One Hundred Miles of Scootering


Here's an update on my Xootr experience

I wrote last fall about becoming a Xootr scooter commuter. By my rough calculation, I've now travelled just over 100 miles with this two-wheeled conveyance, so it seems a good time to post an update.

I've really been quite happy with the scooter. Since mid-April, I've used it to get to work once or twice a week. The trips have been generally pleasant, as the scooter glides nicely and really zips down hills. I often walk it up the steeper hills, especially in warm weather. I've learned that a stiff headwind can also be a significant obstacle, but of course a tailwind is just as likely, so I can't complain.

I've acquired two important new accessories for the scooter. The first was a new bike helmet to replace the rather old one I dusted off for scooter use last fall. The second was a backpack. For a while, I continued to carry a shoulder bag, but it had some tendency to flop around when I was kicking. Janice told me how happy she was with her new North Face Recon II backpack, so I investigated the selection at REI and chose one of the same model. It has been great for commuting (either by scooter or car), and also worked nicely as my carry-on for a recent business trip.

After trying out my scooter, Peg got one for herself, and we've done some recreational scootering together. We also used them to go to the local Independence Day fireworks, about two and half miles from home. This worked great, as we avoided getting our car tangled up in usual the post-fireworks traffic jam. Of course, there was also a post-fireworks crush of pedestrians, but we simply carried our scooters by their shoulder straps for a few minutes until the crowd thinned out. Then we unfolded the scooters, put on our LED headlamps, and scootered carefully down the darkened trails.

While a hundred miles may sound like a lot of scootering, it's been generally less than ten miles a week. I'd like to be using the scooter a bit more often. Three things account for most of the days I drive to work: weather (especially rain or threat of rain), time constraints, and errands more practical by car. We are now in a somewhat drier period, so I hope to leave the car at home more often.

Overall, I'd highly recommend a scooter as a way to shave some time off trips you might do on foot. It's certainly good for a short commute, a trip to a bus stop, some neighborhood errands, or just some fun around town. I have no real experience with other brands, but I've been very happy with my Xootr.

Posted: Tue - July 29, 2008 at 08:14 PM       by email

©