LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

skaterliesel · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 104 Location: Berlin

Well, maybe the hint, that airports like Berlin Tegel and Schoenefeld, Frankfurt (even Hahn, where Easyjet and/or Ryanair fly to), Hannover and Duesseldorf have no such restrictions might help. Shocked

About a year ago, there was still some confusion about how to treat skates, but I have encountered no problems since (there seem to be some sort of guidelines for security staff at airport that say "skates-yes", "ice skates-no" in hand luggage).
I keep my fingers crossed for all flying back from LBC that you don't have to ckeck in your skates.

merten · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 11:45 pm Subject:

All German and UK airports are no problem. Except Lubeck. I even complained with the state government and ministry to get this solved, only hit walls even though I was quite insistent.

I doubt if the staff there would accept any new rules, they seem to be on some power trip and like to shove people around.

In March when going to Sardinia some people had trouble at Munich airport - we did not, so that may have been some uninformed guard. According to this post on racereports.net, France is a problem as well. Hmm we'll see after Le Mans I guess.

merten · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 5:54 pm Subject:

... well just to update you guys - we were there and are just back.

It was a great event, just spoiled by some rain halfway into the skating which made the times worse than we had hoped for.

Quick look at the results:
Well done to Michi for doing the marathon in 1:32 (she's gutted because the line she ended up on was far too slow)
Extra well done to Erika for having a go at the 84k. The rain and some skate trouble stopped her from finishing, we still have to find out the marathon time.
I finished the 84k in 2:52, first marathon split around 1:24. Winner's time is 2:23, so I'm quite happy with that, especially after losing my first (nice) pack due to the rain Crying or Very sad

Might post a bit more later. Just now I'll rest my legs and sleep Wink

Ray · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 806 Location: Dagenham

Well done Merten, Michi and Erika Very Happy

. Look forward to hearing all of the news after you've had a well-earned rest

Gav · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:41 am Subject:

Apparently Michael, my teammate came first I think!

merten · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:11 am Subject:

Michi · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 658 Location: Hamburg

Alright, short race report from me:
The organisation was just perfect, we arrived Saturday for the pasta-party which was great.
Afterwards I had a little chat with Daniel (Junker) who had a look at my skatig. He put some canting under my left skate which now feels better...
On Sunday morning it rained a bit which did not worry me 'cause the forecast was not that bad.
My start was at 9:20 a.m which was a really nice time, the streets were dry and it was not too hot. I stood in the second line and found a paceline soon. We did the first half-marathon in about 40 minutes which made me really happy Very Happy

Then the rain started and "my" pack slowed down more and more. I could have skated faster although it was really slippery.
Well I am not too happy with my time 'cause I know I could have done better. Will try more during the next marathon.
My ranking was quite alright though.

merten · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:31 am Subject:

Slightly longer race report than the first: It was a great event. I've not yet seen a race which was that well organized and run, with such good finish and on-course refreshments. Imagine a 500 people village invaded by 1000 skaters and their relatives. There is a good pasta party we chatted to all those people the evening before the race.
Sunday morning (we had expected 32°C) it rained before the start, so had some first possibilities to try my rain technique on the 6k skate to the start (its somewhere else than the finish due to loop length). But it dried in time to have good surfaces. I had a good start and a very nice 20 prople pack at first. Good speed, everybody (yeah!) taking turns in the lead and a relaxed atmosphere. For the first 30k. Then the rain came back. And I lost this pack. I do quite like the Star Grip in the Wet, but on some tarmac they slip like hell, and apparently half of the course has this tarmac. So despite all efforts I could not keep up. Stayed on my own for about 7-8km, the first half of that really pushing to keep close to the oher guys hoping for more traction, until some other pack came up from behind and I jumped on that one. Still 1:24 for the first marathon, I'd have been much faster without rain, hmm.

Anyway, stayed on this second pack for two more laps, always keeping at the back so not interering with the race outcome (higher age cats fighting for positions). Was dropped when another attack started at the one small incline 14K before the finish. The solo work I had done before now just made me blow. So on my own again, fighting as hard as I could to get that sub 3 hour time which had been my minimum target. After another 5-7km one other skater who had dropped out because of a cramp joined up with me. I could not lead any more and was just shattered, so he was nice enough to let me draft all the way to the finish. Thanks. Crossing the line I just continued rolling until friction stopped me, was totally exhausted and it took me a few minutes to recover. Final time was 2:52, I'm okay with that, had hoped for 2:45 in perfect conditions (my first pack did faster Evil or Very Mad

)

Conclusion: Already marked on the diary for next year, highly recommended. Doing 84K hurts, especially the last quarter, so good luck to those doing the OneEleven.

Some pictures:
Erika: http://gallery.inlion.com/gallery/Prezelle84ger2006/inLion_com_Prezelle031
Michi: http://gallery.inlion.com/gallery/Prezelle84ger2006/inLion_com_Prezelle037

... and two examples of how you could look like crossing the line after 84K Rolling Eyes

http://gallery.xrace.info/gallery2/v/rennen_2006/Prezelle/Prezelle2/IMG_0972.JPG.html