10 mph
2006-01-09 20:32:51.718249+00 by
Dan Lyke
10 comments
/. today linked to a documentary about crossing the United States on a Segway. The comments included:
My generation's defining film - two guys do a big cocaine deal, drop out
of society, take drugs and have sex with beautiful women while crossing
America on outrageous Harley choppers (Easy Rider)....your generation,
two dorks on Segways...
which led to:
Yeah, but these guys probably don't get shot at the end of the movie.
I'm not saying they shouldn't be (for the sake of the gene pool), but still...
thence
Two guys cross america on Segways. Trust me, the gene pool is safe. Even if they
are straight their odds of reproducing are slim.
Looks pretty skippable, although the trailer does have one of the more amusing Segway![[Wiki]](/adbanners/lookingglass.png)
crashes I've seen. I think they need a bit more intelligence about when to give up trying to balance...
[ related topics:
Movies Segway/Ginger/IT
]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-09 21:49:30.471642+00 by:
Diane Reese
I watched the trailer.
"They decided to travel across America to capture a true sense of what this country's all about. And how do you do that, ladies and gentlemen? You wondering what you do? You don't walk, you don't ride a motorcycle, you ride one of those goofy Segways."
Harrumph! Doesn't anyone do it on a bicycle anymore?!
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-09 22:12:48.289237+00 by:
Larry Burton
Yeah, but the novelty is gone.
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-10 00:14:01.361295+00 by:
Diane Reese
[edit history]
Dude! Sag wagon breaks? Support staff? Lodging? MEALS??
Wimps. :-) Some of us preferred doing it the hard way.
OK, I am now officially inspired. I am going to digitize my several hundred slides from that trip and document the experience. I still have all my maps, guidebooks, and daily diary. 30 years this summer: what an anniversary! Yay for the web!
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-10 00:24:41.038032+00 by:
Dan Lyke
If you need help with the digitization... I built a jig for my camera that's been doing a passable job. Not that we ever manage to get together to hang out anyway, but this might be an excuse...
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-10 00:46:59.526838+00 by:
Diane Reese
I also have several hundred slides from my 3-week trip to mainland China in 1981 (yes, 1981). Sounds like this would be a really good excuse...
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-10 15:35:06.729076+00 by:
petronius
Its intriguing that Segways continue their slightly loopy reputation. I have seen a few in Chicago, like a lakefront tour operator who rents them out to his customers, and guards at the airport buzzing down the concourse. However, I wonder if Dean Kamen might be quietly making money in other ways. I've always thought that the balance module from the Segway would have many other industrial uses, such as dynamically balancing cranes or rough-terrain hoisting equipment, or a fire-fighting snorkel truck that can move while shooting. Anybody heard of other uses for the technology?
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-10 17:13:35.012421+00 by:
ebradway
The other day I was talking to a friend about Michelin's TWEEL that's supposed to be a "disruptive technology". Then I joked about the Segway also being a disruptive technology - but that I've never seen one in Chattanooga. And through amazing synchronicity, about 30 minutes later I saw someone down by the Aquarium riding one...
#Comment "Anybody heard of other uses for the technology?" made: 2006-01-10 19:53:14.755241+00 by:
Chris
[edit history]
Before the Segway, Dean Kamen released a stair-climbing electric wheelchair. IIRC it has at least four wheels, *but* when it climbs or descends stairs it balances on two side-by-side wheels at a time. It's fun to watch IMHO.
I guess the Segway is a market extension of that tech.
Chris
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-10 20:25:32.464557+00 by:
meuon
I don't think I can pull off a really long bicycle ride due to ankle injuries, but I'v thought about kayaking/floating to New Orleans..
#Comment Re: made: 2006-01-10 22:34:06.515229+00 by:
Larry Burton
There is a stream running by my house that I've jumped across which combines with another stream about a mile from my house to form the Yellow River. This past spring a fellow put a kayak in that stream and ended up about a month later in the Atlantic Ocean near Savannah. Whether by Segway or riding lawnmower or bicycle the tale of these treks always give me the inspiration I need to stay off my butt and do things. This time of year that type of encouragement is always well needed.