A Fun Segue
We attended the Crook County Fair today in Prineville, about 20 miles east of Bend in the next county. I had a blast, because I got to ride a Segway.
Ever since they came out, I've wanted to try one, and at the fair they had a booth where you could ride one until you got tired (or the proprietor got tired of you). It was so easy! You lean forward, and it moves forward. You lean back and it slows, then stops, then goes backward, depending on how far and how long you lean back. It's very natural, as if it was reading your mind.
The Segways at the fair had their top speed set at 6 MPH. When you hit that speed, the Segway pushes back at you, and you slow. Very natural.
Turning is done by twisting the left handgrip. It didn't take me long to get used to turning, but it isn't as intuitive and natural as the forward/back control.
Within minutes I was doing figure 8's and testing it at high speed. Fun, fun, fun. I only stopped because I felt guilty leaving Connie alone for so long.
*sigh* Now I want one.
Update: Fixed the Segway link. Thanks, Candace!
Blog Tag: Chatter
4 Comments:
A buddy of mine bought a Segway. It's fun and the engineering is pretty cool, but seems a bit pricey. He got it from somewhere in central Oregon, but I don't recall exactly where. Might have been in your neck of the woods.
That sounds fun. I saw one on Leno. What makes it go? Is there a little engine in it?
Yeah, they are pricey. That's why I sighed. I'd like one, but I don't think I could justify the price. Maybe if I found a good deal somewhere.
There's an electric motor in the base, Melissa. It can go about 25 miles on a charge (with a li-ion battery), and recharge in about 4 hours.
I've wanted one of those ever since I saw it on the Today show (2000?)
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