Decided my achillies was healed enough last week and got back on the board.
Did about 5 1/2 km mostly land paddle / part skate.
I have found a reasonably secluded bit of concrete path at the back of a housing estate, along a floodway.
There are a lot more paths there, but they are made of toppings / dirt.
The Classic rolls on them, but it's a huge effort, particularly paddling.
Did some internet re-searching, and discovered mountainbaords.
Nutters snow board or kite board with bindings.
Not wanting to hurt myself that badly, but curious, I bought an entry level board on line.
It arrived in a day, tried it out this morning.
Rather than the bigger rubber tyred wheels, it has 100mm knobbly skateboard wheels,
Not that rapt with the deck - lacks style - but the low centre of gravity probably good.
Did an abbreviated version of the longer route.
It rolls well on the paths, but the paddle struggles to grip.
It even maintains a bit of momentum on grass.
Let me skate a much less threatening environment falling wise, and link sections of concrete.
Knobbly wheels vibrate a bit on concrete, but nothing too dramatic.
I can see a swap of trucks and wheels to the Huntington Hop, or a self made deck coming up.
Not liking the MBS deck, swapped the All Terrain wheels and trucks to the Hop.
Result was a bit Hamboards do Monster Trucks, but I am much happier with the look.
Height still lower than the Classic.
More relaxed riding a board with this look.
Kept the same risers between the board and the trucks
All looking good, I did a very gentle test ride, no dramas.
A mate at work wanted a go, and as a childhood skater, was way more aggressive than me riding in the car park at work.
Turning, he discovered major wheel bite issues.
I was pretty impressed at how his 42 year old body remembered how to fall and roll, but gravel rash on the right hand significant.
So made myself some risers I think they are called.
Same 18mm marine ply I used for the Tribute decks.
Gave them a dusting of spray paint.
Fitted to the deck.
Straightness of drilling holes a challenge, but things lined up OK.
Kept the original riser too.
Went for a test roll in my factory.
And the board wouldn't turn.
I leaned, the wheels moved, but the board went straight.
Being a surveyor, dictated to by logic and orderliness, I had put both sets of wheels and trucks on facing the same way.
Checked how they were bolted to the Classic, they were facing the opposite way at each end of the board.
Unbolted one end and turned around.
Much better.
My workmate declined a second crash test, so I had to give it a go.
Went to my off road park.
Did about 500m on dirt - still hard work, but easily skateable.
Paddle grip a problem.
Left Achilles and calf grabbing, I may need to learn to skate natural to spread the injuries.
Got to a bit of concrete - rolls beautifully - knobbly wheels fine.
Did some carving side to side, within my abilities - despite practice, braking eludes me.
Returned to the car = great fun.
Dirt section challenging again - easily skated but pushing foot giving grief all the way.
And as you read this, could you please click "Reply" and say "Nozza , you are a dickhead " or something.
63 reads with no response in 4 days, no drama, but have an opinion and comment.
I paddle the atl mbs too very fast on asphalt
Intersting vidéo.( not me ).
