uphill / climbing

[beardo]

Hey, I am striving to improve my distance skating and wanted to know if anyone knows of any climbing tips (videos, setups etc). I've searched with no luck so far

Thanks!

[Cann0n]

Climbing? Like rock climbing?

Best way to improve skate distance is to learn how to ride switch and push mongo.... and of course the obvious answer, practice.

[rodgon]

best advice to you would be to get a low deck with slight pumping capabilities.

the golden rule for me:

Your long distance deck should be something you can DH on.

reasons for it:
-If you are going over terrain that isnt flat you will have hills, sometimes mellow but sometimes steep.
-a stiffer deck will allow you to put your power into your push. a trampoline board will absorb all the power. something with very minimal flex is best. but i like mine rock solid
-Big wheels are not necesarily the best option. i would keep it in the range of 75mm to 85mm max. anything bigger than 85mm ( and even 85mm) will be annoying to push uphill. i would say 75mm is the best.
- soft wheels are best. rough terrain is horrible on harder duro wheels. grapey apes or pink big zigs are my choice of wheel
- Turny trucks are nice, you dont want a 60mph deck setup, more of a 30mph deck setup



Other stuff to consider:
- Get a camelback backpack with a small pouch.
- carry an extra kingpin and bushings. and a set of bearings and nuts.
- you never know when something will go bad and having a replacement is good
- small skate tool
- good comfortable shoes. i love skating in chucks
- Make sure to bring energetic food bars, to retain nutrients.
- Mp3 player. a good high tempo music will keep you going. trust me.
- keep things light. a little extra weight adds up over time
- Learn to push in all 4 ways. work your different muscles equally and youll go longer and faster. Fatigue wont settle as fast
- and its always more fun with other people, try to get your friends to join you : )


those are suggestions for Long Distance skating. but if your just going up hill id say just push switch. ^_^

[iidrum]

Unless you're really dedicated to skating the whole way, or it's a really long uphill, just hop off an hike it. I HATE pushing uphill with a passion, ALMOST as much as I hate pushing into a headwind (aka standing in place).
It's an option.

[beardo]

Thanks Rodgon! Its nice to hear good feedback (as opposed to "get off your deck and walk"...never considered that...)

I appreciate the gear advice too and I'm sure others can learn from this and get motivated as well. Distance skating is really taking off like crazy. So much fun.

I'd still like to hear from others...

[817]

Don't know if youve checked out this site but www.pavedwave.org is a great resource for what you are looking for. From LDP setups to great videos and articles... this site can really get you stoked on LDP and it's techniques.

Some great resources on the Fish are: John Galac, Barefoot Ted, and of course the infamous Chris Yandal. These guys are some of the most verbal members of the LDP community and have great advise on how to get started and improve. Chris Yandal has some great pedi-dexterity exercises on his website and PavedWave has some great write ups on pumping technique.

Some boards to consider: Galac LDP, the RoeRacing Mermaid, Subsonic Pulse, LBL Walkabout.
Trucks: for me Bennett in the front gotta be wedged (I'm running about 10 degrees). I really want to try RTX's in the back but I don't have them so I am using old Randal 150's.

The uphill thing is a real hurdle for me. I have yet to get up any serious grade hills the whole way without pushing as I have a problem loosing some kinetic energy on my heel-side pumps uphill. I guess it depends on how much of an LDP purist you are and how much you don't want to touch the pavement. Best advise is to get your setup dialed in for serious pumping and then just work on keeping the flow and force moving forward under those conditions.

Good luck!

[iidrum]

good feedback (as opposed to "get off your deck and walk"...never considered that...)

Classy.
I WAS trying to be legitimately helpful. Skating uphill tires me. Walking up a steep incline preserves energy for more skating, hence, what? Improving distance skating, because you have more energy to skate further? Yes.