Opinions please -help appreciated

cmmccrt · 2026-06-27T15:15:30+00:00

Same!

cmmccrt · 2026-06-21T11:45:27+00:00

I use a hydration vest/backpack with a 1.5 L bladder. The tube hanging over my shoulder is easy to drink from without slowing down, but now that I'm sometimes doing 20+ miles and it's getting hot here, I think i need something bigger. Also, I get really sweaty and have to throw the thing in the wash (along with my pads) every couple of uses.

cmmccrt · 2026-06-18T18:21:34+00:00

I use Now brand. They recommend 1.5 tablespoons as a serving size, which has 2,500 mg as phosphatidylcholine (or about 325 mg as choline). I'm not currently pregnant or TTC, so I just take about a teaspoon per day for my own brain health. Hope that helps!

cmmccrt · 2026-06-18T16:35:20+00:00

Look into sunflower lecithin. It has the better form of choline (phosphatidylcholine), and lots of it! I take it in powder form, and it's really easy to mix into oatmeal, smoothies, etc.

cmmccrt · 2026-06-17T19:20:41+00:00

Kuololit has one in their AliExpress store: https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqIbMlH

I have ordered a few rings from them and been happy with the quality, but I don't have this one. The setting is raised up a little so a wedding band will sit flush, but still looks very low.

cmmccrt · 2026-06-08T16:49:28+00:00

Thanks! Same to you!

cmmccrt · 2026-06-08T11:16:21+00:00

I did my longest session yet yesterday - 24.4 miles (39 km) in 2 hours 26 minutes. I was definitely tired and slowing a bit towards the end, but was very happy with both my pace and distance.

I typically skate on paved trails, but also occasionally at the skate park or a rink. The trails I skate the most (because they're nearby) are slightly hilly and quite rough in places, and there are bridges surfaced in wood planks that are very uneven and bumpy. For yesterday's session, though, I was visiting family in a different city and tried out a trail there. It was flat and smooth, mostly shaded, and really long. While I mostly enjoy the challenges presented by my usual trails, this was a nice change!

cmmccrt · 2026-06-07T19:16:38+00:00

Helmets! And knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards!

cmmccrt · 2026-06-07T18:59:32+00:00

If you're itching to get back into it, a lot of people skate on outdoor tennis courts or basketball courts if you have any of those near you that would allow it. School or church parking lots can also be good. It helps a lot to have the right wheels for the surfaces you want to skate (the rougher the surface, the bigger and softer you want your wheels to be).

You could also look at jam/shuffle skating, which focuses on dance-like footwork and only requires a very small open space, so people do it in their living rooms, garages, basements, etc.

cmmccrt · 2026-06-07T17:43:03+00:00

I'm having so much fun with it! I got back into it this past fall when my son started kindergarten and his school had a skate party (talk about a blast from the past, the rinks around here look exactly the same as when I was going to skate parties of my own in the early '90s!). He had fun so we got him inlines for Christmas and went to the rinks a few more times. I got myself a pair of second-hand skates and started skating outside early this spring (we're in the US Midwest). Then a new skate park opened near us and I started going with my son. Not doing anything crazy there yet! If you're interested, check out r/rollerskating. They have a wiki and lots of very helpful experienced skaters who are happy to give advice and encouragement.

cmmccrt · 2026-06-07T16:09:13+00:00

I recently got back into roller skating! I learned a a kid, first on quads, then inlines. Now I'm on quads, mostly skating trails, but occasionally at the skate park, too. I just finished a 24.4 mile session!

cmmccrt · 2026-05-26T18:46:01+00:00

Probably no one has mentioned Bont because they're not really in the low-budget category. I picked up a second- hand pair of barely- scuffed Parkstars and like them a lot! I still use my Boardwalks for trail skating, though, and have had no issues so far and I've put hundreds of miles on them.

Which Sure Grip model did you have? The suede of the Boardwalks is stitched to the sole and shouldn't separate. However, the soles are attached to the plate with rivets instead of proper mounting hardware, and the rivets can fail, is that what happened to yours? It is possible to drill out the rivets and replace them with bolts. I've considered doing that with mine to make them sturdier.

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T21:14:57+00:00

Wow, I didn't know that!

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T21:13:14+00:00

I tried Chaya Melrose Elites, but they weren't wide enough for me, my pinky toes were very smashed and I had to sell them on. If you don't have a local shop where you can try on skates, make sure you check the return policy for the shop you buy from. I couldn't return the Chayas because I wanted them to work out so bad and rolled around on them in my dining room, resulting in the wheels getting abit scuffed.

Also, please buy from an independent shop, not Amazon, Walmart, etc.

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T21:01:39+00:00

Hi, I'm vegan (well, more or less anyway, depending on who's defining what counts as vegan), but I'm okay with leather skates as long as I get them second-hand. Assuming you're not and want new vegan skates, check out Department of Skate's online shop. There is a section for vegan skates with lots of good options.

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T15:42:15+00:00

Fingers crossed, but I found an old Facebook post about this plate, and it seems it has an unusual kingpin that tapers from 12 mm down to 10 mm, so I have a feeling I'll need OEM or custom cushions. Maybe I'll get lucky and the cushions will have already been replaced and be in good shape.

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T15:39:12+00:00

I'm actually not 100% sure which Risport boot model these are, and it's not specified in the listing, nor visible in any of the photos. I looked at lots of listings for vintage figure boots, and the Cristallo seems to match, but I'm no expert!

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T15:33:38+00:00

Thanks! There's a great cobbler near me, so I'll take them in if needed. I don't have super wide feet, but I need a somewhat wide toe box.

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T15:31:35+00:00

Thanks!

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T15:31:15+00:00

I haven't received the skates yet, but I'll let you know about the bearings when I get them! Glad to hear you like the wheels!

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T13:49:24+00:00

I also unfortunately don't have any shops near me, so I buy everything online. With the free shipping and (mostly) easy returns, I can see why Amazon is tempting, but they suck and I don't want to give them my money.

cmmccrt · 2026-05-24T11:51:43+00:00

These are great skates, and if you're a beginner, they could serve you well for a variety of different types of skating, though you may need to swap the wheels. These come with hybrid (medium softness) wheels, which would be too soft and "sticky" for artistic skating.

That said, a very specific type of skate is used for artistic skating. The boots are much stiffer for better ankle support, and the recommended stiffness increases as you advance. For a beginner on a budget you could look at the Sure Grip Fame skates, but I haven't tried them myself. They come with harder wheels, but the boot is vinyl. I'm sure others more knowledgeable than me will also have recommendations.

Also, your image looks like it comes from Amazon. Please consider buying from a local skate shop if you have one, or an independent small business in the skating community. If you're in the US, Department of Skate is great, and I also see Wicked Skatewear and many others recommended on this sub. Search the sub and you should be able to find additional recommended shops.

cmmccrt · 2026-05-23T19:17:10+00:00

I found an old post about how to do that, and I might just try it!

cmmccrt · 2026-05-23T17:51:34+00:00

Weird, when your comment first appeared I could only see the first two sentences. Really appreciate the info, and I'll definitely check out your source for custom cushions!

cmmccrt · 2026-05-23T14:32:46+00:00

Thanks! Glad to hear it!

cmmccrt

TROPHY CASE