Skierg/Skike

[winniewinser]

This is probably a bit niche but just wondering if anyone have used the Skierg and Skike/Roller Ski outside?

I just picked up some Skikes on Ebay and am looking forward to putting some of the Skierg technique into practice in the Spring/Summer sunshine (if the UK ever gets any )

http://www.rollerski.co.uk/skike_v8_tour.html

Another exercise to keep me fit an something where the dog can also come along for some exercise as long as he doesn't trip me up!

[gvcormac]

No, but you can find YouTube videos. If you get the stand, it is easy enough to roll about, though on soft grass/ground you probably need bigger wheels like on a hand cart.

[DghSpanishWelsh]

Not skikes - have tried them and didn't like them - but have some SRB rollerskis, have raced them in the past (not very well). I find the skierg more physically taxing than double-poling on rollerskis.

Re rollerskis, a few observations:

First thing to do is, double-pole. When I first had rollerski lessons, they had us trying to stride (more on striding below). 5 hours later, I had learned nothing. Only progressed when I concentrated on double-poling. Do that, and the confidence to skate will come. Sorry if that's too basic, if you're beyond that stage;

I find the models with pneumatic tyres much more comfortable (even on tarmac) than the solid-tyres/wheels;

I don't do diagonal stride on rollerskis. I either skate, or double-pole. Some in the UK XC-skiing scene seem to want to be more Norwegian than the Norwegians, and have a thing about having to do diagonal stride. But there's a school of thought that says diagonal stride on rollerskis is a bad idea, for technical reasons;

Brakes on rollerskis are your friend. Skis on snow don't have breaks, but on snow you're not falling onto hard tarmac;

I've always gone for ratcheted wheels. Purists will say I should have unratcheted wheels for when I want to skate, but who wants to risk an unwanted roll-back?

I prefer skis with proper ski boots (SRB XSR01 are my faves) but have a pair that are used with normal shoes, like skikes. Heavier, more restrictive (esp re heel lift) but better than nothing and have their uses.