In-Line Skating

Question
Hi,

I recently moved to the Netherlands, where lots of paths are reserved for cycling and skating, and with spring (finally) arriving I am considering to start skating. Eventually I would like to manage to go to work by skating, but I have no clue about the distance I can expect to cover in a reasonable amount of time. In short my questions are:
- How much can it take to cover 15 km to a (reasonably) fit thirty-something years old man (if they can be covered at all in one go?, after some training?
- What should I pay attention to when buying my first pair of skates?

Thank you very much for your help,

Kind regards,

Michele


Answer
Michele,
You ask a question that has some variables. From what you say about the paths & the fact that it is Holland, I would deduce that your route would be reasonably level & not at all hilly. With that in mind, the other variables would be the weather - I don't mean rain or snow because you wouldn't be skating on those kind of days to preserve your bearings. But on a very hot day you will not want to skate as fast as on a cool or cold day. The other variable is you. How you feel physically on a given day will influence how fast you skate & of course your general conditioning will determine how consistent your speed will be.
However, all that aside I would say between 1/2 hour to an hour should be the range of time for 15k. You can have fun challenging yourself too. Let's say it takes you 45 minutes the first time out - you can strive to cut your time with a goal say, of 30 minutes. It also depends if you are in a hurry or if you give yourself enough leeway for a leisurely skate, enjoying the scenery both human & flora en route. I would estimate that for a blader in fairly good condition - who knows what he's doing a half hour is not an unreasonable time - & there are definitely skaters that will do it in less.
When you buy your skates, the prime consideration should be the fit. Be sure they are comfortable -the toe should not  be pressed against the front of the boot & though snug they should not be so tight as to cut circulation or cause blisters. Wear the skates in  the store for at least 15 minutes to see if any hot spots develop. Do some strong edging rolling your feet, ankles & knees side to side to see if any painful spots crop up that might produce blisters. Opt for a simple braking system, not automatic braking when you roll your foot forward (like Rollerblades ABT system) - you want to have to raise your toe to engage the heel brake. Since you want to cover ground, you should have ABEC 7 bearings (5s are OK - but you'll get a little more speed from 7s). Steer clear of ABEC 1 & 3. Do not get a skate with laces - there are some really good closure systems out there that make life easier.
Try & get some instruction if you can - it's the best way to go & saves a lot of spills.  Hope you have a wonderful time skating the great outdoors.
Keep rollin'......... Lezly - Director/Lezly Skate School  NYC ([email protected])