Rollers • Belgium Summer Tour 2003 Summer evenings on wheels

The Brussels experience is expanding. During July and August evenings, massive roller-skating rides will take over the streets of several cities across the country. DISCOVERING a city freely on a pair of roller skates on a fine summer evening will be a new activity to add to your July/August schedule. Until then, if you know nothing about the skater's stride or how to stop without landing on your backside, practice on the RAVeL network or join the free lessons offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Bois de la Cambre roller school. Joining the City of Brussels, which initiated the event in 1992 (gatherings in the capital are set for every Friday in July and August from 9 p.m.), several other host cities have signed up to welcome the Belgium Rollers Summer Tour. These include the municipalities of Namur (every Tuesday during summer as well), Mons (Saturdays), Liège (Thursdays), Coxyde (Sundays July 20 and August 24 only), Ghent (Wednesdays, except July 23 and 30), and Hasselt (Mondays). "It's a way to discover a city differently, without preconceptions, and to spend a lovely, relaxing day with family," explains Carl De Moncharline, organizer of the event, who was particularly charmed by scouting rides in the city of Hasselt, which he had not known before. "It's a way to energize a city. We will combine the event with other activities that allow people to better explore the cities involved. This ranges from typical local restaurants to museum visits." On the organizer's website, alongside route maps, the cultural highlights and special features of each stage city are highlighted. The ride, roughly 20 km each time, is free; even refreshments are provided. A police escort... on roller skates is even planned, as some municipalities have their own roller brigade. "With a half-hour break, it takes about two hours to complete the route." The organizer nevertheless emphasizes safety. Although there were only a few dozen minor injuries last year among the thousands of participants in Brussels, proper protective gear should be worn for this activity. Becoming a rider or rollerman Skating is not walking. A common mistake among beginners is lifting the skate and moving the foot forward as if walking! This often ends in a severe backward fall. Generally speaking, when skating you should never stand too upright. You must always lean slightly forward, even when stopped, because serious falls often occur while standing still (a pebble under a wheel!). When skating, the torso must be leaned well forward and the knees slightly bent. This ensures that in case of a fall, you drop forward rather than backward. On downhills, do not hesitate to lean well forward with knees kept together toward the inside and well bent. Good luck! 0477/799 618 cvarldemoncharline@skynet.be 0495/209 767 s.vanderheyden@euronet.be www.belgiumrollers.com