It never ceases to amaze me on the first warm day of Spring (or in our case recently, late winter) how swarms of Fargo residents take to the streets to soak up the sunshine. It reminds me of animals waking up after a long hibernation. The greatest part is how much everyone truly appreciates it after a long winter, and with the thought in the back of their mind that winter could suddenly show its ugly face again with the flip of the switch. No weather ever seems to be stable or predictable in the upper Midwest.
So as the temperature gage squeaks beyond 40 degrees, the parks and streets are filled with runners, walkers, strollers, dogs, kids of all ages, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, motorcycles, and an assortment of sports equipment. However, there is one item that emerges during the first glimpse of warm weather that shocked me to my core when I moved here. I would be left staring in shock and confusion as it would pass me by, and leave me asking myself, “did I really just see what I think I saw?” I remember playing with them in my youth, but thought they had disappeared and become somewhat of the endangered species of recreation equipment similar to the skip-it and double-dutch jump ropes. I had heard rumors they still existed in some dusty boxes in the back of garages and storage sheds, and would even show up from time to time in second hand stores, but I had not seen them with my own eyes since I was a small tyke… at least not until I moved to Fargo.
What is this strange piece of retro-equipment I speak of? None other than… roller blades.
If you are from here then you probably are equally as stunned that I had not seen roller blades in so many years as I was to have seen them in the first place. While I am no historian, it seems to me that roller blades never really disappeared from Fargo as they did in many other parts of the country, and it seems that people still enjoy “blading” just as much as the vast majority of the country did at least 15 or so years ago. Ok, while I admit roller blading was not my strongest sport partially due to my inability to move my joints due to the restriction of knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and a helmet (thanks, Mom), I am not picking on the hobby 
simply because of my own jealousy. I mean, do I get a little jealous when a “blader” whips by me and causes me to have flashbacks of my 8 year old self rolling on the ground unable to stand back up after purposefully falling in order to stop myself from rolling down a hill? Sure. Do I wish I could have mimicked the skating abilities of the kids on Mighty Ducks as they tore through the Mall of America on their roller blades instead of barely being able to skate 5 paces without epically crashing? Absolutely. Do I look down at the scars on my knee and feel a twinge of anger as I remember skidding face first down a paved street with roller blades still attached? Yeah, a little bit. But just like the rest of the country who survived Y2K and then proceeded to hang up their blades, I too gave up my dreams and found other more “millennial” forms of recreation like jogging and razor scooters.
I am not alone in my observation. In fact, a few other Fargo transplants (who will remain nameless to save them from the backlash that may occur from this post) have also commented to me about the shock they experienced when they saw their first Fargo roller blader. They too thought it might be an isolated incident. However, as the warm weather stretched on, and the roller blader spottings became more and more prevalent, they too began to ponder if Fargo somehow got stuck in a sports equipment twilight zone.
Again, I am not mocking those of you that choose to continue your fitness pursuits through roller blading up and down the streets of Fargo. In fact, I commend your abilities to keep a dying sport “hip” and “cool” in the name of a good cardio workout. However, I do have a few questions for you. First of all, did you bring it back or did it never really disappear? Also, are these roller blades relics of your childhood or is it still possible to buy new roller blades?
Any which way, keep on blading you crazy kids. And if you need to borrow a fanny pack or scrunchy, I think I have one tucked away in my garage somewhere.
Reading through these posts reminded me of a couple of things. Back in the 90s when skating was very popular, I knew a couple of guys who started doing it in the 1980s. These guys were hockey players and they said that before you could get Roller Blades commercially, they would get figure skates, take the blades off, and put wheels on them.
Someone mentioned cross country skiers…..I see that while out on the trails. Usually slightly older folks (40s-60s) roller blading with poles. Mimicing the movement and motion of cross country skiing. They tend to move quite fast.
Some people can’t stand winter, so do what they can to live as though it is summer (go to indoor malls and parks, turn the heat up, go south, etc). Many of us like winter and just wait out the summer until we get better weather in the fall and winter.
It’s the hockey/skating thing that keeps it popular in the Upper Midwest. I Figure Skated until I was 18 and roller blading is good offseason training. When I moved to Colorado, I would get so many looks. One lady who is a regular on my walking/blading/biking trail asked me where I was from, she’s from MN too and said I inspired her to get her blades out.
I actually found it odd that rollerblading was only a fad in most other places. I started rollerblading as a kid, and have done so through the past 20 years. It was quite common to go rollerblading with friends in high school as it still is now in college. And to answer your question about being able to buy new ones, you can go to scheels and choose from probably 20 different styles. They can be quite expensive, so I usually only get new ones every few years. You should definitely give rollerblading another shot! It is a lot of fun, plus a good way to workout!
Haha i love this..i’m in the twin cities and i really thought roller blading happened everywhere! I got a new pair last year
Also-your analogy of emerging following hibernation is completely accurate!
I am an old guy who has never roller-bladed, but I just want to tell you that I always enjoy your blog, and am glad you seem to enjoy North Dakota. I lived the first 25 years of my life there and it is indeed a fine place with many decent people.
Thanks so much for reading! I’m glad you enjoy it!
I can’t believe I never took you blading with us! Nadine and I would go all the time in Fargo. I have a pretty sweet pair of “blades” I have to say. Maybe that will have to be your next birthday present…or Christmas since that’s closer!
And to answer your question…the trend never did disappear around here. And I won’t need that fanny pack because I have one of my own that I tend to wear on a regular basis
Hahahaha why did I never see you guys? Man. I sure missed out.
I never totally gave up skating. I often go after work with my girlfriend as she doesn’t like to run and I don’t own a bike. Gives us a chance to get outside (we both have desk jobs), some exercise and to spend a little time together. We see a few other skaters out on the trails.
Funny you should post this as I saw 2 younger (probably high school) boys roller blading yesterday, and I did think that it is unusual to see people that age roller blading.
So then is it more of the late 80′s and 90′s generations that keep the roller blading going strong?
I had to chuckle when I read your response. Do you notice that it began with, “So then…”? That is completely North Dakotan/Minnesotan!!!!! Many people begin nearly ALL of their sentences with those two words.
Congratulations! You’re officially one of us! ; )
Check out the Inline Marathon in Duluth (Thats in Minnesota, not Georgia). It is a world class roller blade event, drawing people from all over the world. Happens every September on what is possibly the most scenic race course in America. You need to get out of Fargo and see the rest of the Midwest…it is full of surprises!
As Troy pointed out, hockey players have used roller blades for a very long time. I saw my first pair in the very early 80s, long before they became a fad. My cousin, a hockey player brought them to a roller rink. Also, I know that people who like to cross country ski find roller blading a great summer alternative when they have to pack their skis away for the winter. So, I am not sure that many northern midwesterners are even really aware of the “fad status” of roller blades since they were here long before, and have stayed popular for decades.
That actually makes a lot of sense! Thanks!
One word for the reason why people use them around here: “hockey”. Off season training for some, and since they do it, others follow suit.
Wow, I didn’t realize hockey had even more of an impact than I thought. This makes a lot of sense. Thank you!
That is how it started. Hockey players staying in shape over the summer. Back in the 90s I went with one of my friends the first time he was ever on roller blades. He was a hockey player and 5 minutes into his first time on blades was skating backwards and whatnot. The skills are the same…ice skates or roller blades.
My kids love to roller blade – they share an old pair of their dads and some how manage to blade in them extremely well even though they are way to big. And I know many of the sporting good stores still sell roller blades. (my kids actually ask every year for a pair).
Scheels has a very large selection of roller blades for all ages.
If you think that’s crazy, you should come up to Grand Forks this summer during Rollin’ on the Red…. a marathon for roller bladers.
Rachel – what are the dates? I’m coming up to visit Hailey this summer and would love to attend as a spectator. I’m sure that’s quite a sight to see. We don’t have roller blading marathons in Maryland. . . at least none that I am aware of.
It’s August 25. More info can be found here: http://www.rollinontheriver-inline.com/
Thanks.