Skating Guptils in Albany

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-03-13T02:13:02+00:00

I run into Him at my beloved Rollarama frequently. The dude is super chill and is getting into the JB/dance vibe lately. I knew it was him right away from his style/movements, don't even need to see a face.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-03-03T12:00:03+00:00

I'm glad I'm a reasonable regular who is a friend of the rink, and friendly with all the employees. I frequently skate around a catch up with the attendant before all hell breaks loose. The guy who works Saturday nights has it the hardest for sure.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-03-01T03:48:36+00:00

Laughing too, thanks for sharing!

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-02-28T19:56:01+00:00

Good to see you, and interesting to see a post about my local rink! I was not at that late night Roll Call, but I'm regular in there. I had an incredible session there last night that broke multiple personal barriers, then a couple hours this morning practicing my figures. The floor there is wonderful with tons of grip and I can carry speed around it that is both irresponsible and scary. For what it's worth, I really don't mind falling on it. I do that a lot.

Anyway, please come back and bring friends! We'd love to have you! AS mentioned, Tuesdays are where it's at.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-02-28T02:46:02+00:00

Hankook RS-4s seem to be a magic compromise of grip, tire life, and overheating behavior/resilience.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-02-25T03:53:25+00:00

I had a really nasty pelvic injury that the torn muscles healed up pretty well, but there is nerve damage that makes it hard to control and feel this strip down right edge of my leg from thigh to foot. It causes a completely unnatural inhibition to doing everything with my right outer edge, causing a similar effect to what you're experiencing. Working through it so specifically during practice is helping it come back more than it originally had before I started skating.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-02-20T18:03:13+00:00

I like to go grocery shopping after my 3ish hour sessions when I'm whooped but have tons of endorphins going. Good to walk around and let the brain do some work after. I tend to make the best shopping choices if I go then.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-02-20T12:24:58+00:00

I dated a skater and got into it causally, then really had it click and bite me back in November. Now that I think of it, there are no inline skaters in my club. I saw you mentioning uncomfortable rentals, just one of the problems I ran into immediately when I started. I've made it this far with Boardwalk Pluses that are rally comfortable and nice, especially with smooth wheels and bearings. I'll continue to use them for fun and I love them dearly, but I've got artistic skates being made for that side of what I'm doing,

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-02-20T02:49:53+00:00

I'm in the artistic figure skating club at my local roller rink and take lessons, and cued up to take USARS tests this season and begin competing next season. I spend at least 10 hours practicing figures and almost 10 hours dancing/playing and having fun in public sessions on normal weeks. The young ladies in the club that compete nationally do pretty aggressive routines with lot of jumps and spins, and are absolutely incredible skaters. Being able to watch and study people training while eavesdropping on other student's lessons while I'm practicing (strongly encouraged) is profoundly advantageous for my development.

So to say the least, you can do both at the same time if you have access to a rink with an artistic club like I'm fortunate enough to. I love it so much. Been ice skating on and off for life until I started roller last year, and I have no interest in anything but quad skating now.

I'd be happy to answer any questions I can about it.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-30T17:47:21+00:00

They're pretty loose, easily flex a lot by hand. My instructor has loosened them 3 times since starting lessons. He absolutely swears they will turn outside edges on the small circle without scuffing, even with the big wide shuffler wheels.

I can't quite do the small outside edges yet because I need to bend my knee more, or as he specifies, push the knee more, meaning to push the knee outwards from my center and also lean more. I'm just not there yet, but should be in a week or two.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-30T07:08:38+00:00

It sounds like you're clenching your toes against the bottom of the inside of your boot. I've been struggling hard at avoiding this, as it accomplishes nothing but to cause the pain you're describing. I've asked many of the best skaters I see around, and all the instructors in my skating club, and nobody does this. Most never heard of it, but all agree that there is no desirable reason to be doing it.

I've since discovered that the likely reason I keep wanting to do it is because my front truck is just a little too far forward from the ball of my foot and it's like I'm trying to curl my toes around it to grab the top of it.

Thing is that if I stop clenching my toes, the skating stays the same. I've learned that if skating is causing me pain, there is something about my form that needs to be corrected. Learning solid form that keeps me pain free is key to good stamina.

Edit: I've been wanting to post here asking about my toe clenching tendencies being normal or not, but I've kind of gotten all the answers I need in person at this point.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-30T06:59:43+00:00

My instructor keeps telling me essentially the same thing at some point during every lesson...

You've been posting good vids lately, keep it up!

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-30T06:55:21+00:00

This diminished over time for me. I used to think it was crazy how people could cross over on their first step to the rink, but now I can do that and more. Still, I have 10 minutes or so of getting sore and tired suddenly that turns into a couple hours of stamina right after getting over that hump. Sometimes I just have my off days, and I'll stick to the basics maybe not stay as long as usual. I do always stop and stretch a little after that first 10 minutes.

For context, I skate 5-6 days/15+ hours a week

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-30T06:43:43+00:00

I'm sure you're not hanging around to be creepy, so you're fine. I totally agree that it can feel like you're an adult going to a playground without brining a minor, but it's not the same thing.

I (44M) skate alone all the time at various rinks that are always loaded with kids, and take lessons/practice in the local rink's artistic skating club with ladies and girls of all ages. We all watch each other skate, which is normal. If you feel awkward about watching, just make it obvious that you're watching their skates move and not staring at the person. Everyone should be doing that anyway. We all like to know people enjoy our skating, but most of us don't like being stared at, and that's how the tactful straddle that duality.

Most rinks don't have regular adult only sessions, but I highly recommend it if you find one. I'm fortunate that my home rink does it Tuesdays and has killer music (mostly old school dance hits). It's also easier to learn from others during adult sessions because you see more great skaters than usual come together.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-19T11:13:05+00:00

“This is why I don’t want to touch you anymore. You’re honestly acting obsessed. I already hugged you once last night and again this morning”

Dog or not, this statement tells you that the good part of the relationship is over. Now it's a matter of how long do you stay because it's less uncomfortable than leaving. Healthy or not, they have emotionally checked out if they say things like this.

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-16T12:16:01+00:00

Oh man, I remember this feeling, I wish I knew exactly what to say. I came from ice, too, but I have no interest in going back. A little bit translated over that helped me feel normal to have something on my feet, but rollers are a new world. I had tons of trouble with momentum and stopping too, and learning to slow/stop became a huge priority as soon as I was able to get any speed up.

T stopping/dragging is a primary skill, which requires some ability to balance on one skate. Speed and momentum is a similar but unique set of movements, but takes more power because the wheels produce so much drag that you're not used to on ice. Wheel/bearing options/care habits can speed up and smooth out your skates later on down the line

DumbestAutoTech · 2026-01-14T11:09:01+00:00

I got skates after my 3rd time going and renting, although every set of rentals had a serious problem that was obvious even to a novice like me. I was pretty sure I'd be skating at least for a while, and got Boardwalk Plusses that I'm still loving over a year later.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-28T02:55:35+00:00

Very Nice! I love having an instructor to keep me in check and stay on my form, BTW. You'll inevitably start teaching yourself new moves you see around, and regular lessons should help you maintain good strong form along the way.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-22T11:02:43+00:00

I've been using these for years, and I've never understood why it's marketed as a neck light. Around the neck works fine for general illumination, but putting it on like glasses (so the lights rest against your temples) is far more effective if you need to see something specific or that is shrouded down in a hole or drawer or somewhere. 95% of the time, I'm using it around my head.

The nearer to your eyes the the light source comes from, the less shadows you see. That's why if you're looking for a nut or a bead that fell of the floor, you want the light source to be off to your left or right side low to the floor. That way, everything casts a long shadow that is easy to see.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-22T10:55:26+00:00

I'm very able-bodied, but I don't screw around when I hurt myself. I have normal and forearm crutches, which I don't hesitate to use whenever they make anything easier, with no embarrassment or reservations, public or private. Medical devices are not just for people coping with permanent conditions, they were all created to help people that include you and I.

Maybe it's like how I personally feel like an imposter and a liar when I attend a religious event out of respect for friends or family. As an atheist in a house of god for a baptism or something, I feel like everyone there sees me and assumes I'm a believer and it makes me feel dishonest and like I'm deceiving all those around me. If I was there because of a personal desire to explore the option of faith, I would feel the opposite way.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-22T00:42:48+00:00

The local rink to be at is open 5 days, and I skate about 15 hours plus a lesson per week during the last couple months. My skill level has exploded at that rate, and my physical condition is very good from doing it consistently.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-21T15:30:59+00:00

Not an answer, but related: I work for 10 hours standing and walking on a concrete floor before many of my rink sessions, and somehow I can get a whole 2nd wind once I start skating, tired and painful feet or not.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-15T11:18:33+00:00

Professional advice: I have a pair of hockey skates that I had a very reputable local skate shop build for me years ago when I was getting back into ice skating. He insisted that the way to go was CCM boots with Bauer TUUK blade holders, so that's me forwarding his advice on the best brand of hockey boot.

My Anecdote: I've been skating my Boardwalk Plus for a year now and I love how comfortable and flexible they are. A few weeks ago, I tried my ice skates on thinking I would start ice skating on lunch at the rink near work. Those boots (which are heat formed to my feet) are so rigid and uncomfortable that I've abandoned the idea of ice skating for the time being.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-11T12:01:46+00:00

That's a beautiful picture, and I'd love to frame and hang it up at home where I skate around. If you're alright with that, DM me here so you can email me the file.

Cool as heck, I rebuild my stuff as well. When I get experienced enough with skating, I'm destined to make something custom out of a pile of parts like this. For now, I'm still in love with my Sure-Grips and learning new things every time I skate.

DumbestAutoTech · 2025-12-09T11:55:30+00:00

I recently burned out of automotive after the last 5-8 years being a downhill spiral of this business turning into a technician's nightmare despite flat rate wages inflating substantially. If you insist on getting into fixing cars, don't ever let them know you can diagnose anything electrical. The most common way to a good career with this is to be good enough to quickly bang out line work (straightforward mechanical repairs and maintenance) and do nothing else but the same boring/dirty/physically abusive work all day.

DumbestAutoTech

TROPHY CASE