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| Skate Across America (157 Posts)
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Skate Across America for Lowe Syndrome |
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On 8/10/2003
Nick - SAA Team
wrote in from
(206.222.nnn.nnn)
Day 9 - We are down to the Core 4 - Jack Smith, Scott Kam, Josh Maready, and myself. We pushed today from Chadron, Nebraska, to Valentine, Nebraska - an easy 135 miles or thereabouts. We have shed the troublesome motorhome and are now operating out of the mighty white Windstar.
Anyone that tells you that Nebraska is flat has never been on Highway 20 between the Wyoming state line and Valentine. Up and down, with the sweetest pavement you've ever skated. The people are really awesome. The towns are few and far betwee, but we are getting much love here from the local populace.
We've decided to alter our route and schedule from here on out, so the previously posted schedule is now different. We're doing this because there are very few towns out here of the size necessary to support even one motel. Once we hit eastern Nebraska, our route options open up considerably.
We have had very little cell phone and/or Internet support, so we've been unavoidably out of touch. One laptop left with our driver, Nate, who should be back in SLO by now. Finding a reliable local dial-up connection has been a chore, as well.
The Rolls Rolls/Independent/ABEC11/Biltin combination has been unbeatable on the road. The magic combination differs for each of us, but I prefer the 101mm/72a FlyWheels with Indy 169's, with less riser than stock, which gives a low deck height, which is pretty easy to push.
Getting out of the van to start pushing is always kind of a shock to the muscles for the first dozen or so pushes, then everything locks into place and I'm good to go.
We're now averaging two-mile sections, as it speeds up the turnaround process and enables us to hit about a 17mph pace, both uphill and down. I've skated sections as short as .3 mile, and as long as 7.6 miles.
Jack, Scott, and Josh are incredible. These guys are like machines, churning out the miles like nobody's business. I myself feel more fallible than the others, but I feel myself getting stronger every day.
Please use any media contacts you may have and pester these guys to cover us, as we are out of touch for hours or days at a time.
Much love and respect to Joe Beck, Jeff Reynolds, Eric Boyd, Paul Dunn, and Nate Pierce, as well as my lovely, patient, understanding, and fantastic better half Teri Green.
More later.
- Nick
Currently Skateboarding Across America
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On 8/10/2003 lizzie
wrote in from
(63.195.nnn.nnn)
Hey, Nick & Stan! Thanks for emailing. Whoaaaaaaa, your gnarly events in Idaho are behind you. I hope the skate God will pave your path across the Great Plains with ease. Jack Jr. is really getting a BIG sMILE on every M-I-L-E you're skating. U guys ROCK! LuvU4whatUrDoing.
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On 8/10/2003
sage spraktes
wrote in from
(216.128.nnn.nnn)
hey guys, this is the kid you met in arco. You guys are way too cool. I told all my friends about you guys and they were way shocked. It awesome what you guys are doing. Keep skating.
----------Sage
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On 8/9/2003
Scott Johnston
wrote in from
(66.27.nnn.nnn)
Jack annd crew your guys are incredible, I sure that it must be a advendure of a lifetime, I wish I could be there with you. I think about you every day, my prayers are with you.
God Bless
See you soon......
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On 8/9/2003 PD
wrote in from
(64.4.nnn.nnn)
Just back in from Casper, WY. It's Satuday afternoon. The pace these guys are keeping is really different than when I did "TransAmerica 84: The Skateboard Crossing for Multiple Sclerosis." Some of the other contributing factors that make this adventure MORE difficult than '84 is that the national speed limit has been raised since then -- the car whiz factor is hairy. And state budgets have tightend so the roads are not as well maintained. This is no easy task. I'm burned-out and I only skated 4 days (when I wasn't helping with logistics). More on my personal take on the trip later...
--PD
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On 8/9/2003
Brady
wrote in from
(66.21.nnn.nnn)
You guys are doing great! Lil` Jack must be smiling down upon you guys.
Any chance of some pics posted here so we on the sidelines can share the stoke?
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On 8/9/2003
Hamm/LCB
wrote in from
(66.42.nnn.nnn)
you guys RULE, keep it up!!
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On 8/8/2003
Bob, Barbara and Katie Schwenoha
wrote in from
(66.214.nnn.nnn)
Jack et al -
We have been following you every day and are keeping you all in our thoughts. Jeanne even called from Seattle that she had seen you on the local TV station and sends all her best to you. The positive energy from all over the country seems be gathering momentum as you continue.
Take good care.
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On 8/8/2003
dave g
wrote in from
(63.188.nnn.nnn)
jack and crew... roll on!Mollica is deciding what foot wear he'll wear!!! I'll do what I can when you're in WV (forked my arm up bad)
Keep the pace...you guys are ripping it for lil' Jack!!!!!
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On 8/8/2003 cabbage
wrote in from
(63.188.nnn.nnn)
hey adam, you should put up the Jack jr banner on this forum. So people can see what this is about. Just a suggestion.
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On 8/8/2003 cabbage
wrote in from
(63.188.nnn.nnn)
Wow I just found this forum,awesome! right on Jack and SAA crew!! you guys rock! Keep it up, super stoked for all of you, I know Jack Jr is super pumped on this. I'm thinking about you guys everyday, and everyday spreading the word for your cause. Look forward to following your journey right here on NCDSA, right on Adam for the platform, and Ricky and Tway for the idea. I'll be back, keep on pushing, and enjoy the downhills guys.
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On 8/8/2003 Jack and the SAA Team
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
Dateline: Casper, Wyoming.
150 miles skated today. Started at 7:45am finished at 5:00. My teammates, Josh Maready, Nick Krest and Scott Kam are incredible. Nick took a fall when he hit a storm drain during a downhill stretch, bloodied, but yet undeterred.
Paul Dunn and my boss, Jeff Reynolds left our band of rollers today. Both of these guys made huge contributions to the effort. Jeff was originally only going to skate two days but stretched it to seven. He was a real help with logistics. He also bought the team meals numerous times and kept the team supplied with Gatorade and water. He also doctored up Scott's blisters. I am blessed to have an employer/friend like Jeff. PD stepped up and skated some fast legs and also served as assistant crew chief and head video guy. Paul, you will never know how much it means to me that you came along. Cresting the Continental Divide with you yesterday was legendary.
It is hard to explain what it is like to skate between 30-50 miles a day. The heat, rough road you would never dream of skating on, steep uphill climbs, semis whizzing past you at 70+mph, the ocassional idiot driver who pretends that he is going to run you off the road. You skate your 3 mile segment, flop into the van, suck down Gatorade or water and wait for your next turn which always comes to soon.
I have taped pictures of Jack to each board we are using, the guys tell me they draw inspiration from them, so do I.
At times I find myself talking to Jack as I skate along, or just remembering things about him. Tears are not uncommon.
Please share this forum with your friends and family. You can also send them to: www.asphaltplayground.com/lowe.html
As always thank you for your support.
If you need to reach me by phone: 805-391-9385.
PS - I want to thank Joe Beck for skating with us across Oregon. Joe is an incredible skater and person. I am proud to call him my friend. Joe, we all miss you!
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On 8/8/2003
Mike Allen
wrote in from
(198.81.nnn.nnn)
to Jack, and crew:We at Rolls Rolls are proud of you and your great feats, not only for Lowes, but to bring to the general public how special people can attain special things. God bless you, and keep you safe.From all the dads, skaters, or not, thank you!
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On 8/8/2003
JOE
wrote in from
(199.108.nnn.nnn)
Nice, glad to see this forum open up. Hope you guys are getting along still. Not that I think anything could break the stoke I experienced with you all that first three days. Just now recovering from the emotional let down of having to leave to come back to work. Dosen't look like I am going to get to come out and finish with you guys (too much work to do) Think I'll go and do a little surfing this weekend. Just wanted to let you know how much fun I had with the SAA crew and to give you all some words of encouragement. Keep PUSHING. When it's all said and done you guys will remember this for the rest of your lives. Much love Nick, Josh, Scott, and of course Jack.
Strgenth and respect
JOE aka "smokin Joe"
PS my video fotage came out great, cant wait to see some of Scotts from that hill on the other side of prinville.
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On 8/8/2003
Steve in AZ (too far south of the route)
wrote in from
(192.175.nnn.nnn)
I've made the drive from SLC to Jackson on 3 occasions, going through Idaho, and up through the pass that the SSA team went through.
WHEW! That is one hellacious ride! Unless you went sideways down the pass into Wilson, WY, I have no idea how you'd be able to do it standing up with those curves and that much slope.
I guess that's gonna make up for all of the flats in front of you.
Congrats to all!
-=Steve & Laura in Scottsdale=-
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On 8/8/2003 John Gilmour
wrote in from
(207.172.nnn.nnn)
can we have a sneaker consumption chart- how much rubber are you guys burning up? Is catameranging legal? What boards are you using? Did you break the one day distance record on those cool roll rolls decks?
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On 8/8/2003
stevem
wrote in from
(198.173.nnn.nnn)
What are the tentative plans for when you get near Chicago?
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On 8/8/2003
Stubbs
wrote in from
(209.117.nnn.nnn)
I NEED THE SAA'S ADDRESS OF THE NEXT STOP AFTER CASPER, WHERE EVER IT MAY BE, ASAP!!! CAN ANYONE EMAIL IT TO ME???
NICK WILL APPRECIATE IT.
THANKS
S.
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On 8/7/2003 Jack
wrote in from
(172.145.nnn.nnn)
Skated 145 miles today. Ended up in Riverton, Wyoming. We will have to take a different route tomorrow due to road construction...an additional 14 miles.
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On 8/7/2003
SAA Team
wrote in from
(172.145.nnn.nnn)
Day 6.
Up and over the Continental Divide, 9658 feet.
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On 8/7/2003 Stubbs
wrote in from
(65.69.nnn.nnn)
He was a ballerina in a previous life, Chris!
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On 8/7/2003
chris olden
wrote in from
(63.204.nnn.nnn)
Howdy,
I just wanted to say "Hi!" to Nick on the road. Best wishes
to ya Bro!
You guys are amazing.
Peace to you all.
Chris Olden
p.s.-size 8.5 shoes? No wonder my Skaterbuilt seems like
a boat to you ! LOL!!!
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On 8/7/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Jack, Gary, Nick, and the rest of the crew...
just a note to say my thoughts are with you guys.
I know it is one hell of a slog...
I can't imagine how tough it must be. Too bad law enforcement showed their ugly side...all I can say is that
you've got a whole bunch of people out there amped.
Keep pushing...
take photos!
as I wind down another issue, all I can say is that the revolution will not be televised, but it will be printed!
keep the stoke...we we're with you!
best wishes
michael brooke
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On 8/7/2003
Mark McCree
wrote in from
(69.34.nnn.nnn)
Rollin, Rollin, Rollin
Keep them skateboards rollin
Don't be do'n no troll'n-----for Babes.
Though the asphalts boil'n
And your bodies soil'n
Remember you are toil'n-----for Lowes
Kick em up
roll em out
move em on
head on out
RAW HIDE (I mean road)
Good luck guys, I wonder how long you will be humming this tune.
McCree
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On 8/7/2003
Maurine Smith
wrote in from
(198.81.nnn.nnn)
Hi everybody! I just spoke with Jack on his cell phone, and he asked me to let you all know that they crested the Continental Divide, elevation 9658 feet, at 1:00pm mst today! Despite some of the ups and downs (no pun intended) he sounds great. Keep you posted!
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