ADVENTURE SPORTS BY WINA STURGEON 5/20
WHIP IT ON WHEELS
Roller Derby is now so huge that piles of books and movies are coming out about it. The biggest current project is a film called "Whip It," directed by Drew Barrymore and starring Ellen Page, of "Juno" fame. It's the story of a young girl who falls in love with the tough action of roller derby, but whose family and friends think the sport is only for trailer park trash and don't want her to do it. Of course she stands against them all and goes for it.
The movie, from the popular book "Derby Girl" by Shauna Cross, will be out in early 2009. Meanwhile, there are an ever increasing number of derby teams joining leagues from California to New York and most states in between. Tickets for bouts (games) in every city usually sell out. Obviously, people like to see girls bashing each other.
RED BULL'S 'EXPERIMENT'
Red Bull is testing the limits. The energy drink company is about to do its next "experiment" with BMX star Kevin Robinson, who will try to set a world air record in Central Park, New York, on June 12.
You may remember Red Bull's first 'Experiment' last New Year's Eve, when Australian Robbie Maddison made a world record motorcycle distance jump of more than 322 feet. Red Bull, which also sponsors action athletes in a variety of extreme and traditional sports, describes its program as "giving the world's elite athletes the opportunity to push the boundries of what might be humanly possible...these experiments are poised to change the way the world thinks about what is possible."
Robinson, whose efforts are made more difficult by his large size, will use a 60-foot high ramp and a 27 foot quarter pipe to get the air he needs to set a new record. The current record is just over 50 feet high.
UTAH'S THE PLACE FOR BIKE NEWS
Aside from the World Superbike Championship, Utah is rolling along with bike news. First, the bad news: Olympic and clean Tour de France contender David Zabriskie, of Salt Lake, is out for the season. A bad peleton pileup in Italy's Giro d'Italia left the 29-year-old with a fractured vertebra in his lower back. Before crashing, Zabriskie was in line for a berth on the U. S. team for the Beijing Olympics.
Ski Utah may be the only promotional organization with its own bike team. The group, which exists to promote the snow resorts of Utah, is looking to create a team of 100 cyclists; both road and mountain bikers. The team will include both racers and recreational riders. Anyone who wants to ride with the team can register to join at: www.SkiUtahCycling.com.
The only problem is that the web site indicates that a uniform is required, but there is no information on how much the Ski Utah bike outfit costs, or where and when the recreational rides take place.
SAND DOWN WHEEL SCUFFS FOR FASTER SKATING
Anyone who skates or skateboards on rough surfaces may not even notice the scuffs and dings in their wheels. But those who then go to a park may wonder why they are skating slower and aren't able to maneuver as well as they usually do.
The answer can be found with a close look at the wheels. Every little scuff and ding grabs the concrete and slows momentum. Solve the problem by using very fine grade sandpaper to smooth the wheel surface. Use a light touch so you don't disturb the roundness of the wheel.