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SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "OUTDOORS"
Spreading the word in an effort to hold off middle-age
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Paul
McHugh, Chronicle Outdoors Writer March 16, 2006
He's a big wheel in the kingdom of small wheels. San Francisco's David
Miles has inspired and guided in-line and roller-skate events in Northern California for
27 years. Now, he's starting a campaign to close portions of Golden Gate Park's roads to
vehicle traffic on Saturdays -- just as is done on Sundays. The campaign will be launched
at 2 p.m. on April 9 at the "Skatin' Place," 6th Avenue and JFK Drive in the
park.
This thrust for Healthy Saturday road closures arrives as part of Miles'
focus on increased exercise and health. Facing life in his 50s, dealing with the onslaught
of middle-age spread, Miles recently
took his level of fitness in hand, paring away 55 pounds with a regimen of twice-daily
workouts and plenty of skating. |
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"I want to take the
benefits of what I'm doing now, and offer it to as many people as can hear it," Miles
said. "You don't have to submit to having an unhealthy life. You can fight obesity by
making your workouts fun to do. Get your body outside on skates. For all those people who
have seen New Year's resolutions fall by the wayside, this is an alternative." Miles,
long famed as the "godfather of skate," added to his rolling resume by becoming
the master of ceremonies and DJ of the Blackrock Roller Disco at Burning Man. Upcoming
events created through his CORA organization include:
Friday Night Skate --
Canceled by rain for the last three weeks, forecasts suggest this loosely organized,
rolling tour of San Francisco should go as scheduled this week. Meet at 8:30 p.m. at the
Ferry Plaza (foot of Market Street), then start skating at 9 p.m. on a ramble that lasts
21/2 hours and covers about 10 miles. New to the skate is a soundtrack, belted out by
"Porta Parties" -- baby strollers toting batteries and stereos; if you want
extra exercise, volunteer to push one of these buggies. This outing is a tour, not a race.
There's only one rule: Wear a helmet.
April 9 Events -- The Greg
Levien Memorial 50K Skate Race starts at 9:15 a.m. at the junction of Caņada Road and
Highway 92 on the Peninsula. Loop is 10K. Entry: $30 (general), $20 (members). Prizes and
certificates awarded for top three places in each division.
Easter Parade -- Skaters
are invited to participate in a parade beginning at 2 p.m. on April 16, at Union and Gough
streets. The costume theme is the same as last year's: The Cows Come Back to Cow Hollow.
So, go spotty or go home.
Crystal Springs In-line Marathon -- Starting from the same site as the Greg Levin event, the marathon begins at
9:15 a.m. on May 14. Entry: $30 (general), $20 (members).
Napa Valley In-line Skate, marathon route -- A race (or tour) on the scenic Silverado Trail, starts at 7 a.m. on June 18.
Entry: $50 (adult members) and $30 (youth members) or $60 (general adults) and $40
(general youth) until April 30; $65 and $45, or $75 and $55 (respectively) after May 1.
More info: call (415) 752-1967 or go to cora.org. |
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