And you tell the story of your moto get-off and then "vote" that the noob not get a motorcycle, right?
Do it. Great stress reliever. The cool thing about longboards is for a beginner all you gotta do is coast...no Tony Hawk genes required. The first big, gentle S-turn you do will have you grinning from ear to ear. Go as slow as you want. ATGATT, of course. Got COBRA? <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_7wKul2K0QE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_7wKul2K0QE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> If you're ever in this neck of the woods you're welcome to try out my boards. Our street is pretty good but I like the big school parking lots--plenty of width to play with if you start building up speed.
Another great vid from Lush Longboards. I really do love this stuff. <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwzR1M4EvSg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwzR1M4EvSg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Got it after work, slapped it together so fast the cold grip tape snapped while I unrolled it. I couldn't help but think "What are the torque specs here..." The first trip around the block with the dog last night at 18F was still a blast. Riley's herding instincts went into full gear. I have a bite mark on the back of my left knee....
Note to all you cheap bastiges out there. Don't look at prices on the web and THEN go to your local shop. :eek1 The shop next to my kids ballet studio didn't have any longboards cheaper than $180. This after seeing boards online from $100-$140. Jeebus. I'm going to try to hit another place tomorrow. Still looking forward to being your crash test dummy.
I went over to a local shop in Charlottesville today and spoke with the owner Andy Foster. He is 40+ and still skates. anyhow, he will set you up with a descent complete longboard for the prices you are finding in NOVA sucks. Hell, even with shipping you should come out with a better deal. Black Cat 434-244-0014 http://www.blackcatsk8shop.com
I would buy ya an Ensure if ya would street surf with me. Tell me more about that wicked K2 you posted a pic of.
It is a real small shop, but Andy was real descent to deal with. He basicaly puts together what you want and tunes it. He started skating in 1975 and is in touch with what us geezers will be using our boards for. He just happens to be right across the street from UVA which means that he has a deverse client base. As he is in his 40's he does understand that stunt work is not what the mature crowd is interested in doing.
I'll post pics of it tomorrow! When I get back into it, that's probably what I'm going to start out with. I spent about 20 minutes trying to find info on the web about it--that model is long gone and all I found pics for were the 3-wheeled K2. The thing has vanished from the face of the earth...but before they did they were fetching pretty good money on ebay. It's essentially a longboard with a "pole" up front, which allows you to either use it for stability as a n00b, or do more advanced stuff with carving, or you can remove it. Purists would probably rather die than be seen on it (I took the pole off so I'd be more cool...then put it back on because it works well) but it's sorta perfect for our Geriatric Sk8 Gang here. Confidence-inspiring, but still competent for more advanced stuff.
I feel better now as I could not find any info about it at all. Anywho, I am confering with a person light years beyond me on a longboard setup. If all goes well I will be surfing soon.
I will try my best. Geez, the last time I surfed concrete was on steel wheels. On the lighter side I shocked the shit out of the Segway rep because I hoped right on and kicked ass from the start. Does that mean that I am just a tard, or have just a sliver of skilz?