How to learn unicycling ?

[hungry4uni@unicyclist.com]

hey bill, i started learning at 11.
heres what to do.


1. take hold of a mailbox or stop sign.
2. mount
3. ride as far as you can
4. repeat 1-3 one million times.

that's what i did and it took me two days

[Hazmat]

Originally Posted by hungry4uni@unicyclist.com

hey bill, i started learning at 11.
heres what to do.


1. take hold of a mailbox or stop sign.
2. mount
3. ride as far as you can
4. repeat 1-3 one million times.

that's what i did and it took me two days

I held onto the side of a tennis court fence and when i was confident enough, i would do No2 - 4 alot as well.

[hungry4uni]

most of all unicycling is just building up the courage

[BurnerDave]

In the last week I was only able to get about 2 hours of practice in 15 minute chunks. But it is going really well. I see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. I've been able to get many glorious moments of "off the wall" travel for about 10 feet, in a meandering line. One thing I notice is that I get the most distance by doing what looks like a Chubby Checker twist, with the wheel kind of going side to side with each pedal. That keeps me from falling sideways. And flailing like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz helps too. I still have to concentrate on keeping my weight on the seat. I have had one problem with my right heel turning in and catching on the crank, knocking me off balance. I have to consciously set my foot straight or else, ker-plat. Besides that, I'm counting down the days until I'm rolling 50 feet without the wall (ok 30 feet diagonally across my basement). Unfortunately we have 10 cm of snow coming tonight and it looks like I'm going to be spending the next 4 months practicing indoors. Did I already say I love unicycles!

[nubcake]

i hate it when the heel hits the crank. just go out in the snow ya sook. i've seen ppl do it on youtube. i havent touched my unicycle in a month. i've been meaning to the last few days, but i've been way too tired to do anything. meh.

[BurnerDave]

Yippee!
As of last night's practice, I can now get on my unicycle, using the wall for support, only using one hand on the wall, not two.
I know, I know, ... it's a small thing, but I just had to tell someone!
Unicycling is definitely a cult. Nobody I know gets it.
I thought about trying to uni on the sidewalk in the snow but it's cold (-7, -11 with the wind chill, that's 12 on the F scale) and besides, the salt they put down will surely wreck thu uni.

[gina]

You're doing well. You are still following the same pattern I did. You will gain more and more control as your body and brain learn what to do. That will help the flailing and wobbling issue. Concentrate on a smooth ride.
If you want to ride outside in the cold just layer clothes and wear a hat and gloves. Long underwear is good, especially silk which is the thinnest and warmest. I avoid wearing a coat, though at times I have been tempted to wear a snowmobile suit.
Gina

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by BurnerDave

I know, I know, ... it's a small thing, but I just had to tell someone!
Unicycling is definitely a cult. Nobody I know gets it.

No brag is too small for a unicyclist. We definately "get it" and love to hear about it. Congrats!

[gina]

How long have you been riding?

[Unibugg]

Originally Posted by gina

How long have you been riding?

I learned when I was 13ish. Rode off and on for a year or so. Then began again last March. So after 25+ years some things came back easier than others but EVERY success feels great. I still remember getting crazy because I could finally ride with an open coke can and not spill a drop. (I don't even drink soda but practiced that anyway )

You've been at it 18 months, right?

[gina]

[QUOTE=Unibugg]

You've been at it 18 months, right?

It's been 20 months now. I'm counting Nov. and I started a different month than I first thought.

[BurnerDave]

This has been my best day ever! It just came together.
I did about 45 minutes of practice in the basement tonight and was able to do about 25 feet in semi-control, sometimes in a straight line, sometimes curves, before falling! Yi-haa! I managed to do it about 5 or 6 times.
It was awesome. I checked my notes and so far, I have a total of 8 hours of practice since getting the uni in October. The first 3 hours were on a 24", and the last 5 hours have been on a 20".
Practicing outside in the cold and snow is out of the question, so I'm going to clear as much space as I can and I'll have to try to learn turns earlier than I planned, because I have to jump off when I get near the wall. Also, I found that I seem to accelerate as I get going! Yikes!

[gina]

[QUOTE=BurnerDave]
I Also, I found that I seem to accelerate as I get going! Yikes!

You accelerate because you are leaning forward just a little too far.
Sounds like you are improving quickly. Keep at it.

[xtor]

Originally Posted by BurnerDave

Practicing outside in the cold and snow is out of the question, so I'm going to clear as much space as I can and I'll have to try to learn turns earlier than I planned, because I have to jump off when I get near the wall.

If you have a support pole Practicing going around it in both directions. I am sure that will help.

Also, I see you are 54, I started last year at 54 too. Keep at it, you can do it

[BurnerDave]

Thanks for the encouragement! Yup, It's coming together. I found an indoor spot to practice; an indoor parking garage near my office! Over 300 feet long and plenty of pillars to help with mounting whereever I fall off and not much traffic on weekends. I don't think I'll get kicked out. It's perfect. So this Saturday and Sunday I'll be there for a few hours each day. I'm hoping to be able to do 50 meters by the end of Sunday.