What's the deal here? How long is this thing? How long does it take?
The Skate for Justice is 48.9 miles - from Binghamton, NY to Ithaca, NY.
Last year's event happened on June 22, 2003. It took nearly 10 hours - 7 minutes shy. 4 people skated the entire distance. An additional 4 people skated part of the route. Another 5 people rode bicycles and alerted the skaters to front traffic via radio. 2 more people rode chase vehicles and alerted skaters to rear traffic. Countless others helped in many ways. Check out the participants page for more details.
I'm not really into inline skating. How else can I participate?
Lots of people ask about quads, skateboards, bicycles, running, etc.
We cannot integrate quads or skateboards into our formation. This would be a safety hazard.
We would, however, like to allow for some kind of participation by skateboarders and quad skaters in the future. We really don't know any quad skaters or skateboarders who would be into organizing this. If you fit this description, please contact us!
Many people ask about riding a bike. While we'd rather have more skaters, we certainly encourage people to ride bicycles if they like. This year we may in fact have more bikers than skaters.
Wow. 48.9 Miles. Do I have to be like a superstar athlete?
Last year, the answer to this question started with "NO!!!"
After the SFJ2K3, we have come to realize that this event is more difficult than we originally understood. For a group of experienced skaters, this skate would really not be all that difficult. The problem is that most of the participants are not hardcore skaters and require the assistance of those who are. Please bear in mind that this is a 48.9 mile event. It is a grueling 10 hours of hill climbing with the occasional decline. It is not easy.
Now I've heard some rumors.... How fast do you guys go?
We move at the speed of the slowest skater. We will leave nobody behind. This is *NOT* a race. We move at a slow and steady pace and stop to rest whenever we feel like it.
However, that slowest skater may well find him or herself skating faster than they ever have before. We generally skate between 10 and 20 MPH on flat ground. During descents, we may reach speeds in excess of 40 MPH.
Wow! Is that safe?
It's more dangerous than sitting on your couch, but less dangerous than doing 40 MPH on skates by yourself. We always skate down hills in formation, which means everybody holds on to everybody else.
There is certainly a risk of serious injury, especially during the fastest descents. This is a definite element of risk-taking involved. While we do our best to ensure the safety of all skaters, we take no responsibility for injuries that may occur. We highly recommend that all participants wear safety equipment.
Skating? Social Justice? Drug Policy? I'm not seeing the connection.
The Skate for Justice is a long, intense, spiritual journey. It gives us the opportunity to take a look at 48.9 miles of this world using the might of only our legs and our wills and ask, "what is justice?" How does the concept of justice affect these 48.9 miles and the people that live along it, and the world for that matter?
People who advocate for drug policy reform are so often accused (both implicitly and explicitly) of "just wanting to sit around and get stoned all day." It will be very difficult for anyone to call you "lazy" or "unmotivated" after you make this journey.
I'm not so much an athlete. What else is going on?
This year, for the first time, we will hold an after-event in the Ithaca Commons called Destination:[justice]. There will be bands, speakers, and fun. We encourage everyone, regardless of their participation in the skate, to come to this event.
Do you want me to poke holes in the plastic wrapping if I'm going to microwave my burrito?
Yes. They explode, and we're tired of cleaning up your little burrito doings....