Review - 10 MPH: A Segway Documentary

I can't imagine how much money and how much effort it would take to ride a segway across the US. Can you believe someone actually did it? Of course, he did it with his friends riding behind in a car, but still, how awesome would it be to go across the country in slow motion at 10 miles per hour!

Two men quit their jobs and headed for Seattle, where they would start their long segway journey. They dealt with financial problems along the way. They had to find sponsors because they did not have jobs to support the trip. They stayed in hotels, in the homes of strangers, and in their car. They drove through rain and through snow. Finally, they reached Boston where they arrived to applause and balloons. The two men made a documentary about this trip called "10 MPH."

Last night, I watched this documentary. Overall, it was somewhat boring. It kept going on and on with nothing to add oomph to the film. However, the concept of riding a segway across the US kept me interested. The film includes interviews with people the men met along the way as well as interview with news channels.

The men also faced challenges along the way. I yelled at the screen of my TV as an arrogant police officer pulled the men and their friends over for driving too slow. The men also had to change the batteries of their segways frequently. They planned on going 60 miles per day, which would require at least 6 battery changes per day. One pair of segway batteries will get you anywhere from 10 to 20 miles on a charge.

I enjoyed the scenery the film showed. The men passed through Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons on their trip as well as through several cities. What I did not enjoy was the language. The film was very down to earth and realistic (it did not seem scripted at all), but the men who took the journey used distasteful language frequently throughout the film including the s and f word.

Despite its negative sides, the film was informative and interesting. I recommend it to anyone who can handle the language and who is interested in segways

You can explore the documentary's website here: http://www.10mph.com/

An Extra Hand: How I Got My Segway Tire Off the Segway

God is so amazing! When I'm in the tightest pinch, He always works things out for me! He waits for me to totally freak out and then reminds me that I need Him. Then, he solves the problem. Sometimes He does it in an unexpected way, as well. Today I put my segway tire back on my segway. This afternoon, I realized the other tire was flat. I began to freak out. I tried to remove it so I could pump it up, but couldn't figure out how to do it. I tried to pump it up while it was still on the segway and that didn't work. I called my dad to try to figure out how to use the tool to remove the segway. I scratched and hurt myself. I broke a nail! I cried. I whined. I was exhausted. I had quite a work out! But then, I decided to give it one last try. I started to try to unscrew the screws the opposite way I had been trying and it worked! It worked a lot easier than I thought it would work! I'm not very strong, so it was as if God had given me an extra hand! I pumped it up, and at first the air didn't seem to stay in the tire. I kept trying, however, and now it's full of air (15-20 psi)! Now I'm waiting to see if the air leaks out. If it doesn't, my segway, Brooklyn Segway Wheeler, will be officially fixed!!!



P.S. This is a reminder to post on the following topics: 1. My trip to Chicago and 2. Those times that we'll never forgive ourselves for and 3. A review of Harry Potter 5

Update on Brooklyn Segway Wheeler

For those of you who don't know, I named my segway Brooklyn Segway Wheeler. Thus the title of this post.

I haven't posted much about my segway lately because, unfortunately, Brooklyn is still extremely sick and disabled at the moment. That is, she has no right wheel. Her wheel is currently in the mail on its way back to me. I took it home to fix the flat tire and now my parents are sending it back to me. At least this is happening at a time when its too cold to be outside. It's in the 30s and 40s outside right now. Having no segway to journey out on is also preparing me for going home without Brooklyn. I can't bring her on the plane, so I will be segwayless for a month and a half.

In the mean time, I take joy in looking back at old memories of Brooklyn, like the time a middle-aged man turned to an elderly woman and said, "That's what you need!"

Pumping Air and Playing with Bubbles

Today I used soapy water to try to finde the leaks in my segway wheels. Then I pumped it up with air using the pump my dad bought for me that I got in the mail today. I found no leaks and the air left the wheel as quickly as it entered the wheel. Plus, my tire gauge doesn't work. Then I call my dad and he tells me that I need to use soapy water while pumping the air in! Wish he had told me that before, lol! So later I'm going to try that and if nothing works I'll have to try using slime. Meanwhile, I have community service to do (10 hour requirement for my college).

Warranty

In answer to a question about warranty:

Tired are not covered under the warranty (yours goes through March of 2008 per Alan) unless they are flat when you take them out of the box to assemble the i2. Nice thought, though. That was the first thing I asked Alan. Oh well...back to the drawing board.

What to do when you get a flat tire

First off may I just say, HELP!!! What am I supposed to do with a flat tire on my segway? How am I supposed to make it not flat?

So, for about a month now my friends have been telling my tires looked flat. They did not look flat to me and the segway still worked just fine, until today. Today I had been out for about a half hour when one of my tires randomly went flat. At first I though the sound I heard was just a leaf cauight on a wheel, but then the segway started to act up. A man I passed said, "got a flat tire, huh?" and then I knew, the rumors were true. My segway has a flat tire.

What do you do when your segway randomly gets a flat tire. Well, if you're smart you get off and walk the segway back home. I'm not so smart. I stayed on the segway, made a wrong turn or two, and rode it back to my dorm. I had to go very slowly. Sometimes the segway would randomly slow down. Other times it would lean too far forward or too far back. Some times it started going off to the right as if it wanted to topple over. I stayed on. I prayed. After some difficulties, I got back safely. If this ever happens to you, go no more than 5 miles per hour and keep a constant eye on the key for when the smiley face becomes a frown face (it will do this very frequently).

Anyways, now I have no way to return the DVDs I checked out that are due back Sunday before noon. Everyone is gone for fall break who could take me. What am I supposed to do? How do I make my tire not flat? HELP ME!

Honk Honk - Riding the Segway Without a Helmet

I was extra careful on my segway today. Why? Because I forgot to wear my helmet and gloves! I realized this about halfway to my destination. I was going fast because rain was expected any moment, but I had to slow down. Luckily, it did not rain on me and I did not fall. I have fallen twice already, so I know the importance of a helmet and gloves. They shield your fall and lessen the bruises. They may also save your life if you hit a car (which I have not done). When riding in windy conditions, be sure to wear a jacket or sweater to keep you warm (you don't want to get a cold). Also, do not try to go too fast against the wind; you could lose your balance and fall. Watch for bumps and try to avoid them. Sidewalks will often be uneven. If you come upon part of a sidewalk that has tranformed into a stairway, do not attempt to go over it; get off the segway and walk it over the stairstep. If there's no traffic, it may be better to ride on the road. I often ride on the road in neighborhoods. However, be alert for cars. Keep your ears open for the sound of a car's engine or the sound of a car driving over and crushing fallen leaves. If a car does appear, pull over to the side of the road and let the car pass.

No good reactions today. However, I did not post some of the reactions that I got about a week ago when I went to the local Blockbuster store.

One woman yelled out, "I like that!"

A man told me he wanted to ride my segway. He begged and pleaded, but I said no. He asked me how much a segway costs. I told him $5000. Surprisingly he still said he was going to buy one (but I doubt he will). Another man who appeared to be with him told him he could make his own segway. It's true you can make your own segway. I saw a website for just such a purpose. However, buying one is much easier and may even be less expensive and less time consuming.

Some kids also waved at me. I waved back.

Some other kids I saw were playing with their toy guns. They stopped to look at my segway. One of them said, "Cool, I want one of those!" A friend of mine who saw this happen told me I must feel real good, promoting world peace. I guess my segway is a great way to stop violence. LOL.

Last of all, the best reaction of the day was a man who turned to me and said, "Honk, honk. You got a horn on that?" Unfortunately, I did not have my bell with me at the time or I would have gave it a ring.

Showing Off

I like to show off on my segway. I've always liked attention. Sometimes you're not quite sure what to say, though. I also try to be humble. I went to Blockbuster and had lunch at a nearby Chinese Buffet food restaurant today. Thank goodness my friend and I weren't followed this time. We did have fun. She wouldn't stop teasing me about how I liked to show off. I know not to let things go to my head, though. Showing off can be a dangerous thing if you're not careful. That's how I fell the last two times. I was so comfortable and having so much fun that I forgot to watch where I was going and fell.

I did get quite a few good reactions today. One old man was looking for recyclable items. He looked homeless. When he saw me on my segway, he said, "I wish I could have one of those."

One woman asked me a few questions about my segway. All the usual ones. How much does it cost? How far can it go? Is it powered by gas or by battery? (In case you didn't know, it is powered by battery and can go up to 20 miles. It costs around $5000 used.) When my friend teasingly suggested that she try riding it, I said no. It didn't matter, though, because the lady was afraid to try it anyway.

One man did look at my segway and say, "I want to ride that." I replied, "Got $5000?" He lunged back in surprise and disgust. "I don't have that kind of money," he said as I left him.

Another woman saw me and shouted out, "Cool, wish I had one of those." She said something else too that I remember being a unique response, but I can't remember what it was she said.

On our way back, a couple in a van slowly passed us. They rolled down their window. "Sorry, we're not stalking you or anything, we just wanted to see how that thing worked," they told us. They said they had seen a segway once before a few years back in a parade. We talked a few minutes more and then went on with our business.

Lastly, one girl told me that she had seen police using segways, but always wondered if pedestrians could have one. She always was surprised to hear that they're actually called segways. She thought that was just what the police called them.

Following the Segway

I went to blockbuster on my segway today. My roommate, Lindsay, followed on her bike. We had a good time, but the scariest thing happened (we actually laugh about it now). Some guys in an old van followed us back to the dorms. At first we saw them going the opposite way of us. Then, we saw them cross in front of us. We saw them a third time (I guess they like zigzagging) and when we got back to the college a friend told us she saw an old van behind us. We got back safely and reported the van to campus security. Maybe they were just trying to get a better look at my segway, but they looked very creepy.

On the bright side, I got a few good reactions to my segway. One little girl yelled out, "Cool" and "Sweet!" Another guys stopped me. He was walking his dog, and he asked a couple of questions. He wanted to know how far my segway could go. I told him that it can go up to 20 miles on a battery, but if you go slowly it will probably only go 10-15 miles. He thought that was cool and was surprised it could go so far. He aksed how fast it could go, I told him it can go 13 miles per hour but the fasted I've gone is 12.1 miles per hour. He said he saw commercials for segways when it first came out. I told him it costs about $5000 for a used one. The technology is still fairly new. He said he's never seen one except on TV. They are getting more popular. Some cities give tours on them. Police and security officers use them. I even saw a guy giving out information at a casino in Las Vegas on one once. Anyway, I talked to the guy for a while and petted his dog. He's originally from San Diego. He was very friendly. We had to stop talking because it was getting late and dark out. Considering cars and bumps on the sidewalk, I wouldn't reccomend riding at night. I do, however, have reflectives and a light that I can put on my segway if I ever need some light.

Segways vs. Bikes

I went on an adventure today. I went to Blockbuster to check out some videos. I went on my segway, followed by my two friends who were on bikes. We had a blast. I thought I'd do some comparing of bikes and segways. Segways are great! They go up to 13 miles per hour, although the fastest I've gone is 12 mph and I reccommend going only 10 mph at the most. Bikes can go faster, but typically don't go faster. My friends were a good distance behind me. Bikes are good for exercises, but you can run out of strength quickly. Segways can only go about 16-20 miles on a battery without having to be recharged, but you don't run out of energy until you get off the segway (at which point your back may hurt a little from standing so long.). Segways take bumps better than bikes, but bikes can go around bumps on the grass whereas segways will often not be able to go on the grass (if you don't have the x2 model that is. I have the i2 model). I've learned to take the bumps slowly, but not too slowly. If you slow down too much your segway will stall on bumps it could pass at a faster pace. You have to learn what kind of bumps you can go over and what kind of bumps you can't go over. You also have to learn to watch for big bumps and to stop very quickly at a moments notice if you see a bump at the last second. I've already fallen once from not paying attention. Look straight ahead when you ride. Lastly, I would like to point out that my friends have trouble making turns on their bikes as well as pulling hills. This is not as much of a challenge for those of us who have segways.

Segwaying to the Movies

So, a couple of days ago I went out on my segway again. No falls this time. I brought a friend with me. She biked, I segwayed. We went to the movies to see Harry Potter 5. I'd already seen it, but she hadn't. Anyways, we had a blast. Let me tell you, crossing traffic and segwaying with the traffic when there are no sidewalks can be quite a suicide mission, but we go there alright. I had a few good reactions to my segway. One person yelled out, "Hey, where can you get that thing?" Not thinking, I told her Indianapolis. If I had had more time I would have said glidemarin.com but I kept segwaying on so I didn't slow down to think or to talk to the woman. I talked to an old couple about my segway later on. That was fun. Old people are so cute! I didn't think they would like my segway so much. I supposed the elderly probably didn't like new technology. Well, they liked it, but I don't remember what all we talked about. My friend who was with me remarked about how cool the lock for my segway is. It is made specially for the segway and is very strong. The hard part is finding a bike rack. Considering how many bikers there are around her I'm surprised there aren't more bike racks. Bikers like to smile at me. It's fun because they often give the right of way to me. Some rowdy kids in their pimped up car yelled after me and honked. I think it meant, "Awesome thing you got there," but I couldn't make out what they were saying over their loud music. The midwest is not nearly as conservative as you think. There are boomers everywhere. Anyways, I also got a "cool thing" remark on that trip as well. My only complaint is that the thing that goes over the spare battery for the key and the place where you plug the charger in is broken. It won't stay on. I think the magnets that held it together broke. No worries, though. It doesn't mean the segway won't work.

In other news, I went roller skating with a friend yesterday and had a blast exercising! My segway couldn't take me, though. I had to find a ride.

Segways and Polo

From: AOL NewsCategory: News
In San Francisco, they're putting a new spin on an old game. It's polo without the horse. Players are using those high-tech stand-up scooters called Segways to buzz up and down the field. (Sept. 17)

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Some short lessons and fun reactions

Two days ago I went out on my segway and I didn't fall. For once in my segway career, I did not fall! You see, segways can be safe and fun if you ride them the right way. Just don't get so comfortable that you forget to pay attention to where you're going! I did pick up a few new lessons, however. First of all, do not try to go too fast when riding against the wind. If the wind is blowing against you it can throw you off balance if you're not careful. Second of all, takes bumps slowly. Third, wear Off or some sort of mosquitoe spray to keep bugs off of you, especially if you go out in the evening. Speaking of bugs, you might want to wear safety glasses and go a bit slower when riding your segway near a river or some body of water. Bugs like to hang out near water in mass quantities. I learned this the hard way, hitting tons of bugs at once. I leaned my head forward a bit when I saw them coming so as to make them hit my helmet instead of my face. In the end, however, the bugs came off of me as the wind blew them away. Several actually flew away themselves, unharmed. Lastly, I learned that, while it is a stress reliever to go out on a segway on your own, it is a lot more fun to go with some friends. I try to get some of my friends who like to go biking to go with me. It's nice to have someone to talk to. Just don't fall from turning around to talk to them.

I did get a few nice reactions. I can't remember them all now, but some teens commented that my segway was cool and another woman said, "I like your thingy." So far no one has lectured me on how walking is healthier, although I have gotten a few strange looks. Some bikers look at me with a questioning face as if they wanted to say, "Why do I have to exercise to get places? Why can't I have a segway too? I hate that girl because she can have one and I can't." One man gave me one of these looks before smiling the other day. I think my favorite reaction, however, is when bikers genuinely smile at me and nod their heads as if tipping their hats (or helmets) off to my cool contraption. Of course, even cooler than this is when people on motorcycles or in trucks honk at me. Some teenagers who obviously thought they were something yelled something out, but I couldn't understand them over their loud music.

The Mile

So, I walked a mile today for my health/PE class and let me tell you, I'd take a segway over walking anyday if I have to walk more than a mile!

Another Fall - Still on My Feet

So I'm beginning to wonder if I ever really needed a segway. I'll certainly use it to get my money's worth and enjoy it in the process, but did I really need it? No, but I wanted it and I got it and I love it. But I fell for the second time today. I went to the movies and got there and back with one bar of batteries still left. To use up all of the batteries would amount to somewhere around 14 miles. I went 11 miles today. On my way back I hit a curb and the segway thew me over and I hit by left elbow, the left side of my face, and my left knee. My gloves, which luckily I was wearing today, kept me from any scratches on my hands. My elbows are fine. I have a few scratches on my face and a fat lip. My knee is cut fairly bad. I don't mind. It hurts a little, but I should have been paying better attention. My pants were ruined from new found holes, but I got right back up and kept on going. This is a surprise to me. When I was younger if something hurt me I would reject it forever. This is why I don't know how to ride a bike. This is also why I am always reluctant to go driving in a car again. I do not seem to have this problem with my segway. The segway is a little banged up, as am I, but I'm not afraid to get back on it and I do not think a few falls here and there are any reason not to buy a segway. I'm sure my mom is laughing her pants off right now. She fell on the Angel Island tour and got a fat lip from it. I laughed at her then because I thought I would be the one bad at riding a segway and that she would be good at it. Look at me now! I got used to the segway and then I fell. There's a lesson for you: don't get cocky on your segway and don't get too comfortable; something can always happen. I guess God was teaching me again that I need to stop being so high and mighty and give Him an eye. One of my faults is that I like to brag a lot. Here's another lesson for you: watch out for branches. I got hit in the face by some tree branches today, thus the scratches on my face. When you finish laughing at me, here's another funny fact. I got new pants in the mail today from my mom. Ironic, isn't it, since this afternoon I ruined one of my older pairs of pants. LOL. On the bright side, I got lots of nice reactions today, even after I fell. So much for not bragging. A few people honked at me, others said "cool." I think the best response was when a woman said, "There's one of those electronic things!" Someone else asked me if it was fun to ride and I replied, "Yes, even when you fall."

Picking Up After a Fall - A Segway Adventure

There are many new things I am learning about my segway. First of all, do not try to talk to people behind you while riding your segway, or at least be very careful when doing so. Second of all, my segway does not go nearly as far as I supposed it able. Third of all, it is easy to go down stairs, but very difficult to go up stairs, while riding a segway. Lastly, take bumbs slowly and when you have people on bikes following do not slow down or stop or they may collide or fall. I learned all these things on my segway adventure this evening.

Two friends and I set off on our way to a nearby park with a bike path. They were on bikes and I was on my segway. I took the bumps of the sidewalk fairly slowly, and it worked out fine. In fact, I got to full speed today, which is about 12 miles per hour on your average segway. I did at one point slow down too much and one of my friends fell over and scratched her hands. She got right back up on her bike, however. Little did I know that she was foreshadowing my own fate.

On our way back, I turned to say something to one of my friends. I began to feel myself lose my balance. Strangly enough, the segway did not make its usual warning sounds and vibrations. Realizing I was losing my balance, I attempted to get off the segway, but tripped on it and fell over onto the nearby grass. My segway began to roll around as if it were going to attack me. It stopped after a few seconds and I was fine. My wrist was a little sore, but I got right back up and onto my segway again. No damage done, and I did not even have my gloves on (just my helmet - but that does not mean you do not need gloves - I'll be sure to wear them next time). My friends did freak out a little. One swore never to try out my segway, but the other said it made no difference, she was just concerned about me when I fell.

I still love my segway and I'll keep using it. Why do we fall? So we can pick ourselves back up again. (This is according to Batman Begins). I still think a segway is a great means of transportation. I only find trouble finding time as a college student to take it out and explore. I did notice that the battery on my segway was halfway down at only 4.5 miles distance. This means I can't go as far on it as I would like to. I think it might be because I weigh more than the average person (well over 200 pounds but under 300). So if you are within 200 to 300 pounds, do not expect to be able to go a full 20 miles as expected/promised by dealerships.

The trip was full of fun reactions. Some people just looked at me and smiled. Others said "cool" and asked me where I got my segway. I think the reactions are the best part of having a segway. Although I hope people I know here in the midwest do not think of me of the rich girl from California. A segway is cheaper than a car.

I'll post pictures of my adventure tomorrow.

Weather Limits

As much as I love the cool weather, I hate that it's raining right now. It keeps me from going out on my segway and I'm dieing to go out and explore.

Some More Segway Pictures from Angel Island

Exercise on a Segway

I made a goal in my Fit for Life class today: to lose ten pounds by the end of the semester. I will do this by working out three times a week and eating healthier. With my segway tempting me, however, I don't think I'll get out for long walks very often. Actually, you'd be surprised how much exercise you can get from a segway. It isn't walking, but it's better than sitting on your butt in your car. You have to stand up straight the entire time you are on your segway and keep your knees bent at the same time. I guess a segway tests your felxibility and gives you small workouts in the arms and legs. After the first week of using a segway you'll be sore in more than one area, but it's worth it. A segway is fun and transportation in one. Add a bit of exercise onto that and you've got a good package.