More important than a skate key for hitting new spots? Photo: Krcmar

PSA for Road-tripping Skateboarders: Bring a Broom Save some skin and leave the track better than you found it.

By Stephen Krcmar For skateboarders, nothing dashes the stoke of a new spot more than seeing a bunch of rocks, pebbles, and assorted detritus that might stop you in your tracks and stuff you into the track with a vengeance. 

We just finished a road trip from California to the biggest track in Utah, a few neighborhood spots in Denver, and fun new Velosolutions build in Utah. 

We sure wish we had a pump track broom for most of them. Another benefit of bringing the latest in analog sweeping tech? Walking the track isn’t just for F1 drivers—it helps you learn about the spot you’re about to skate. 

Because skateboarders are a minority at many tracks. Their pedaling brethren and sistren* with their pneumatic, fat rubber tires don’t need to worry about small amounts of rock and sand. And a lot of the tracks are used by kids, too, who often amuse themselves by tossing things onto the track. 

*Actually a word. Who knew?