A ride on a Segway offers a different view of our fair city. Catch a tour downtown and zoom around to the Alamo and Tower of the Americas. J. Michael Short | Contributor

Are you new to San Antonio and want to learn about the Alamo City's rich history in a few short hours? Or maybe you're a long-time local who simply wants a quick refresher course.

SegCity has you covered either way.

The company offers downtown Segway tours. For those unfamiliar with the name, a Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing device that can travel up to 12.5 miles per hour.

SegCity began in Austin in late 2004 and opened a San Antonio branch in May 2005.

“I thought this would be a great fit for San Antonio,” said Buzz Jellett, managing partner of SegCity. “It's a huge city, and it's a busy city. Plus, I think there's a lot more to see here than in Austin.”

That might explain the duration of the tour, which lasts approximately three hours and encompasses nearly eight miles. The 6 p.m. tour — dubbed the “Sunset Tour” — lasts just two hours.

Each tour, which is led by a SegCity tour guide who provides some local history and stories along the way, begins and ends near the Alamo — where SegCity is located — and finishes up there as well.

The tour begins with a training video, and each rider must wear a helmet.

Jellett, who bought into SegCity after taking an Austin Segway tour in January 2005, said generating business hasn't been particularly difficult to this point.

“We're lucky because there's no competition yet, and we've been here for two years,” he said. “Plus, the concept (of the Segway) basically sells itself.”

WHAT: SegCity San Antonio Segway tours

WHEN: Open daily: three-hour tours at 9 a.m., 2 p.m.; two-hour tour at 6 p.m.

WHERE: 124 Losoya

AGE/WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Riders must be at least 12 years old and weigh between 100 and 265 pounds.

GROUP SIZE: SegCity can host group tours of up to 20 people with proper advance notice.

HOW MUCH: $65 per person (9 a.m. and 2 p.m.); $45 per person (6 p.m.)

INFO/RESERVATIONS: segcity.com; (210) 224-0773

REVIEW: To get the full Segway experience, I went  on a three-hour SegCity tour. And despite a couple of minicrashes, I managed to report back with some observations.

The good: First off, riding a Segway is not as difficult as one might imagine. In fact, after a brief trial run following the training video, most everyone in our six-person group had the hang of it. A mere half-hour in, we were zipping through downtown. And though the Segway can reach speeds of 12.5 miles per hour, the device is surprisingly easy to navigate and provides a smooth ride — even on bumpy surfaces.

The bad: “Seg-legs.” After three hours on a Segway, walking should not be taken for granted, as it can prove difficult for a few minutes following the tour. If you don't mind standing for a while, then you shouldn't have any problems.

The stops: The tour makes approximately 15 stops during the three-hour ride. Among the sites are the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral, the River Walk, Arneson River Theater and the Majestic Theatre. Other stops include the Tower of the Americas, La Villita and Bexar County Courthouse. The tour also includes a few water/restroom breaks.

Clint Hale | 210SA