dexter
05-20-2003, 12:07 AM
OK, I'm going to have to edit my topic name later because this has NOTHING to do with babysitting or babies. But that was a great movie, right! My favorite part was "NOBODY leaves this stage until they sing the blues!"
But I DID have an adventure yesterday.
It was my FIRST TIME in Manhattan with my Segway!
I had a GREAT experience!!!
Throw Mamma from the Train
I rode the Segway to my local train station, it is close and I had previously determined that I can get there easily with little impact on the battery. I checked the NJ Transit website for their bicycle policy aboard trains so I figured I would be unlikely to have a problem with the Segway. It is an outdoor station with a platform level to the train. I was able to easily ride up the wheelchair ramp and buy my ticket from the vending machine. This was an early Sunday morning so there wasn't much activity on the station.
I had my first bit of panic when the train arrived. I had never noticed how big the gap was between the train and the platform, and not completely even at that. I was NOT considering riding the Segway onto the train, but I was worried about getting it "caught" in the gap while trying to wheel it aboard. I went in first and pulled the Segway behind (as if I was pulling up stairs) and it was actually no problem.
I stayed in the "vestibule" in the center of the train so as not to block traffic. I turned the Segway sideways so that it wouldn't try to roll when the train accelerated, and had absolutely no problem at all.
When we arrived at Penn Station I rolled back away from the exit door so that I could let all of the passengers out before I left. I didn't want people stuck behind me when I tried to get the Segway up the stairs. This is one reason I figured that a Sunday morning was good for a "test run"... not nearly as crowded as other travel days.
There is an elevator for handicapped people but I didn't want to experiment with that... I don't know if you can just push the button or if you need permission or assistance to operate it. Instead I lugged the Seg up the stairs to the mid platform... I was headed for the Subway so I didn't need to head all the way up. THANK THE MAKER!!! Next time I may inquire or "test" the elevator.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
There were some transit police at the Subway terminal who were very friendly. I didn't offer rides, I didn't think the terminal was a good or safe spot to offer one. (I pushed the Segway through the Penn Station terminal, lest anyone think I tried to ride inside. I find pushing the Segway pretty easy. It's the STAIRS that are killers!!! Good thing the Segway is making everyone fat an lazy and doesn't involve any EXERCISE!!!)
So I bought a new Metrocard after realizing that mine had expired in JANUARY and headed happily for the turnstile... I never even realized or thought about how NARROW the turnstiles are. Not a CHANCE of fitting the Seg through there, they are about half the size of the Segway's wheelbase. And I sure didn't feel like dealing with the stairs again to get out on the street and glide. So although I'm shy and don't like to stand out (good choice for my, buying a SEGWAY!!) I went back and asked the officers for help, and they showed me the service entrance.
In future I will have to decide if I want to deal with that in Manhattan or just stick to the streets. It doesn't seem like a big deal, unless you are like me and don't like to make eye-contact with people EVER.
The subway itself was NO PROBLEM. I'm used to riding the subway standing up and balancing for the starts, stops, and turns, so it was no problem positioning and holding onto the Segway so that it would not get away from me. I was, however, worried about the possibility that I would have no way to get the Segway OFF of the Subway platform. What if my exit station didn't have a useable alternative to the turnstiles? I worry too much, I got out without a hitch (another service gate) and lugged the machine up about a zillion levels to the street. I now have big, bulgy forearms like Popeye. I yam what I yam.
Central Perk, Ode to "Smelly Cat"
Rode into Central Park for the main event, I was joining my friend for the AIDS WALK NY marathon. I was able to find her amongst the BAZILLION people there, which was a miracle! When she was ready we headed for the starting line, but I was stopped because they don't let Segways on the lawn. Seems reasonable, I guess they don't want them tearing up the grass (I assume that bicycles aren't allowed either). So they made me go around and wait for my friends outside near the start line.
Second miracle, when they opened the ribbon, my friends were able to spot me and I was easily able to join them for the walk. This one was maybe not so miraculous as I was a good eight inches higher than everyone else. My friends were also very near the start so they were out onto the path quickly before the crowd of walkers got too dense.
Walkabout
So this was my first time gliding in a CROWD of pedestrians. I was worried about running over someone's foot or something, but I had NO PROBLEM. Of course since the Segway is so maneuverable it was no problem going as slowly as "traffic" allowed. It was also just as easy to turn and zip through "bubbles" in the crowd so that I could keep up with my friends and not hamper them.
TONS of comments, of course. Lots of people yelling "YOU'RE CHEATING!!" mostly right before asking if they could hop on my back for a ride :). Uniformily everyone was friendly and impressed. I didn't have to deal with any stops or requests for demos since everyone was really there for the walk.
The course is 6.6 miles, I did fine with more than half a charge left. Nice slow, even glide certainly helped reserve the battery.
Marathon Man
Just as an aside, my friend ended up collecting $2300 in sponsors for the walk! It was her best year yet!
"The Bermuda Triangle isn't really a triangle. It's more of a trapa-zeeta-rhomboid"
After the walk we headed for a local street fair. I pushed the Segway through the fair to conserve battery for my return home. Really disappointed a lot of the fair-goers :(. Spilled tangy Gyro sauce on my Segway fenders.
Police Academy
VERY interesting comment from one of the officers patrolling the street fair. He had seen and ridden a Segway at a trial somewhere, and he said that Manhattan was getting SHIPMENT OF SEGWAYS in for use by the police force in Manhattan! I hadn't heard this anywhere, has anyone else? The fact that I hadn't heard a word of this from any outside source (i.e. SEGWAYCHAT.COM) leads me to think it is just a false rumor that the officer heard. But that sure would be an interesting delelopment!!
Try not. Do. There is no try.
I didn't want to deal with the Subway again (not the stairs nor fitting the Segway into the terminal) so I rode back to Penn Station. I hit a LOT of pedestrian traffic. What a pleasure to be able to slowly glide at the speed that the foot traffic moves without causing any trouble or worrying about intruding on someone. The people worried about life on the sidewalk with the Segway really need to gain an understanding of what the Segway is all about. Of course it all hinges on the care and respectful gliding of the Segway USER but that goes for EVERYONE in society. The Segway itself is not a danger or a nuisance and can EASILY be ridden on the sidewalk amongst other people. In crowds I moved as one of them, on clear areas I was able to safely glide around at a distance if I wanted to pick up a bit of speed. ALL of the corner I encounterd had ramps to there was no problem at all there.
I don't like PITS--PITS--PITS in my JUICE--JUICE--JUICE
Battery went down to no bars a block before Penn Station, so I got off and walked the last block, hoping I'd have enough juice to get home from the station in my town.
Attack of the Clones
More stairs at Penn. Struggled getting down them and various escalators. I was a little frightened given how tired I was. I realized that although gliding is so completely safe, an accident on stairs would be catastrophic. If I dropped the Segway it would plow down and certainly injure people. This is something I'll have to address in future visits. For this trip I just waited until the coast was "clear" and I didn't have any actual problems at all.
Murder on the Orient Express
Missed my train home. The only way down to the track was a tiny escalator. Way too narrow for the Segway. I had to go around to the other side of the station and down a conventional stairway, then back to the gate on the mid-level and down more stairs... just as the train was leaving. Tough decision because now I had to go back UP the stairs and wait for the next train. :(
Pee Wee's BIG Adventure
So I was REALLY tired and apparently REALLY brave because I decided to try the restroom in Penn Station. Things are much better than they were years ago but they can still be a bit intimidating even under the best of circumstances.
So I rolled my Segway right into the men's room, and right into a handicapped stall with me. Did my business, and left. Not a single stair. No place like Manhattan.
The Voyage Home
Train home was uneventful. I found the handicapped seating which is where bicycles are supposed to be parked when they are aboard, provided no one needs access to the handicapped seats. I took the opportunity to SIT DOWN. Tell me AGAIN about how the Segway is no exercise?
Off the train, my battery went DEAD less than a block away from the train station, so I had to push it home. One of my neighbors who must have seen me riding in the neighborhood in the past came out and said "What happened!" She must have thought it was broken. I explained that I had ridden out my charge during the day. She asked me if I built the machine myself!! I told her yes, I built it out of spare parts from my refrigerator. Well, I didn't, but wouldn't that have been funny? Seems instead I was in a "friendly" mood, rather than being my usual, people-hating self. One of the unfortunate side effects of riding a Segway. Humbug.
Got my baby home safe, plugged her in, and set myself in a nice hot bath until I turned all pruney. What a great day!
And at one point while riding, I got to use my favorite line...
Question: "Hey, how do you keep from falling over on that thing?"
At which point I grasp the handlebars for dear life and start to wobble to and fro, yelling: "OH MY GOD, I DON'T KNOW!!!!!"
Glide safely. And HEY! Let's be careful out there!
Dave C.
me: www.idexter.com
work: www.idealjacobs.com
play: www.nyline.org
But I DID have an adventure yesterday.
It was my FIRST TIME in Manhattan with my Segway!
I had a GREAT experience!!!
Throw Mamma from the Train
I rode the Segway to my local train station, it is close and I had previously determined that I can get there easily with little impact on the battery. I checked the NJ Transit website for their bicycle policy aboard trains so I figured I would be unlikely to have a problem with the Segway. It is an outdoor station with a platform level to the train. I was able to easily ride up the wheelchair ramp and buy my ticket from the vending machine. This was an early Sunday morning so there wasn't much activity on the station.
I had my first bit of panic when the train arrived. I had never noticed how big the gap was between the train and the platform, and not completely even at that. I was NOT considering riding the Segway onto the train, but I was worried about getting it "caught" in the gap while trying to wheel it aboard. I went in first and pulled the Segway behind (as if I was pulling up stairs) and it was actually no problem.
I stayed in the "vestibule" in the center of the train so as not to block traffic. I turned the Segway sideways so that it wouldn't try to roll when the train accelerated, and had absolutely no problem at all.
When we arrived at Penn Station I rolled back away from the exit door so that I could let all of the passengers out before I left. I didn't want people stuck behind me when I tried to get the Segway up the stairs. This is one reason I figured that a Sunday morning was good for a "test run"... not nearly as crowded as other travel days.
There is an elevator for handicapped people but I didn't want to experiment with that... I don't know if you can just push the button or if you need permission or assistance to operate it. Instead I lugged the Seg up the stairs to the mid platform... I was headed for the Subway so I didn't need to head all the way up. THANK THE MAKER!!! Next time I may inquire or "test" the elevator.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
There were some transit police at the Subway terminal who were very friendly. I didn't offer rides, I didn't think the terminal was a good or safe spot to offer one. (I pushed the Segway through the Penn Station terminal, lest anyone think I tried to ride inside. I find pushing the Segway pretty easy. It's the STAIRS that are killers!!! Good thing the Segway is making everyone fat an lazy and doesn't involve any EXERCISE!!!)
So I bought a new Metrocard after realizing that mine had expired in JANUARY and headed happily for the turnstile... I never even realized or thought about how NARROW the turnstiles are. Not a CHANCE of fitting the Seg through there, they are about half the size of the Segway's wheelbase. And I sure didn't feel like dealing with the stairs again to get out on the street and glide. So although I'm shy and don't like to stand out (good choice for my, buying a SEGWAY!!) I went back and asked the officers for help, and they showed me the service entrance.
In future I will have to decide if I want to deal with that in Manhattan or just stick to the streets. It doesn't seem like a big deal, unless you are like me and don't like to make eye-contact with people EVER.
The subway itself was NO PROBLEM. I'm used to riding the subway standing up and balancing for the starts, stops, and turns, so it was no problem positioning and holding onto the Segway so that it would not get away from me. I was, however, worried about the possibility that I would have no way to get the Segway OFF of the Subway platform. What if my exit station didn't have a useable alternative to the turnstiles? I worry too much, I got out without a hitch (another service gate) and lugged the machine up about a zillion levels to the street. I now have big, bulgy forearms like Popeye. I yam what I yam.
Central Perk, Ode to "Smelly Cat"
Rode into Central Park for the main event, I was joining my friend for the AIDS WALK NY marathon. I was able to find her amongst the BAZILLION people there, which was a miracle! When she was ready we headed for the starting line, but I was stopped because they don't let Segways on the lawn. Seems reasonable, I guess they don't want them tearing up the grass (I assume that bicycles aren't allowed either). So they made me go around and wait for my friends outside near the start line.
Second miracle, when they opened the ribbon, my friends were able to spot me and I was easily able to join them for the walk. This one was maybe not so miraculous as I was a good eight inches higher than everyone else. My friends were also very near the start so they were out onto the path quickly before the crowd of walkers got too dense.
Walkabout
So this was my first time gliding in a CROWD of pedestrians. I was worried about running over someone's foot or something, but I had NO PROBLEM. Of course since the Segway is so maneuverable it was no problem going as slowly as "traffic" allowed. It was also just as easy to turn and zip through "bubbles" in the crowd so that I could keep up with my friends and not hamper them.
TONS of comments, of course. Lots of people yelling "YOU'RE CHEATING!!" mostly right before asking if they could hop on my back for a ride :). Uniformily everyone was friendly and impressed. I didn't have to deal with any stops or requests for demos since everyone was really there for the walk.
The course is 6.6 miles, I did fine with more than half a charge left. Nice slow, even glide certainly helped reserve the battery.
Marathon Man
Just as an aside, my friend ended up collecting $2300 in sponsors for the walk! It was her best year yet!
"The Bermuda Triangle isn't really a triangle. It's more of a trapa-zeeta-rhomboid"
After the walk we headed for a local street fair. I pushed the Segway through the fair to conserve battery for my return home. Really disappointed a lot of the fair-goers :(. Spilled tangy Gyro sauce on my Segway fenders.
Police Academy
VERY interesting comment from one of the officers patrolling the street fair. He had seen and ridden a Segway at a trial somewhere, and he said that Manhattan was getting SHIPMENT OF SEGWAYS in for use by the police force in Manhattan! I hadn't heard this anywhere, has anyone else? The fact that I hadn't heard a word of this from any outside source (i.e. SEGWAYCHAT.COM) leads me to think it is just a false rumor that the officer heard. But that sure would be an interesting delelopment!!
Try not. Do. There is no try.
I didn't want to deal with the Subway again (not the stairs nor fitting the Segway into the terminal) so I rode back to Penn Station. I hit a LOT of pedestrian traffic. What a pleasure to be able to slowly glide at the speed that the foot traffic moves without causing any trouble or worrying about intruding on someone. The people worried about life on the sidewalk with the Segway really need to gain an understanding of what the Segway is all about. Of course it all hinges on the care and respectful gliding of the Segway USER but that goes for EVERYONE in society. The Segway itself is not a danger or a nuisance and can EASILY be ridden on the sidewalk amongst other people. In crowds I moved as one of them, on clear areas I was able to safely glide around at a distance if I wanted to pick up a bit of speed. ALL of the corner I encounterd had ramps to there was no problem at all there.
I don't like PITS--PITS--PITS in my JUICE--JUICE--JUICE
Battery went down to no bars a block before Penn Station, so I got off and walked the last block, hoping I'd have enough juice to get home from the station in my town.
Attack of the Clones
More stairs at Penn. Struggled getting down them and various escalators. I was a little frightened given how tired I was. I realized that although gliding is so completely safe, an accident on stairs would be catastrophic. If I dropped the Segway it would plow down and certainly injure people. This is something I'll have to address in future visits. For this trip I just waited until the coast was "clear" and I didn't have any actual problems at all.
Murder on the Orient Express
Missed my train home. The only way down to the track was a tiny escalator. Way too narrow for the Segway. I had to go around to the other side of the station and down a conventional stairway, then back to the gate on the mid-level and down more stairs... just as the train was leaving. Tough decision because now I had to go back UP the stairs and wait for the next train. :(
Pee Wee's BIG Adventure
So I was REALLY tired and apparently REALLY brave because I decided to try the restroom in Penn Station. Things are much better than they were years ago but they can still be a bit intimidating even under the best of circumstances.
So I rolled my Segway right into the men's room, and right into a handicapped stall with me. Did my business, and left. Not a single stair. No place like Manhattan.
The Voyage Home
Train home was uneventful. I found the handicapped seating which is where bicycles are supposed to be parked when they are aboard, provided no one needs access to the handicapped seats. I took the opportunity to SIT DOWN. Tell me AGAIN about how the Segway is no exercise?
Off the train, my battery went DEAD less than a block away from the train station, so I had to push it home. One of my neighbors who must have seen me riding in the neighborhood in the past came out and said "What happened!" She must have thought it was broken. I explained that I had ridden out my charge during the day. She asked me if I built the machine myself!! I told her yes, I built it out of spare parts from my refrigerator. Well, I didn't, but wouldn't that have been funny? Seems instead I was in a "friendly" mood, rather than being my usual, people-hating self. One of the unfortunate side effects of riding a Segway. Humbug.
Got my baby home safe, plugged her in, and set myself in a nice hot bath until I turned all pruney. What a great day!
And at one point while riding, I got to use my favorite line...
Question: "Hey, how do you keep from falling over on that thing?"
At which point I grasp the handlebars for dear life and start to wobble to and fro, yelling: "OH MY GOD, I DON'T KNOW!!!!!"
Glide safely. And HEY! Let's be careful out there!
Dave C.
me: www.idexter.com
work: www.idealjacobs.com
play: www.nyline.org