Specialized Bicycle's New Wheeled Walking Stick

Specialized, the makers of mountain bikes, recently invited me out to test their new, wheeled walking stick. It has two wheels, hand brakes, and looks like a small motorcycle without the engine.

What you do to use the walking stick is meet up with Aldon Baker (trainer of James Stewart), Nicky and Tommy Haden, and a group of the Specialized “press guys,” (real press guys work at computers all day, these guys train all day) then point yourself toward a mountain in Corona, then start going up.

Aldon and others got onto the walking sticks’ seats and used the rotating foot rests to ride up the mountain. I tried this for about a quarter mile before realizing it was impossible, so I got off and began testing the wheeled walking stick properly.

The wheeled walking stick is really helpful. You can rest some of your weight on it during your hike, it provides something to lean against while you rest, and it even has a small cage to carry your water bottle.

I wasn’t sure of the need to wear a helmet, tight shorts, and stiff-soled shoes for a hike, but had a great time nonetheless. Aldon and his crew gave me plenty of time to test the wheeled walking stick before they returned from the top of the mountain.

James Stewart was supposed to join us on the hike, but the weather cooperated enough to let him get some motocross riding in, and he was out doing that before this weekend’s supercross in San Diego. He did let us stage from his house, and came out to say hello after we got back.

In addition to testing the wheeled walking stick and talking with James Stewart, I got another opportunity to speak with Stewart’s trainer Aldon Baker. Watch for some great training tips from him in upcoming issues of Dirt Rider magazine.