Many skaters look forward to new fall and winter scenery on trails and crisp fresh air after skating through a hot, muggy summer. A few skaters even keep rolling outdoors in rain, sleet or even a little snow. But, this is the time of year that many outdoor skaters in my area are forced to look for indoor options and start thinking about how the skating schedule will change for the winter. Here are some winter time alternatives:

• Indoor tracks that permit roller sports
  
  
• Roller skating rinks and centers
  
  
• Alternate related winter sports like snowboarding or snow skiing
  
  
• Fitness training to prepare for the new season
  
  
• Ice skating activities in the same or a new discipline

The dates have just been announced for the Le Mans 24h Race in 2010. On June 26 and 27, 2010 more than 15,000 skaters from all over the world will try to to cover as much ground as possible in 24 hours on the Bugatti race track in Le Mans, France.

Enjoy the holidays, then start gathering your teams of ten, duos or solo skaters to get ready for 2010. Find out more details about the race on the official 24H Rollers event site.

It's almost time for the SantaSkate 2009. On Saturday, December 19th London's biggest costumed street skate of the year will be back. As many as 500 skating Santa's will be led by the trusty reindeer along with musical sleighs. Proceeds from this event will help fund London StreetSkates for the next year of weekly free events and will keep the sound systems tuned up.

Santa suits will be distributed from 2pm until 4pm at the Victoria Public House on Strathearn Place, London, W2 2NH, and the Santas will meet at the Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner at 4:45pm for a roll around 10 miles of central London streets with a pit stop for snacks in Trafalgar Square. The Santa Skate crew will celebrate the skating evening with a Christmas party at the Smithfield Tavern from 8pm - 2am..

If you can stop and turn and want to participate as a skater or make a donation, visit Santaskate.com or email londonstreetskate@hotmail.com. Santa's little helpers can also assist you at the London Friday Night Skate this week or before the event itself on Saturday. All donations go back into the London StreetSkate fund.

Go on this "Ho, Ho, Roll" and help spread Christmas cheer with the London Skaters!

Photo Courtesy of LondonSkate.com

If people stop and comment on your inline or roller skates as much or more than your skating, you should let everyone know about them. Some skaters build their skates, while others seek unusual, one-of-a-kind, limited edition or custom skates. A few skaters are in love with old, out-of-production antique models that still have a little life in them, and some thrive on the most futuristic hybrid technology available.

If your skates are traffic stoppers, old as dirt, hybrid technology or just plain different, show them off and tell the skating world about where they came into existence. It may spark a new trend, jump start another skate collector or just entertain another skate junkie waiting for the next roll.