LONDON FRIDAY NIGHT SKATE TM
& SUNDAY STROLL TM

From: Week on Wheels <wow /at/ lfns.co.uk>
Subject: [wow] Poetry in Motion
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:36:05 +0000

==THIS WEEK==

FRIDAY we'll be clapped out in Clapham.

We've been east, we've been west, but we all know going down is
best. This week we're going downtown to Clapham Common. If you've
skated that way before, the chances are you took a different route,
because lead marshal Rogetta told us we've only taken this route
once before. So think of it as an old town doing new tricks, and
join us for more than a boot full of Friday fun. We start at 8pm
sharp, so please don't be late.

http://www.lfns.co.uk/rt.php/20081121

SUNDAY will see the return of our legendary (because only very old
skaters believe he ever really existed) Lead Marshal Christian. He
will be taking us on a progress around London, starting at the Hyde
Park Corner end of Serpentine Road at 2.00pm. You don't need to be
valiant but you must be able to stop (even on a slight gradient) and
skate safely in a group.

http://www.lfns.co.uk/rt.php/20081123

==LAST WEEK==

FRIDAY's LFNS went on a search for traces of the Old London Wall and
it's seven ancient gates. We were graced by the triple-whammy of a
Wot-no-brakes London-inspired music mix; warm (for the season) dry
weather; and Naomi's funky dance moves. Add to this the long run
down Embankment, and the outcome was a skate later described
as "chilled" yet "gut busting"; "brilliant", yet "lung bursting".
And with the medium-ish number of participants everyone had a spot
near the music bike. (See? Winter skates are worth it!)

There was plenty of cheering from the sidelines as spectators out
for a full moon Friday night party saw us passing. Or perhaps they
were just dazzled by the sight of our fabulous new LFNS T-Shirts,
available now in dozens of style & color combinations from the LFNS
website!

And while we showed Old London Wall mostly doesn't exist anymore,
the traces and imprints of its passing were everywhere visible in
the names and lines of central London.

SUNDAY: It's November. It rained. Get used to it.


==STAND BACK: CIRCLE LINE APPROACHING==

The Circle Line skate is coming up fast. It's scheduled for Friday
28 November so we're crossing our fingers that we aren't hit by
points failure at South Ken or a defective train at Victoria.

For anyone who hasn't done the Circle Line before: it's an LFNS that
passes every station on the eponymous tube line. That makes it a bit
longer than the average Friday skate and a bit faster to make up for
that. It's a special once-a-year treat so put it in your diaries now.


==YOUR SANTASKATE NEEDS YOU==

With this week's Stroll being rained off, Sunday skaters who were
intending to buy SantaSkate tickets need to bring their cash along
next week. There are only three more Sundays (and four Fridays)
before the Xmas season officially starts with hundreds of Santas
skating through the West End. It's the only skate you have to pay
for. It's run by those lovely people at LondonSkate, who bring you
the Wednesday skates in summer and they use it to raise money for
all the London street skates. It's just £10 and you get a full suit
of clothes for free. Admittedly the suit is a rather garish red but
it's ideal for clambering down chimneys and stealing mince pies.

Tickets from Santa's little helpers who will be attending all our
skates till the SantaStroll on Saturday 13 December. More details at
http://www.santaskate.com


==THAT'S THE WAY THE MONEY GOES==

As noted above the SantaSkate is one of the main sources of income
for the LFNS/Sunday Stroll. Last year we benefited from it to the
tune of around £800. Our other big revenue earner was the bunnyskate
at Easter where sales of costumes raised over £650. We have also had
some generous donations from skaters. The one of £200 did rather
stand out. Many thanks to the donor (who would rather remain
anonymous).

Our main expenditures in the past year are server costs (£210) and
bike repairs (around £575). We've kept a substantial amount back in
the kitty this year because we have had problems with finding a home
for the bike. Although the generosity of friends means we still
garage it for free, we need to have money for central London
garaging if we suddenly find ourselves homeless again.

The other costs of running the skate (not necessarily showing in
this year's accounts) include the cost of radios, flyers and First
Aid supplies. We've been using fewer of the latter lately as people
have conveniently stopped falling over so much but the snazzy
dressings that our First Aiders carry don't come cheap (although the
skate often pays nothing for them as First Aiders frequently carry
the cost themselves).

Marshals pay for their own skates, wheels, pads etc. The only
exception is that some of the hi-vis vests have been paid for by a
sponsor in exchange for having the sponsor's name printed on the
back.

Running a street skate is remarkably cheap, given the pleasure it
brings to so many people on a twice-weekly basis (weather
permitting). And the costs we do incur are often carried by
individuals who just enjoy being part of it. But we know some people
wonder what comes in and what goes out and we thought we'd take this
opportunity to tell you.


==A WORD FROM THE BACK OF THE PACK==

Skatefresh will be running a 'Solo Street' workshop this weekend.
It's
designed as a preparation for using your skates for urban transport.
Skating on London's streets and pavements can be a bit tricky and
Asha's
class is designed to improve your basic skills and introduce new
ones -
negotiating obstacles, by jumping or going over them. Curbs are
covered in
a variety of methods depending on your skill level.

Where? Albert Memorial, Hyde Park
When? Saturday 22nd November, 11.30am - 2.00pm
How much? £30

Helmets are compulsory.


==COME FRIENDLY BOMB AND DROP ON PHIL, I THINK THE POOR GUY'S BRAIN
IS ILL==

Marshal Phil (yes, girls, *that* Marshal Phil: the one with the
Lonely Hearts ad a few weeks back) has a poet's soul. And he's
composed a little ditty to the tune of 'Cheers'. He wants to share
it with the skate community and who are we to stop him?

Skating along the streets today, it always hits the spot.
Escaping from the city life, when skates are all you've got.

Wouldn't you like to skate away?

Sometimes you want to come

Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

You wanna go where skaters know,
skaters are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.


Skating as fast as the Lead Marshal
Takes everything you've got;
Keeping left to let them past
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?

All those nights where you're really bored,
There's nothing on TV,
You get the itch, and you roll outside,
And you never felt so free.

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.


==AND FINALLY...==

We try to end each Week on Wheels with some little drollery but,
frankly, after that we think there is nothing more to be said.

As ever, we welcome your comments, criticism, suggestions and even
poems. Send them using the feedback form on our site - don't reply
by email as it won't work. To unsubscribe, use the link in the mail
footer - right at the bottom after the copyright notice.

http://www.lfns.co.uk/feedback.php#contactus

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Please remember that the skate is marshalled by volunteers and you
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