DC Winter Outlaw Series
Moderators: Jonathan Harms, Ron Barbagallo, Maria Carrasco, Russel Cantor, Lynn Kramer, Brian Parsons
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2-7
I imagine Fountainhead is in a similar condition. If that's the case and the race is postponed, let's have a big Van's session.
Or go to Whitetail.
I need to ride....
Or go to Whitetail.
I need to ride....
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- GBJ
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P&R Condition Report
I'll check and let you know. I don't have high hopes. Based on the condition of my parking lot and the grocery parking lot I visited today, there's still probably a lot of sand, salt, ice and probably even some snow.
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P&R
No question, the park and ride is the place to be for DC slalom. Fountainhead has the nice downhill bonus in the back, but if slaloming is the aim, P&R is the spot.
It seems like a serene, made-for-slalom locale that's surrounded by the chaos of cars flying in all directions.
The big draw of course is dual racing but having our cars right there is a big plus also.
How's it looking?? Andy or Q, how about a check?
It seems like a serene, made-for-slalom locale that's surrounded by the chaos of cars flying in all directions.
The big draw of course is dual racing but having our cars right there is a big plus also.
How's it looking?? Andy or Q, how about a check?
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- GBJ
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Gaithersburg Park and Race
Danny, You'll see what is special about the Gaithersburg Park and Race when you get there. Frankly, there's no one thing big or amazing about it. There are just so many things about it that are good that they all add up to a really great slalom venue. It is conveniently located for most, with ample convenient, drive-up and skate parking. It is a curiously isolated satellite commuter parking lot, literally sitting on what used to be one leaf of a major highway cloverleaf interchange and bounded by a large railroad embankment and track, and is not serviced by buses, leaving it mostly empty, at night and on weekends. The pavement is very good and the hill we use is long enough (about 600' useable hill), wide and straight (ample room for good dual hybrid-special-style courses with plenty of movement and offset) with a very manageable grade to it. Tucking in and bombing the racing hill at P&R would only be considered a challenge by the most novice of skaters, but pushing hard, pumping hard or otherwise charging a slalom course, it's easy to get going fast enough to hurt oneself. There are a number of other areas in the lot, of varying lengths and grades, for those who don't wish to race or ride on the race hill, i.e. kid skating, practice space, alternative course style, etc. It's just a good spot (that happens to be about one mile from my home), and I will forever applaud Mitch Temoche for recognizing its' potential. It was a great find.
Last edited by Andy Bittner on Sun Feb 01, 2004 5:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- WesE
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Anthony, It's really too early to decide. A short range weather forecast is pretty much necessary for races in the winter around here. I can say that the optimal spot for racing would be the Gaithersburg P&R, due to its size. Fountainhead is really a practice spot, and backup spot for when the other sites have bad conditions.
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- 1961-2013 (RIP)
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Jeff, (and everyone)
One thing to keep in mind is don't forget it's a NIGHT RACE. That means plenty of time on Saturday to drive to Jackson.
My itinerary from South Carolina is simple: drive to Atlanta Friday (four hours), sleep in Saturday morning and drive over to Jackson Saturday morning-afternoon (five hours.) I'll probably get to Jackson with more than enough time to take a nap or if I splurge for a motel with an indoor pool take a swim.
I know it's farther for y'all in DC, but think about driving some of the way Friday night and the balance on Saturday. No need to push or kill yourself and getting up the highway.There's plenty of time before practice starts late Saturday night.
As far as motels are concerned, just remember that there's no need to book a Marriott or Holiday Inn. Econo Lodge and Motel 6 do fine. All you need is a bed and a shower. Keep it cheap and you'll find a room in the South for under $35.00. I do it all the time.
One thing to keep in mind is don't forget it's a NIGHT RACE. That means plenty of time on Saturday to drive to Jackson.
My itinerary from South Carolina is simple: drive to Atlanta Friday (four hours), sleep in Saturday morning and drive over to Jackson Saturday morning-afternoon (five hours.) I'll probably get to Jackson with more than enough time to take a nap or if I splurge for a motel with an indoor pool take a swim.
I know it's farther for y'all in DC, but think about driving some of the way Friday night and the balance on Saturday. No need to push or kill yourself and getting up the highway.There's plenty of time before practice starts late Saturday night.
As far as motels are concerned, just remember that there's no need to book a Marriott or Holiday Inn. Econo Lodge and Motel 6 do fine. All you need is a bed and a shower. Keep it cheap and you'll find a room in the South for under $35.00. I do it all the time.
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Has anyone tried driving down to Jackson from up here, it looks like it's about 900 miles or so. I take it there's no camping close by? My skill level doesn't warrant spending a lot of money on airfare and hotel rooms. I might be able to drive our minivan and take some outlaws along. If we share driving duties maybe we can drive straight through?
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- ByrdDog
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Make sure you can cancel those hotels reservations without penalty. I'm still working on a budget for Red Bull. They may be picking up the hotel tab.
On that subject...
What do you guys see as being the best way to manage the "free room" deal. First come forst serve? I hate telling anyone that the "free rooms are all taken, you have to pay for yours". That would suck. How do I know who is truely "first" in that situation? This is the toughest problem I've got right now.
I've got 10 rooms set aside at Cabot Lodge Millsaps, which is .5 miles from the course. Really close but a little high at 69 per night.
On that subject...
What do you guys see as being the best way to manage the "free room" deal. First come forst serve? I hate telling anyone that the "free rooms are all taken, you have to pay for yours". That would suck. How do I know who is truely "first" in that situation? This is the toughest problem I've got right now.
I've got 10 rooms set aside at Cabot Lodge Millsaps, which is .5 miles from the course. Really close but a little high at 69 per night.
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well the next race is in about a week and a half so i was wondering where the next race will be or if you havent decided yet. I'm geussing the times never change, so its just a matter of where...if you ask me ill go with fountain head since i really just want to ride the back hill a lot since im getting a board set up for downhill that day and plus everything will probably still be covered in sand and salt and maybe the occasional snow bank left over from the plow
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Thanks Bri!
The race was cold on sat...in the 30s but it was 17 when I left my house...since I worked out in the cold all week,I was prepared, and yea, I was overdressed but I was warm...because, as WesE said, the wind was non-existent due to the forest surrounding us, it felt a lot warmer than if you were exposed to the wind....but if you stood still or were not wearing gloves you did notice the cold....in my caveman insulated coveralls I would've been comfy in -10degree weather! True, it was great to see all the new faces....and, yea, we missed a few who we expected would show. Fountainhead is truly a great find...just wish the hikers and mountainbikers wouldn't proceed right thru the middle of the course while the race is on.....I thought I had brought too much stuff,then I saw the 2 kayakers hiking with their kayaks....the hike to the water is quite a distance....that was pretty hardcore. Boswell kept warm w/the roadkill soup in a thermos. I hope to catch y'all next time! Peace!!
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DC Outlaws
Just wanted to thank Brian Parsons for his efforts this past Saturday. Glad to see folks arriving from afar on a cold winter day, just to skate. A highlight for me of course, was bombing the back hill. Laying out in the turn while leaning on my slider glove at speed was a rush indeed. The big highlight though, was watching Kyle, Danny and Anthony charging. I've been trying to recruit speedboarders for 4 years now, to no avail. Look's like I found them. Maybe it's time to start a DC downhill outlaw series....
Bozi, I got those 101's.....those things are scary!
See ya'll next time
Bozi, I got those 101's.....those things are scary!
See ya'll next time
Danny, no worries on the non matching trucks, the important thing is what the trucks are doing. Next race, look at everybodies decks when theres a big turnout, youll see alot of different setups, most will have a different rear & frt truck. The most popular easiest to setup, is the Tracker 106mm RTS & RTX, or sesimic 105mm metals, in 45 & 30 degree trucks.
On your slalom deck you want the front truck to turn fast, & the rear truck to be way less aggressive so the rear doesnt what to slide out as soon as you have some speed & are turning hard.
( If the back wheels on your car turned, at 5 mph, itd be helpful to park, but if they turned on the highway at 60mph, you would skid out & flip the first time you tryed to turn even a little rite?)
Slalom decks, same thing, frt need to turn, rear needs to stay planted.
Most decks will run a wedge under frt truck to increase turning, & a backwards wedge in rear to dewedge & slow down the rear truck.
On regular style trucks, the critical thing is the Bushings, hard bushing that dont let the truck turn to it potential, make everything else pointless.
Bones Hardcores,Stimulators,Doe Doe's, all are a decent start, sometime will need to ad a longer kingpin to help fit a bigger softer bushing.
I didnt see what you where riding, I got there late. If you need any help in used decks, trucks, wheels to get a rig together or tweeek up yours, theres plenty of used stuff for slalom here locally even
It was way cool seeing so many young faces at the Race.
The Kids are alright
Bozi
On your slalom deck you want the front truck to turn fast, & the rear truck to be way less aggressive so the rear doesnt what to slide out as soon as you have some speed & are turning hard.
( If the back wheels on your car turned, at 5 mph, itd be helpful to park, but if they turned on the highway at 60mph, you would skid out & flip the first time you tryed to turn even a little rite?)
Slalom decks, same thing, frt need to turn, rear needs to stay planted.
Most decks will run a wedge under frt truck to increase turning, & a backwards wedge in rear to dewedge & slow down the rear truck.
On regular style trucks, the critical thing is the Bushings, hard bushing that dont let the truck turn to it potential, make everything else pointless.
Bones Hardcores,Stimulators,Doe Doe's, all are a decent start, sometime will need to ad a longer kingpin to help fit a bigger softer bushing.
I didnt see what you where riding, I got there late. If you need any help in used decks, trucks, wheels to get a rig together or tweeek up yours, theres plenty of used stuff for slalom here locally even

It was way cool seeing so many young faces at the Race.
The Kids are alright

Bozi
Bomb-Carve-Flow
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If there's one thing I learned about yesterday it would be that if I am to be competitive in the least bit at the slalom I'll have to invest in a better board. My deck is fine but the trucks don't even match. If I got some better bearings I think I'll do better. But yeah, yesterday was a blast and I'm definitely coming to the next one.
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- WesE
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T’was a great time of outlaw slalom yesterday. The temps were not a problem at all! In fact, when the conditions are right, I think I prefer skating in 35°F over skating in 80°F! If Fountainhead were wide enough for duals, the place would surely be Slalom Central. I hope AnthonyF, Danny, Brittany, Seth & his brother each had a good time. It appeared that everyone was having a good time, with the exception of Brian’s dad, who looked as if he wanted to join in on the fun but was not quite ready to cut loose the way we do. At the end, I was the only one left at the site. I made one last trip up the hill to make sure all was well and it started to sleet.
Thanks to Brian Parsons - race organizer - family man - cooldude.
Thanks to Brian Parsons - race organizer - family man - cooldude.
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- 1961-2013 (RIP)
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Got home last night around 11:00. First thing I did this morning was tally up the damage. Just in case anyone is interested (and I know you are,) I did this whole weekend for $130.00. That includes the room Friday night, driving 900 miles and some eats now and then. I even think that cost is a little skewed as gasoline spiked in the past couple of weeks to $1.55 a gallon. If it goes back to the $1.30 range it was before new year's, then I could probably do an Outlaw race for under $125.
Not bad for a weekend of skating on a really good hill with a decent crowd of people. I've made quite a show of myself the past couple of years telling everyone I don't travel north of Richmond between Thanksgiving and Easter. I must admit, though, that Saturday was really good skating weather. Some people were a little over dressed, (not mentioning any names, JD,) but for the most part some long pants and something over the ears would be enough to handle 35-degree weather with no problems. Actually, the only fashion accessory that brought any comment was Slappy's iPod wire flopping around while he was trying to slalom. We could tell at the top of the hill it was a distraction and on his next run the Maximus was careful to tuck it inside his jacket. I made mention of the fact that Saturday in 35-degree weather and still air was a lot more comfortable and tolerable than the 48-degree weather 66 and I skated in a couple of weeks earlier. A stiff breeze makes all the difference when it comes to staying outside for any length of time.
Thank goodness for the National Weather Service. Between weather updates on my computer, the Weather Channel in my motel room and listening to the radio in my car, I had an accurate and up-to-date picture of the weather in Occoquan right up until I left Saturday at 3:00. I guess from what WesE is saying I missed the icy stuff by about five minutes.
That's just the way I like it!
Not bad for a weekend of skating on a really good hill with a decent crowd of people. I've made quite a show of myself the past couple of years telling everyone I don't travel north of Richmond between Thanksgiving and Easter. I must admit, though, that Saturday was really good skating weather. Some people were a little over dressed, (not mentioning any names, JD,) but for the most part some long pants and something over the ears would be enough to handle 35-degree weather with no problems. Actually, the only fashion accessory that brought any comment was Slappy's iPod wire flopping around while he was trying to slalom. We could tell at the top of the hill it was a distraction and on his next run the Maximus was careful to tuck it inside his jacket. I made mention of the fact that Saturday in 35-degree weather and still air was a lot more comfortable and tolerable than the 48-degree weather 66 and I skated in a couple of weeks earlier. A stiff breeze makes all the difference when it comes to staying outside for any length of time.
Thank goodness for the National Weather Service. Between weather updates on my computer, the Weather Channel in my motel room and listening to the radio in my car, I had an accurate and up-to-date picture of the weather in Occoquan right up until I left Saturday at 3:00. I guess from what WesE is saying I missed the icy stuff by about five minutes.
That's just the way I like it!
Is ellybody up & going? I have stuff to bring for alot of you, hoping one particular shipment is sitting over at old house, cause it didnt show here. I need to go there, then come back for kids before I head out. May be late, but we'll be there.
I have a lil stomach issue, not sure how long we'll stay, slappy, they gotta porta pot anywhere near? (seriously)
See you guys, Jefff
I have a lil stomach issue, not sure how long we'll stay, slappy, they gotta porta pot anywhere near? (seriously)
See you guys, Jefff
Bomb-Carve-Flow
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- WesE
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It's official - the race will be at Fountainhead. Probably 10am for Longboard practice and then around Noon for the traditional slalom. BrianP, can we get an afirmative on that start time?
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Well guys...
Good News:
The GBurg Park & Race is bone dry.
Bad News:
There is more salt on the asphalt there than I had snow.
Unless somebody's got one of those rolling sweepers, a gas-powered blower, or a Zamboni, or we all show up with push brooms an hour early, there will be no racing at the P&R.
Boswell, Slappy, how's Fountainhead?
Q
Good News:
The GBurg Park & Race is bone dry.
Bad News:
There is more salt on the asphalt there than I had snow.
Unless somebody's got one of those rolling sweepers, a gas-powered blower, or a Zamboni, or we all show up with push brooms an hour early, there will be no racing at the P&R.
Boswell, Slappy, how's Fountainhead?
Q
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- WesE
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Ref: ride & Ref: Whatsnow?
Ride: No prob Seth...we can strap him to the roof of the car Or he can hold the EdEconomy...haven't heard from GBJ yet...if I could fit Leo in on the way home from ST Louis with all the stuff myself, WesE and Leo had w/us....I mean all the wheels,decks,tools,Coolmax T-shirts,and griptape that WesE had brought, then we can fit your bro in as well. maybe I'll leave my snobo at your house and swap you & your bro for my snobo so I can hit up the slopes after the race?
Yo UR13/Noah: The snow was a non event for the DC area, a dusting only in the Baltimore area but the road crews salted everything big time...probably to make up for the desalination that all last yr's rain did for the Chesapeake Bay...blue crabs dig the saltier water! I hear there's a chance for some more white stuff on monday! It'll be good to c you guys...AND JOE, if he comes.
Yo UR13/Noah: The snow was a non event for the DC area, a dusting only in the Baltimore area but the road crews salted everything big time...probably to make up for the desalination that all last yr's rain did for the Chesapeake Bay...blue crabs dig the saltier water! I hear there's a chance for some more white stuff on monday! It'll be good to c you guys...AND JOE, if he comes.
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ill call you tonite! is there any chance my brother could fit in as well? i really hope they didnt jump the gun with the p & r. this just isnt a good weekend for fountainhead for me. plus i wanna try out queue's new ride! lol. actually, i may be able to drive myself if you cant take me and my brother. he wont be happy that his new deck isnt ready (i just found out) but im sure there will be plenty to ride out there
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Ride to Fountainhead...Yo Seth, GBJ
Hey Seth & GBJ, I could swing by your way and pick u up for the sat race at Fountainhead if it's still on...just a dusting at my house this morn and nothing in PG COUNTY where I work...but all the roads were heavily salted everywhere...I guess everyone panicked since last week's dusting caused CHAOS here in MD when nody salted....what does our scout,Q, say about the P&R...prob salted bigtime ? Hey WesE, got some extra layers of Warmax for me?Oh yea, I could fit another person but I want to bring the true longboard-Gravity EdEconomy 57incher bankrider! Call me tonight on my cell 443-610-8488 if u 2 guys still need a ride....it was so snowy(not) this morn I walked out the house w/o my cell.