Skitching
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Skitching (i.e. "ski-hitching" or "skate-hitching") is the act of hitching a ride on the rear bumper of a car when there is ice or slick snow on the roads. This can also be done with a skateboard or roller skates in urban areas where there is no ice or snow. In addition, skitching can be performed on a bicycle.
The skitched vehicle can either be aware of their load or unaware. When the skitcher is discovered by a previously unaware driver, the driver's reaction is sometimes negative, sometimes positive. It could lead to the driver attempting to "shake" the skitcher, or accelerate faster than the skitcher can handle.
Bicycle skitching can be performed by coming up to speed with the vehicle and holding a part of the rear of the vehicle with the closest hand while steering the bike with the other hand. Skitching can also be initiated by gripping the vehicle while both cyclist and vehicle are at a standstill. Extreme acceleration often leads to forces greater than the cyclist can safely steer under and the cyclist must release their grip. Bicycle skitching is most often seen being utilized by bicycle messengers.
[edit] Trivia
- Michael J. Fox can be seen skitching in the 1985 film Back to the Future.
- The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis videogame Skitchin' involves racing against other skitchers.
- The videogame Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and subsequent games also features skitching.
