Does Practice Makes Perfect?

In the category of “It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time,” we must start in 2005 in Vienna, Austria.  I was at a Junior Chamber International World Congress and was overwhelmed with how amazing it was.  After a week of trainings (when I actually went), general assemblies, networking and socials, I had an afternoon to explore and see as much of the city as I could in 4 hours.  How to do that?  If this was 2018, I would have already had a 3 page itinerary ready to go, but in 2005, two words came to mind – Segway Tour.  Segways were the latest rage so I convinced Lori, Fay and Suzanne to go with me.  After meeting our tour guide, we went to a park and got a 10-minute “crash” course in how to drive from our guide Matthias, whom we could only understand once in a while.  Then, we were off….

And then the fun began!  Learning to segway in a busy city during rush hour at dusk is not advised.  While we had an amazing tour and saw some many beautiful sights, it was not without mishap.  First off, I had trouble mastering the “stop.”  The parked car helped me stop at the crosswalk!  Matthias screamed to “keep going”, so needless to say, we did not leave an “I’m sorry!” note.  Then, heavily populated places are probably not ideal either.  Just ask the young woman whose foot was run over as Fay yelled stop in French at her!   Confined spaces should be avoided.  While admiring the sights, it is preferable not to back into brick walls and hot your head, Suzanne.  It leads to a headache!  Finally, uneven surfaces are deadly.  Just ask Lori 13 years later to see the scars from her wipe out on the wooden bridge!

After this escapade, it was time to swear off segways for 7 years, until I found a Groupon for a segway tour in Plymouth, MI.  I was like, why not?  As least I am in the US this time if I need to hit the ER.  So, I convinced Tom to go with me and it was like a whole new experience!  No traffic, day light and not many people led to a relaxing summer afternoon learning more about our local area.  However, I didn’t feel vindicated that I had “mastered” the segway since the cityscape was completely opposite.

Fast forward almost another 7 years, and my adventure clock says its time to try the segway again.  This time it’s Denver.  A busy city – check.  Lot’s of people – check.  Dusk – no, but at least similar.  Practice makes perfect!  An awesome afternoon of cruising over 15 miles of Denver with only one mini-mishap when Ross ran his segway into mine and the wheels locked up), but no injuries, no damage to property, and no fear!

So, if you have not been on a segway, DO it!    It’s an amazing way to explore a new city.  Just make sure you to wear your helmet and make sure your medical insurance is up to date!