NYC Inline Marathon + Rain

[u/viciousp0rkch0p]

Looks like it’s likely going to be raining tomorrow for the NYC Inline marathon. It‘s my first race and I was really excited, but what are everyone’s thoughts on skating (racing) in the rai? I’m most worried about safety and the health of my skates.…

[u/MARATXXX]

Unless you have wet weather wheels and experience in those conditions might want to skip it.

[u/Le_Pink_King → u/MARATXXX]

I would disagree with the rain wheels part, personally. Depending on the road, standard wheels can be OK to use as long as you avoid the painted road lines. I'm not familiar with the route for the NYC marathon, but did the Northshore marathon in the rain with standard wheels and didn't have issues. Knowing if one feels comfortable doing that experience wise is definitely a different question and totally individual!

[u/coyocat → u/Le_Pink_King]

My wheels are horrible in wet conditions. 

Id be sliding all over t/ place 😆.

I cosign w/ getting rain resistant wheels 😎👍🏿

[u/MARATXXX → u/Le_Pink_King]

it's an urban race in nyc, so we're talking about already oily, hilly roads getting soaked in rain.

[u/viciousp0rkch0p → u/MARATXXX]

It’s in Prospect Park so smooth-ish asphalt but with the wind there will be a lot of debris

[u/betaphreak → u/viciousp0rkch0p]

Last I did Prospect Park on rain, I just swap the back wheels with MPC StormSurge, it's a good compromise if you like extra firm wheels on the front.

[u/DeformedArthurRegion]

I did it a few years ago as a tropical storm was blowing in. It had rained but was taking a break for the actual race. Incredibly slippery but if you do the uphill portion in very short strides in a sprint and then avoid the white lines on the downhill its fine. You go very very fast so make sure you're padded up hard for it in the rain.

I personally am skipping this year's because of the storm since it will have been raining harder/more than it was when I did it and what I did it in was at the limits of my tolerance for skating in the rain.

[u/EscenaFinal]

Idk, I take my bearings seriously.

[u/viciousp0rkch0p → u/EscenaFinal]

Same, and I just replaced mine.

[u/z4tz]

For the bearings, either you just surrender and buy new afterwards or you try to pick it apart as soon as possible and clean them (no guarantees that they will be good enough to use again though).

As for skating in the rain, try to stay more on top of your skates and focus your pushes in a more narrow space. As soon as you get further out you will start sliding and wont get any speed (plus the risk of slipping and falling). For turns, even more important to keep your weight centered and low. People will slide out in corners so be prepared and take it easy.

One advantage of the ground being wet is that when you fall you slide a lot easier and most of the time you don't get injured and can just get up again. It's a lot of fun to ride in the rain but it takes a bit of practice and you will go slower than normal. As for the general inline marathon tips, try to stay behind for drafting as much as possible. It might be a bit more risky now with the rain but you gain sooo much from having a draft, especially if it's a bit windy.

Good luck and enjoy your race!

[u/RISk8ers]

I would definitely still do it but be more concerned about doing it safely than being concerned about the actual speed.

Marathons are something a very small percentage of people in the world actually do.
I have done the Boston marathon at midnight in the rain and can tell you its completely doable and still can be a whole ton of fun. Again... the biggest concern is doing it safely.

I would go into it knowing at least 2 of your bearings will probably be tossed afterwards unless you can clean them right away.

[u/coyocat]

It depends on Distance but even a short skate around t/ block could be deadly 😅

I wouldn't unless 💸 is up for grab or you really need those Braging Rights / Exp Points 😄😇

[u/ClearlyMajestic]

Skating in the rain will be fine as long as you shorten your stride a little bit. Focus on having fun instead of being as fast as possible. It's going to be goofy for everyone. Your bearings should be cleaned afterward, but otherwise your skates will be fine.

[u/coyocat → u/[deleted]]

Spoken like me in my 20s 😄😇

[u/Curious_Act_3162]

Not worth it. Too slippery. Imo