Ovechkin on a Segway
"Hey Segway guy," the Park Police officer was shouting at Alex Ovechkin. "You can't ride in there."
Ovechkin, wearing his red Caps jersey and yes, riding a Segway, scooted out of the tourist-dotted maze that encircles the National Christmas tree, smiling his gap-toothed smile.
"I'm sorry officer, he got away from me," apologized Mary Ann Melville, a tour guide from Capital Segway.
The officer gave a stern lecture, something about where and where not to ride your Segway, and about how his sergeant was getting irritated. Ovechkin scooted about in circles and waited for the speech to end.
"All right, see you!" he finally said to the officer, and sped off.
And that's pretty much how the afternoon went. Briefly, the back story: Mike Green had recently complained to a team employee of boredom. She suggested he take a tour of D.C. He said his legs were tired. He had passed great numbers of Segway tours on his way to the Verizon Center, so they decided Segways would be the way to go. Matt Bradley was recruited. It became something of a media event. And Alex Ovechin and Nicklas Backstrom ended up on board.
Which is how I came to be chasing after four bright-red-sweater-clad professional hockey players pushing their 12.5-mph Segways to the limits as they raced down the straightaway on the north side of the White House, in front of confused tourists and Park Police and a few surprised Caps fans who scrambled for their cameras. Hockey players, it turns out, aren't the sort to play it safe on their sidewalk transportation devices, as was immediately evident when Bradley boarded his ride in the shop and attempted to execute a backward spin. He nearly fell off. Then he challenged Green to try the same move.
"So the best way if it starts spinning is just to jump off?" Green asked the employees.
I should say that Segways are very peaceable creatures, and within two minutes you can figure out how to glide, and if you're just an average sort of person you likely won't, for example, nearly crash while offroading your Segway up a hill and through a gulley by the Washington Monument.
"Sorry," Ovechkin said after that incident, when instructed to stay on the pavement henceforth. "I don't want to be a rat, but it's Greenie's fault."
The four players were trailed by a contingent of perhaps a half-dozen media members, but the Caps were always ahead of the pack; "I'm sure we'll slow down as soon as we have our first wipeout," Bradley said. They went down 14th Street, over Pennsylvania Avenue, around the tourists, past the souvenir vendors, with a brief stop by the anti-nuclear protester in front of the White House, who gave her spiel to Ovechkin.
"I'm from Russia," he said. "So, well, have fun."
"No, you have fun," she said, adding something about saving humanity.
"I don't have any money," he said.
"She said 'humanity,' " Green said.
"What does it mean," Ovechkin said.
Ovechkin was easily the loudest Segway rider. He rode the thing backward until it started making grinding noises; "when it makes that noise it's telling you it's not happy," one of the guides told him. He loudly shouted out "anybody wanna ride with us????" to a crowd waiting at a bus stop. He said "Whooooo hooooo" and variations thereof maybe 50 or 60 times. He rocked back and forth incessantly when we stopped to regroup. He yelped "Let's Go Caps" at random businessmen. He attempted to ride without the use of his hands, wrapping his legs around the steering column.
"He's reckless, look at him," Green said. "I think he's gotten in about three accidents so far."
"He loves to be like that," Backstrom said. " He drives fast. He does everything fast. He skates fast, too."
"I'm crazy," Ovechkin said. "I'm sick."
I asked why he was riding a Segway around D.C.
"Have fun," he said. "Why do I have to stay home? No. It's good. Watch beautiful city, watch girls...."
"Have you seen any girls?" Backstrom asked.
"No," Ovechkin replied. "Girls, where are you? I can't find you."
Soon after, the no-hands experimentation commenced. Bradley whizzed by and nearly crashed in the grass.
"I tried to skid," he explained. "Didn't work though."
It was, I think it's safe to say, not exactly your typical Capital Segway tour.
"They might be a little reckless, I would say," said Karen Novack, one of our guides. "I was given the assignment to make sure to keep them safe for the next game. I think they've knocked a couple years off my life."
[Video coming tomorrow, with any luck.]
By Dan Steinberg |
December 19, 2007; 5:05 PM ET
| Category:
Caps
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Posted by: EricS | December 19, 2007 05:20 PM
I love this story! This was easily the best thing I have read about the Caps since the season began. Great to see them goofing off together.
Posted by: Flla Church | December 19, 2007 05:59 PM
the post was too chintzy to spring for a Segway for the Bog? disappointing.
Posted by: jamie | December 19, 2007 06:01 PM
From the man who gave you Gilbert on a bike, and who's office is just across the street from the Segway tour starting point, I DEMAND a future email warning me about all such trips. And guarantee to start going jousting with said Capitals.
Also, can't we get Gilbert on a Segway? Or a pachyderm when Ringling Brothers comes to town?
Posted by: DC Centurion's Shielf | December 19, 2007 06:01 PM
Wow. This has to be one of the funniest bits I have read ever on the Caps. OV driving in circles while he's getting a lecture from a police officer is side-splittingly funny. He and Backstroms little exchange on girls was quite funny as well.
Oh I love my Caps, they are awesome. Great group of guys, incidents like this make me proud to be a Caps fan! LET'S GO CAPS!
Posted by: ihatethepens | December 19, 2007 06:02 PM
Wow. This has to be one of the funniest bits I have read ever on the Caps. OV driving in circles while he's getting a lecture from a police officer is side-splittingly funny. He and Backstroms little exchange on girls was quite funny as well.
Oh I love my Caps, they are awesome. Great group of guys, incidents like this make me proud to be a Caps fan! LET'S GO CAPS!
Posted by: ihatethepens | December 19, 2007 06:02 PM
Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.
And the line about 'humanity' kills me. It's straight out of Borat.
Posted by: Blackaces | December 19, 2007 06:02 PM
good grief, I am even prone to double-posting on the WaPo comment board.
Posted by: ihatethepens | December 19, 2007 06:03 PM
That sounds like fun. Segway racing! Please tell me someone has some footage of this.
Posted by: Ella | December 19, 2007 06:04 PM
I can definitely see Ovy messing with the cops like that.
"I don't have any money." He's a funny guy.
Posted by: bondra2thethird | December 19, 2007 06:12 PM
1) I was on a Segway the whole time.
2) Hilites will be on Comcast SportsNet tonite.
3) Video hilites will hopefully be on the Bog tomorrow.
Posted by: Dan Steinberg | December 19, 2007 06:14 PM
Love this story! Great to see the boys out and about :D
Keep up the Caps coverage, Dan. :)
Posted by: HD | December 19, 2007 06:14 PM
This is the BEST story ever!!! God I love Ovechkin! He really is crazy but in a good way! I still say I would love to just hang out with him because he is so hilarious! And I also feel for the tour guide because I can't imagine trying to keep them all safe! Can you imagine what it was like teaching ovechkin how to drive!!! wow!!!!
Posted by: Puddin_an_Semin | December 19, 2007 06:19 PM
damn ... I hate being a grown up ...
Posted by: littles | December 19, 2007 06:36 PM
best caps article HILARIOUS!
Posted by: Andrew | December 19, 2007 06:36 PM
OMG that was funny. Not just the guys acting up on those things but some of the things AO said. Wow, coolest person ever. I cant wait for video of this.
Posted by: captnclark | December 19, 2007 06:39 PM
Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.
And the line about 'humanity' kills me. It's straight out of Borat.
Posted by: Blackaces | December 19, 2007 06:02 PM
haha, I had the exact same though.
Posted by: amalg | December 19, 2007 06:49 PM
This is the kind of stuff we need more often.
Posted by: FS | December 19, 2007 07:55 PM
Much cooler than the usual dorks I see on these things, trying to look upper middle class and what not due to the expense of the vehicle...while the caps were prolly just lookin for sweet jumps and rail slides
Posted by: br0d | December 19, 2007 07:57 PM
haha man i was cracking up the whole time while reading this. Great Stuff. Ovechkin has so much personality, I am very grateful that he's a cap. Now Ted needs to lock him up for 10 years like other teams are doing with their cornerstones.
Posted by: Sombrero Guy | December 19, 2007 08:08 PM
Best. Ever.
Posted by: false_cause | December 19, 2007 08:11 PM
Picturing Ovie riding around shouting "Let's Go Caps" at random passersby is hilarious. I'd love to see him try this in Canada...
Posted by: Jill | December 19, 2007 08:21 PM
Barring any Caps parents posting on here, how many DC sports figures on small wheeled vehicles have you now chased around town (quite literally)?
Gil and his bike, four Caps, likely some United guys that you've driven away....
Posted by: Kim | December 19, 2007 09:14 PM
Great stuff, Steinz.
Posted by: Reader Glenn | December 19, 2007 09:35 PM
I'm so glad that OV is so enthusiastic about the team. The thought of he and Backstrom rolling around DC looking for girls is enough to make my day.
Posted by: Jordan | December 19, 2007 11:28 PM
YES! This was great!
Posted by: Ian | December 20, 2007 01:06 AM
Can we find out if Mike Green is blogger material? Surely his desire to rock the mohawk adds character that could translate into blogability. Bobby has left a HUGE void in this area.
Posted by: CapChris | December 20, 2007 01:36 AM
Great story, good to see the Caps having fun off the ice!
Posted by: Kip | December 20, 2007 01:52 AM
Great story Dan. Can't wait for the video.
Posted by: DB | December 20, 2007 07:32 AM
What a riot!!! I can't stop laughing. Just the thought of Ovie standing in the middle of DC screaming "Girls, where are you? I don't see you" has me laughing hysterically. Wish I could have witnessed this circus event. Hopefully ComcastSportsNet will have something on it before tonight's game vs. Montreal.
Posted by: Mitch | December 20, 2007 07:43 AM
Awesome story! Can't get enough Caps coverage!! Keep it up.
Posted by: dz | December 20, 2007 08:20 AM
haaaaaaaaa, oh my god that was hilarious, i would have paid so much to be there. that was truly LOL funny
Posted by: | December 20, 2007 08:30 AM
Hey, I don't know if this is okay but... I just looked up the segway place - they have a website http://www.capitalsegway.com. I guess they sell them as well as offer tours. I wonder how much one costs?
Posted by: JustDandy | December 20, 2007 08:46 AM
BTW, this was way better than Redskins press conference coverage.
And is Goff's Soccer Insider's "Best Soccer Blog" award affecting the rest of the Post's blog community?
Posted by: Kim | December 20, 2007 09:00 AM
My father works in that building (the same one as Capital Segway). He said every once in a while he'll walk out side of his building and see someone starting out on one of those things just run right into a lamp post or newspaper dispenser.
Amazing story, Steinz.
Posted by: BucktownSkinsFan | December 20, 2007 09:05 AM
Ovechkin has no love for the law.
He's truly become a Washingtonian.
Posted by: ScottVanPeltStyle.com | December 20, 2007 09:21 AM
I can't even begin to express how awesome this is. I only wish I could have happened to be around while this was going on. Heh!
Posted by: Goat | December 20, 2007 09:33 AM
I think we have enough comments here to convince you to spend more time with the Caps!
Posted by: Reader Glenn | December 20, 2007 09:41 AM
I'm guessing there'll be at least one more clause in his next contract based on this blog entry...
Posted by: Rob Iola | December 20, 2007 10:02 AM
It's nice the boys get out and tour the city. Maybe the Caps can turn something like this into a Charity event...
Posted by: KraziJoe | December 20, 2007 10:40 AM
Ovy plays like he lives...or is it, lives like plays? He's fearless, and doesn't take himself too seriously. Can't wait to see him bring a Cup to DC!!!!!
Posted by: Mark T | December 20, 2007 10:48 AM
This story made my day. OV rules!!!
Posted by: cbstoner | December 20, 2007 10:59 AM
This is why the caps are doing so well, now, and why they will be great. The young core of guys are not just on a hockey team, they are all best friends and love each other. good times are coming
Posted by: Ty | December 20, 2007 11:12 AM
That's good internets.
Posted by: Nate | December 20, 2007 11:29 AM
Awesome story.
How about that video? ;)
Posted by: HolyOlie | December 20, 2007 01:15 PM
Looks like we will have to get them out to play some Segway Polo with the some of the local DCSEG user group.
Posted by: WWHopper | December 20, 2007 01:38 PM
very funny. Good to see the guys out. The team is playing great now and deserves a bit more publicity.
Posted by: zuufreak | December 20, 2007 01:47 PM
wheres the video? i cant wait
Posted by: ha | December 20, 2007 02:11 PM
bahahahahahahah
ba
haha
bahaha
oh god
oh
god
oh em gee zee
omgz
oh my godzz
oh wow
that was such a great story
i wish i was there *****
they are such hotties. ovie is greattt
bahaaaa
oh god i really wish i was there
but its all good
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
wheres the video?
Posted by: imthecoolest | December 20, 2007 03:47 PM
oh god that was a great story
those boys are so great
bahahaha
i wish i was there
peace out
Posted by: im the coolest | December 20, 2007 03:48 PM
bahahahahaaaa
oh g*d thats great
those guys are great
its all so great
i wish i was there
peace out cub scout
Posted by: im the coolest | December 20, 2007 03:50 PM
god?
Posted by: god | December 20, 2007 03:50 PM
oh yes god that was great. yes god
i seriously wish i was on them ha
peace out cub scout
Posted by: im the coolest | December 20, 2007 03:51 PM
yes
on them
on
them
Posted by: im the coolest | December 20, 2007 03:53 PM
wheres the face shots
i wanna see that gap tooth nuthugger grin
Posted by: dude sucker | December 20, 2007 03:54 PM
wheres the fcuking video
Posted by: nut hugger | December 20, 2007 03:55 PM
im obnoxious
don't arrest me
Posted by: coo | December 20, 2007 03:56 PM
oh i found the video\
GOSH
Posted by: hey | December 20, 2007 04:00 PM
great, great story....that was the best life of the year for me!
Posted by: capsROCK | December 20, 2007 08:02 PM
What a cool story. The video is great too.
http://juniors-eyes.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Dan, Jr. | December 21, 2007 03:19 AM
does anybody have a link to the video?
Posted by: Josh | December 21, 2007 09:17 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOBiQiAMZH8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc8Lylkul6U
Wish there was more footage though.
Posted by: Jeff | January 10, 2008 09:47 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Makes me wish they brought those tours up by Union Station. What a bunch of nuts. Is Ovy on a Segway better than Carron showing up at a birthday party? Either way, what a great bunch of guys we have in this town these days. Thanks Dan.
Hopefully we'll see some video on the news tonight, or at least on CSN. Who else was in the media contingent?