Learning Journal

[muck22]

Originally Posted by NotSoYoungOne

... I have not ridden much at all the past 6 months. Work and life ....

But I still love to ride, and I will get back to more frequent rides again. Meanwhile, I will check in when I can. It is great to see the Learning Journal be such a fun place to collaborate. Thanks everyone. Keep up the great work, and the awesome posts! It is motivating!!

same from my side! Month ago I rode the last time... so I have to practice again.
But with this "Lerning Journal" I feel a great motivation to start again!
thx to all who are posting here!

[jyngles]

This message board is quite helpful to see my own progress, I can not imagine a 22 mile ride. I rode 3 miles with one UPD half way through and I was exhausted. At this point, 55 hours into it, I can ride about a mile and a half straight, free mount, idle for about a minute straight, but not consistently, hop a couple of times but still having difficulty recovery and riding on. The problems that I am still experiencing is control and consistent smooth movement. It help to read smooth ride, proper weight on the seat, not so smooth ride not enough weight on the seat.

The question I have is when you start to learn new things at what point do you move on to something else. And how often should you focus on just practicing that particular trick.
For example: idling, I can idle for about a minute, but not all the time, should I still be focusing on practicing idling or should I begin to learn something else while practicing idling?

[NotSoYoungOne]

Originally Posted by 57UniRider

weakling of a "girl"

Originally Posted by 57UniRider

Stupid Woman!

57UniRider, you are being a bit hard on yourself
I was thinking something more like "Southern Belle" or "Stylin' Uni-girl"

As for safety gear, we all seem to need to learn the hard way! The wrist guards are my 'mandatory' gear now. Without 'em I would have had a few trips to the emergency room ('hospital' for those not familiar with this term).

One thing is pretty common among all of us - we like to push ourselves. Otherwise there would be no way to learn this crazy one-wheeled machine . But that makes many of us a little hard on ourselves too. I have had to back off and give myself a break, otherwise this little toy would surely break me!! It has certainly tried.

Happy riding 57! You are doing great young lady!!

[NotSoYoungOne]

Originally Posted by jyngles

This message board is quite helpful to see my own progress, I can not imagine a 22 mile ride. I rode 3 miles with one UPD half way through and I was exhausted. At this point, 55 hours into it, I can ride about a mile and a half straight, free mount, idle for about a minute straight, but not consistently, hop a couple of times but still having difficulty recovery and riding on. The problems that I am still experiencing is control and consistent smooth movement. It help to read smooth ride, proper weight on the seat, not so smooth ride not enough weight on the seat.

The question I have is when you start to learn new things at what point do you move on to something else. And how often should you focus on just practicing that particular trick.
For example: idling, I can idle for about a minute, but not all the time, should I still be focusing on practicing idling or should I begin to learn something else while practicing idling?

Good question Jyngles. I have the same one. At this point I have decided to work on a skill when I want to but not to force myself to work on it if I am not enjoying the journey. This probably means slower progress toward proficiency but I just want to enjoy the unicycle so while the hard work is still fun I keep at it otherwise I switch to something else. I'm sure there are contrary opinions, but I am sticking to this one!

[AnimalCage]

Hey all, thought I would resurrect myself, seems to be a trend lately

I didn't ride much over the winter. Daylight doesn't present itself much, and I'm not home often during the day, so riding was limited. To top it off, my spring dreams of uni-heaven were dashed with a broken collarbone while snowboarding in mid-march. My third in seven years. Can't say I don't love life!! I was doing pullups after six weeks, but waited until the eighth week to try riding again, just afraid of a upd on the left side.

Only had three rides since then. My garden has taken all of my free time. First two rides were short, about 2 miles. Last Monday I tried a 9.2 mile ride. I know, I just ain't right in the head. It was tough, but I did it. Had to walk a few times due to circulation and a few tough hills. Right about the 8.5 mile mark, I got a huge cramp in my right thigh. Walked it out, and rode the rest.

Haven't learned any tricks yet. I love seeing the videos, and reading about all of the progress being made here. I've yet to do the "20 minutes a day" thing, and that's what is holding me back. Y'all are just waaaay ahead of me now, but that's ok, 'cause I'm here to learn, right??

[jyngles]

Does anyone have a single piece of advice for riding backwards? I have watched several videos on you tube and they are very helpful, but they are all brief and short. Could use some additional direction on things I can focus on.

[Nurse Ben]

The question I have is when you start to learn new things at what point do you move on to something else. And how often should you focus on just practicing that particular trick.
For example: idling, I can idle for about a minute, but not all the time, should I still be focusing on practicing idling or should I begin to learn something else while practicing idling?

You just ride and ride, the more you do it the better you get. I'm not one for tricks, i don't ride backwards and I don't idle. Can I do either trick when pressed? Sure, but not well and not far or for very long.

I focus on riding, I ride three to four times a week, all on trails. I have a fairly predictable learning curve now, so after four years I sorta know where I'm going, but there are plenty of times when I disappoint myself and plenty of times when I suprise myself.

I have learned tricks by happenstance, sorta like idling, I never practiced it, but there are plenty of times when I stall on the trail and do a "track stand" for a long moment. It's the same with hopping, I really never did a lot of hopping, but when I'm out riding there are times when I'll go into a hop instead of a UPD, sorta like a quick save.

When I rode with a dozen good muni riders last weekend, there were a few who could do some neat tricks, made me think that maybe I should practice, but then I've never been the sort to practice, I just go riding and do whatever there is to do.

The best thing you can do for your riding is to ride distance (time in the saddle) and to ride varied terrain including hills, trails, obstacles, etc...it's all about time in the saddle. Think of unicycling lke learning to walk, it takes years to go from crawling to running, so don't rush it, just be consistent and put in the time.

I know some guys who have been riding for decades, so my short four years is nothing, but in time I'll catch them

It helps to have a couple riding buddies to keep you working.

[scott ttocs]

Originally Posted by jyngles

Does anyone have a single piece of advice for riding backwards? I have watched several videos on you tube and they are very helpful, but they are all brief and short. Could use some additional direction on things I can focus on.

Lean backwards? Learn to jump off when going backwards so you are not afraid of the feeling?

I learned a roll-back mount at some point. This involves only a half rotation backwards, followed by a stall and riding forwards. Still, it is enough to get a feeling of backward movement.

When I started riding backwards, I held onto an object to mount and then tried to lean backwards and ride. I had about 20 feet clear behind me and this practice did eventually work. I found it helpful to look forwards at the ground about 20 feet in front to help keep a good body position. Riding backwards while looking backwards is much more difficult.

Scott

[UniTographer]

Hi all,

I managed to get through the first 19 pages of this massive thread, and then just like any good book, had to jump to the end

Background: I picked up two Torker 24" LXes four years ago for me and a cycling friend. Mine was used for a few hours in the fall of 2008 (over the span of a couple of weeks) and then the winter rolled in. The poor beast sat neglected in my shed until this spring. (My friend's is sadly suffering the same fate in his garage.)

So, now being 40 and finally accepting that I ain't no spring chicken (several bouts of various physical therapies for non-life-threatening but quite annoying injuries later), I'm up on it. Been practicing for about two months and I can freemount (about 50% of the time) and ride about 600 feet (about 1% of the time), at best. Inner geek says: 24" tire, my record's 198 half-revolutions; 622 feet. Ish.

Just yesterday I felt my balance on the seat for the first time. I'm a stubborn oaf, and came in to this not only with a 24" as my starting point instead of the "clearly easier 20" but also determined to freemount (there being no obvious good railings, poles, what have you near my house). Turns out my first month-and-a-half of practice have subsequently been with my weight firmly on my feet - which I finally figured out when I first passed 200' while going down a slight incline (everything here is a hill), at which point my thighs completely gave out from fatigue!

It's been inspiring reading this thread, seeing how people have progressed, and to realize that this is actually possible. I've set a goal of at least 2 miles by August 1st, and daggum it, it's gonna happen.

-- UT

[LoneReaction]

Hi UniTographer! Interesting username, what does it mean?

I'm a shorty (162cm/5'4") and learned on a 24" as well. It's not as big a handicap that you would think. It is much better for distance compared to the 20", once you get going. And you have! Now all you have to do is to try your best to be light on the pedals, and control speed/balance using your body instead of your feet. You should be riding miles in no time!

[UniTographer]

Originally Posted by LoneReaction

Hi UniTographer! Interesting username, what does it mean?

I just smashed together unicycling and photography. Photography's my passion; unicycling could very well become one, too. Perhaps some day I'll do both at the same time!

Originally Posted by LoneReaction

You should be riding miles in no time!

Here's hoping! Not today, though; I see torrential downpours outside.

[Nurse Ben]

It's been inspiring reading this thread, seeing how people have progressed, and to realize that this is actually possible. I've set a goal of at least 2 miles by August 1st, and daggum it, it's gonna happen.

It is more than simply possible, unicycling can completely replace a bicycle as a means to travel on trails and roads. It's been four years this June since I have ridden a bike, previously I was an avid mountain biker and biker tourer, now all I do is ride unicycles; I don't need a bike

The only difference between a unicyclist and a non unicyclist is that one has more perseverence than the other. Seriously, unicycling is so much more difficult to learn than any other sport, and continues to be difficult over time, it's amazing that anyone takes the time to learn it.

For me, the single biggest improvement has come with learning to ride a bigger wheel, so a 29er for trails and a 36er for road. Being able to go fast enough to feel the wind in your face and to get some miles under your belt, that helps make up for the vast differnces between unicycling and bicycling.

Also, being older has made a difference in how I approach new things, I tend to take more time and work harder, I don't get disenchanted quite so fast as I did in my youth, and I also know how to work hard. Unfortunately I also feel the years in my muscles and joints, esp this time of year when the heat and humidity are rising

[Alucard]

Hi gang
Welcome to the forum UniTographer and jyngles Sounds like you guys are doing swell

NYSO I read this thread yesterday, but I thought I'd try your idea out before replying. YEP! that's my problem and I followed your advice and it does help. On the return journey along the prom this morning I made a big effort to apply pressure on my right down stroke and it did help. I was on a left sloping camber and it did make a difference. To be honest I forgot about it till I turned round to head home, mind you the 'out journey' camber faces right and I never seem to have the same issues with it cos I lean left. Also heading home, I am facing into the wind.

I have not done anymore rolling mounts, I'm waiting to go on grass for that but my static mounts have really improved. I managed quite a few this morning and on level ground. I had my left foot that bit lower down so I could put more force on my right foot. I also did it with lots more 'oomph'. I wear all the safety gear so I shouldn't worry too much about falling. It also helped that at 6am this morning there was not another sole on the prom so I was not 'worried about' people's stares .

I'm still riding intead of practicing but 'hey ho there you go!' I managed 20 mins without a pud this morning We do indeed learn as we go along, I am finding myself rolling over gaps in the prom I would not have done before. And, on some tricky bits my bum comes up out of the seat without me telling it. Have you guys ever heard the expression ''she's got eyes in her bum"? well.......

I'm with Nurse Ben, I have not ridden my b***cycle for nearly two years

Keep on uni-ing!

[UniTographer]

Thanks for the warm welcomes, Alucard, Nurse Ben, and Lone Reaction!

Yesterday was a bit of a killer for me; I pushed pretty hard to get over 600'. All the while my 7-year-old is learning to ride his 2-wheeler, literally riding circles around me. At least it lead to good conversations about roll, pitch and yaw. ("Daddy, is this yaw?" <Grin> "Yes! Yes it is.")

I managed to get out between thunderstorms today and took it a bit easier, trying to concentrate on sitting down. Which meant I only made it about 280 feet at best. I wish I could say it felt good; mostly, it felt wrong. I'm not sure why.

My knees, thighs and right ankle (landed funny once yesterday) all tell me that tomorrow's a rest day. Which I know it won't be, any more than today was! I want to be up on this thing, and there's no way I'm missing practice on a day off...

And here's the geeky extension of my insanity: curve-fit predictions of my progress toward my goal of 2 miles by August first.

[UniTographer]

I'll blame yesterday on the wet conditions, since today I'm back on course for 2 miles by August 1st. Here's hoping my rate of learning increases faster than this graph is predicting!

My biggest obstacle today was the seat. Now that I'm finding true balance (or at least "truer", since it's still harder for me to turn right than left I assume I'm still a little off-center) I find that it's dastardly uncomfortable right where I'd like it not to be. Should I be looking to sit farther back on the seat (that's what I was trying today, and I'm not sure that it helped) or should I be looking for a better seat than the stock that came on my 24" 2008 Torker LX?