
Canada
(66.183.nnn.nnn)
It took a while but after the 24th consecutive day of rain here in Vancouver we finally discovered an indoor, covered and 'legal' pump spot. Amazing what desperation will lead to!
The bottom floor of this totally underused but overly well maintained parkade is well lit, squeaky clean and just long enough for 20 cones at 6 foot intervals.
For a warm-up I pumped out some laps on the Vice with my Carver CX's. Actually took one spill when the rear wheels slid out on me during a nice fast pump. Good thing for knee pads and wrist guards. I got pitched off forwards and just did a nice spread eagle slide on my safey gear....no harm done whatsoever. However I am thinking that the spit duro Grippins I was running are not the best wheels for that smooth concrete. I had 78/81's on there. I'm thinking I'll throw my Hot Spots on there for next time - they'll likely provide a bit more traction, don't you think?
Next we ran a modified cyber (given that we don't have enough room for the full 25 cones) and for this I skated my Fatboy Hybrid set up with Manx's (84/81 or something close to that). The board is a bit stiff and the wheelbase maybe a tad long for cyber - or, then again, it could also have been me, rusty from no real slalom for over a month - but hey, I prefer to blame the gear.....LOL. All the same, next time I will take the Roe Crossfire which is my designated TS and cyber board. Already excited about our next sesh!
I was kind of slow and sloppy today but am thinking that I can only get better. I've got a bit of catching up to do if I want to skate with James and the gang - you guys got a nice head start with your recent holiday season parkade sesh's, eh?!
Anyways, it felt awesome to be ripping around on the boards and in a space double that of the little underground 'test lab' parking lot in the building that I live in. Well good thing for our new slalom site as the rains are predicted to continue for the rest of the week. (The record is 28 consecutive days of rain - we just might beat that soon! )
This slalom update as been brought to you from the soggy wet left coast.
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tailkicks and wedges
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On 1/11/2006
Erin
wrote in from
Canada
(66.183.nnn.nnn)
Ok, I see, those wedges look like they'd do the trick alright. Nice idea, James.
and yeah, that kick on the LBL definitely is stylin'. :-)
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tailkick
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On 1/11/2006 peters
wrote in from
United States
(24.18.nnn.nnn)
Yeah that kicktail on the LBL is purely for stylin' - but I've got foam wedges farther up on this 'RoeSect' for Crankin up da Powaaa!!
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kicktail
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On 1/11/2006
Erin
wrote in from
Canada
(66.183.nnn.nnn)
James, I know what you mean about the 'gas pedal' application of a kick tail on a slalom deck. But I am wondering about on the longer decks - how useful is a kicktail? I don't tend to ever have a stance wide enough to even reach the kicktail on a 40 inch or 43 inch LDP board. I know you have a kicktail on your new LBL. Are you able to use it in the fashion you described below?
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acceleration
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On 1/11/2006 peters
wrote in from
United States
(64.236.nnn.nnn)
Munchh, we were lucky to have Brad Jackman transplanted up north from Southern Cal this year, not only raising the bar and amping up our sessions, but also sharing pump technique and ideas on gear from his trainings esp., with Carrasco.
One of the concepts thats really stuck with me is the "gas pedal" from sk8kings AXE setup, or the custom-fits you can do with PPS foam wedge kits. That kicktail lets you crank power from the back by having the foot planted firmly on the rear truck. Look at racers anticipating each pump and note how their heel is often up in the air and toe still planted on the deck, then it makes even more sense. The kicktail under your heel means you can generate just that much more power with each turn -- I think that's the theory, sure works for me!
I see how you've moved that truck farther back -- it will be cool to hear how it works out, and just keep in mind you might try setting it back even farther later on! Experiments in pumping, that's pretty much how we keep sane over the winter... -jp
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rear wedge
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On 1/10/2006
Munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(86.137.nnn.nnn)
Cheers boys,
as for the rear truck, this is hoe its wedged at the moment, its on the apex of the tail, not quite half and half. This acceleration you speak of, im missing somthing again, i know pocket pistols drill the back truck on the tail, i always thought it was just for a hight thing, whats it all about Peters? Thanks for the offer of bushings, i'll mail you bout that.
Thanks again for the appreciation, i'm hoping this one is gonna get me going through the trap real good?
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pumpilicious deck
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On 1/10/2006 peters
wrote in from
United States
(64.236.nnn.nnn)
That is one sweet looking setup Munchh! - acceleration off your kicktail and some soft bushings on the front Tracker, looks like a great short trail pumper, hill climber, and you could even put it through some cones. I like how you lengthened the wheelbase, later you might experiment drilling back on the tail and uber-dewedge the rear truck? Will be great to hear your impressions. I'll send you some bushings to test out esp. if they're harder to track down there in your hometown, just lemme know! Nice work on the deck shaping and on getting your pix posted right the first time ;-)
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pumping deck
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On 1/9/2006 silversurfer
wrote in from
United States
(71.192.nnn.nnn)
I like that deck a lot.
Very nice shape.
When it stops raining let us know how she performs.
Good job on the photo's and on posting them.
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How to Pump