Sightseers Segway smoothly between Springs attractions

It's a typical summertime scene: A group of tourists wheels through Garden of the Gods, taking in the park's towering red rocks as cars pass by.

Or it would be typical if they were on bicycles, but these park visitors are gliding along on Segway Personal Transporters, gyroscopically balanced devices equipped with handlebars, a small platform to stand on and two parallel wheels.

"It's like a walking tour without the sweat," said Greg Wellens, owner of Adventures Out West, which introduced the paid Segway tours at the park in March. "It's like being one with the park."

Segways made a splash when they went on sale in 2002, and they have become popular with mall cops, the disabled and tour companies.

Wellens purchased 11 of them for $5,000 apiece for his local tour business, which includes hot-air balloon and Jeep rides.

It seemed obvious to offer Segway tours at Garden of the Gods, with its beautiful surroundings, he said. But it's the machines themselves that are the main attraction.

"They are a blast," Wellens said. "It's just new technology. They're fun; they're new; it's the wind in your hair."

On a recent tour, a young married couple donned helmets in the Garden of the Gods visitors center parking lot and carefully stepped onto the machines.

At first they struggled to keep their balance and maintain control. Within minutes they could move simply by shifting their weight and tilting the handlebars.

"People say it's just like skiing," Wellens said. "You can slalom on them, and you can lean forward to go faster."

Riders travel along the park's roads, sharing the space with cars and bicycles and stopping for the occasional photo opportunity and commentary on the park's history.

The devices can travel at speeds up to 12.5 mph, Wellens said, and so far, no one has been injured - aside from a few bumps and scrapes - since he started the tours.

"It was a lot of fun," said Angela Gutierrez, 29, a tourist from Texas. "I'm the kind of person that had never ridden a bike before, and it was really easy to learn."

Most of Adventures Out West's tours are at Garden of the Gods, with the rest at Seven Falls and the occasional party. Wellens hopes to expand the venture to golf courses with Segways specifically designed for turf riding.


Contact the writer at 636-0368.

If You Go

Segway tours with Adventures Out West are available now through October/November
Garden of the Gods: long loop $55, short loop $85
Seven Falls: $75 (including park entry fee)
To book a tour, call 578-0935. Reservations required.
For more information, go to www.adventuresoutwest.com.