schecter@TFS.COM (Mark Schecter) wrote: in answer to:
blackmoj@ferndown.ate.slb.com
> And whats the best way to free mount/learn to free mount ?
>
> Starting to ride the giraffe I have so far thought of:
>
> a. Step ladder
> b. Lamp post
> c. Kerb (ie rest the tyre on the kerb, then climb up and pedal rapidly).
> d. Jumping
> e. Jumping off tall buildings onto uni.
Nobody mentioned stepping off from a car. This was how my friend Bradley Bradley
and I learned to mount Schwinn Giraffes. A five footer may be too short for this
method to work well. With the six foot, the pedals are at the same level as the
average car fender. Stand on the hood/fender, back the uni. wheel up against the
wheel of the car, keep pedals from touching paint, and ride away like you would
from a curb on a standard uni.
NOTE: USING YOUR OWN CAR IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THIS. Bradley and I learned that
most big old American cars were more than strong enough to support us
(we’re talking big fat 70’s cars here), but not all cars. Sheet metal is
thinner these days, and you should be very careful, not only with car
strength, but also with dirt on the bottoms of your shoes.
In any case, learn to freemount as soon as you can, or you will always be
dependent on “props” to get you started. You won’t be able to ride out into the
middle of the desert, or even the middle of Tiananmen Square.
Happy riding!
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone unicycle@aol.com