3 European street skates in a week - Mike Stapley
The Power of Perserverance - Mike describes his journey towards completing three street skates in three cities!
Last summer at the ripe old age of 52 I decided it was about time to do something ‘completely different’ I have done martial arts and football and wanted to do something else so I thought what about in line skating. I kept things very quiet and joined one of Asha’s intensive one day courses. At first I thought this was one of the craziest things I have ever done and it took me some while to stand up on skates let alone skate. That first Saturday was in many respects an eye opener seeing all these people skating for fun and really enjoy life. I made the decision this is really for me! The rest is history after many trials and tribulations and dark nights I finally began to skate, although I looked in awe at those around me! Tricks I can’t do and struggle yes I do but I thought with a little bit of luck I might be able to do the Paris Sunday skate. I trained very hard – in fact five days in a row with Asha and I might add Tim Wheals of Eastbourne who has also been an aspiration! So on Sunday, 17th September I completed the Sunday skate in Paris. Three hours long and about 20km with a short break it was truly amazing. The staff estimated there were about 4000 skaters although I didn’t count them. What a thrill to get back to the Bastille and I plan to do it again soon. Staying in France for a week or so I drove the short to distance to Lille in Northern France . It’s a great vibrant city and yes it has a Sunday skate as well as Paris. So on Sunday, 24th September we are off again, an easier pace great people and a nice skate duly completed!
Back at work colleagues thought I had gone completely mad which is not surprising! And so last Sunday 8th October 2006 the so called ‘Roller Stroll’ So I took off at great speed for me with Asha and thought ‘when do we slow down’ as the pace seemed to be faster than both Paris and Lille – we didn’t and apart from a minor fall I got back to Serpentine Road in one piece. So for me that’s my hat trick in four weeks!!
My dreams were fulfilled in Paris and Lille and just added too in London. So don’t despair it is possible as if you had said twelve months ago that I could have completed the three Sunday street skates in Paris, Lille and London I would have said you are completely crazy. Thanks are due especially to Asha for persevering with me when I am sure there were easier ways of making money but to all at Skatefresh for their support.
So thanks a million for making my dreams come true.
Mike.
