On Monday evening I put in 25 miles at the Veloway, Austin's 3.1 mile skating and biking loop (pedestrians can do their thang at the Town Lake trails). It's a lovely course that was repaved with the best, most expensive surface, by a city in a budget crisis [go figure!]. A few of those laps were with others, two with decent sized packs of about six skaters. But as dusk was setting in, and every drop of daylight squeezed from the sky, my fellow skaters departed. The last lap I skated in darkness, by myself. I stretched, drove to a Thai place to pick up some tofu curry, and headed home.
Tonight I put in 4 hours at an indoor rink, including an hour of speed skating practice; sometimes I wonder why I go, because it's hard when a 14-year-old girl is kicking my butt, skating circles around me, and giving me tips. :) When the practice ended, Austin's only indoor adult skating night began.
I look forward to Tuesday nights in Austin, as it means the rink is free of young kids, and the adults generally know how to skate. A few do some crazy tricks, and then there's the couples who dance on skates; oh, and the roller derby girls :). It's a fun time, combined with a generally low-pressure singles scene, and music from the 80's. It rocks!
Despite this, it's a bit lonely for me at the adult skate. I've made some acquaintances, but I go more for the physical activity and music. I can't think of a better way to burn off 1800 calories (yes, liposuction is cheating!). As a result, I probably give off this speed skater vibe, which turns off the folks who generally go there for recreational and social reasons. When the adult night ends, people pack up and head out to the Kerbey Lanes and Hula Huts for food, and drinks. I stretch, then head home.
Posted by brian at September 24, 2003 01:24 AMNow that I think about it, I haven't put up any pictures of my skates or equipment. That will be taken care of soon!
Posted by: Brian at September 24, 2003 02:46 AM