Adventures in Freewheeling

Unicycles and Equipment
43

Freewheel Unicycle Skills

Here is a list of freewheel unicycle skills to practice to improve your freewheel unicycle riding on pavement/concrete, trails, and skateparks. Ideally these would be practiced on flat, reasonably smooth terrain.

[LIST=1]

  • Static mount.
  • Coasting with one pedal mostly down. Transitions to and from pedaling with and without a brake. Controlling speed with a brake.
  • Coasting with pedals level and weight off the saddle. Transitions to and from pedaling with and without a brake. Controlling speed with a brake.
  • Pedaling over rollers with and without braking on the down side.
  • Switch stance versions of #2 and #3.
  • Coasting through turns in both directions (one of which will be switch stance). Coasting berms.
  • Hopping using the brake.
  • Coasting then hopping. Hopping at a specified location.
  • Coasting over rollers.
  • Jumping.
  • 180 turns on a bank.
  • Leg out coasting. Rolling mount. [/LIST] #2 is my basic, conservative riding style. I revert to this when I’m pedaling around hikers and dogs, or going down a very steep descent.

    #3 is a foundational skill which will vastly improve your ability to coast for longer distances, faster speeds, and over rougher terrain. I found that at first I used my upper body for balance, pivoting slightly at the waist and shoulders. Over time I improved my base and was able to balance by pushing the wheel forward and backward slightly, moving up and down from the saddle and moving my upper body as little as possible.

    #7-12 are optional but can make for more interesting rides. #7 can get you over terrain you cannot roll through (I myself rarely do this). #8-10 provide the sequence necessary for jumping. #11-12 may be useful in skateparks but I have little experience at this.