Whether you have the best rollerblades for men or women, rollerblading still demands carefulness. You need to organize your skating equipment, skills, and match it with the skating territory.
So can you ride inline skates in the rain? For safety reasons, it isn’t advisable to skate on a flooded road. Inline skating is challenging for novice skaters. However, wet grounds make rollerblading more delicate even for professionals.
Therefore for you to decide whether you can rollerblade in the rain or not, here is what you need to know;
- Reasons for not skating in the rain
- The safety tips you have to follow
- The skills you need to skate in the rain (if you must)
Reasons Against Riding Inline Skates in the Rain
Gets More Slippery
The core difference between dry and wet skating grounds is that the latter is more slippery. And inline skating involves tilting of the wheels. Hence that means the chances of slipping off are very high.
In such a setup, even the usual smooth surfaces then become extra slippery. Your visibility of the road reduces significantly too.
Reduces the Efficiency of the Inline Skates
Skating in the rain gives grime, dirt, and grit easy penetration to the interior parts such as bearings. Accordingly, that interferes with its smooth-rolling. Therefore rollerblading in the rain leads to high maintenance costs.
Turning and Crossing Become Treacherous
For inline skates to make a turn, the wheels have to bend either inwards or outwards. But owing to the slipperiness of wet surfaces, it’s advisable to avoid edging. Similarly, you are more likely to slip and fall when crossing over or making a turn.
Slowing Down and Stopping Becomes Difficult
Once you set rolling on wet grounds slowing down becomes challenging. In reality, it will take a longer time to slow down compared to when skating on dry paved roads.
Hence though slow, you’ll have to employ various braking techniques[How do Inline Skates Brake? Types of Inline Skate Brakes] such as powerslide, T-stop, and soul slide.
However, if you find yourself in a situation where you must rollerblade in the rain, arm yourself with the following safety tips.
Safety Tips When Inline Skating in the Rain
Aim for Short Strides
The slippery ground calls for very minimal edging and short strokes, unlike in the dry terrain. Further, since braking takes time, glide at a slow speed. Refrain from pronating on the sliding leg to minimize the chances of slipping.
Keep Off Dangerous Spots
While skating in the rain, keep off the following surfaces as they are the most dangerous areas;
Cobblestones and Marbles
Materials such as marbles and cobblestones are very slippery. Therefore when going over them, try to keep your feet closer than the usual way, spread out just a little. Try to skate straight, keeping your body weight at balance and avoiding the temptation to turn sharply.
Painted Lines and Oily Patches
The painted lines, for example, those you can find marked on cycling paths, are tricky. Keep off from them. Otherwise, they are sure to cause your downfall. Similarly, oily patches are no-go zones.
Autumn Leaves
Beneath the visible leaves could be hiding potholes, uneven surfaces, sewer grates, or branches. Further, the leaves also add to the slipperiness of the surface. Stay away from them if you can.
But if you must go through the autumn leaves, assume a balanced position and controlled speed. In addition, shift the weight of your body slightly to the back.
Ensure the Rollerblades are in their Best State
Before sliding in the rain, check on the inline skates, particularly the wheels. Ensure they roll unhindered. And to boost your grip on wet ground, soft wheels are ideal though they compromise speed.
Skills for Skating in the Rain
Skating in the wet is remarkably different from navigating dry grounds. Notice the following:
When Skating on a Straight Path
The real danger is the feet slipping, stretching beyond limits, and thus causing a fall. Therefore aim at keeping the feet closely.
Instead of pushing far out, do so downwards. Try to concentrate more of your weight on the non-stroking rollerblade. That way, if you slip during a push, you can get over it. Most importantly, close the legs in, maintain low posture and go for short strides.
Navigating Around Bends
Do not cross over the skates to navigate a bend. Instead, slow down as you approach the corner and assume a low center of gravity. Next, bend your knees slightly and ensure that you have maintained a stable posture. By all means, do not make a sharp turn.
Downhill Rollerblading
Before embarking on downhill skating, test your braking capability. Rather than gliding swiftly downhill, go step by step. That is, let the shoes make a perpendicular angle with the slope. That way, the wheels won’t roll at an alarming speed.
After Skating in the Rain
When you are through skating in the rain, then you have to clean the pair of skates thoroughly. Water, grit, and other foreign particles will have penetrated the bearings.
Cleaning the bearings, drying out the water and lubing is the best way of maintaining inline skates[How to Maintain Inline Skate] following a ride in the rain. After cleaning the dismantled rollerblade, your ability to put it together faces the severest test.
Conclusion
There are tangible reasons for not to ride your skate in the rain. Water turns your skating ground into a slippery and unpredictable surface.
Accordingly, navigating turns, slowing down, and pushing on long strides becomes treacherous. Further, the afterward cleaning and assembling of the skates[How to Assemble Inline Skates] is tedious.