Have Skates, Will Travel

Skating is a fun, portable workout no matter where you are: near home, car camping, visiting relatives or at a fancy resort. But even dedicated fitness skaters may allow summer vacations to disrupt their healthy diet and skating time. Then, once the fun of the vacation is over, it can be very hard to get back to that healthy lifestyle that is so important.

So! If you have just a little extra luggage space and know there might be rolling opportunities at your summer destination, why not bring your skates and gear? Here are some tricks to make traveling with inline skates easy rather than cumbersome. A ski boot carrier is very convenient if you have an extra one lying around. Unbuckle the tops and slip the loop underneath each boot cuff before refastening.
	If your skates have long laces, it's easy to grab both lace ends from each skate and tie them into a double-knotted bow to make a quick and easy handle.
Many skates have a velcro strap to make the boot cuff fit more snugly around the ankles. You can pull them open and with the furry ends facing each other, press the ends together to make an instant shoulder strap.
	Air travel has grown increasingly difficult over the years. However, I still get a kick out of carrying my skates through security and as a carry-on.When I head to my gate or down the aisle on the plane with my skates in hand, I get a lot of comments and opportunities to talk about the fun and virtues of inline skating. And by stashing my skates in the overhead bin, I know the baggage handlers can't lose them! This is my current favorite strap when traveling by air with my Rollerblade Twisters.

 

 

 

Other August 2008 Stories

Balance Your Stride - Two drills to help you equalize your balance and strength on both sides.

Why Do I Fall Down? - We all take a tumble now and then. Knowing why means less crashing.

Avoid Cheap Plastic Brake Pads - Cheap skates are bad enough. Brakes made of inferior materials are downright dangerous!

Skates that Don't Roll Backwards - I told you they really work. Now I'm showing you by video!

Three's Company - Liz does the mileage for 3 or more, and tempts those willing to learn in Danville.

Orbit Updates - Fresh perspectives on inline inventions and roller skis.

Why Did You Spam Me? - Mourning the loss of the perfect email address; problems from changing.