Philly Landskaters
Express Skate
planner
Enjoyable Fast Pace
Overview
When
Meet-up Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM all year as weather permits. Push-off time is 10:20 AM.
Where
Where We Meet
Meet-up at the foot of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps near the Rocky Statue. 39°57’53.3″N 75°10’46.4″W
If an event is taking place that prohibits access, the Landskater Email Group is your source for constant updates and last minute alterations.
Where To Park
If you are travelling by car you’ll find the most nearby parking is on Pennsylvania Avenue and side streets to the adjacent north of the Art Museum.
Where We Skate
These skates tend to be to the North or West of city. When we skate in South Philly, it’s most often well beyond the south Street area, well down Delaware Avenue towards the ship Yards or to Grays Ferry out to Germantown or North beyond Fishtown. Anything goes.
Who
Increased lung and leg stamina is the key to enjoying an EXPRESS SKATE. As with all Landskater skates, beginner skaters are advised to reach an intermediate level before attempting to skate on busy Philadelphia streets. You must be able to stop at any speed, drop in from curbs, jump or swerve around pot-holes, manage wet pavement during sudden rain storms or other wet surfaces, etc…
What
There will be a “sweep” skater at the back of the pack on all skates who will assist with making sure no one is left behind.
Abilities & Skills You Need To City Street Inline Skate
Skate Ability
You should be a confident intermediate skaters with total control over your braking at any speed. Street skating requires absolute control in balance and braking. If you have any fear of skating down any incline or doubt that you can brake suddenly due to any object in front of you, then you should gain those skills before attempting to street skate with the Landskaters.
Lung Stamina
The EXPRESS SKATE is called that for a reason. There are less stops and the pace is constant along unimpeded stretches of pavement that are often sought out by the skater leader. If you are a runner or take aerobics at the gym, you’ll do fine, otherwise you’ll need a couple weeks to adapt to the increased pace and speed of the EXPRESS SKATE.
Leg Stamina
Your best skates are high-cuff skates of any type. Urban, hockey, aggressive, even a marathon speed skate. Why? Your ankles will feel it in speed skates unless you’ve already built up some stamina.
How
There can be up to 1-2 “mild” uphills, and 1-2 safe downhills on SOME skates; based on the direction of the skate. Nothing too challenging for the group and generally, Rocco tries to avoid them. Skaters should be able to brake on the mild down hills. 90% of ALL skates are on flat terrain.
How Long
The duration of the EXPRESS SKATE out and back is approximately 90 minutes.
How Far
The EXPRESS SKATE is a bit longer than the CASUAL CRUISE by a few miles. It’s generally 11 to 14 miles of inline street skating through the streets of Philadelphia.
Post Skate
Sometimes members meet up after our group city street skates for a drink (or meal) somewhere within a few blocks of the Art Museum. Some of our favorite haunts include: Bishop’s Collar, Kite and Key, or other local skater friendly bars/restaurants.
FAQs
What skill level is the Express Skate?
Medium level experience and up.
Do I need a helmet?
Helmets are STRONGLY recommended. Wrist guards, knee pads and a water bottle are advised.
How long is the mid-way water break?
The mid-skate water break is 15 minutes.
Final Notes
Our city street skates feature a lead and sweep. Do not pass the lead skater as matter of respect. The sweep is a skater who assists in keeping trailing skaters or struggling skaters from losing the group. If the skate group is stretched out or broken into parts temporarily for example by a stoplight, simply skate forward and expect to find the group ahead. When we turn corners we mark them with a skater who remains there to signal the turn to all trailing skaters.
We stop for injured skaters, but we don’t end skates entirely due to an injury. We stop skates for skate repairs too. We don’t leave skaters to fend for themselves but as adults you should be prepared for the unexpected such as injury or an unrepairable skate. As mentioned in our FAQs above, a standard expectation of all skaters is to bring payment for any rideshare or public transportation in case you are unable to finish.
Mike Zosa
LANDSKATERS EMAIL GROUP
Landskaters stay informed of every skate through our Landskaters Email Group
Skate leaders notify the group in the event of last minute changes such as rain or nearby events
The official skate season is April-October, get in on ad-hoc off-season skates
Request to join our Landskaters Email Group
Street Talk
How Philadelphia Inline Skating Started
In the spring of 1992, inline skating was starting to explode in the Philadelphia area. The convergence of two groups led to the first Philly City Skates, and then to the creation of Landskaters.
Do Big Wheels Make Skates Go Faster?
Okay. Logic is telling you that larger wheels means larger circumference and that in turn means fewer turns for a given distance. That doesn’t take into consideration the variation of momentum due to resistance, torque, and other factors impacting the moment of inertia.
If only the answer was that easy.
Are Rollerblades and Inline Skates The Same?
Beginners call them Rollerblades even if they own K2’s or some other brand. There lies the answer for most. Rollerblade is a brand of inline skates with historical importance. For most Rollerblade owners Rollerblades and inline skates are more than the same, they are (only) Rollerblades.
However here is the grim truth for all you Rollerblade owners.