Jumping Stilt Modifications for Traction in Winter

The 7 League Boots and Poweriser Stilts come with a durable polyurethane hoof that is designed to optimize the balance between traction and durability on most surfaces.  However the stock hoof is fairly poor on a wet or slippery surface that you might encounter in Winter time.

But there is good news!  You can turn an old (or new) bike tire into a set of Tyre Socks which will give you more traction.  Mountain bike tires would be best for mud and water while snow tires would be best for ice and snow.

(More details: Instructables.com)

Another modification idea/approach: Attach Snow Spikes

 

 (source: Fly Jumper Forum)

Spikes from http://www.icespike.com

DC Tweed Ride: The Beginning of the Greatest Century

My friend called me and told me that we should do a fancy bike ride with a newly formed social and fashion group. Well my first thoughts about a bike ride in fancy classical attire were: first, I didn't have anything to wear and second, that I didn't have a bike. We briefly discussed wardrobe ideas, and we figured out something that I could do my eclectic clothing. Of course I figured I could run it on stilts... I checked the route and would probably be able to keep up with the bikes or at least take shortcuts if needed. I reluctantly agreed to attend the 11AM meetup.

Wow there were hundreds of riders in dapper and elegant attire at the start line. Many photographers and reporters had shown up, amazed at the crowd, and it completely stymied the organizers.

Of course the stilts were a big hit. Of the 300+ dandies and quaintrelles participating, I was the only dandy on stilts. The pace was exceedingly leisurely so I initially kept pace with the very front of the group and although many came whizzing past me on the downhill, I never ended up behind.

As Noted by NPR (Slide #7):

"This fellow had no trouble keeping up in his special jumping gizmo"

The Examiner even remarked that:

"One particularly exuberant dandy even jogged the route wearing power stilts crafted out of what appeared to be bicycle components."

(Not a sophisticated reporting piece... at least they got the type of stilts right)

Some video was taken by ReadSetDC, It shows vintage style with power stilts at about 1:42.

Yes, it was fun. People also really liked the hat.

Tips for Newbies: Learning to run

Hello!

It's time to strap on those powerstilts, stand up and take off running. Careful, you'll be moving fast in no time. (Some of us can reach 20mph!) Don't forget to wear your safety gear as you try this!

Learning to run

Now that you've gotten down pogo bouncing from one leg to another. Utilize those basic skills and learn to run. Or in bockings case more learn to bound. Running with bocks is unlike running without them. So prepare to unlearn what you know, and relearn how to on stilts.

Essentially you put weight down on one leg, launch yourself forward and land with the other. Repeat this process by quickening the pace, and lengthening your stride. It takes a while to learn, but eventually you will learn how to let the stilts propel you forward. Just remember, put your weight in your heel and talk wider and wider steps.

Want to stop? At first just stick to slowly taking closer and closer steps. But eventually start utilizing pogo bouncing to stop your momentum. The best method to stop quickly is to exert all your forward force into upward momentum in a kanga jump. But get that down as time goes on.

Well there you have yet another small tip from your local Davenport, Iowa affiliate.

Capital Bocking USA Report

There were nine participants that showed up (that found us) and we came from impressive swath of the country. US States represented were: TX, VT, WV, MA, PA, MD, NY. Also represented was the UK. Most importantly, everyone had fun and no one got hurt.


From the DC Power Stilts Youtube Channel

The DC Power Stilts Challenge Format
Basically the format consists series of mostly easy/ intermediate "challenges" which participants could opt to participate in for points. Some challenges were harder and worth more points, and some were team or head-to-head competitions. Bonus points were awarded to the farthest traveled, the youngest, the oldest, the most feminine, knowledge of congressional procedures, and even for coming to the pizza party. The "secret point swap" made it partly a survivor-style, team strategy game as well. With a variety of skill levels represented and an emphasis on participation, all those in attendance were energized throughout each of the activities.

The first part of the competition was structured challenges on DC's great bocking terrain. Some people tried the terrain challenges for the first time.

DC Power Stilts threw down a good pizza party to start the weekend, and hopefully we indoctrinated everyone with our business philosophy and commitment to powerbocking.



From the DC Power Stilts Youtube Channel

The afternoon consisted of walking/touring in a popular and historic area of town with ice-cream treat. Points were awarded for crossing the bridge from VA into DC. It was hot, but weather stayed dry.

Sunday was a relaxed format where we had breakfast together and hung out in a park near a big farmers/craft market. We got breakfast, played with the camera a bit, and relaxed. Then we did the secret point swap followed by a somber awards ceremony. With obstacle courses, races, group challenges, quizzes, bonus awards, and point swapping, the winners really earned their prizes. I'll profile the event winners in a future blog.

One thing that stands out is that the DC event was a huge success in terms of publicity and local awareness. We were prominently featured with a full color photo and listing on the first page of the Washington Post Weekend Section. I'm estimating that at least 50 people came to spectate the various challenge events, and there were also about 50 that attended the Free try-out lessons after the competition event, which quickly reached capacity. (Thanks to Dominion for pitching in to help teach and organize the crowd!). It seems that about half of those taking lessons were youths, so it was very nice to see that level of interest in our sport.

Powerbocking was extremely visible throughout the city this weekend, as evidenced by a number of local acquaintances who contacted me after seeing people on stilts. I was even riding up the elevator when I overheard two people talking about "people jumping on stilts... in the park".

It was some work to organize and host everyone but I wish I had you all in town every weekend! Be sure and attend next year.

Beautiful Bocking Weekend

Wow! Saturday and Sunday with nice 70 degree weather in Washington DC. AKA two great days for bocking :-) Yesterday, here in Friendship Heights, I demonstrated the power stilts and taught a doctor to have a higher perspective. Today I worked on a video project for the National Parks and Recreation Magazine, and then met up with a friend in Dupont Circle. Since he was running a little late, I decided to get some exercise and bock around for a bit. I was pretty thirsty from the video project, but I had a Gatorade stashed in my car. However, Just as I finished putting on my stilts, a Red Bull truck pulled up with free samples... It was fun. As my friend and I headed to brickskeller for a brew, I was putting something in my car when I ran into a fellow who had just finished dinner with a bottle of wine, and wanted an impromptu lesson.

After a brief lesson on my demo stilts (originally $499), he taught me & my friend how to use his $5000 Segway. I think we need to have a power stilts vs segway polo match. Amazing device, but I'll take ten pairs of stilts and some excersize with my transportation. Bocking was enjoyed and hopefuly a few more people can say they have seen power stilts in action. Thank you beautiful weekend :-)

"Bock" Obama Inauguration Festivities

After listening to Obama take the Oath of Office via a Jumbotron, the energy and exuberance of the crowd was enough to make you want to jump for joy!

Of the 1.8 Million people celebrating the inauguration in downtown DC, only the coolest, best-informed were smart enough to bring their own stilts.

Security zones were arbitrary and unclear, but walking all over town was a given, and the usual transport network had been mostly shut down by the sheer size of the crowds. Standing above the crowd really added to the awareness of the magnitude of what was going on.



Compare the above picture taken of me in front of the WW2 memorial with the picture from atop stilts below. While everyone was on their toes to peer over each other's heads, I was marveling in the incredible views.


Visit my flickr photostream for more pictures from "Bock" Obama Inauguration Festivities.

Unfortunately with cold temps below freezing all day, weather was not ideal to spend the day doing outdoor activities, so only one polar bear went bocking into history with the "Bock" Obama Inauguration. Although it has been noted that performers on spring stilts entertained at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.

Cure Pain! Feel Younger!

Love to see another satisfied customer...

Hi David,

Just to let you know, the Powerisers are great! I spent most of this long weekend at Rock Creek Park trying them out, and it has been great fun.

I used to run in college (competitive, 800m and 1500m), but I often had an injured achilles tendon or trouble with my ankle. All of that is a thing of the past with these Powerisers.

The response from people is great too.

Bock NYC Aftermath and Report

Bock NYC Was a great success this year!! Since I was staying in midtown, I was the first to arrive at Battery Park. Everyone showed up pretty quickly and impressive vaults of the staircases and many various other tricks ensued. For most people there it seemed that someone on spring stilts was very unusual... but over a dozen people at once? Wow, only in NYC (or Boston /DC /UK...)

Anyways we went up to the courthouse with a nice set of stairs such that you could choose how big you wanted to go. A few skateboarders had set up shop but it was a good place to chill out and have lunch while watching Dawsome doing linked multiple flips.

From there we walked about 3.5 miles through most of lower Manhattan. It was mostly teeming with people going every which way but it was fun to be up above everyone else. The view is only 18 inches higher, but you feel miles above the rat race. We stopped a few places and gave roving demos of jumping and running. People definitely noticed us, and I saw alot of smiles as we passed by.

Finally we stopped in Times Square and formed a "bockers" circle. People gave us some good space as we took turns performing a crowd pleasing and traffic-clogging show for about 20 minutes. We weren't asked to leave, but as our hunger and thirst gave way, we headed back to Penn Station.

Weather was just about perfect and we didn't have any major casualties. More importantly, good times were had by all. Check out my youtube and flickr photo streams for details.