|
Off-Road Rollers
These are little seen in England although there is now a UK manufacturer now specialising in just such a roller ski or “trailskate” as they call them. As their name suggests there is no classic style version. Other manufacturers do however make classic style off-road rollers. All these off-road rollers are distinguished by their much chunkier pneumatic tyres and spoked wheels of around 200mm diameter. Instead of a ski type board they usually have a low slung metal tubular frame. Another feature is that instead of a standard track ski boot and binding you’re more likely to find a boot holder not unlike a snowboard binding where you can strap in your ordinary outdoor trainers or other ski boots. Giving by far the smoothest ride of all the roller skis these pneumatic tyres iron out many of the stones and bumps enabling them to be used on tracks that would defeat the road rollers. The heaviest models are unfortunately 7Kg. a pair in contrast to road rollers which weigh between 1Kg. " 2Kg.
Without wishing to put you off, even falls at high speed in soft snow are unlikely to produce the kind of injuries likely to be encountered by an unprotected fall at only moderate speed on tarmac or concrete. This factor places a distinct restriction on the angle of slope on which standard road rollers can be used. The addition of brakes however on off-road rollers is a particularly welcome feature and this facility helps to further extend the range of the off-road roller’s use. The brakes on off-road rollers can commonly be found operated via a hand-operated hydraulic cable, which is clipped onto clothing in a strategic place. Another solution offered by another manufacturer has a lever attachment resting against the skier’s calf and operated by pushing the leg backwards onto it.
Safety
The subject of safety in roller skiing is one ignored at your peril. There are two main areas of concern " location and falls.
A safe location in which to roller ski should be your first thought. Traffic free areas such as cycle tracks and parks should be at the top of your list. Quiet country roads can be considered but remember that in England most will be narrow. If you have to ski on a road try and make sure that you choose a road with some sort of grass verge for emergency use. Narrow roads with stone walls are best avoided. Experience has proved that as soon as you enter a narrow walled road you will encounter milk wagons, horse boxes, agricultural vehicles or young aspirant rally drivers with a surplus of testosterone. All can be potentially fatal. A Roller Ski Directory supported by Snowsport England is a worthwhile investment listing not only the best but also the safest locations in which to roller ski.
Speed, hard abrasive surfaces and soft tissue is a hazardous combination and no matter how expert you may become it’s only a matter of time before this heady mix becomes unstable. At one extreme, competence, youth and optimism will rule out the need for any protective gear and at the other extreme, the cautious will require the wearing of full body armour. However an immutable law of nature dictates that no matter how much protective clothing you wear, an unguarded part of the body will almost certainly come into contact with something hard and/or abrasive and /or sharp in the event of a fall. Even the cautious may jeopardise safety and allow their enthusiasm to get the better of them when invited to take part in a race or when pushing out the envelope of one’s personal skills. The acquisition of experience will lead to a certain amount of stable door shutting. Each injury will undoubtedly add another item of gear protecting that part of the body last injured.
A surprisingly common and unexpected fall can occur to the unsuspecting classic roller skier when merely stood around chatting. If you allow your weight to go too far back on your roller skis the ratchet system won’t allow you to correct your balance as you would be able to do if you were on foot. The consequence is a sudden backward fall.
Much of the same protective apparel manufactured for cyclists, roller bladers and snowboarders can and should be used when roller skiing. Many roller skiers will have a cycle helmet and this will be ideal to use when roller skiing. Mountain bike helmets with a peak may prevent face injuries if involved in a forward fall. Knee and elbow protectors are fairly widely available and should be added to your wish list. Particularly vulnerable are the thighs and nether regions. It may be worth investigating some of the protective gear manufactured for motor cyclists. Snowboarders also seem to have latched on to this and some motor cycle under shorts come highly recommended by snowboarders for protecting exactly the same areas of the body to which roller skiers are vulnerable.
Roller Ski Venues
There are some specific circuits which can be used for roller skiing, but it is possible to use cycle tracks to create a day-long tour. Popular off-road routes include the Lancaster to Morecambe cycle path (Lune Valley), the Bristol to Bath path, and the Manifold Valley route in the Peak District. Cross Country Ski Clubs in the UK regularly organise a series of informal roller ski tours throughout the year.
Finding a suitable location to Roller Ski that has good tarmac and is not too steep can be a problem. There are many locations through out the UK, which have been listed in the UK Rollerski Directory. These locations have been tried and tested by skiers for skiers. For more information please click here.
Click on the Roller Ski Equipment box to learn more about and how to select it |