Dave?

Where are you? Have I been so self-involved that I've missed your posts?

Hope you're doing okay. Hope you check in soon. I miss you!

I've had a few threads but mostly depressing. I am hoping that once I get past the next week or two I will have some good news, some solutions, and can resume some upward progress.

I've got faith in you, Hun. Sending all kinds of positive energy your way.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Dave}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Since you brought it up, I've been meaning to speak to you about how self involved you are.

(I only say this because I know your scooter's in the shop so you can't run me over with it!)

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Pebs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} LOL Please do talk to me about my self-involvement but you'd better look out because I got my scooter back this morning. hehehe

Thanks for the laugh. I needed it today.

>>(I only say this because I know your scooter's in the shop so you can't run me over with it!)

Better watch out because I still have MY scooter and I am available as a scooter hitman-for-hire. Sept Morn has my number...

What a sight! Tomi & Dave chasing me down the NJ Turnpike in my red sports car on their scooters! Do you think the world will come to a screeching halt as every TV station plays live video of the chase ala OJ?

LOLOL I can just see it! Only thing is, Dave has a Segway, not a scooter. LOL It would definetely look like the OJ chase with Dave and I puttin' behind you. What makes you think, though, that I would give you fair warning that I was after you?? Like my kids and I used to say "When you least expect it, EXPECT IT!" hehehehe

Oh, DUH! I hadn't read Dave's post. I see he Does have a scooter. LMAO What a sight that would be! And yeah... I have Dave's number. muaaahaaaaahaaaaaa

Pebs... "When you least expect it... EXPECT IT!"

(Dave, expect my call, ok Hun? )

>>Oh, DUH! I hadn't read Dave's post. I see he Does have a scooter.

Well you were right the first time, I do have a Segway, not a scooter, just thought it would sound more supportive (and scarier) to say scooter in relation to this thread (the way the Segway operates, you can't really run anyone down, it's kind of impossible even if you try... that's not necessarily obvious if you see one heading towards you though )

And the folks on the Segway forum would kill me if they heard me refering to it as a "scooter" that's a bone of contention there, they don't like it referred to as a scooter although the media often does. I hope DocJohn doesn't rat me out there

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(the way the Segway operates, you can't really run anyone down, ...)

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LOL Well don't tell Pebs that!

You mean if you don't try to stop the Segway you can't just plow into someone?? What stops it? I would think the handle bars could put a dent or two into a little red sports car, don't you think? hehehe

crap I don't even have a riding lawnmower working.

hey dex how do you know you can't run over someone even if you try?????

>>hey dex how do you know you can't run over someone even if you try?

The Segway operates by responding to your body language (at least for forward and back... turning is by a hand grip). You gently lean forward and it goes forward, lean forward more and it goes faster. It doesn't feel like you are leaning though, when you get used to riding it it feels just like walking. You don't think "put one foot forward, lean forward to keep balance, bring other foot forward" when you walk, likewise with the Segway you end up just "thinking forward" or "thinking backward" and it responds, including speed, you have full control over how fast or how slow it moves, down to a creep or a standstill.

It starts to feel kind of like magic but in truth the machine is responding to you shifting your center of balance on the machine to make it move. Specifically when your center of balance moves forward, the machine tips forward, the computer senses the change in angle, and drives the wheels forward in response. You don't actually have to hold the handlebars (although you do to steer) but the handlebars give you a point of reference when you are standing on the machine so you don't just wobble all over the place.

Now if you are standing on the Segway, and you are shifting your balance, you very slightly angle the machine forward and it responds. But if someone is standing on the sidewalk holding the handlebars when you are riding, they can push or pull the handlebars from their position on the sidewalk, and that will make the machine respond as well. You use that when you are teaching someone to ride, while they are getting used to the Segway, you can stand in front and hold the handlebars for them, and you actually have much greater control over the machine than they do. They can lean forward all they want to but if you push back on the handlebars (while standing on the ground) the machine won't tilt and they won't go ANYWHERE. If you pull forward on the handlebars the Segway will move forward.

The Segway has VERY powerful motors. 4 horsepower, that is a LOT. It never feels like it though, as the machine feels very gentle and natural. It needs that strength to keep you upright and balanced under all circumstances, while you are standing still, while you are moving, going up or down hills, whatever. If you need to make a quick stop, even from full speed, you just lean your weight way back off the back of the machine (this takes some practice because your instinct says if you do that you will fall off... but you WON'T the Segway won't let you fall) When you lean back hard all those 4 horsepower goes to stopping you. It is like stopping quickly when you are running. You would lean back and let your sneakers stop your movement while you catch your balance.

Now (here's where I answer your question!) If you are moving forward and you HIT something, the part that is frontmost on the machine while you are moving is the handlebars, because you are leaning forward to make the Segway move. So the part that would "hit" would be the handlebars, and the act of hitting something would push the handlebars back, thereby automatically braking the machine at full force. The friend I took to the training session asked about that and the trainer told him to run into him, going at a good clip. My friend did and hit the guy right in the stomach. The machine stopped and the guy was fine. That was my friend's favorite part of the training

Not to say that someone riding irresponsibly couldn't hurt someone if they tried. You could catch someone's feet or something and probably knock them over. Running over their feet won't hurt because the tires are wide and low pressure so it distributes the weight (I let friends ride over my toes all the time to show them, it is no problem at all). But it is not like a scooter where if the person keeps the throttle open it is going to just plow over everything in its path. Emergency stopping is quicker too because it becomes a "reflex" to lean back just as if you were running and had to stop quickly. But if you see one coming at you and you know the secret you can keep yourself safe under even the worst of circumstances... if someone is trying to plow you down just stay put, reach forward and grab his handlebar as he gets to you and use your weight to push it back. He'll stop and go crying home to mommy. "Curses! Foiled again!"

The photo on the bottom left of my Segway photos page at http://www.idexter.com/click-and-tell/cafe_blue/ shows someone giving the news reporter a ride, the guy in the black pants owns the Segway and is holding the handle bars while the photographer guy (in the gray pants) is getting used to it.

heheheh so you COULD run over a short brat if you wanted to?

You callin' me a short brat?

Never, Shortcake

I didn't say it wasn't true, just wanted to know

LOL That's what I'm getting, Sky!!

hehehe "Shortcake!" hehehe Love it!

hehehe Short, tall, narrow, wide; you're lovable any way you look at it!

(I think I'll stick with my scooter. vrrrooom! vrrrrooom!)

Sky, I have a neighbor that has a scooter. Maybe we can borrow it from her, eh? No, I have TWO neighbors with one! Surely we could borrow one of them... or someone else want to join the chase? hehehe

How you doin' today, Dave? Things getting any easier? I sure hope so!!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Dave}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I was wondering the same thing dex.
If you are having a grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr day, mind if I join you?

((((((((((((((((((((((dex))))))))))))))))))))))))

Wait now I want a scooter. Why should you guys get all the fun? I could chase the neighborhood kids around with it...How awesome would that be?

Jessica