Everyone has seen a Segway but most people have not had the opportunity to ride on one. I always see mall cops or security guards riding them around and thought that would it be fun to ride one. I recently got the opportunity to check out what it was all about when I was in Toronto to attend a Travel Blogger Convention called TBEX.
As a part of attending the conference there were various tours put on by Tourism Toronto that we were able to sign up for. I was lucky enough to get a spot on the popular Segway Tour of the Distillery District.
Gooerham & Worts Sign in the Distillery District Toronto
I arrived for my tour at the Segway of Ontario shop and met the other participants on the tour. We signed the usual waivers and then went outside to begin training. The training started with a description of how to ride the Segway with the instructor showing us how everything worked. We then got our own Segway for some hands on training. We were taught how to go forward, backward, stop and turn.
There was a course of orange cones set up for us to practice our newly acquired skills. The instructors spent time with everyone to make sure that we were comfortable with the controls before leaving on the tour. It really was pretty easy and I quickly found out the trick was to relax and not be tense when standing on them.
Practicing Riding the Segway.
After everyone was trained we set off on a tour of the Distillery District. The Distillery District is on the grounds of the old Gooderham & Worts Distillery which was once the largest distillery in Canada. Most of the original buildings have been preserved and are now a mix of retail, restaurants, offices and residential. It is a really cool area and I would have liked to spend more time there.
Group Photo – Segway Tour
The tour took us in and around the different sections of the District with stops along the way to talk about the history of the area.
I really enjoyed the tour and seeing the Distillery District and would recommend it if you are visiting Toronto.
Disclaimer: The tour was provided by Segway of Ontario. All opinions expressed are my own.
Awesome!
Have always wanted to go on a segway but they are always so expensive!
Sam recently posted..The Itinerary for our Great Victoria Adventure
That is usually why I have not done them too. Now I want to do more.
Jeff recently posted..Meet the Locals – Meritxell from Barcelona
Jeff:
You are looking good on that Segway. Looks like you had awesome time at the conference.
Terence Chang recently posted..Free Bike Ride In Taipei
It was a lot of fun and I will do it again.
Jeff recently posted..Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Toronto
I have seen these kind of tours but like Sam said, they always seem expensive. Especially if I am on a weekend trip. I don’t want to blow the whole budget on one tour. I would hopefully like to do the Prague by Segway tour.
Check sites like Groupon for discounts on Segway tours. I have seen them there before.
Jeff recently posted..Gimmelwald Switzerland Postcard
Haha. This looks like so much fun. I’ve been in touch with a segway company in Queenstown, New Zealand so will hopefully be trying it for the first time next week!!
It was a lot of fun. Hopefully you will get to do it soon.
What a fun opportunity! I was in Toronto not too long ago & encountered this Segway tour. Maybe next time. 😉
Glad I found your blog via twitter!
Thanks. It was a lot of fun.
I have never been on one of those before, they are hilarious!!!!
I was at TBEX as well. What a cool experience. Taking a tour by Segway is a lot of fun. So funny, I started one of the first Segway tour/rental businesses in the world (in AZ), now there are thousands of them. So, what did ya think? They are pretty amazing, eh? Have you seen this new thing that is coming out…it’s a one-wheel device that you strap on your feet…it too has gyroscopes that self-balance you like the Segway. I just saw one for the first time at the Outdoor Retailer Show I attended in SLC Looks like so much fun!
Hi MIke,
I saw that one wheel thing at CES this year. It did not look as easy to use as the Segway.
I don’t know what kind of learning curve there is, but I saw a gal zip through the crowds at the OR show I attended. It looks so sweet…like she was floating on air. I really want one! 🙂