San Francisco Segway Tour

What is a segway? If you're half as ignorant as I am, you probably don't know either. It's described as the "world's first dynamically stabilized, self-balancing Human Transporter". It runs on rechargeable NiMH batteries and is controlled by a rider's natural body motions. Basically, if you lean forward it accelerates, if you lean backwards, it brakes and if you want to turn in either direction you can twist the handle.

Anyhow, I was able to experience this contraption first hand last weekend while taking a tour of San Francisco. The total cost was $65 for 3 hours around Fisherman's Wharf. Training took approximately half a hour and I was able to ride out into the main streets following a tour guide. I did try to race my friend on the segway but to no avail, since the speed inhibitor automatically slows the segway down if you surpass the 8 mph limit... no fun!

Everything seemed all fine and dandy until the slight drizzle transformed into a violent downpour of rain coupled with strong winds. This not only caused some segways to malfunction and shut down, but it also drenched everyone to the bone. This abruptly ended the tour and we were sent home like wet dogs, although we did receive a partial refund. =P Overall, this was a amusing experience and I would highly recommend this as a remarkable way to tour SF.