What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)

Post by quelltext » Sun, Sep 05, 2021, 4:38 PM UTC

ehnto wrote: post #64

BLKNSLVR wrote: post #42

Roller skating and inline skating have been gaining popularity for the last five years or so. I took it up (sort of again) in my late thirties, due to my son being invited to a roller skating birthday party, and discovered how much I enjoy it as both a challenge and Zen-like experience of focused concentration on both nothing and 'everything going on around me'. I only do it at a rink and in that context I love it. I…

> so much so that it makes me question my own maturity / adulthood, but nowhere near enough to suppress that enthusiasm Part of maturing is realising that a kindred spirit is something to cherish. Trying to maintain a facade of maturity is what becomes immature.

Post by ThrowMeXY » Sun, Sep 05, 2021, 4:42 PM UTC

Svperstar wrote: post #12

About 10 years ago I read a bunch of former roller bladers and skateboarders talking about the death of rollerblading in the 1990s. It is much easier to do tricks on rollerblades, also it was viewed as a "gay" activity in a much more homophobic time in society. There was a picture of a rollerblader in a skating mag and they photoshopped pink makeup on his face and made his rollerblades purple. Skaters started calling…

Post by atkailash » Sun, Sep 05, 2021, 4:52 PM UTC

ehnto wrote: post #61

mikestew wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But why was rollerblading ever associated with homosexuals to begin with? As one who did not know anyone in the 90s who was both a rollerblader and an out gay person, is it a "yeah, but looks gay" thing? I dunno, seemed like one of those things one says when they can't afford rollerblades, or can afford them but sucks at it and gave up.

My intuition from my scene was simply that skateboarding was the cool kid thing to do, and if it wasn't skateboarding it must be lame. That stigma had it's application on BMX, scooters, even different types of skateboards weren't free from the mockery of skateboarders. It's not skateboardings fault, it was just the culture. I like to think it's changed and thanks to the internet you can always find people doing what…

Post by mthoms » Sun, Sep 05, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

pengaru wrote: post #74

tellersid wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use to rollerblade in the 90s. I never heard of this at the time I couldn't have possibly cared less if I had. IMO the problem is I rollerbladed for 3 years and I never learned to stop properly. I basically had to fall on grass or cruise. IMO it died because it wasn't a good hobby for the average person. A skateboard doesn't have a speed problem like rollerblades. A bike has nice easy breaking system. It was a gian…

> A skateboard doesn't have a speed problem like rollerblades Nonsense, utter nonsense.

Post by aix1 » Sun, Sep 05, 2021, 5:09 PM UTC

kbrosnan wrote: post #65

aix1 wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't race and so having optimal power transfer isn't important to me. I do like cleats though, so I ended up standardising on SPD across all my bikes (including road). I have a pair of Vaude Sykkel shoes. They're leather, super comfy, look great (IMO) and the cleats are recessed: when I walk around the cleats don't make contact with the floor. https://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Women/Shoes/Bike-Shoes/Sykkel-Bi...

Depends on the shoe. I have definitely marred wood floors with SPDs and Shimano lace up CX shoes. Looked like someone took a hammer and smacked it at an angle in random places on the floor. I thought much like you that SPDs were recessed enough not to make contact. I was wrong.