I live near Central Park, so when its warm I try to blade every day. Its grate excersize and as long as you wear the gear, its perfectly safe. I own a pair of K2 Flights (great skates, but mine are 2 years old and begining to wear out) with titanium bearings, aluminium spacers, and 80mm wheels. I can really fly on them. My best time is the entire park(5.1 miles using the cutoff at 103) in 16 minutes flat. I find the best time to go is early in the morning as the sun is coming up. I am a night person so the only chance I get to go that early is when I am up from the night before. I am not highly skilled, I can't do many tricks. I am good enough not to get myself killed and I am damn fast with enough stamina to do two trips round the park (11 miles of tough hills) without dieing.
(09/20/01)
I have not gone blading almost at all this summer. Mostly I blame it on the fact that every time I do go blading my hips hurt and I can't walk well the next day (you'd think i'm 90 the way I complain). Instead I hve been doing some biking, with my new recumbent bicycle which is comfortable if odd looking. Next summer I hope to get back on my blades.