Two of Macey's wipeouts

 Wrecks on the Onewheel aren't uncommon and are more than likely user error, like today's videos. Macey and I went out with the rest of the family to ride trails while they swam at the lake. These trails were smooth to ride with few roots to get in the way of a good time. Macey's wrecks were on the smooth ground and stemmed from here looking away and losing balance. Macey was riding her Onewheel Pint while I was on my Onewheel XR; she was brave enough to hold the 360 camera for a while, and I'm glad I got the camera back before she fell. I like using the GoPro 360 when on trails, so I don't have to concentrate on where the camera is while trying to shred. I hope you find some amusement from these two videos. 

Macey and I were out on the bike trails of Oak Mountain in the greater Birmingham area to get some experience on trails other than the Gardendale mountain bike trails. The park has a swim area that we enjoy during the hot summer months and now some decent trails to ride too. Finding places we can go to as a family is essential so we can ride and spend time together while we recharge our boards. I have a small Champion generator we use when there aren't plugs available to ride all day. We could also swim between rides, and the kids not riding the Onewheels don't feel left out because we can spend time doing both things. Oak Mountain is pretty affordable to go to regularly, and with enough for everyone to do, we'll probably have more videos for there in the future. 

The trails Macey and I took are for hiking and mountain bikes, and I think it was a green course made to be the easiest to traverse. Our Onewheels did great going over the few rocks and roots that littered the path, and I didn't come across and spots where I had to carry my board due to my weight. (215 LBS) The trail was busy, and to not be a bother to the bike riders, we moved to the side a few times to let them pass; most of the walkers moved to the side, and there was room for all parties. The trail we took was the lakeside trail, which is about two miles long if you take the whole thing. There were a few spots that we could see our family swimming, and that was the reason for Macey's first fall; she was trying to find her mom and brothers then lost her balance. She wasn't hurt and laughed about her blunder, then got right back on the board. You'll see her joy at not being hurt in the first video and how smooth the trail was. 

Macey is pretty good on her Pint, and I struggle to keep up with her when she gets in the grove. I ride the Onewheel XR, which has more power but I think my weight holds me back when it comes to trails. When riding on the street in the city, I have to slow it down quite a bit so she can keep up with me. I have another video up on YouTube of Macey recording the trail ride without falling or dropping the camera, so I am hoping soon I'll have my own camera girl that can switch with me while we learn to do tricks and shred harder trails. She will just have to get a little better at paying attention while on the pint when riding and recording our rides. 

Having the GoPro premium account makes me feel a little better about letting her hold the camera while riding since they say they'll replace broken cameras. I haven't tested out that claim and am always hesitant to file claims on broken items. I like using the GoPro 360 and Hero 8 as both cameras have great stability, and the video quality holds its own. Editing isn't hard with the GoPro app though I wish archiving my 360 raw data was easier. I switched up to the Note 20 and lost all my old 360 videos when I thought I had successfully transferred all my data to the new phone. If you are trail riding without a legit camera guy, having a 360 camera is imperative to good videos and memories. 

Macey wasn't hurt in these videos and loves showing them off to family and friends. If you're considering a Onewheel Pint or XR for a kid, make sure you're with them as they learn and that they wear safety gear every time they ride, even if it's just in the front yard. Macey's brother broke his wrist ten minutes after opening my very fist Onewheel, and she makes sure to always have wrist guards and helmets in the car before we go anywhere.  

Follow along on Instagram at

stories_by_mike

If you are looking for a 360 camera he is a link to Amazon for the GoPro 360 max

My first city group ride

I am quite the introvert, and getting to go out for a group ride really got me out of my comfort zone. I knew one of the ridders from some of the trail rides I have been on, and that made the group ride easier to get to know the rest of the riders. It was a Thursday right after work and only about a ten-minute onewheel trip to the first stop on the group ride. Good Peoples brewing had a nice outdoor seating area where we could chit chat without masks on during this season of COVID. There were four Onewheelers and two electric skateboards in the mix and nothing but light traffic to worry about when it came to danger. We rode around downtown Birmingham attracting attention from those who like me had never seen an electric board ever until late last October. Ten blocks or so into our ride, we were greeted with the sirens of the local Birmingham PD, he encouraged us to ride on the sidewalk at the threat of confiscation. An hour later, we were greeted with three more of Birmingham's finest who cheered us along and had nothing but cool stuff to say about our boards. Those guys really made my night. We had fun hitting three breweries and draining our batteries. I cannot wait to get out and ride again with my new friends. 

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did, making it. 

Follow me on Instagram at 

instagram.com/stories_by_mike

and

youtube at

youtube.com/mltlmt41251 

If you like the 360 video content, follow the links in the video's description for or information on Amazon about them. They are my affiliate links and don't cost you anything if you click them. 

OneWheeling down Clearwater Beach

 My nephews came up to Alabama for a two-week visit and when I brought them back home I made a special trip to Clearwater Beach. I wanted to ride the strip along the beach and double back along the show line. With COVID still gripping the locals with fear, the beach was not as packed as it normally is and that left me some room to get some speed. I parked by Frenchies on the beach, normally my favorite spot to eat but it was takeout only. I got a few heads to turn along the strip and some wows on the beach before being asked to leave as wheeled devices are not allowed on the beach. I was kind of bummed about having to walk my Onewheel back to the sidewalk but the few minutes on the sand was great. If any onewheelers find their way to my page I have a question. While riding on packed sand does it ever feel like the board oscillates underfoot? not like weak ankles but more like the board itself is trying to wobble out of control. I ride hard-packed trails in Alabama and never have that feeling under me no matter how fast I am going... only getting close to 18mph but not past in on the trails. 

I filmed this video with the GoPro 360 Max. The Max is my first 360 camera and learning the GoPro app can be stressful but the final videos tend to be pretty awesome. If you watch the video like it and subscribe then join me on Instagram. at stories_by_mike. I hope to see you all there real soon. 

If you like the 360 camera head on over to Amazon for more info. 

    GoPro360

Hey guys I know I haven't started out strong by posting every week, help me out by commenting and telling me what you want to see more of. 

Onewheeling at the Gardendale Urban Trail System

I took my little one out on the Onewheel this weekend. YouTube removed comments on my channel now I am going to have to find alternative ways to interact with my fans and those who despise me.

My little girl turned 11, and her Onewheel Pint will be shipping tomorrow, May 15, 2020. She is going to be excited when she realizes she will not have to ask mama to ride her Pint anymore. Macey, my 11-year-old, can climb hills on her Mom's pint that I cannot climb no matter how fast my approach is. She rides with me often and gets away from me when I have to walk my board up some of the steeper hills. 

Here is a link to my Instagram for further enjoyment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zqhTQjnCY/?igshid=1t8yx02ng5fr4

Future installments are coming soon.