Viva La Segway
Story by Sarah Carr

Viva La Segway: A terrific Two-Wheeled Tour
By Sarah Carr

Since the release of the Segway in 2001, the self-balancing personal transport devices have grown popular among tourists, techies looking for a new hobby, and members of the Wilmington Police department, who can often be seen zipping around on these two-wheeled wonders. The Segway is even the subject of an indie documentary, appropriately titled “10 MPH”.

When I walked into Cape Fear Segway, located on Water Street in Downtown Wilmington, I was greeted by owner Richard Hays, our brave and nimble tourguide David, and a family visiting from Wilmington, Delaware, who would become our road dogs for a magical journey throughout downtown.

Before we could embark on the tour, we had to become Segway savvy, so Richard and David showed us a DVD on safety and operation that was both hilarious and informative. While the video, a combination of live action and animation, explained very clearly some important Segway do’s and don’ts, it was impossible for this Special Correspondent to contain her laughter at some of the falls taken by the animated rider in the video. I was so glad we were all wearing helmets, and particularly glad mine was pink.

After David explained how to balance and operate the machines, we hopped on (no, wait, we carefully mounted) our Segways and went to the parking lot to get our Segway legs. We had lessons in turning and braking, and once everyone was comfortable we set out on Water Street.

Right away, we rolled up a large hill. This is achieved by leaning your weight over your toes, and creates a sensation similar to riding an escalator. In what is called “turtle mode”, the Segways we were riding go about 8 miles per hour, although the machines are capable of zipping along at up to 12 miles per hour. Segways, like people, come in all shapes and size, and even in different colors! I was slightly jealous that the photographer got to take the tour on the off-road version, but resigned myself to the fact that I was better off with the standard Segway. I did get to ride the white one, which totally complimented my pink helmet.

David, a Wilmington local, led us through some off the most beautiful and historic parts of Dowtown Wilmington that even I, a dowtown resident, had missed. We stopped every now and then to see key sights such as Thalian Hall, and to hear lesser know facts about haunted houses and local history. We took a break mid-tour at Dram Tree Park, where you can stand almost beneath the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and see across the river to the Battleship and down the shore that makes up Downtown Wilmington.

Next we cruised South Front Street, admiring the mansions and Spanish moss, and along the Riverwalk, where I tried to spot people I knew and could wave to. Once you are comfortable riding a Segway, you can wave to people, throw out the peace sign, and even talk on a cell phone! They truly are self-balancing, even for Special Correspondents prone to clumsiness.

We took the Riverwalk as far north as possible, and as we paused at the designated fishing area at the northernmost end of the Riverwalk (did you know this area existed? That is one of the beauties of the Segway Tour…you truly see some parts of Downtown you may not make the effort to check out on foot), Richard took our Segways off “Turtle Mode” and when we got back on the road we went full throttle toward the Cape Fear Segway shop. We even did a few laps around the parking lot in full speed mode before we wrapped up the tour and took our fleet back into the shop.

By the end of the tour I felt like a Segway pro and went home with a greater awareness of the historical value of the area where I live. Riding a Segway is fun and kind of makes you feel like Rosie the Robot Maid from The Jetsons. It is also good for building strength in your core muscles.

SCM and I would like to thank Richard and David for a great tour and a fun time downtown, and heartily recommend the Segway experience to tourists and locals alike.

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