There's a great place to skate up around the Madison, NJ area. It's the closed
(unfinished portion) of route 24. It's paved and very smooooooooth. Plenty of
room too. I'm not sure how to get to give you directions cause I don't know all
the street names around there but I'll get a friend of mine to post directions
to the place.
---
From: HQPYR1:walden@ready.eng.ready.com
Path or area location:
Sawyer Camp Trail
Directions
Take I-280 to the Black Mtn / Hayne Rd exit-- near Half Moon Bay. Head west
after you exit, until you reach the first stop sign. There is a sign that points
left to Sawyer Camp Trail. Turn left. It is about 1-2 miles down after you turn.
Parking information
Park on the side of the road about 1-2 miles down. You'll see the entrance.
Path length
6 miles in one direction.
Loop or non-loop
Non-loop.
Average path width
Two lanes; each about sidewalk width.
Minimum path width
Same throughout course.
Average surface
Fairly smooth; no potholes; some cracks filled with black goop.
Worst surface
Some areas are cracked with the goop filling. The goop can be kind of slippery,
even when dry, so skate very gingerly on this stuff.
When there has been rain, only attempt the first half of the trail; the second
half is shady, so it dries slower. The pavement is very hard to skate on when
wet.
Number of hills
Several small hills, one huge hill on the last mile of the course.
Severity of steepest hill
If you are not *very* good at speed control, *do not skate the last mile*. If
you are good at speed control, make sure to keep your speed down. The hill is
windy, so you risk running into peds and/or bikes if you fly too fast.
Average steepness
Don't know what the grade is, but the big hill is pretty darn steep.
Obstacles
Pedestrians, bikes, skaters.
Weekend pedestrian and bicycle traffic
Saturday and Sunday afternoons see pretty heavy traffic. Most of the traffic,
though, keeps to the first mile or two of the trail. So, after you get past
that, the number of other path users drops significantly.
Weekday pedestrian and bicycle traffic
Never gone during the week-- don't know.
Number of roads which cross the path
None.
Number of stairways on the path
None.
Distance markings
Every half mile.
Any other pertinent information
There are usually two park rangers who patrol the path. Thus, it is fairly
safe. They also have radar. The first and last half mile half posted speed
limits of 5 MPH. The rest has a speed limit of 15 MPH. They do ticket violators,
so you're wise to obey the speed limit.
Park is open dawn to dusk.
- Eugene Walden (walden@gate.ready.com)
---
Philadephia
-----------
From: mckay@VFL.Paramax.COM (Donald P McKay)
Subject: Outdoor Skating: Philadelphia Area
I've skated at two places west of Philadelphia I recommend to anyone. If you
happen to want to skate at either of these locations, give me a 'ping', I'm
looking for rollerblading companions. Also, if you use these or other places
in the Philadelphia area, I'm interested in feedback and other places to skate.
Philadelphia - Valley Forge Bike Trail
======================================
The Philadelphia - Valley Forge Bike Trail is a (mostly) marked bicycle route
from the Art Museum in Philadelphia to Valley Forge National Park. Some of the
bike route runs along an old rail bed and has been paved.
There are two paved sections I've skated. One is at the Valley Forge end of
the trail and the other is about mid-way.
The Valley Forge section runs from a little used section of the national park
located on the north side of the Schuykill River (exit off of Rte 422 at the
Trooper Rd exit; the park is to the left). The section from Valley Forge park
to Norristown is approximately 4 miles, paved, flat and level. The only
bothersome part is that you share the trail with bicyclists, walkers and
joggers. This part of the trail is decently wide and recently paved in 1992.
The Conshohoken section runs from the Spring Mill SEPTA station in Conshohoken
for 3 miles east toward Philedelphia. Except for the water treatment plant
you have to skate by, this is an enjoyable area of the Schuykill River area.
Ridley Creek State Park
=======================
Located approximately 15 miles west of Philadelphia. WRNING -- THIS IS HILLY
AND YOU MUST BE ABLE TO BRAKE AND OTHERWISE CONTROL YOURSELF ON ROLLING
HILLS, 1 MILE CLIMBS AND STEEP DESCENTS. SKATING HERE IS A GOOD WORKOUT.
In the state park, there is a paved circular path ostensibly for biking, bladingand walking. Total distance is a little over 4 miles for one lap. There is a
1 mile section along Ridley Creek which is rolling, no steep grades up or down.
The trail (no matter which way you happen to go) ascends from the creek bed
to the main part of the park which is on the top of some hills. I would guess
a few hundred feet elevation change although I've never checked a topo map.
The steepest grade is approximately .4 miles (up or down depending). The trail
is about 1 mile along the creek, 1 mile of gradual (compared to the other)
grade, 1.6 miles rolling over the main part of the park, and the .4 mile
steep grade -- there are a few level parts of the run to help slow you down, but
none at the bottom where it rejoins the creek.
There are a few residences in the park proper so there can be an occaisional
motor vehicle.
The fastest I've ever been on roller blades was going down the .4 mile grade.
Washington D.C.
---------------
From: georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark)
In article <1992Jul02.203944.13805@eng.umd.edu> naru@eng.umd.edu (Naruhisa Takas
hima) writes:
>
>Yes NO!
>Bike paths (contrete) chunky old asphalt paths (maybe ;')
>I know this sounds like a good place, but I'm not so sure.
>For those in the D.C. area, I have skated on Rock Creek Park which is real
>nice path for joggers and slow bicyclist, but I'm not so sure if it's suited fo
r
>Bladers. The path is narrow, damp in many places, and ocassionally very steep
>which makes it very difficult for speed control, which in turn leads to bail ou
t or
>wipe out.
>
Most parts of Rock Creek Park's bike path are OK to skate, except for
one real steep place that even bike riders have trouble with.
Since the path goes through the woods, keep in mind that wet leaves on
the pavement are very slippery to skate over.
It's also fun to leave the bike path, and skate about the nice
neighbor streets adjacent to it.
Baltimore
---------
From: hall@aplcenmp.apl.jhu.edu (Marty Hall)
Subject: Re: Skating in Baltimore
Belas@mbimail.umd.edu (Bob Belas) writes:
>
> I was wondering if there is anyone from the Baltimore-Washington
>area who might be able to provide some advice on where blade skaters skate
>in the area.
A quick summary of the few places I know, slanted toward the Baltimore side:
(A) Loch Raven Reservoir. A 1.5 mile or so stretch of smooth pavement on the
east side is closed to traffic weekends from 10AM to 5PM. Go up Dulaney Valley
Rd. along west and north sides of reservoir. Stay along the reservoir (ie
bear right) when the main road bears left at the restaurant. The next road
is where skating starts. Moderately crowded with walkers, skaters, and
bicyclers on nice days, esp after lunch. But shaded and cool.
(B) Baltimore Street Skater's Club. They meet 1st and 3rd Thursday's of
the month in the Light Rail parking lot on Deereco Rd. This runs parallel
to I83 between I83 and York Rd, halfway between Timonium and Padonia
Rds. They meet 7:30-9:30 with clinics (from raw beginners to moderately
advanced) going from 8:00-9:00. They recommend "joining" for about
20 bucks, but it is not required. Joining also gets you a T-shirt. They
also have hockey some other night. Call Hal Ashman at Baltimore Boardsailing
(666-WIND) for more info. 60+ people on a typical night. If you can
crossover backwards, do a few jumps, and do basic slaloms around cones
(backwards, 1-foot, crossing legs forwards), then you are already as
good as all but their best instructors, but can still mess around with
the better skaters. The more advanced groups generally take off into
the surrounding industrial parks.
Cancelled if there is a home Orioles game that night.
(C) Patapsco State Park. Just S of I195 off of Rt 1, near the UMBC campus.
It costs to get in, but skaters can park in the residential area outside
the park (go past the entrance up the hill), and skate in for free. It is
about 1 mile into the main park, then there is a 2 mile stretch of river
to skate along, ending in a hanging bridge over the river. One side of the
river is a road (no cars allowed most of the way), the other is a bike path.
(D) Camden Yards stadium. Huge parking lots and smooth sidewalks south
of stadium and around it. Obviously avoid game days. Guards will not let
you skate between the warehouses (inside the large gates) but will
let you skate elsewhere. On a weekday or early AM weekend, you can also
skate over to the Inner Harbor for a nice cruise.
(E) Baltimore Annapolis Trail. Nice smooth bike trail running from
Glen Burnie to Annapolis. I've never ridden it all the way into Annapolis,
and suspect that to ride into downtown Annapolis would be hard, since
I *think* you would have to cross one major bridge after the trail ends.
Anybody know?
These are the better places that I personally have skated. Any other
suggestions? If you are also interested in indoor skating, Albert Boulanger
can no doubt suggest options down in your area.
Atlanta
-------
From: gn@terminus.gatech.edu (toM o. genesE)
Subject: Re: Pipes/parks
Well, I'm not quite sure what your looking for in a place to skate,
but if you are ever in Atlanta (well, it is on the East coast after
all) be sure to go to Piedmont Park. The park itself is home to quite
a few skaters, and no one minds their presence. Directly across the
street from the park is Skate Escape, the rec/speed skate shop
mentioned in the rec.skate FAQ.
Every Monday evening, there is an introductory skate through the
midtown area, starting at a shopping center near the park. Even
though the trip is labeled as introductory, when the skaters (80+)
gather in the parking lot, you can meet advanced skaters and pick up
some tips, see some tricks, etc. If you are into speedskating, Skate
Escape has a distance skate every Wednesday night.
There is also a local skate club, the Atlanta Peachtree Road Rollers.
These are the people who put on the Monday night skate, as well as
provide introductory skate lessons.
I can get more info on the club and these events if there is some
interest.
From rbutera@owlnet.rice.edu
Atlanta
-------
GREAT skating city lots of hills and really scenic. Piedmont Park
is really popular with beginners and pros alike. Go to the entrance
near Piedmont and 12th street. There's a skate shop on that corner
(Skate Escape). They can tell you whatever you want about other
skating events in the city, regular weekly skates with the Peachtree
Rollers, etc.
Cops don't seem to mind skaters as long as you stay out of everyone's
way (i.e. use common sense).
The Georgia Tech Campus is another great place, especially for
freestyle types. Lots of stairs (the ones by the student center
are ideal for stair-riding) and ramps, great hills, and a few
parking decks to boot.
ABROAD
Australia
---------
From: klaus@captain-crunch.ai.mit.edu (Klaus B. Biggers)
Subject: Mountain Roads (was: Law Enforcement and Skating...)
My favorite skate is Royal Street in Park City, UT. It's a road that goes about
half to two-thirds of the way up Deer Valley Ski Resort. Lots of turns and
*LOTS* of new pavement. Its probably about 500 meters (~1600 ft.) vertical and
an absolute blast. There is little traffic and the police are very mellow about
the whole thing (the town does depend on tourism you know). You can either bomb
down it risking the tarmac(sp?) tickle or get thousands of turns (literally).
Its really great in the summer since the temperature is rarely over 78 degrees F
or so. Also, in the winter, a bus runs up to the top on a regular schedule and
doesn't cost a dime. I kind of like the grunt up. It is kind of strange though
watching a blader skate by a "Watch for Ice" hazard sign..
---
From: msp@posmac.UUCP (Mark Purcell)
Subject: Canberra ACT AUSTRALIA
HI I just thought I would share with all what I think is the best location in
Australia for blading.
Yes I am refering to Canberra Australia. The network of bike paths is quite
extensive, one can go from one end of the city to the other on bike paths. The
paths are all >1.5m and made from hot mix, which makes them fast and ideal for
pole work training for X-C. As Canberra is only two hours from the snow fields
a large population ofve, one can go from one end of the city to the other on bike paths. The
paths are all >1.5m and made from hot mix, which makes them fast and ideal for
pole work training for X-C. As Canberra is only two hours from the snow fields
a large population ofkm loop, all in all I would estimate
that there would be about 300-400km of trails in Canberra. IDEAL!!!
There is nothing like blading around the lake just as the sun is coming up over
the mountains, with the smallest amout of mist over the lake, and only one or
two joggers/cyclists to worry about.
There are some problems though, before most road crossings there is a section of
about 1.5 - 2 m of concrete bumps, which play like hell on the legs. It is
possible to jump these but not the easiest.
So if anyone is thinking of going to Canberra make sure you pack in your blades
or you will be sorry when you get here. See you out there.
Hawaii
-------
From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Subject: Re: skating in Hawaii?
In the Honolulu area, the terrain in town is pretty flat, but you can get into
some serious hill-climbing instantly if you want to head inland. Great view
though, if you work your way up the hill right behind Honolulu.
The roads in town are good, but it is a pretty dense urban area, more like
western business districts than NYC though. Expect to deal with traffic and try
to avoid getting stuck playing tag with the frequent city buses - it's hard work
to get past and stay ahead, miserable to stay behind or play leapfrog.
In the outlying areas, you have a bit of a problem. The roads are generally
good, but there is usually only one road between any two points, so traffic can
get heavy.
Also, since the general geography is a volcanic mountain, with kind of flat
shoreline skirt, you will find that everytime you circumferentially cross one of
the many radial river/streambed valleys, you go down a steep slope, over a
bridge and back up. This is especially true on the smaller roads, major ones may
have a bit more invested in grading and bridges.
Also, be prepared for hot and sunny weather. When skating you may spend more
time in the sun than the usually carefully rationed time on the beach vs. indoor
shopping and clubs. It is very easy to get dehydrated or severly sunburned.
Make sure you have light clothing that gives full body, arm and leg coverage and
a wind-proof hat/sunshade of some sort.
On a more serious note, a parter isn't a bad idea, especially if you intend to
travel independently outside the major tourist traps. Hawaii isn't exactly
paradise when it comes to crime and delinquency. This has come up a number of
times on rec.bicycling with respect to bicycle touring, and it's not clear if
there is a real problem or just a few overworked tales.
