British Skating Legends

I know Roy will love this - I *finally* got my Dexter speed skates put together how I wanted them - namely, ready to race!

And a closeup of one of the hangers ...

They've now got urethane cushions, hardened Magnum axles (which can run either precision bearings or looseball), Sure-Grip Fugitive wheels on there (they're basic and cheap, but I like them). And yes, the toe wedges were made from a car tire by the previous owner - I think they're great

Also, here's a pic of my Beadles hockey skates too, just for good measure

wow, both sets of skates look really good, well done, they certainly put mine to shame albeit they did have a hard life for about 11 years plus they have only recently been discovered from the depths of my brothers garage where they had been hiding, I've got a picture of them which you might find amusing but no comparison to yours, i used to train twice a week and race on Saturdays both indoor and outdoor , no decent outdoor facilies back then just road surfaces and go kart tracks despite that the only real problem was that i had a front hanger bolt snap so i can't complain really, no idea how to put photos on here but my email address is roy.lowe4@virginmedia.com if you want to make contact and I'll send you photos of my skates which are not in prestine condition,come to think of it i don't think that they ever were,    Roy

These won't be seeing outdoor duty - I have my football boot skates for that - but I'm looking forward to turning some fast indoor laps on them.  From rolling around the house they feel good and the weight (or lack thereof) still surprises me.

You sent me a little photo of your Dexters a few months back My offer of restoring them still stands (if you're not in a hurry) by the way ... I've got two more pairs of Dexters on my to-do pile, a pair of dance skates and some pre-war speed skates, amongst other things like some Beadles speed boots that are getting American plates, so there's plenty to keep me busy!

Hi holly, did'nt realise it was you ,haven't heard from you in awhile, good that you are going for it, you probably know that  there is a big event at Brum wheels on 5th May  ,not too sure if i can make it as i have a big music weekend at Stratford upon avon and will probably have to give it a miss, but try and get there and meet some skaters, you should enjoy,   Roy

Unfortunately I'm going to be down South at the start of May ... my health got worse so I couldn't do much of anything so there wasn't much point writing you, but I'm now recovering from some major surgery (hence having time to work on these skates at last).  I'm glad to say the surgery was a success and I fell better now than I have for the last couple of years!

My first big thing back on skates will be the South Coast Roll on May 26th, I'm hoping by then I'll be able to cover a full marathon (though I might need breaks), then I'll work on getting back on form properly by Autumn (apparently it takes some people a whole year to recover 100%)

really sorry that you are having health issues but I'm glad that the op went ok, you look pretty fit on your photo and a few hours skating will probably be whats needed both mentaly and physically I'm just recovering from pneumonia  and it would be nice to get fit again , I was only 21 when i shattered my ankle and even then it took a full 12 months to recover fitness but i never regained my confidence for a couple of years after, we all used to take our high fitness levels for granted and it would be good if we could  turn back the clock, wishful thinking ,best to enjoy what you have so hang in there.  Roy

Yeah, that photo is from before when I got badly ill ... seeing it is good motivation to get my backside in gear and get exercise!  Sorry to hear you've had pneumonia, I guess this weather really doesn't help with that either.

Soon as it gets warmer I'm going to be outdoors on skates any chance I get

More Beadles, this time '80s Saturn speed boots on Snyder Royal plates, and Aussie Scott wheels

This is the last of the British made skate stuff off my to-do pile, I built them for skating roller derby (hence the toe guards) though I'm not sure how they're skate since they have no heel ...  I'm also hoping the wavy sole calms down a bit after I've put some hours on them!

Do you rember going 2 Beadles a very long time ago. The cafe near the railway station 4 a cuppa? .all the skaters went  there 2 have their skates fix or their wheels turned downed,( wooden in my days) as i said a long time ago, Any way hope all is well. Still have my Dexter skates& wooden wheels. all the best   ( ACE. NLRSC)