Fitness * Street * Slalom * Artistic *

From south of San Francisco, take U.S. 101 north to Fell Street in the city. After two blocks on Fell, turn right (north) onto Fillmore Street and stay on Fillmore up and down the many hills until you reach Pixley Street, three blocks before Lombard Street. Park on the street, and be sure to set your emergency brake! Skaters meet at Nuvo Colours at 3108 Fillmore Street.

Athletic skaters looking for the best, most challenging urban and hill skating tour San Francisco has to offer won't want to miss the Monday Night Skate, which has gained a reputation as one of the most demanding city skates anywhere. The challenge is inherent in San Francisco's hilly geography. Although parts of most routes pass through the smooth pavement in the Marina and Embarcadero areas, the group inevitably takes to the hills. A favorite location is the Presidio, a converted army base with steep slopes and spectacular urban scenery (see the Presidio on page 128). Depending on the weather and time of year, the size of the group ranges from 10 to 40 skaters. A few diehards continue to meet year-round; in a city known for its fog and damp conditions, even wet pavement doesn't stop them. As the long days of summer begin to wane, the routes get more challenging, the idea being that by then, the core group of 10 to 20 regulars has reached peak physical condition. As aggressive as they are, however, these skaters make it a point to look out for each other, keeping tabs on folks at the back and those who crash. To join the Monday Night Skate, meet at Nuvo Colours at 7:30 p.m. (Nuvo employees participate and sometimes lead the tour, but skaters are responsible for their own safety.) Wear the appropriate gear, be prepared for all types of pavement, and make sure you've polished up your best hill skating skills.