Starting rollerblading at 61. Am I insane?

I know I should have asked ‘Will I die?’ but I already know the answer to that one and it’s just a question of when. In the interim, I have the urge to tick off a few new experiences. I’ve never rollerbladed in my life. I can’t remember roller skating as a kid. I did skate on ice when I was at school – twice, 40 odd years ago…

I’ve got some second hand Decathlon blades (and all the pads) on their way to me so please give me some tips and some encouragement.

Ta.

Go for it.
find somewhere quiet and flat.
use the penguin method to start off.

You probably won’t die but you will fall over a lot.

I’m presently looking forlornly at the bag containing my quad skates that I haven’t used since our local rink closed in Bury (I was going every week pre-covid). I’ve been threatening to go over and skate with Geordiemick of this parish at Wigan rink for ages, but something has always come up.

Do you want to message me and we could arrange to both go over for one of the adult skate evenings? That way when you fall over you won’t land on a small child. You’ll also have us to give you some pointers, though whether thats a help or a hinderance…

Cheers. @martymac

I have access to quiet and flat places.

Not sure about eating chocolate biscuit but will give it a go.

Is there a local indoor rink? We have a YMCA that does sessions. Much easier than outside, and the staff are usually glad to give tips. Although, I don’t have the ankles for blades, I only seem to manage skates. Enjoy! Wrist guards are probably your friend.

Do the pads include wrist guards? As I’d definitely advise a pair. I recently got a pair of skates and when time/weather/freedom allows I go to Morecambe front but I skated when I was young.

What is the worst that could happen?

Thanks @binners. I remembered that you had done a bit in the past. I am expecting to become very familiar with the effects of gravity  soon. I will bear your kind offer in mind once I have received the skates and when (if?) I attain some confidence on them.

Wrist guards are included in the pads. Thanks for asking, ladies.

I am not aware of any local rinks nearby but will have a shufti.

Not at all it’s a great idea

Says leffeboy who is trying to learn at 60.  I can sort of do it but it’s not great and not in control

What is the worst that could happen?

Well, I’m thinking broken bones, scarring and ridicule mostly…

**** the haterz, have fun.

Good on ya @leffeboy. :0)

“What is the worst that could happen?”

Ridiculous. My shorts are a lot shorter, tighter and glitterier than that.

You probably won’t die but you will fall over a lot.

I’m presently looking forlornly at the bag containing my quad skates that I haven’t used since our local rink closed in Bury (I was going every week pre-covid). I’ve been threatening to go over and skate with Geordiemick of this parish at Wigan rink for ages, but something has always come up.

Do you want to message me and we could arrange to both go over for one of the adult skate evenings? That way when you fall over you won’t land on a small child. You’ll also have us to give you some pointers, though whether thats a help or a hinderance

It’s a good rink at Wigan, used to jump on the train over to Derby roller world fairly regularly too.

When we moved to Paris there were some paths nearby that were popular to rollerblade on and it looked fun so I bought some from our local Decathlon and ventured out. It was fun, but on my second attempt I overheard some kids say “did you see that old guy on rollers “. Never really the same after that.

You want Skikes grandad!

Alison has some – you’re wearing trainers so can at least take them off and walk or run when you get stuck / defeated by a cattle grid 🙂 They also have fairly decent brakes and teach you to xc ski.

All videos make it look unimaginably dull 🙂

Mick – I have a feeling that they *might* cost a leetle more than I have “invested” in this so far!

I used to be mad for skating in the 90’s. Baggy trousers and skate park stylee. Bought some new agressive skates back in March when not getting out riding much. Had a couple of goes down the small local skate park when all the kids were safely tucked up in school and was pleased to find even after a 20 year break the actual skating along part came right back. Trying to jump or do anything technical with rails or ramps however is incredibly hard work. Would be amazing for full body fitness though if I could keep at it but once summer arrived bikes and hikes and gardening have taken my attention and I’m far too embarrassed to be in the skate park in my 40’s with the kids about. Hoping to take the skates with me whilst travelling in Spain this winter as am always seeing empty skate parks in sleepy towns over there previous winters. Oh and concrete seems harder these days than I remember when in my teens….

Yes….. She did the gateway drugs first🙂 Starting with living on rollerboots as a kid.

I had a foray for a few years at inline speed skating, got a marathon time of 1:45 as well as completing the Goodwood 100 and Inline111 in Switzerland. All my training was a Eelmoor near Aldershot or Dorney Lake – the biggest hill I’d been down was the bridge at Dorney so image the ‘fun’ of a 5km downhill in a pace line of over 50 skaters doing 50kph+ with no brakes 😳

I used to drive out to Dorney at dawn for my training – before the dog walkers with their extendable leads got there. Drafting cyclists at 40 kph was always a bit of fun. Really good quad and core workout but the rigid carbon boots were brutal on your feet so good boot fit is crucial.

When we moved to Paris there were some paths nearby that were popular to rollerblade on and it looked fun so I bought some from our local Decathlon and ventured out. It was fun, but on my second attempt I overheard some kids say “did you see that old guy on rollers “. Never really the same after that.

When our local rink was open they did child-free sessions midweek. We went every week. There was a bloke there every week who was 81 and he spent the evening pootling around the rink, headphones on, listening to classical music. Not a single **** was given by him what anyone else thought. If I make it too that age, I want to be like him. Our friend MrSparkle here is a mere pup in comparison 😀

I recently returned to quad skating after a 40yr hiatus. Broke my wrist second time out and that was wearing wrist guards. Get better wrist guards.

I’ve got some second hand Decathlon blades (and all the pads) on their way to me so please give me some tips

Just be sure to wipe all of the blood off from the previous person that should have known better 👍😉

You want Skikes grandad

God that looks dull as dishwater.
you know what my alpine hike needs. Punctures

Yeah, imagine doing some sort of off road sport that involves wheels and tyres. How tedious…

I know nothing about rollerblading but, is four wheels not excessive? What’s the point of more than two? (Genuine question, I’m sure there must be a reason.)

How does it compare with ice skating, is it a transferrable skill?

They do 30 mins or so for beginners at the start of the Wigan rink session on a weekend day IIRC.

Pop along there if you’re local, just don;t be intimidated by all the really good kids, OAPs etc.

Is it transferable from ice skating? Yes, one of the women in the beginner bit with me picked it up incredibly fast and then admitted she was an experienced ice skater when pressed.

Must be something they put in your water:

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19383580.roller-skating-back-trend-darwen/

I know nothing about rollerblading but, is four wheels not excessive? What’s the point of more than two?

when you go over rough stuff such as cobbles it smooths it out.  Otherwise the front wheel would get stuck and over you go

skating on cobbles may just be a belgian thing though 🙁

excellent skating film btw:

It’s certainly an unfashionable way to look like a pillock these days. But, good luck and enjoy! 😀

@Cougar

I know nothing about rollerblading but, is four wheels not excessive? What’s the point of more than two? (Genuine question, I’m sure there must be a reason.)

I also know nothing, but that’s never stopped me from chipping in before, and I don’t see why it should now.

I always thought it was something to do with being able to turn them if you put them on an angle?

I did go to Derby roller rink a few years ago. Once I got over feeling like an old weirdo amongst the young people, it was quite fun.

Golfchick – the tarmac at the heysham end of prom is super smooth.  There’s a lady skater at that end we got to know through cycling, she s v friendly, if you see her tell her you know the Brompton boys.

excellent skating film btw:

@stwhannah – United Skates is an absolutely fantastic film. Despite doing loads of skating myself I had no idea of the huge cultural significance in the States. And some of the skating on display is insane!

Unfortunately its no longer on iplayer 🙁

Rollerblade wheels are not set on angle but ride height of each wheel is adjustable (or at least first and last wheel. This setting will affect turning radius and stability.
Other than racing models the blades do have a brake on other shoe but it isn’t most effective.  However, compared to roller skis the roller blades are probably much safer and are way easier to manoeuvre. Both become sufferfest when the tarmac ia bad, sandy or has wet leafs on.  I use both for training xc skiing but prefer roller skis as they have transferable motion to skiing on snow.

Go for it, I am in my 50’s and now skate more than I bike, absolutely love it. The main problem is finding smooth places to skate outside which is a bit limited.

Always be padded up and wear a helmet too.  Knees bent and stay low.
Some great YouTube videos to gander through as well for learning with

Skatefresh Asha probably one of the best https://www.youtube.com/@SkatefreshVideos

Also Bill Stoppard –https://www.youtube.com/@BillStoppard

If you have 15 minutes watch Slomo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn87-mcnoVc&t=55s

Might be over 9 years old but he’s still skating now.

(cheers for the replies all, interesting)