LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Gav · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:14 pm Subject:

It's pretty much time out for any of us that work re: Tatem for the year. Unless you fancy skating in the dark with lights (it's possible! I've got a headlamp).

We consider Tatem training to run from when the clocks change end of March until the end of September usually. From then on, mid-week training becomes individual based, or ice skating, or the continual search for an indoor venue in London.

That said, I'm hoping to get some use out of the headlamp I bought last winter, and might try do a few sessions at Tatem in the dark, but that will only really be Feb / March time when we're getting close to the season starting again.

No one has a set of generator powered flood lamps and a car to transport them in do they?? Smile

Matt · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:32 pm Subject:

Gav · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:45 pm Subject:

I definitely think we could get enough people (we've had enough interest in past years) to make it very easy financially. It's generally not too expensive.

Main problems are:
- lack of a (big enough) venue that is central enough to really be practical (or at least our inability to find one)
- the more central and decent venues having no free time slots. ie being booked out for the entire winter well in advance by indoor soccer, badmington, etc

We've tried the 'find a deserted car park' idea as well, but to no avail.

Matt · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:52 pm Subject:

Hhhmm, I see Confused

. I'll do some research. Where is the best place for most people (tough question really, but we will have to comprimise)?

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

ExCel...but that's just because it is brilliant.

Kim (KD) · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:35 pm Subject:

hmm... winter is really good time for training especially with
week point of your skills but difficult as you all said because of place.

In Korea, for example, we have been lenting or just using some places
such as Worldcup staduim(basement)parking place and parking for a
hypermarket,Wall-mart, etc.
we mainly do training with shoes, called 'dry land' and just a little skating
(about 30 min only after all kind of trainings).

Beside, England has more mild winter than korea has(-10 in my city),
Even though I haven`t tryed here, yet I think skating outside is
not impossible unless weather is snowy...

In addtion, I will do above trainings after moving to London in December
in order to participate 2007 races Wink

What do you think about inline skating in this Winter?

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

For out door over winter, the general rule is if it's dry we skate. We stop less so we don't get too cold. We don't get so hot so we don't sweat as much so you don't need to take much fluid with you. I like to focus on elements of technique most of the winter.

The roads are usually better than the parks as the cars move all the crud off them. Cars also dry the roads. Parks have to dry naturally and tend to have a few wet leaves and twigs in them making them more dangerous.

Martyzz1 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 358

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

Don't investigate. Malcolm Chapman organises when possible. That means I get a text on Saturday as to wether it is on or not and then I text to others and post that we are go for the Sunday. Matt mentioned that Malcolm said it might be possible again this year.

When you get there we paid a fiver each last time to cover the cost of lighting and whatever and we got to skate in one or more halls that weren't being used. It's not regular but it is a good venue.

Gav · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:38 am Subject:

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

The streets are well lit in some places. You need to mix it up with vehicles but there are some nice long stretches that you can skate without too much intervention from vehicles on week day evenings. The longish straights near the Thames are not bad. I particularly like the run from Westminster Bridge to Vauxhall on the south side but it makes for a pretty good loop from Lambeth Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge on the northside and then from Vauxhall Bridge back to Lambeth Bridge on the south side.

For variety, loop round between Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge instead but the northside bit is not a smooth as it might be. It's okay though.

If you time the lights/roundabouts at Lambeth Bridge either end you can do the whole run between Westminster Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge.

Gav · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:49 pm Subject:

That doesn't fit my definition of training for the club. Individually, sure you could go for a skate there. I couldn't. I'd get hurt trying to go at decent speeds.

fzurro · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 796 Location: Middlesex

I like Battersea Park. Lighting is not bad and it's open 'till 10PM. The smooth bit is great for technique training. The rest is a bit more dangerous as not that smooth and a bit darker but I've done it loads of times no probs

rosengrenerik · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Glenn · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1109 Location: ST Pauls