So, in the mid stages of my life, I ran into some YT videos talking about the One Wheel device, and I was blown away by how fantastic that contraption was. Little did I know that conversation would yield the fruition of an “electric” Christmas surprise. This was around November 2022, so I told my wife, “Miami, I am thinking of getting one of those electric skateboards (yes, I know that the one-wheel and the electric skateboards are not the same).”
My wife surprised me with an electric skateboard. I was blown away at how cool it was, and I could not wait to get on it and ride it. Now all I needed was for NJ weather to cooperate with me. In the meantime, I had to get my safety gear in check. I went with Triple 8 elbow pads, knee pads, and their “bum saver.” For my helmet, I found an old motorcycle helmet. So everything was set, and I needed the weather to at least get 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
One week later, the weather cooperated with me, and Oh my goodness, the torque on my board was astonishing. Some would call my board an entry-level budget board. It is a Caroma 38” longboard with dual hub motors. It seems like an excellent beginner board; the specs are lovely, with a 22 MPH top speed and 12 miles of range.
The first few rides went without incident, but if you don’t respect the board, the board will humble you. I got a little overconfident about the speed and was greeted with speed wobbles; my foot slipped off, and I twisted my knee. It was a rookie mistake that could have been way worse than it was. So if I may humbly suggest a couple of things for first-time riders, then allow me to do so.
- Do a thorough check on your skateboard before getting on, and tighten the trucks and any loose screws, nuts, and bolts.
- Work on your balance with a balance board or do ankle strengthening exercises. Your ankles being strong will help you keep steady on the board and help mitigate speed wobbles.
- If you have yet to ride a skateboard, practice the basics.
- kick pushing
- foot braking
- tic-tac-toes
- Learn the proper stance
- And be prepared to run off the board.
- Practice slow carves on a nice flat unpopulated surface like an empty parking lot
- Practice accelerating and braking, some of these boards are very aggressive and can throw you off.
I cannot wait for another patch of good weather to return and ride again. For me, it has been highly therapeutic. I find it very calming, and riding lets me clear my mind and enjoy the view. There is something serene about just cruising and enjoying the ride.
I look forward to blogging more about my electric skateboard, modifications, and my improvement as a rider.
