Hey everyone! I have a bit of a strange but specific question. I'm into inline skating and often find myself going over mountain passes. I'm searching for a way to create a drag braking system for the downhill parts since traditional skate brakes aren't very effective. My plan is to carry a lightweight bag up the mountain and then fill it with rocks (roughly 20 lbs or 10 kg) to drag behind me when going downhill. I've looked into DIY sleds, but most designs I've seen are too heavy to carry up with me, especially things like modified car tires. I'm hoping to find something, maybe a bag made from strong materials, that could be used for this purpose or repurposed in a way that works. Any suggestions? My target speed while skating downhill is around 10-15 mph. Thanks!
3 Answers
You might want to look into drag chutes, which are designed for speed training. They strap around your waist and can add some serious drag without the hassle of rocks. Just make sure to find one that's designed for running so it can handle your speed on skates.
Yeah, but keep in mind a parachute works best at higher speeds. Just hope you don’t need to hit the brakes before it opens!
Honestly, dragging a bag full of rocks might make your balance worse. It's really not the best idea for safety. Instead, learn to use T-stops and make S-turns like skiers do. If you're going too fast, try to carve back uphill a bit to slow down safely.
Totally agree! I like to keep turning when I'm coming down. It feels way safer than dragging something behind me.
I appreciate the advice, but the traffic on my routes makes that a bit tricky. I need a straight shot for safety.
Dragging something on the asphalt can be risky; if the bag snags on something it could really throw you off. Instead, consider modifying old skating gloves with hard plastic plates for some extra drag. Or if you want resistance, maybe some stronger rubber grips on your wheels could help slow you down.
That actually gives me an idea! I could experiment with different materials to see what provides the best balance between drag and control.
Also, think about the durability of whatever you choose to drag. You don't want something that’s going to wear out after a few rides.
That actually sounds a lot safer than rocks bouncing around behind you! Just be cautious with the line since it could drag behind you or get caught under your skates.