What A Blast This Afternoon!

[Villages Kahuna]

I just got home from serving as a guinea pig for the new operators of Segway Tours in The Villages. I joined two other Villagers and the young couple who owns the new business to ride the tour they had laid out, make comments and suggestions, and provide our opinion on how to make their Segway tours more fun for Villagers and profitable for them. I think we came up with some ideas they hadn't thought of. We spent about 90 minutes running the route they had planned plus parading by as many high-populated locations in Lake Sumter Landing as we could think of. We even stopped so they could give a few interested people a test ride on their machines. Several people stopped their golf carts to get on one of the Segways and take a test run.

What a blast! I have done the Segway thing before several times and I can recommend it to everyone. The young couple will headquarter their tours out of the Tree Tops Golf store in Lake Sumter Landing. I don't know when the tours will start or how much they'll charge, but they'll be fun and I'd guess "worth it". The purchase of a Segway has definitely made it onto my personal Bucket List. You may even find me leading tours every now and then!

[villages07]

Good for you Kahuna....sounds like a lot of fun. Riding a Segway is on my Bucket List.

Do you really think there is a market for paid tours of TV?

So many of us with golf carts have a routine/ritual for taking our guests around the sites of TV via golf cart.

Guess if they price it reasonably lots of folks will do it just for the fun of riding a Segway.

[renielarson]

My husband tells me a Segway would be a nice toy. But that is all for those who reside in The Villages. He has used a Segway and thinks it would be fun to own...but only for entertainment and novelty. He had a fun time riding one and I remember him coming home telling me about it.

His opinion is it does not have the utility of a golf cart. Nor does it have the speed. For those who work in industrial plants, or areas that mobility is important, a Segway would be of value. In TV, not so. A golf cart will get you where you want to go faster and will also provide storage when needed. He admits Segways have "add ons" to provide for more utilitarian uses but...

An advantage of a Segway vs. a golf cart is that a Segway can be used on sidewalks. I question how many times would this be of benefit to a Villager?

Just his opinion as told to me by him...take it for what's it worth!

If you have money to burn, want a novelty or a toy...then buy a Segway.

Convince me otherwise...

[Villages Kahuna]

With a speed of only 12-13 mph and very limited space for carrying things, I think the Segway is more a novelty in TV than a vehicle as practical as a golf cart. They certainly have their place in big cities, inside large manufacturing plants, or for security in shopping malls. But for everyday use here in TV, probably not.

That's why I have one on my Bucket List. My definition of that list is "when I have an extra $6,000 that I have absolutely no other use for, I might use it to buy a Segway."

[chelsea24]

OK, I'll ask. What's a Segway? It's not like a Henway is it? You know, what's a Henway" Oh about 5 lbs. LOL :joke:

Seriously, what's a Segway?

[golfpro]

It's a 2-wheel electric ride. You stand up on it and away you go.

[Muncle]

I just got home from serving as a guinea pig for the new operators of Segway Tours in The Villages. I joined two other Villagers and the young couple who owns the new business to ride the tour they had laid out,


What routes did you take? I know the tunnels up north would be impassable, but I wondered about the ones south of 466. Are those around LSL high enough for a full size guy like you riding a Segway? On the other hand, is there any restriction about riding them off the trails, i.e., could you just ride up Canal to the circle on Stillwater and just stay on the street, or do you have to take the trail like the carts do? I mean, the sign doesn't say "No Segways beyond this point".

[Villages Kahuna]

Here's a picture.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj316/Villages_Kahuna/segway_park_031s.jpg


This one happens to have the big off-road tires on it. By the way, there is a golf bag attachment and they have been pre-approved for use on TV golf courses. Apparently there's growing interest in Segway polo and "synchronized Segways" for parades!

A person standing on a Segway can easily clear any overhead obstruction, like a tunnel, unless the rider is over 7-feet tall.

The route that will likely be offered is all around Lake Sumter Landing. Included will be the little park on the south end, the boardwalk from the new hotel all the way to the lighthouse, around the town square, a close look at the Key West cottages, over the Morse Bridge to the "sunset stop", etc. There won't be any off-roading on the tours, although if you own one that's possible. Anticipating the next question--they cost somewhere between $5,000-6,000, depending on how you load them up with accessories.

[Taltarzac]

How does FL law handle segways as I see that they have no brakes??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segway

[Sunshinesegway]

Segways, Are Legal on sidewalks and bike paths and roads that are 25 mph or lower. They are very helpful for people with certain disabilities and they have been cleared for use in many areas. The braking is done by shifting your weight. As far as the tunnels Paul was right about the 7 feet. I went through the tunnel by Walmart on 466 and had about 12 inches clearance. And I am 6ft. They also handled the incline of the tunnels very well, Which was another one of my concerns.

[nhsnowbird]

The local electric company here in NH just started using them for their employees who check the meters ... had one sitting in front of my side door just moving back and forth, very strange sight but a great idea. Don't know how they will work when the snow falls.

[Sunshinesegway]

Believe it or not they work great in the snow, They make a snow plow for the off road model.

[mac9]

What ever happened to the planned tours on a segway? I stopped in the golf store in LSL and asked the salesman if the tours were still available. He was evasive and told me to contact the owner in Ocala as he was unable to say anything about them. Does anyone know what's up with it?

[Cassie325]

I just got home from serving as a guinea pig for the new operators of Segway Tours in The Villages. I joined two other Villagers and the young couple who owns the new business to ride the tour they had laid out, make comments and suggestions, and provide our opinion on how to make their Segway tours more fun for Villagers and profitable for them. I think we came up with some ideas they hadn't thought of. We spent about 90 minutes running the route they had planned plus parading by as many high-populated locations in Lake Sumter Landing as we could think of. We even stopped so they could give a few interested people a test ride on their machines. Several people stopped their golf carts to get on one of the Segways and take a test run.

What a blast! I have done the Segway thing before several times and I can recommend it to everyone. The young couple will headquarter their tours out of the Tree Tops Golf store in Lake Sumter Landing. I don't know when the tours will start or how much they'll charge, but they'll be fun and I'd guess "worth it". The purchase of a Segway has definitely made it onto my personal Bucket List. You may even find me leading tours every now and then!


Kahuna...do you know if they are hiring anyone? I knoiw someone that would be perfect for that and I responded to their add on TOTV's a while ago but heard nothing back. Do you have any contact info...names etc...that you would be willing to share?

[handieman]

:read:
Hmmmm lets see here, a high speed motor, oversize tires, helmet, racing leathers, POLO in Sweetbay's parking lot anyone??
[center]Handie :joke:

[Cassie325]

Handie!!!

I knew you were trouble from the moment I met you on here....LOL....I loved the picture in my mind when I read that post!!

[Villages Kahuna]

I'm writing this from "up north". To a degree I'm not totally surprised that the Segway tours never got started. But I was hopeful. They would have been a lot of fun. If I hear anything, I'll let you all know.

[jht]

Would hate to see the liability insurance bill the business would have to pay.

[Becky]

My DD & SIL did Segway when they were down in June. They had done it before. Happened to see it and signed up. There was no formal tour for them Dealer just let them take them for an hour. Kids loved it. Sure hate to see them go. Think there might be niche for them here.

Becky

[SegwayCR]

What routes did you take? I know the tunnels up north would be impassable, but I wondered about the ones south of 466. Are those around LSL high enough for a full size guy like you riding a Segway? On the other hand, is there any restriction about riding them off the trails, i.e., could you just ride up Canal to the circle on Stillwater and just stay on the street, or do you have to take the trail like the carts do? I mean, the sign doesn't say "No Segways beyond this point".

I've ridden from the hotel (?Waterside) north to Springdale (we live there), and crossed the golf cart bridge (didn't know it was that high!) to see the historic side (my folks lived there from '86-'96). Before arriving back here with my Segway I did write TV to see if there were any rules and regs...just keep to the multi-model paths. In Springdale I ride up to the pool and store the Segway just inside the gate, and ride to the mail pickup...right up to my mailbox. Only rule so far is to keep off the golf courses...but if you had the golf bag attachment and were playing that wouldn't be a problem. My main reason for use is that I have MS and too much walking, especially in the heat, is not good, but riding the Segway - and enjoying the breeze - has really been quite a joy.

[SegwayCR]

How does FL law handle segways as I see that they have no brakes??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segway

Braking is done by standing straight...not leaning forward which is what causes the Segway to move forward. I've had no problem stopping...and staying at a stop sign while cars etc pass without having to dismount.

[TomW]

I read an article recently where some wounded soldiers are receiving Segways instead of wheel chairs depending on the nature of their injury. Very interesting!

[GMONEY]

I was watching the TV a few months back and there is a company that donated some to that hospital for wounded Vets. They did donate them i believe. That was awesome for them to do that.

[Sunshinesegway]

Its called seg-4-vets program, they are donated to help amputees get around with their families.