I caught a YouTube video the other day that looked pretty cool, but also a bit scary.
A fellow from Madrid, Spain (I believe) came to the Philippines and did a skateboarding tour. Β I was really amazed by the skateboarding along Philippine roads, and doing so at pretty high speeds, it seemed. Β Made for a fun view, though.
Would you skateboard on Philippine roads at such speed?
Enjoy the video!
Secondcitycopper
They’re young and wild!!! Unforntunately, they don’t realize how life-changing an accident would be. I bet he doesn’t even know that there is probably no 911 system in the province if the need ever arises
. Well, I was young once, too ..
MindanaoBob
Indeed, Secondcitycopper, it’s a youth thing, I suppose. No other explanation! π
Mark G.
While I don’t think I would or could do what these guys are doing I appreciate their chutzpah. In my youth I might have done the same things on two wheels but not now. The best part is that little film led me to this gem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFhc9Ppk9h0&feature=player_embedded#!
This one brought a smile to my face even though it made me miss home and the wife a bit too much. Thanks Bob!
MindanaoBob
Hi Mark – Yeah, they had guts, for sure!
Thanks for sharing the vid… indeed a good one.
Lenny
I’ve always guarded myself with toy thing’y’s…I don’t bungy, skydive,.Go 100mph in a car, etc.. Yeah its cool, but like said above life threatning accident prone….Alot more things in life to give fun and pleasure..This guy probably runs with the bulls also..
MindanaoBob
I don’t think I could ever bungy jump, Lenny! I’d be scared to death! I’ve driving over 100 MPH many times, though. π I just can’t imagine skateboarding that fast on Philippine roads… imagine if you hit the inevitable pothole!
Mars Z.
Whew! Some really dangerous skating. Most of the town center here in Northern Virginia prohibits skateboarding. In Franconia shopping and restaurant district, the city bolted metal strapping every 3 feet or so on benches, concrete planters, gutters to discourage skateboarding. Its actually an inexpensive fixed.
Mars
MindanaoBob
Hi Mars – I am not personally anti-skateboarding. When I was a kid I had a skateboard, but nothing like what they have these days, though. I am OK with it as long as it is done safely, and the safety of the other people who are not skateboarding is taken into account too.
Mars Z.
Yep, agree with you, as a matter of fact most cities build skating parks for skating enthusiasts. They just don’t want them to skate all over the place for safety of everyone.
Mars
brian
In my younger days back in the “70’s” I did this very same thing out in cali and colorado. at the time it was the most fun and fantastic rush I had ever had. it still ranks up there. that bein said i was young and dumb and full of ___. life is a gamble sometimes ya win sometimes ya lose. Those guys were lucky they had some close calls. but damn it I wanna be young and dumb again ! haha this whole responsibilty thing is way overrated π
MindanaoBob
I hear you Brian. Ah, to be young again.
Bob New York
The road looked like it had an excellent surface condition and it would not surprise me if the skaters checked out that road very well prior to what we have seen on the video. I got a bit of a thrill in watching it, it looked like those skaters were well skilled and with the exception of one scene at least it appeared they all were wearing helmets. I never was into skateboarding myself .
I did have my own Philippines Thrill Ride though. I never admitted it but when a Zipline was set up at NPC Natures Park in Iligan City I saw videos of it begin to appear on Youtube. I kind of wondered what it would be like to try it although I never suggested it to my friends there. It ended up the other way around, a couple of my friends in Iligan ” kind of ” suggested it. I found some of the specifications of it on the internet and each of the 4 sections of this Zipline had a travel time duration of under 60 seconds. I figured I could take 60 seconds or less of just about anything, at least if it looked like fun.
Surprise ! My friends and I arrived at the Zipline, we had to go up the side of a hill on a nicely built stairway of about 200 steps to get to the starting point. On the first cable riders are sent in pairs. I let a couple of my friends go first, All of a sudden I see them stopped half way out on the cables ! This was controlled by the Zipline operators, and my friends were ” Paused ” out on the middle of this cable about 300 Ft above the ground. There goes the 60 seconds or less time duration for the first cable. I really had to give this one some thought, either go ahead with it or walk back down a flight of 200 steps and ” chicken out ” . On the other hand, I have so much fun and fond memories of just about everything I do in visiting Iligan City and Cagayan De Oro, I knew if I didn’t go on this I might regret it later.
Here in two parts, is my own Philipines Thrill Ride Adventure. On the first part I am second on the first cable with one of my friends first. The length of the pause is edited down, I think we were hanging there a lot longer than 1 minute but it seemed forever to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=823fGmwyvyg
This will show the second and third section of this Zipline. You notice how they had to Pry my hand off of the turnbuckle as I was preparing to leave platform 3 ? Think I was a bit scared ? I was really just checking the hardware LOL. Nice view of the falls in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyOB4qglD8c
Maybe this could be considered as the opposite of Skateboarding as the wheels are above you instead of below you. Although it took me a over an hour to settle down after this ( and maybe a San Mig or two ) I’ll never forget this experience and for me, it really was ” More Fun In The Philippines “.
MindanaoBob
Loved those videos, Bob! You’ve got more guts than I do.. you won’t see me on one of those zip lines! π―
Bob New York
Although I was a bit reluctant when it was my turn to be attached to the cables, I just knew if I backed out I would regret it later so it is an experience I’ll always remember. I don’t think I am going to ride any more Ziplines as I would rather not let another one distort my memories of this one. For me it is going to be another ” Only In Iligan ” adventure ! LOL
MindanaoBob
I think I’ll let you have the glory, Bob.. you ain’t gonna catch me on one of them things! π
Gary Wigle
There is NO WAY I would skateboard or get on a zip line. We didn’t have those in the flat lands of Kansas. Moto Cross??? I loved that!!! Broke a few bones but that was OK. π
MindanaoBob
Ah, you and I are kindred spirits, Gary! π
Bob New York
Hi Gary,
If hanging stationary for what seemed like several minutes on that first cable did not give me a heart attack, I figure I must still be in good shape ! LOL
PapaDuck
Bob,
I think i’ll pass on that. Don’t want any risks that would prevent my move to the Philippines lol. If you get a chance to watch the X-Games. The skateboarding on there is really something. Thanks so much for the video. But watching it is all i will do. Take care.
MindanaoBob
I’ll pass too, but it’s still fun to watch!