"The Next Level."

So I decided to hit Ikea again today. Work ended late, so only managed to get there at about 18:45. As you might probably know from my previous post, my Abec 11 Freeride wheels are no longer with us (rest their soul). So I decided to try my standup slides with my Abec 11 classic thane BigZigs (75mm 81A). Let's just say that I had no idea that they would be this awesome. I didn't have my trusty tape-measure with me, but with the good old-fashioned heel-to-toe foot measuring system I managed to get to about 28-30 feet. This, for me, is what I would like to term "The Next Level". The last, and most fastest, stand-slide I did (ever!) I K.O.'d across the tarmac. I decided I would end the day there and maybe try again tomorrow with a wrist guard (or three!) on or something.

The video below is me trying to film myself (with my cellphone!) skating the longer hill, next to where I was sliding. The road is beautifully fresh!

Hardcoring Ikea Sesh.

 

So I finally managed to get some skating done today. I met up with Antonio and a new guy we hadn't skated with before called Mitch. The weather had been pretty weird the past couple of days, with it being sunny and hot during the day and thunder storms in the evening. Luckily today the rain stayed away and we managed to get some sliding done at our local hill near Ikea. I have been practicing my stand-up slides every moment I get, and my Abec 11 freeride wheels have been loving it. They've lasted quite a while (December 2010) but suddenly the lip has disappeared and a hardcore flat spot has taken its place. I was pretty amped to try and core the wheel but it has become unbearable to skate on. So much so that when I do gain speed my legs itch from the vibration! All in all it was a great 3 hour skate session!

 

Antonio and Mitch.

Slowly getting there.

Escape Studios representing!

Trying to give some kind of reference to scale. They really are tiny.

Roma Longboarding Facebook Group.

 Join the Roma Longboarding group on Facebook here.

Campionato Italiano.

 

Hopefully going to be going to this race in north Italy this weekend. Click here to read more. Or check out the Facebook page. 


The race has been cancelled:

Il comitato organizzatore della gara di campionato italiano "1° Freccia Toscana", comunica con sbigottimento e rammarico che la Provincia di Siena non ha concesso i permessi per lo svolgimento della manifestazione.

Pertanto la manifestazione in oggetto è da RITENERSI ANNULLATA, con le seguenti motivazioni addotte dagli organi tecnici competenti della provincia:

" S.P.n. 28. Nel tratto di strada interessato dalla manifestazione sportiva tra il Km. 0+000 e il Km. 2+200, la pavimentazione stradale presenta delle irregolarità dovute ad assestamenti, cedimenti marginali, fenditure e deformazioni che, vista la tipologia dei mezzi utilizzati, potrebbero influire sulla sicurezza dei concorrenti e dei veicoli in gara. Si esprime parere negativo allo svolgimento della manifestazione."

The organizing committee of the Italian league match "1 Arrow Tuscany", communicates with dismay and regret that the Province of Siena has not granted permission for the event.

Therefore, the event in question is considered canceled, with the following reasons given by the competent technical bodies of the province:

"SPn 28. In the stretch of road affected by the sporting event between Km 0 +000 and Km 2 +200, the road surface has irregularities due to settling, marginal settlements, cracks and deformation, given the type of media used, could affect the safety of competitors and competing vehicles. It expresses a negative opinion at the event. "

Roasted Flesh and Trucks.

Went sliding by Ikea and Riccardo smashed his truck (Randals) into the marble pavement whilst drifting a corner, effectively smashing his base-plate to pieces. His board was saved though. Oh and there was a tasty roastie to go with it!

Stadio Olimpico Bomb Session.

There is quite a nice run that starts at the top of Via dei Colli della Farnesina, near to Stadio Olimpico. You pick up some nice speed along the straight section, but have to break for a sharp left-hander where the road isn't too smooth, then a right-hander that runs out into a long smooth finish. If you want to skate here make sure there isn't a soccer match on because the cars can be quite a problem.

The road flattens out after the first corner, but once you go through the next "hairpin" you get slingshotted out and the fun starts. It fine to even start skating from this point.

Kozakov Challenge 2011

So today I registered for the Kozakov Challenge in the Czech republic. You can see my name all the way at the bottom! Pretty excited about it because there are a couple of other South Africans that are going to take part as well. The race is from the 20 to 23 July. I still have to organise a way of getting there, but where there's a will there's a way! Click the link below to view the website:

KOZAKOV