OT: summer substitutes for snowboarding

[FTA2R]

hey all,

season is over for me and I'm sorta looking for something new to do, preferably outdoors and gives a rush similar to riding. I really want a motorcycle, but too nervous to ride one in the DC area (plus I' d probably go way too fast), with excessive traffic, crazy drivers (inc. large amounts of "ricers") etc. What do you all do during the summer as a substitute? mountain bike? I heard longboard skateboarding is fun. Vlad, I know you slalom skate. Anyone have any of those boards that are supposed to simulate a snowboard? just curious to hear what you all do.


Barry

[Fleaman]

Have you tried wakeboarding, you can carve up the water easily, its not like snow, but its a close second (warm snow) I have only tried it once and it was cool. My angles were preset for another rider at 0 and 0, I wanted to try steeper angles, but I didnt have enough time. Has anyone tried steeper angles with success?


maybe we could start a new sport, Harboot wakeboarding!

yeah!

I am walking down to the patent office as we speak.


When I am rich I will buy a Coiler for every day of the season!


Cya

Jason

[FTA2R]

is that those just aren't very accessible to me, unfortuneatly. closest thing would be the chesepeake bay in MD, but I don't know many people with boats. not that my 1.5 hour drive to the slopes of PA is overly convienient, but wakeboarding would be even less accessible. Thx for the suggestion , though, I appreciate it and it does look fun. I'm thinking about buying a dirtbike, although I'm not sure how accessible that is either. oh well, where there's a will, there's a way.

does anyone dirtbike?


barry

[Jack Michaud]

http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/street_carvers.cfm
http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/tierney_article.cfm

[FTA2R]

hey Jack,

I forgot about those articles, checking them out now. I forgot to mention that I actually did go mountainboarding a few summers ago and it was pretty scary (we were on an actual ski slope). glad i tried it though. The bindings where basically non-existent, rubber straps. definitley easier if you are already a skater.

going to look into these "new skool" boards a little more.

thx,

barry

[BDZal]

I like finding a steep hill/mountain with trees and running down as fast as I can. After hiking up, of course. Aspen forests are fun because you can swing from tree to tree (sometimes without feet touching the ground). It's kinda hard on the knees though. With the right boots you can "edge" the dirt, kinda' like skiing I guess.

Okay, so I'd really like a nice mountain bike but don't have the money.

Otherwise it's skateboarding, street or pool, and this year a good bit of weightlifting. I want to try more olympic-style lifts, as I've done a little bit of that and it feels great and is probably really good for snowboarding.

[mirror70]

When I'm looking for a rush, I bite into a York Peppermint Patty...

I get the sensation that I'm riding on a chair lift in the Swiss Alps, the crisp air rushing by me on my way to the snowy peaks!

[Jagger]

Originally posted by BDZal
and this year a good bit of weightlifting. I want to try more olympic-style lifts, as I've done a little bit of that and it feels great and is probably really good for snowboarding.

BDZal I'm a little affraid to give any advice after reading the flame war going on in another post however I think that I am qualified to say this. (I have more than 10 years experience as a competitive powerlifter) Personaly I would say stick to the basic major lifts Squat,Bench Deadlift and military press with some assistance exercises tricep and leg extensions leg curls maybe some pull ups and calf raises etc etc mix it up a bit. But stay away from the olympic lifts they are extremely technique oriented and a good way to get hurt if you don't know what you are doing. not to mention balistic movements are tough on the joints. Oh and try to find some body to train with that knows a good bit about what they are doing a good partner is an invaluable asset. hope this helps.

Mike

[knoch]

Okay, so go find a giant really steap sand dune, take your crapiest board with you, hike to the top, strap it on, and go for a run. Sandboarding is the way to go. I've heard it's like riding in a heavy slush but hey, it'll just keep you in shape.Yeah i've never done it myself, but i just broke myself a board thats still in good enough shape to take through the sand, so i'll be all over it this summer.

[FTA2R]

sandboarding - there's an answer I didn't expect. unfortenuately the closest dunes are the outer banks of NC, which is not real close. and i dont' have a board to mess up. it's a cool recommendation, though. =).

i'm calling the local bike shop tomorrow get the skinny on the dirtbiking scene.

keep the suggestions coming. the cicadas will soon be here.:eek:


barry

[Mike T]

I'll have to try that this summer. Plenty of big dunes on the Oregon coast!!!

[GeoffV]

My Honda CBR seems to hold me addiction to carving until it starts snowing again. Just give me some twisties on my bike...:D

[Rob-CanCarve]

Go to www.boziboards.com - buy yourself a MB-II and some sliding gloves and you will have perfect alpine carving on asphalt.

If you want to get more intense and train your coordination - get a slalom skateboard and run cones. Great eye - foot training, plus a incredible amount of fun.

Rob

[Jack Michaud]

Originally posted by GeoffV
My Honda CBR seems to hold me addiction to carving until it starts snowing again. Just give me some twisties on my bike...:D

I see a sporty group ride being scheduled this summer on BOL...

[mirror70]

I tinker with the CBR engines, but never the rest of the bike. I'd bring one of those vehicles along for the cruise, but it isn't exactly street-legal (or street-friendly).

[Miguel]

Some of the best Urban whitewater kayaking in the country is just outside the beltway on the Potomac....all different levels. You're also not far from many other whitewater opportunities in MD and West VA. There are many similarities between boarding and kayaking and you still get the adrenalin rush. It also keeps you in the mountains. It's an awesome sport. Some of the world's best kayakers in the world hail from the DC area. Let me know if you want more info...I could point you in the right direction.

Miguel

[Oppenheimer]

Originally posted by Barry


does anyone dirtbike?




Yes. I bought my first bike last spring. Like you, I enjoyed the idea of a motorcycle but not the prospect of learning to ride one on the street. I've played just about every sport / activity to some extent and motocross / trail riding may be my favorite. Two things I would say about dirt bikes though:

1. Make sure you have somewhere to ride. If you have a truck / van / trailer this shouldn't be too much of an issue. In CT we have some of the strictest off road vehicle laws in the country so you have to either find a good legal place to go, or take your chances with the DEP. I imagine Virginia is better than we are up here.

2. Gear up. Rocks are a lot harder than snow, and learning to ride will likely have at least some falling involved.

It's not really a lot like carving, but it's neat in the same way that you can ride to your ability level. If you want to cruise at a green circle level, you can do so. If you want to ride at that semi-scary limit then you can do that too. This information may not be news to you at all... I figured I'd reply because I'm not that far removed from considering getting into it myself.

[Kil'-basa]

Berry, don't listen to nobody. Next thing they're gonna tell you to skydive for summer training. Try this and see why it's the best summer-time snowboard sub.
http://images4.fotki.com/v41/photos/5/53745/233590/couch_potato_in_chair_md_clr1-vi.gif

[Web Info]

I like to increase hand - eye cordination with games like this one.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/spore/wip/Acne.html

[FTA2R]

we have some characters here, some funny stuff, good reads. thx to all who responded.

here are my responses:

re slalom skateboards longboards:

I owe it to myself to at least try one. Vlad, I may take you up on teh offer next saturday. Do I need to bring any kind of gear or wear anything special? i've got a few protective pads from when i was younger)

re: sport bike,
honda cbr, i'm fam. with it, great looking bike. one of my co workers gave me a ride on his bike this past summer (gsx-r 1000 i think) b/c i had never really been on one and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. guy got it up to 120 mph on a service road w/ me on the back (no leathers might I add, of course I had no idea he'd get it up that fast). it was sssccarrry, yet sorta fun i'm sure once you get used to the speed and obvouisly a ridiculous rush. so several of my friends are serious sport bike riders (racing @ summit point, buds creek, etc) and one of them was telling me that guys are hitting pavement almost every weekend in this area, not newbs either. if i lived somehwere with less traffic and more rural, i'd surely get one. i took the msf course and did ok in it and i'm sure i woulnd't be wreckless, but i'd like to see 30 (I'm 25) and i just dont' trust riding in this area. but i do have tons of respect for the non-squid riders ,esp. those in this area or any heavily congested area for that matter.

Miguel, I am curious about kayaking. thought about it before. can i "try:" it out before spending 1000 on something i'm not even sure i'll like? we see them everywhere here around Great Falls. hell i think there is even some crazy dude who goes down great Falls park! pro i think.

on the lighter side of things, have you even seen the "jackass" guys do "urban kayaking?" it's amusing.

re dirtbiking, I just called local bike shop and they wree like "nah, not many public trails here." I'm gonna inquire more about buds creek (MD) i have a compact car, i'd have to get some special hitch first i'll worry about finding somewhere to ride.

i did a big bungee jump in europe and i'd like to run with the bulls in spain maybe this summer.

can't wait to see what the next round of answers holds :)



barry

[C5 Golfer]

Golf Golf and more Golf plus a little fishing.:D

[cliffh]

personally I go for the sportbike thing myself - closest thing to carving a turn on a snowboard is carving a turn on a back country road on a sport bike. short of that get a road bike, train like a bastard, start riding with a strong group and once your in shape you will ge that endorphine rush your looking for - it will just be a lot more work.

[FTA2R]

hi C5. i'll politley pass for now on the fishing and golfing. perhaps occasionally but not as a hobby. thx for the suggestion though. speaking of driving things, your 'Vette sounds fun to drive. my pops used to have a 77 was a great lookin car.

i'd like to test the limits of the golf cart that might be fun. or getting a ride in the driving range ball collection cart would be cool, like the bud "real american heroes" radio commericials.

cliffh, where'd you get that awesome pic, your avatar i guess. i saw it's on stoked.at, too. anyone know any info re: that pic?


barry

[Chubz]

Barry

I just wrote an reply but it didnt go through. Wakboarding is a great summer sport. Been doing it with snowbaording since 1984, it used to be called skurfing.

Fleaman mentioned a hardboot type of set up. The closeest thing on water to hardboots would be slalom skiing which is a great way to stay in shape.

Wakeboarding is more relaxed and take less energy than slaloming. It is a different feel than snowboarding but keeps the legs in shape, especially once you start "loading the rope" and jumping. You may also consider wakeskating ,which is just a deck with no bindings. Significantly helps with balance and gives you an appreciation for bindings.

If you go set bindings up at about 15 degrees on front and -15 degrees on back(duck foot) and just over shoulder width apart. It may seem awkward at first but that is how the boards are designed to be ridden. It's learning curve is similar to snowboarding in that you with be sucking down some water teh first few sessions then it takes off from there.

Kite baording is also fun but very expensive.

If you have any other questions drop a reply or if you are going to be in eastern PA this summer look me up and I'll pull you up and down teh Lehigh River for a while.

You bring the beers

Take it ez
Greg

[Skully]

I bought a Carveboard a couple of years ago. It's fun to play on once in a while. Does a good job of reminding the legs which muscles are used for carving, if I spend a lot of time on it during the summer, I notice a difference when fall comes around. I bought it over a T-board because the learning curve on the Carveboard is way shorter (I really like the way the T-boards ride also though). My wife was just getting into snowboarding at the time, and she rides the Carveboard quite often now also. The big pneumatic tires are fun too. My kids like riding it with me too. I can stick one of them between my feet on the board and cruise down small hills with them. The big pneumatic tires are fun too. You can run over stuff that stops many longboards in their tracks: rocks, sticks, curbs, beer bottles, small animals.....

[jtslalom]

Barry,
Buy a Bass boat and go fishing. In between fishing trips play pick-up games of basketball, jog at nights or in the mornings, and lift weights.

[BDZal]

Originally posted by Jagger
BDZal I'm a little affraid to give any advice after reading the flame war going on in another post however I think that I am qualified to say this. (I have more than 10 years experience as a competitive powerlifter) Personaly I would say stick to the basic major lifts Squat,Bench Deadlift and military press with some assistance exercises tricep and leg extensions leg curls maybe some pull ups and calf raises etc etc mix it up a bit. But stay away from the olympic lifts they are extremely technique oriented and a good way to get hurt if you don't know what you are doing. not to mention balistic movements are tough on the joints. Oh and try to find some body to train with that knows a good bit about what they are doing a good partner is an invaluable asset. hope this helps.

Mike

Nah, thanks for the advice Mike. I'm not planning on doing any of the complete lifts without the help of somebody who really knows what they're doing. Instead I'm thinking I'll stick to 5-10 (probably more at first) reps of power cleans, push presses, maybe hang snatches, etc. I'm not in any kind of shape to be doing the full lifts or really low reps anyway. But I'd have trouble staying away from doing some easier ballistic stuff simply because it feels so damned good. And they seem to be the only thing that helps some old tendonitis in my shoulder.

Thanks for the warning; I am kinda' reckless sometimes and need the safety reminders. I'm not interested in any wheelchair-for-life injuries; I'm still going to get more help even with the partial lifts, and will start with something like what you suggested until I feel a little more solid.

Brian

[Jamie]

I broke my Oxygen Proton at Nationals a few weeks back so I decided to turn it into a long board by simply cutting about 1 and a half feet off the tail (where the snap occured) and screwing some normal skateboard trucks and wheels on it :-D

I haven't had much of a chance to try it yet but I'm assuming that it won't as good as these (http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/street_carvers.cfm), but it will still be fun.

[joecarve]

Just don't step too far forward on that thing. As long as you aren't getting wheelbite, consider putting some better longboard wheels on it...like some Abec11 Flashbacks (75a or 78a). The ride will be much better than those park wheels on the street...

joe...

[Jamie]

I might have to add risers if I put bigger wheels on, but right now I have some really old Sims "The Fang" old school style wheels that I'm considering putting on, they are lightning fast :cool:

[Chubz]

Does anyone know the name of the carving trucks that exist. They have a much tighter turing radius than normal trucks due to a different design. i saw them on Fuel.tv but didnt jot the name down. Any help would be appreciated.

Greg

[joecarve]

Do you mean seismics (http://seismicskate.com/)? Or something like the Randall R-II...both available at solidskate (http://solidskate.com/)

joe...

[Fried Okra]

I'm all into the York peppermint patty. Funny stuff!

[underdog]

well, summer in buffalo lasts 2 months so here's my suggestions:
mtn bike-drink-golf-drink-drink-pass out. occasionally find time for work. if you repeat the above enough times the entire summer will be a blur and when you wake up you can go snowboarding:)
did i mention drinking??

chris

[jeffnstefanie]

Rock Boarding (http://rockboarding.com/)

[jeffnstefanie]

This looks cool !

[knoch]

OMG that would hurt SO much if you fell. Thos guys are wearing shorts how crazy are they? And seriously, it would be so easy to catch an edge and go tumbling( into the rocks), because i mean come on, them there are rocks, all it would take is one little rock with a pointy top to trip you up. Anyway, looks like its been done, i guess it can't be that bad, good idea.

[FTA2R]

Vlad, that pic is quite gross, esp. the black and blue shoulder. you'll have to tell me about that whole exp sometime. i thought mtn boarding (down a ski slope) was a little nutty, it's got nothing on rockboarding. please let me know when the next skating event is.

Looks like i'm going out Sunday to a hare scramble / motocross in southern maryland to see what that's all about. guy at work was familiar with the scene. i'll look for my fav. mesh hat :D j/k.


Barry

[Jamie]

Originally posted by dalv
Rockboarding's too dangerous (http://images4.fotki.com/v39/photos/5/53745/222970/dalvhurt-vi.jpg).

Barry, this week's DC slalom&longboarding's off due to rain.

I can't see what someone would put themself through that, although I guess you can never know until you try :confused:

[nils]

Burning some fuel and some cash there
on this stuff ( if i win it) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2471122943&category=26432)

Or that one too but the bid is a bit high already ( not to mention fuel consumption:
THIS ONE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2470095079&category=26428)

N.

[FTA2R]

it's just funny when you sit back and think of some of the suggested summer activity posts, joke or not:

1. rockboarding ('nuff said)- complete with nasty picture (thx Dalv, lol)
2. pimple popping (even though it was only a game)
3. vegetation (doing nothing)
4. drinking
5. bidding on cigarette boats and old warplanes

keep em coming, might as well intentionally try to make this thread ridiculous :) maybe even invent some new activities...

[Jack Michaud]

motorcycling = carving

[FTA2R]

Jack,

that's an awesome pic, is that you? i'm just not ready to ride one round here yet. Vlad rides around here I think- he also went rockboarding and you saw the outcome there ;). j/k j/k....



Barry:D

[jp1]

try it, you'll be hooked! Go to any level you want, how hard you want to work at it will determine your skill level.
Something you can try before you buy! Find some buds that ride and rent a bike for a day, you'll be amazed at what you can do on a bicycle!

jp

[sic t 2]

For all you "bomber style" riders out there I'll give you a great off season trainer: speed skating on ice.

That sport is all about "the edge". In fact speed skates, unlike hockey and figure skates, have absolutely no edge unless they are put up high on edge. Very similar to snowboards. Also the riding position is a dead ringer for the aggressive "bomber style" of riding where you are all hunkered down towards the nose of the board, with squared up shoulders and high G-forces hitting legs that are significantly bent at the knees to begin with. That high energy position is the ONLY speed skating position whether in a turn or on the straightaway. I couldn't say enough good things about his sport except to add the following: its inexpensive to start, held at virtually every ice rink and you get to enjoy this most physically demanding of sports in "winterlike" temperatures even during the high heat of summer. Hard to beat huh?

Just call up your local rink and ask about their "speed skating" program. Every rink has a club. They will welcome you with open arms and get you started for next to nothing. But be prepared. It is EXTREMELY physically demanding and will take many years to learn to do it properly.

Sic t 2

[sic t 2]

Speed skating cuts are clean though. It makes the surgeon's job an easy one. He can do it with 3 beers in him and one hand on the nurse's ass. lol


Sic t 2

[Jack Michaud]

Originally posted by Barry
Jack,

that's an awesome pic, is that you?

Yep, that's me on my factory Ducati. And here is a picture of me on my snowboard:

http://www.bomberonline.com/images/jja1.jpg

:D

[patmoore]

Want to work on your balance and leg strength over the summer? Try a "monobike" (We don' need no steenkin' trainin' wheel...)

http://www.mtlski.com/images/unicycle.jpg (http://www.mtlski.com/)

[gdboytyler]

If you've got an indoor skatepark nearby, skateboarding in pools/half-pipes is great year-round cross training.

Here's a video of me cross-training at the local Vans skatepark.
video clip (http://members.cox.net/gdboytyler/combi-bowl8-12-03.mov)

[FTA2R]

hey,

though i've seen that many times before, for some reason i'm interested in doing it now. looks cool, looks like you're moving too. i'm planning on going to the longboard/slalom deal tomorrow, i realise this is a different discipline. i havent' skated since i was in elementary school. what level do i have to reach before doing the pool stuff you are doing in that video.

thx,

Barry

[John Gilmour]

Here's a clip of the recent Luna slalom jam- just one of the many races scheduled for the America's cup series.

If you think alpine snowboarding is small - slalom skateboarding is even smaller. But a little more fun.

http://www.skatems.com/vids/luna_byte.wmv

Vlad won this race the previous year making him a bi-carver. This year he took 4th....

And if you think for one second that Alpine snowboarding is safer than slalom skateboarding....I'm living proof that it ain't so.
________
Buy Cheap Vaporizer (http://vaporizers.net/easy-vape)

[gdboytyler]

Originally posted by Barry
i havent' skated since i was in elementary school. what level do i have to reach before doing the pool stuff you are doing in that video.

thx,

Barry

There's a sign at the Van's pool that says "Expert Skateboarders Only!". But that's just a recommendation:)

Minimum recommended skills would be frontside and backside kickturns and kneeslide. You could start at the bottom of a pool/halfpipe, pump back and forth and get use to getting higher and higher on the wall.

Helmet, knee pads and elbow pads is the minimum recommended level of protection.

[lonerider]

What type of longboard should one get? Carveboard? Is there place that has basic info to someone who doesn't really skateboard (I'm a rollerblader myself).

[Pre School Rider]

Lonerider,check out www.ncdsa.com,or www.silverfish.com,both have great depth of material,and good links,pics,and advice. What I'd recommend is a board of mid-length,somewhere in the 30"-48" range made with Wood and Glass that has some flex and camber.Go with turnier trucks,ones that turn in crisp but with good adjustment range,and softer,stickier wheels. What you're looking for is a board that's known for doing fluid turns with ease,and yet has some energy return(hence the Glass+wood preferrence).There are some nice G.S./Hybrid Slalom boards that fit the bill,although they'll feel short by snowboard sizing standards. BTW,the Carveboard is a great riding machine.It is however both heavy(hard to haul back uphill)and takes up some serious real estate in turning,so it's good for longer hills on wider venues.Most mid-sized longboards that are meant for carved turns will out-turn it in radii size,but not in grip or degree of lean. A fave of mine(one I do not yet own,but will!)is the Bozi G.S. 36" board,set-up with Seismics or 150 Randal trucks,and a fat,soft,big,sticky wheel such as a 3DM Avalon or ABEC 11 Flashback wheels. This is parking-lot friendly,fast,manuverable,and very easy to pump,yet can be raced in the G.S. class.It's one of those great boards that'll teach you as you go,and hang with you once you know. I've been using skateboarding as a cross-trainer since,well,way long ago,and have found that the two sports,skateboarding and snowboarding can create a dynamic where skills learned in one realm transfer right back to the next sport.Crosstraining is a Very Good thing.

[bobdea]

If you get a decent four stroke dirt with a little extra work (putting on the proper lights and such) it could be perfectly street legal wich kills the need for a truck or trailer as long as you have a friend that will come fetch your bike in the event that you get in a crash that makes your bike unridable

many people will tell you how much dual sports suck but they are super fun
here are the key factors (in my biased opinion)
1.four stroke engines are heavy and do not have the snappy fast respone like a two stroke
2.Go with a dedicated dirtbike and put a light kit on it stuff like the Sherpas are not really ideal in a pit if I had the money I would probably go for a Yamaha WR 426

[willywhit]

Although slalom water skiing is much closer to carving a snowboard, Kitesurfing isn't as expensive as you might think and is WAY too much fun.You can get a used rig for under $500 and a used beginner board might run another $250. Learning takes a toll on your body.Paying for lessons can be pricey but will make learning much safer and faster. I fully recommend that you get dirtbikes as well but you're talking much more investment. Legal trailriding is limited here in New England but still well worth "exploring". A hundred mile trek through the woods on a Sunday in the Spring/Fall is a good workout.

[Pre School Rider]

http://www.stik.com/demohigh.html Jack,IF this works,you'll be liking this! I do believe that my previous issues with Carveboards have been addressed. :)

[Neil Gendzwill]

Originally posted by gdboytyler

Minimum recommended skills would be frontside and backside kickturns and kneeslide. You could start at the bottom of a pool/halfpipe, pump back and forth and get use to getting higher and higher on the wall.

I'd just like to add that the figure-8 pump-carve around the bowl is a hell of a work-out, too. We have a little squared kidney in the outdoor park that opened last year, and pumping figure 8s in that bowl is a good recipe for quad burn.

Originally posted by Pre School Rider
http://www.stik.com/demohigh.html Jack,IF this works,you'll be liking this! I do believe that my previous issues with Carveboards have been addressed. :)
Eric, those new Stiks look pretty cool but what are they doing in that park that you couldn't do with a regular long park board and some Randalls on angled risers? Seems pretty limited without a kicktail. I also get the sense that they're pretty squirrely at any sort of speed.