I just got my second pair of in-line skates. This is what my new ones look like:

Both pairs have been "Ultra Wheels". The first pair is still fine but I tried on a new pair that my friend had just bought and found them to be so incredibly comfortable that I just had to buy a new pair. I blade for fun. I go on any trail that looks good, but mostly just around my place. I love my new blades. They have the softer wheels so there is a much softer ride. I love working the hills and zooming down the other side. What a rush! I have been in-line skating since 1994. The picture on my hobby page is not me.

My old skates are purple hard plastic with a black liner. They're for sale, cheap, if you want a pair of size 8 1/2 (maybe 9) Men's blades.

I have been ice skating since I was four. My sister and I had to share a pair of beginner skates that year and the next year. Then I got my own pair of figure skates and always had a pair since then.

When I was younger, since we lived in a rural area, there was usually a pond frozen or the brook by our house would flood and leave an ice-rink sized puddle behind that would freeze. Most years there was at least some ice around outside that we could skate on. Some years we blocked the run-off to the brook so that the pasture would flood and we'd get a really nice long piece of ice. We lived far enough out in the country that I rarely got to see a piece of artificial ice. I always loved it when we could go to the fake ice because it was much smoother than the outdoor rinks. But I don't want to complain because at least I learned how to skate and it was always a lot of fun.

I finally learned to stop properly when I was 6. Until then, I would run purposefully into a snowbank to stop, or I would just fall down. I figure skate for fun and exercise now. I have never had a professional lesson in my life but I've taught myself how to do some spins and cross cuts. I like being in Ottawa where we can skate on the canal. This past winter was bad for me. It seemed like the only days when I went I was either too sick to enjoy it or the weather went up to plus five! Sludge is no fun to skate on. Maybe next year I'll have better luck!