DANGER and Intelligent Unicyclists

General
1

Hi,

You only have to lurk for a short time on most Mountain Biking
listservs to appreciate the level of dialogue that happens on the
unicycling listserv.

On that note:

One thing that distinguishes some adventure sports from others is the
attitude towards risk. As mountain unicycling grows in popularity, more
people are going to try more adventurous things. One of the big things
that really bothers me about the Freeride Mountain Bike Scene is the
constant glorification of risk that goes on, both socially (ie very common
remarks on bike listservs implying “I’m cooler than you are because I do
bigger drops”), and the sensationalism of bike videos. This also goes on
to some degree in other sports such as Motocross, snowmobiling, skiing,
snowboarding, BMX and skateboarding.

Other adventure sports have way more risk than mountain biking, and more
people doing way more committing, dangerous things, but the attitude
towards risk is incredibly different. In Climbing and Mountaineering,
people tend to approach risk in an extremely humble fashion- I’ve never
seen anyone goaded to try anything they were uncomfortable with when
climbing, and climbing videos and magazines typically ebrace the adventure
without glorifying the risk.

As mountain unicycling evolves I hope that our “intelligent” culture means
that adventurous unicyclists will deal with risk in an understated, humble
way without the (in my opinion fairly silly) level of attitude apparent in
other sports. This may sound strange coming from someone featured riding
4" from the edge of a 2000 foot cliff in Skilletto/New World Disorder, but
that’s one reason I wanted to open up this discussion.

Any comments?

-Kris Holm.

— John Foss <john_foss@asinet.com> wrote:
> > After reading lots of posts, and meeting many unicyclists, I have come
> > to the conclusion that most unicyclists are very very smart. I believe
> > this goes for jugglers as well. For example, I know unicyclists and/or
> > jugglers who are engineers, teachers, composers, scientists, writers,
> > computer programmers and doctors. Is this just a coincidence or is
> > there some link between unicycling/juggling and a person’s I.Q.?
>
> I think there is. I my nearly 22 years involvement I have noticed, since
> my early unicycle club days, lots of smart people in unicycling. This
> does not mean you have to be smart or an overachiever, but unicycling
> seems to attract them.
>
> I think part of it is the long attention span and dedication required to
> get you there in the first place. Many people give up, and decide it’s
> one of those "I can’t"s and add it to a list of things from which they
> may permanently disqualify themselves. When confronted with things like
> unicycling and juggling, how often have you heard "I couldn’t do that
> for my life!" I’ve heard that phrase a lot.
>
> So to start with, unicycling is built from the pool of people who don’t
> have the tendency to say that. Not only do they try it, they stick with
> it for the hours, days, or weeks it takes to get success. Also as
> somebody mentioned, it is the people who aren’t afraid to look a little
> stupid or silly while they’re trying to learn.
>
> Mark Wiggins reminds us of the Internet angle. This unicycling
> community, those of us that know each other, are all computer users.
> Actual scientific studies have shown that computer users tend to have
> higher intelligence (and make more money, etc.) so we at least know that
> much is true.
>
> But go to conventions. I’ve been around unicyclists since before the
> computer revolution, and there were still lots of smart people. Today’s
> smart people just tend to have computers.
>
> From my involvement as an instructor with the National Circus Project, I
> learned that the act of learning to juggle forges neural pathways
> between the left and right sides of the brain. In theory, juggling makes
> you smarter. The same can be projected for unicycling. Every time you
> learn a new skill, you force your brain to work hard and possibly form
> new pathways. I have heard people suggest that the brain is like a
> muscle, and the more you use it the better it gets at thinking.
>
> Riding a unicycle is like a constant stream of problem-solving. Just to
> stay on the thing, your brain has to process information at a certain
> intensity and speed. Riding a bike requires only a fraction of the
> brainpower. Juggling probably uses an amount more similar to unicycling,
> though it involves less of the body to keep the juggle up. Both skills
> also require lots of problem solving. You had to solve problems to learn
> to ride or juggle, and solve more problems to keep them going.
>
> So as unicyclists and jugglers, perhaps we are like mental
> power-lifters. We use our brains a lot, so they are better equipped to
> handle other thinking situations. This is good for anyone.
>
> Now, what about non-connected unicyclists. That is, people who don’t
> regularly use computers? Where do we find them? Conventions, clubs, and
> school groups. Not everyone in the group is probably a computer user,
> but we get to see them at conventions or parades with the rest of their
> group. Everyone in the club or school group is getting mental benefits
> from unicycling, even if they don’t take it any further than the basic
> school or club activities. They still had to learn to ride, and it’s a
> benefit you keep for life.
>
> But the big groups always seem to have a percentage of members who are
> followers more than they are leaders, and don’t stand out as much. Club
> riders come and go, but we remember the stars. I guess this is true for
> anything, but I have noticed over the years that I should have different
> expectations from riders if they’re from an elementary school club, or
> middle school club, or a hobby club.
>
> School club members may not own their own unicycles. In elementary
> school, they usually don’t start until 4th grade or so, and may only
> have access to a unicycle a couple of hours per week. By the time the
> school year is over, there’s only a limited amount of success they can
> expect compared to a rider who owns their own.
>
> Middle or junior high school riders are starting at an older age, which
> means a higher state of physical and mental development. They can
> progress faster. But they have the same limitations otherwise if they
> don’t own their unicycles.
>
> Club riders almost always own their unicycles, and the average skill
> level depends on the type of activities the club does. At one extreme is
> the Twin Cities Unicycle Club, with multiple gyms and lots of available
> practice time. Not to mention coaches at the very highest levels of
> unicycle skill. Other unicycle clubs may specialize in parade riding,
> which is a whole different approach and doesn’t require as much burning
> of the brain cells to learn.
>
> What’s it all mean? It means I’m proud to be a unicyclist. As my friends
> have often heard me say, “Unicycling 'been 'berry good to me.”
>
> Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
> www.unicycling.com
>
>
> “Freedom is not free”

Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
http://personals.yahoo.com

2

I agree.

One interesting point is that the sport of unicycling is

*) limited to those who are willing to learn how to ride

*) limited to a certain range of danger in my view. Speed is limited,
drops mmh are pretty much limited since you have only one tyre and a
pretty small frame to absorb the shock (well this does not apply to you
Kris :)). I mean by that we probably won’t see much of the typical speed

  • high drops + high jumps, as feature in any MTB or free riding videos. To
    me the only real danger is falling from hasardous places such as riding
    a log/wall/rail high in the air. The speed/adrenaline factor is a big
    publicity medium for mass sports such as MTB or DH racing.

The main thing, I’m sure, why people look at me at the local park when I
drop 2ft or go down a trail is they rarely see a unicycle in their
everyday life, not because I’m flying at 30mph or jumping 5 meters in the
air - and I’m pretty happy with that !

I’m pretty sure the constructive approach of sports such as rock climbing
where risk is a factor, not an end by iteself will prevail in unicycling.

My 2 cents

Oli-

-----Original Message----- From: Kris Holm [mailto:danger_uni@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 2:43 PM To: unicycling@winternet.com
Subject: DANGER and Intelligent Unicyclists

Hi,

You only have to lurk for a short time on most Mountain Biking
listservs to appreciate the level of dialogue that happens on the
unicycling listserv.

On that note:

One thing that distinguishes some adventure sports from others is the
attitude towards risk. As mountain unicycling grows in popularity, more
people are going to try more adventurous things. One of the big things
that really bothers me about the Freeride Mountain Bike Scene is the
constant glorification of risk that goes on, both socially (ie very common
remarks on bike listservs implying “I’m cooler than you are because I do
bigger drops”), and the sensationalism of bike videos. This also goes on
to some degree in other sports such as Motocross, snowmobiling, skiing,
snowboarding, BMX and skateboarding.

Other adventure sports have way more risk than mountain biking, and more
people doing way more committing, dangerous things, but the attitude
towards risk is incredibly different. In Climbing and Mountaineering,
people tend to approach risk in an extremely humble fashion- I’ve never
seen anyone goaded to try anything they were uncomfortable with when
climbing, and climbing videos and magazines typically ebrace the adventure
without glorifying the risk.

As mountain unicycling evolves I hope that our “intelligent” culture means
that adventurous unicyclists will deal with risk in an understated, humble
way without the (in my opinion fairly silly) level of attitude apparent in
other sports. This may sound strange coming from someone featured riding
4" from the edge of a 2000 foot cliff in Skilletto/New World Disorder, but
that’s one reason I wanted to open up this discussion.

Any comments?

-Kris Holm.

— John Foss <john_foss@asinet.com> wrote:
> > After reading lots of posts, and meeting many unicyclists, I have
come
> > to the conclusion that most unicyclists are very very smart. I
believe
> > this goes for jugglers as well. For example, I know unicyclists
and/or
> > jugglers who are engineers, teachers, composers, scientists,
writers,
> > computer programmers and doctors. Is this just a coincidence or is
> > there some link between unicycling/juggling and a person’s I.Q.?
>
> I think there is. I my nearly 22 years involvement I have noticed,
since my
> early unicycle club days, lots of smart people in unicycling. This
does not
> mean you have to be smart or an overachiever, but unicycling seems to
> attract them.
>
> I think part of it is the long attention span and dedication required
to get
> you there in the first place. Many people give up, and decide it’s one
of
> those "I can’t"s and add it to a list of things from which they may
> permanently disqualify themselves. When confronted with things like
> unicycling and juggling, how often have you heard "I couldn’t do that
for my
> life!" I’ve heard that phrase a lot.
>
> So to start with, unicycling is built from the pool of people who
don’t have
> the tendency to say that. Not only do they try it, they stick with it
for
> the hours, days, or weeks it takes to get success. Also as somebody
> mentioned, it is the people who aren’t afraid to look a little stupid
or
> silly while they’re trying to learn.
>
> Mark Wiggins reminds us of the Internet angle. This unicycling
community,
> those of us that know each other, are all computer users. Actual
scientific
> studies have shown that computer users tend to have higher
intelligence (and
> make more money, etc.) so we at least know that much is true.
>
> But go to conventions. I’ve been around unicyclists since before the
> computer revolution, and there were still lots of smart people.
Today’s
> smart people just tend to have computers.
>
> From my involvement as an instructor with the National Circus Project,
I
> learned that the act of learning to juggle forges neural pathways
between
> the left and right sides of the brain. In theory, juggling makes you
> smarter. The same can be projected for unicycling. Every time you
learn a
> new skill, you force your brain to work hard and possibly form new
pathways.
> I have heard people suggest that the brain is like a muscle, and the
more
> you use it the better it gets at thinking.
>
> Riding a unicycle is like a constant stream of problem-solving. Just
to stay
> on the thing, your brain has to process information at a certain
intensity
> and speed. Riding a bike requires only a fraction of the brainpower.
> Juggling probably uses an amount more similar to unicycling, though it
> involves less of the body to keep the juggle up. Both skills also
require
> lots of problem solving. You had to solve problems to learn to ride or
> juggle, and solve more problems to keep them going.
>
> So as unicyclists and jugglers, perhaps we are like mental
power-lifters. We
> use our brains a lot, so they are better equipped to handle other
thinking
> situations. This is good for anyone.
>
> Now, what about non-connected unicyclists. That is, people who don’t
> regularly use computers? Where do we find them? Conventions, clubs,
and
> school groups. Not everyone in the group is probably a computer user,
but we
> get to see them at conventions or parades with the rest of their
group.
> Everyone in the club or school group is getting mental benefits from
> unicycling, even if they don’t take it any further than the basic
school or
> club activities. They still had to learn to ride, and it’s a benefit
you
> keep for life.
>
> But the big groups always seem to have a percentage of members who are
> followers more than they are leaders, and don’t stand out as much.
Club
> riders come and go, but we remember the stars. I guess this is true
for
> anything, but I have noticed over the years that I should have
different
> expectations from riders if they’re from an elementary school club, or
> middle school club, or a hobby club.
>
> School club members may not own their own unicycles. In elementary
school,
> they usually don’t start until 4th grade or so, and may only have
access to
> a unicycle a couple of hours per week. By the time the school year is
over,
> there’s only a limited amount of success they can expect compared to a
rider
> who owns their own.
>
> Middle or junior high school riders are starting at an older age,
which
> means a higher state of physical and mental development. They can
progress
> faster. But they have the same limitations otherwise if they don’t own
their
> unicycles.
>
> Club riders almost always own their unicycles, and the average skill
level
> depends on the type of activities the club does. At one extreme is the
Twin
> Cities Unicycle Club, with multiple gyms and lots of available
practice
> time. Not to mention coaches at the very highest levels of unicycle
skill.
> Other unicycle clubs may specialize in parade riding, which is a whole
> different approach and doesn’t require as much burning of the brain
cells to
> learn.
>
> What’s it all mean? It means I’m proud to be a unicyclist. As my
friends
> have often heard me say, “Unicycling 'been 'berry good to me.”
>
> Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
> www.unicycling.com
>
>
> “Freedom is not free”

Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
http://personals.yahoo.com

3

I tell people that mountain unicycling is different from downhill cycling
in the same way that telemark skiing is different from downhill skiing.
Mountain unicycling and telemark skiing are slower, quieter, and more
focused on balance and grace than their counterparts.

Here’s a theory of risks: People are attracted to the Zen-like focus on
the moment-the change in consciousness-that accompanies navigating risks.
This change involves a narrowing of attention. For a moment we live in the
moment–with past and future only distantly perceived.

But I’ll argue that there is a qualitative difference between the nature
of consciousness in fast and slow sports. I know this is a stupid
distinction, but I’m borrowing it from J. B. S. Haldane, who used it to
great effect within the field of entomology (fast and slow bugs).

Fast Sports: Some people approach risks in order to express defiant, rash,
“damn-the-torpedoes”, “devil-may-care”, angry feelings. These people
embrace the kind of headlong speed that forces them out of their minds.
When they survive they have the feeling that they’ve “gotten away with
something.”

I think the defiance and “getting away with something” are important to
recognize. When these people are successful, they can say, “I beat the
odds” or “I beat the system”. They are not using logic or analysis to win.
Their experience involves a “leap of faith” that goes beyond the rational.
They are trusting in their personal fate.

Slow Sports: This headlong approach doesn’t work in rock climbing or in
any slow sport. In rock climbing you rarely feel as if you’ve “gotten away
with anything.” Instead, you feel the accomplishment of having earned
every inch. It is the most thoughtful and tactical of sports-well I guess
some would argue for golf here, but I can’t relate to golf.

Rock climbing, like the fast sports can produce a Zen-like focus on the
present. This consciousness, when combined with gobs of exertion-induced
endorphines, is quite a high. However, I don’t think rock-climbers are
“throwing caution to the wind” the way a downhill cyclist might. Their
focus on the here-and-now is analytical, not emotional. They are problem
solving, not trusting in fate.

Extreme unicycling allows for both headlong risk taking and thoughtful
tactics–but its slow speed and extreme simplicity emphasize
thoughtfulness.

So this is my theory-safely beyond any attempt at disconfirmation. I also
have a backup theory: I think some downhill cyclists were dropped on their
heads when they were babies.

David Maxfield Bainbridge Island, WA

4

Kris,

Your comments about Risk and Unicycling should become the present and
future manifesto of the sport.

I have long been put off by the glorification of risk that pervades the
mountain bike scene. It is gratifying to hear from the icon of daring do
on a unicycle propose a sensible approach.

George

5

Bravo! I am deeply impressed by your analysis.

In message “Re: DANGER and Intelligent Unicyclists”, Maxfield D wrote…
>I tell people that mountain unicycling is different from downhill
>cycling in the same way that telemark skiing is different from downhill
>skiing. Mountain unicycling and telemark skiing are slower, quieter, and
>more focused on balance and grace than their counterparts.
>
>Here’s a theory of risks: People are attracted to the Zen-like focus on
>the moment-the change in consciousness-that accompanies navigating
>risks. This change involves a narrowing of attention. For a moment we
>live in the moment–with past and future only distantly perceived.
>
>But I’ll argue that there is a qualitative difference between the nature
>of consciousness in fast and slow sports. I know this is a stupid
>distinction, but I’m borrowing it from J. B. S. Haldane, who used it to
>great effect within the field of entomology (fast and slow bugs).
>
>Fast Sports: Some people approach risks in order to express defiant,
>rash, “damn-the-torpedoes”, “devil-may-care”, angry feelings. These
>people embrace the kind of headlong speed that forces them out of their
>minds. When they survive they have the feeling that they’ve "gotten away
>with something."
>
>I think the defiance and “getting away with something” are important to
>recognize. When these people are successful, they can say, "I beat the
>odds" or “I beat the system”. They are not using logic or analysis to
>win. Their experience involves a “leap of faith” that goes beyond the
>rational. They are trusting in their personal fate.
>
>Slow Sports: This headlong approach doesn’t work in rock climbing or in
>any slow sport. In rock climbing you rarely feel as if you’ve "gotten
>away with anything." Instead, you feel the accomplishment of having
>earned every inch. It is the most thoughtful and tactical of sports-well
>I guess some would argue for golf here, but I can’t relate to golf.
>
>Rock climbing, like the fast sports can produce a Zen-like focus on the
>present. This consciousness, when combined with gobs of exertion-induced
>endorphines, is quite a high. However, I don’t think rock-climbers are
>“throwing caution to the wind” the way a downhill cyclist might. Their
>focus on the here-and-now is analytical, not emotional. They are problem
>solving, not trusting in fate.
>
> Extreme unicycling allows for both headlong risk taking and thoughtful
> tactics–but its slow speed and extreme simplicity emphasize
> thoughtfulness.
>
>So this is my theory-safely beyond any attempt at disconfirmation. I
>also have a backup theory: I think some downhill cyclists were dropped
>on their heads when they were babies.
>
>David Maxfield Bainbridge Island, WA
>

Stay on top, Jack Halpern Executive Director for International Development
International Unicycling Federation, Inc. Website: http://www.kanji.org

6

> One thing that distinguishes some adventure sports from others is the
> attitude towards risk

I think this really gets down to the type of person who rides in the first
place. Making the assumption that the keep-to-yourself, willing to spend
time learning something new and unusual type of person if your average
rider, the goals and rewards will be more internally based.

I am probably the only particularly dedicated rider in town, so there is
no one to provide me goals, besides myself. Also, because not many people
unicycle, not a lot can judge what is difficult, and what is not. That
gets back to me setting the goals for myself.

Also, because most people haven’t seen any mountain unicycling, just
riding on a trail will impress most non-riders. Unless people see others
making regular 6’ drops on a unicycle, a 2’ drop will impress most plenty.
So, if you have the desire to impress others, it’s not necessary to push
the danger zone so hard.

> this may sound strange coming from someone featured riding 4" from the
> edge of a 2000 foot cliff in Skilletto/New World Disorder, but that’s
> one reason I wanted to open up this discussion.

I completely understand that, as well (though, I’m not sure I can
articulate it). Like most people, I do find danger exhilerating. However,
I am not about to push myself beyond my limits, if that means increasing
the danger to an unacceptable level.

A real victory for me is doing a thing, and remaining in a level of
acceptable risk, while at the same time, remembering back to when my skill
was lower, and would have made the same thing have an unacceptable level
of risk. (Does that make sense?) I think I’m a good number of years away
from riding on the edge of a cliff, but I have ridden ledges high enough
that it would most definitely hurt (even with safety gear) if I fell. The
reason this is exciting is because while I am riding, I can remember that
not too far back, I could not ride more than a few feet without falling,
let alone in a perfectly straight line. The feeling is, “I’m good enough
that I’m not risking my life… much.”

I completely agree with Kris, don’t try things you’re not ready for. On
the same hand, once you are ready, there is something more fun about
putting a little risk into the ride.

Jeff Lutkus

Sent via the Unicyclist Community - http://Unicyclist.com

7

An observation, and perhaps a gross generalization:

Some sports/activities have a high learning curve, and require that the
person maintain a high level of physical/mental work, and commitment(
unicycling, mountaineering, parachuting, marathon running, golf, soccer,
basketball, tennis, martial arts… fill in your favorite). None of us
would think of these as very dangerous when practised properly.

Other sports/activities involve a device or piece of machinery that does
most of the work for you. These do not have a high learning curve, and
often put the individual at great risk, often well outside the comfortable
envelope because the individual really didn’t have to get very involved
mentally or physically in the first place: (bicycling, scootering,
skateboarding, rollerblading, snowmobling, hunting, driving a car or
motorcycle … fill in your favorite (or least favorite dangerous
machine/activity)). (Of course, one could be highly skilled at any of
these, but the initial learning curve is relatively low).

Not to offend anyone in the latter group, but I’m wondering. Is there a
pattern here? Those who engage in the former tend to have a high level
of awareness/respect for potential danger, because they had to work
hard mentally and physically to get there. Seems to me the latter group
tends to be the cocky, risk taking type. In fact, the person in the
latter group is doing relatively less, and the machine is doing more.
Give me a hunter who goes out into the woods and brings down a grizzly
with his/her bare hands and I’ll be impressed. So in effect the latter
group is really glorifying the “machine.” The former group tends to be
humble, self-motivated and mostly interested in the personal challenge.
My 2 cents.

Joe Merrill

In a message dated 10/10/01 2:46:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
danger_uni@yahoo.com writes:

> Hi,
>
> You only have to lurk for a short time on most Mountain Biking
> listservs
to
> appreciate the level of dialogue that happens on the unicycling
> listserv.
>
> On that note:
>
> One thing that distinguishes some adventure sports from others is the
> attitude towards risk. As mountain unicycling grows in popularity, more
> people are going to try more adventurous things. One of the big things
> that really bothers me about the Freeride Mountain Bike Scene is the
> constant glorification of risk that goes on, both socially (ie very
> common remarks on bike listservs implying "I’m cooler than you are
> because I do bigger drops"),
and
> the sensationalism of bike videos. This also goes on to some degree in
> other sports such as Motocross, snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, BMX
> and skateboarding.
>
> Other adventure sports have way more risk than mountain biking, and
> more people doing way more committing, dangerous things, but the
> attitude towards risk is incredibly different. In Climbing and
> Mountaineering, people tend to approach risk in an extremely humble
> fashion- I’ve never seen anyone goaded to try anything they were
> uncomfortable with when climbing, and climbing videos and magazines
> typically ebrace the adventure without glorifying the risk.
>
> As mountain unicycling evolves I hope that our “intelligent” culture
> means that adventurous unicyclists will deal with risk in an
> understated, humble way without the ( in my opinion fairly silly) level
> of attitude apparent in other sports. This may sound strange coming
> from someone featured riding 4" from the edge of a 2000 foot cliff in
> Skilletto/New
World
> Disorder, but that’s one reason I wanted to open up this discussion.
>
> Any comments?
>
> -Kris Holm.

8

Hi Kris,

You are right to say that more commited sports like mountaineering bring
more conscious and humble people. Meanwhile, in the recent years, I saw a
growing population of morons on climbing sites trying to show off or to
prove that they can climb harder routes, etc… I find mt biking more
interesting because people do not always compare to each other (like “I
climb 5.12d…what do you climb ?”). Maybe just a personnal feeling but I
thing it’s becoming like that here in Quebec… I hope that uni/MUni
people are way more cool about performances…

Cheers !

Christ.

Kris Holm a écrit :

> Hi,
>
> You only have to lurk for a short time on most Mountain Biking listservs
> to appreciate the level of dialogue that happens on the unicycling
> listserv.
>
> On that note:
>
> One thing that distinguishes some adventure sports from others is the
> attitude towards risk. As mountain unicycling grows in popularity, more
> people are going to try more adventurous things. One of the big things
> that really bothers me about the Freeride Mountain Bike Scene is the
> constant glorification of risk that goes on, both socially (ie very
> common remarks on bike listservs implying "I’m cooler than you are
> because I do bigger drops"), and the sensationalism of bike videos. This
> also goes on to some degree in other sports such as Motocross,
> snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, BMX and skateboarding.
>
> Other adventure sports have way more risk than mountain biking, and more
> people doing way more committing, dangerous things, but the attitude
> towards risk is incredibly different. In Climbing and Mountaineering,
> people tend to approach risk in an extremely humble fashion- I’ve never
> seen anyone goaded to try anything they were uncomfortable with when
> climbing, and climbing videos and magazines typically ebrace the
> adventure without glorifying the risk.
>
> As mountain unicycling evolves I hope that our “intelligent” culture
> means that adventurous unicyclists will deal with risk in an
> understated, humble way without the (in my opinion fairly silly) level
> of attitude apparent in other sports. This may sound strange coming from
> someone featured riding 4" from the edge of a 2000 foot cliff in
> Skilletto/New World Disorder, but that’s one reason I wanted to open up
> this discussion.
>
> Any comments?
>
> -Kris Holm.
>
> — John Foss <john_foss@asinet.com> wrote:
> > > After reading lots of posts, and meeting many unicyclists, I have
> > > come to the conclusion that most unicyclists are very very smart. I
> > > believe this goes for jugglers as well. For example, I know
> > > unicyclists and/or jugglers who are engineers, teachers, composers,
> > > scientists, writers, computer programmers and doctors. Is this just
> > > a coincidence or is there some link between unicycling/juggling and
> > > a person’s I.Q.?
> >
> > I think there is. I my nearly 22 years involvement I have noticed,
> > since my early unicycle club days, lots of smart people in unicycling.
> > This does not mean you have to be smart or an overachiever, but
> > unicycling seems to attract them.
> >
> > I think part of it is the long attention span and dedication required
> > to get you there in the first place. Many people give up, and decide
> > it’s one of those "I can’t"s and add it to a list of things from which
> > they may permanently disqualify themselves. When confronted with
> > things like unicycling and juggling, how often have you heard "I
> > couldn’t do that for my life!" I’ve heard that phrase a lot.
> >
> > So to start with, unicycling is built from the pool of people who
> > don’t have the tendency to say that. Not only do they try it, they
> > stick with it for the hours, days, or weeks it takes to get success.
> > Also as somebody mentioned, it is the people who aren’t afraid to look
> > a little stupid or silly while they’re trying to learn.
> >
> > Mark Wiggins reminds us of the Internet angle. This unicycling
> > community, those of us that know each other, are all computer users.
> > Actual scientific studies have shown that computer users tend to have
> > higher intelligence (and make more money, etc.) so we at least know
> > that much is true.
> >
> > But go to conventions. I’ve been around unicyclists since before the
> > computer revolution, and there were still lots of smart people.
> > Today’s smart people just tend to have computers.
> >
> > From my involvement as an instructor with the National Circus Project,
> > I learned that the act of learning to juggle forges neural pathways
> > between the left and right sides of the brain. In theory, juggling
> > makes you smarter. The same can be projected for unicycling. Every
> > time you learn a new skill, you force your brain to work hard and
> > possibly form new pathways. I have heard people suggest that the brain
> > is like a muscle, and the more you use it the better it gets at
> > thinking.
> >
> > Riding a unicycle is like a constant stream of problem-solving. Just
> > to stay on the thing, your brain has to process information at a
> > certain intensity and speed. Riding a bike requires only a fraction of
> > the brainpower. Juggling probably uses an amount more similar to
> > unicycling, though it involves less of the body to keep the juggle up.
> > Both skills also require lots of problem solving. You had to solve
> > problems to learn to ride or juggle, and solve more problems to keep
> > them going.
> >
> > So as unicyclists and jugglers, perhaps we are like mental
> > power-lifters. We use our brains a lot, so they are better equipped to
> > handle other thinking situations. This is good for anyone.
> >
> > Now, what about non-connected unicyclists. That is, people who don’t
> > regularly use computers? Where do we find them? Conventions, clubs,
> > and school groups. Not everyone in the group is probably a computer
> > user, but we get to see them at conventions or parades with the rest
> > of their group. Everyone in the club or school group is getting mental
> > benefits from unicycling, even if they don’t take it any further than
> > the basic school or club activities. They still had to learn to ride,
> > and it’s a benefit you keep for life.
> >
> > But the big groups always seem to have a percentage of members who are
> > followers more than they are leaders, and don’t stand out as much.
> > Club riders come and go, but we remember the stars. I guess this is
> > true for anything, but I have noticed over the years that I should
> > have different expectations from riders if they’re from an elementary
> > school club, or middle school club, or a hobby club.
> >
> > School club members may not own their own unicycles. In elementary
> > school, they usually don’t start until 4th grade or so, and may only
> > have access to a unicycle a couple of hours per week. By the time the
> > school year is over, there’s only a limited amount of success they can
> > expect compared to a rider who owns their own.
> >
> > Middle or junior high school riders are starting at an older age,
> > which means a higher state of physical and mental development. They
> > can progress faster. But they have the same limitations otherwise if
> > they don’t own their unicycles.
> >
> > Club riders almost always own their unicycles, and the average skill
> > level depends on the type of activities the club does. At one extreme
> > is the Twin Cities Unicycle Club, with multiple gyms and lots of
> > available practice time. Not to mention coaches at the very highest
> > levels of unicycle skill. Other unicycle clubs may specialize in
> > parade riding, which is a whole different approach and doesn’t require
> > as much burning of the brain cells to learn.
> >
> > What’s it all mean? It means I’m proud to be a unicyclist. As my
> > friends have often heard me say, “Unicycling 'been 'berry good to me.”
> >
> > Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
> > www.unicycling.com
> >
> >
> > “Freedom is not free”
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
> http://personals.yahoo.com

9

On 10 Oct 2001 20:22:44 -0700, lutkus@unicyclist.com (Jeff Lutkus) wrote:

>I completely agree with Kris, don’t try things you’re not ready for. On
>the same hand, once you are ready, there is something more fun about
>putting a little risk into the ride.

“On the same hand”: LOL!

Klaas Bil

“To trigger/fool/saturate/overload Echelon, the following has been picked
automagically from a database:” “Waco, KGB, Sudan”

10

On 10 Oct 2001 11:58:14 -0700, danger_uni@yahoo.com (Kris Holm) wrote:

>Any comments?

Unicycling is no different from cycling; some people want to go for a real
buzz, and some don’t. I sincerely hope that this newsgroup will excercise
enough tolerance to entertain all parts of the spectrum. A similar
discussion arose in one of the uk cycling newsgroups a few months ago
because there are some who are gung-ho mountain bikers and some light
tourists. I think that this newsgroup is not so busy that it can’t embrace
everyone who likes to ride (or in my case try to ride) on one wheel.

Cheers, Jim.

–
http://www.javery.demon.co.uk/
I.C.Q. 27906259

11

> Some sports/activities have a high learning curve, and require that the
> person maintain a high level of physical/mental work, and
> commitment(unicycling, mountaineering, parachuting, marathon running,
> golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, martial arts… fill in your
> favorite). None of us would think of these as very dangerous when
> practised properly.
>
> Other sports/activities involve a device or piece of machinery that does
> most of the work for you. These do not have a high learning curve, and
> often put the individual at great risk, often well outside the
> comfortable envelope because the individual really didn’t have to get
> very involved mentally or physically in the first place: (bicycling,
> scootering, skateboarding, rollerblading, snowmobling, hunting, driving
> a car or motorcycle …

This is a good observation, and I think it’s part of the equation.

Also, there are varying levels of “gonzoness” in different people; and
this applies to any activity. Some people are content to stick to safe
ground, while others are willing to take varying amounts of risk. The
payoffs can be substantial, in both the good and bad directions.

Kris Holm does not strike me as a gonzo type of person. Though he takes on
amazing challenges, I don’t think he ever takes a risk that is not
calculated. This would go with the “intelligent” part that seems to be a
common theme for unicyclists.

But there’s no doubt about why it’s Kris we see on TV and at the film
festivals more than anything else. He flies higher, rides narrower, and
simply tries things most of us would never dare. So if the general
public sees only Kris, will they think this is what you’re supposed to do
with a unicycle? To a certain extent, yes. He is setting an example.

  • BUT -

Here’s where I think the difference is.

Some sports are automatically dangerous, no matter what. Rock
climbing? You’re either on the rock or you’re plummeting. Skydiving? The
chute had better work. Auto racing? If you aren’t going fast you aren’t
really racing.

However mountain bikes, skateboards, snowboards, etc. can all be done at
varying levels of speed and danger. You can ride on level ground, and
you’re still a mountain biker. So you can compare yourself to Jeff Lenosky
because you and he are both riding bikes. So now maybe you can go and try
some of the stuff he does? It could get ugly. Same with a skateboard. You
can do it on level ground, or you can try to jump off a set of stairs,
grind on the railing, and land without breaking your leg. It’s all
skateboarding.

But you can’t pick up a unicycle and just start riding. For most people
you need a minimum of several hours of hard practice just to be able to
ride straight on level ground. A lot more practice to have an enjoyable
ride on an easy trail. So to get to that point, you have invested some
large amount of brainpower in learning to ride.

Does this make you (a unicyclist) safer? Not on its own. But I definitely
believe unicyclists average out at least a little smarter than the general
population. This to me suggests we should see a lower incidence of what
you always see kids trying to do with skateboards (with no pads).

It doesn’t mean we don’t have people trying things beyond their abilities.
With the popularity of MUni and the high visibility of Kris’ riding, more
people will attempt to imitate it. But so far the unicycling community is
too small to be divided up into separate groups by type of riding. Yes we
do this when we go out for rides, but not in our sport’s magazines,
newsletters, and large organizations.

In the future there may be separate publications for MUni, Trials, hockey,
Freestyle, road, etc. But not too soon, as there isn’t enough of a market,
or a pool of volunteers, to support it.

So have fun, and ride safe!

Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com

“Freedom is not free”

12

> Some sports/activities have a high learning curve, and require that the
> person maintain a high level of physical/mental work, and
> commitment(unicycling, mountaineering, parachuting, marathon running,
> golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, martial arts… fill in your
> favorite). None of us would think of these as very dangerous when
> practised properly.
>
> Other sports/activities involve a device or piece of machinery that does
> most of the work for you. These do not have a high learning curve, and
> often put the individual at great risk, often well outside the
> comfortable envelope because the individual really didn’t have to get
> very involved mentally or physically in the first place: (bicycling,
> scootering, skateboarding, rollerblading, snowmobling, hunting, driving
> a car or motorcycle …

This is a good observation, and I think it’s part of the equation.

Also, there are varying levels of “gonzoness” in different people; and
this applies to any activity. Some people are content to stick to safe
ground, while others are willing to take varying amounts of risk. The
payoffs can be substantial, in both the good and bad directions.

Kris Holm does not strike me as a gonzo type of person. Though he takes on
amazing challenges, I don’t think he ever takes a risk that is not
calculated. This would go with the “intelligent” part that seems to be a
common theme for unicyclists.

But there’s no doubt about why it’s Kris we see on TV and at the film
festivals more than anything else. He flies higher, rides narrower, and
simply tries things most of us would never dare. So if the general
public sees only Kris, will they think this is what you’re supposed to do
with a unicycle? To a certain extent, yes. He is setting an example.

  • BUT -

Here’s where I think the difference is.

Some sports are automatically dangerous, no matter what. Rock
climbing? You’re either on the rock or you’re plummeting. Skydiving? The
chute had better work. Auto racing? If you aren’t going fast you aren’t
really racing.

However mountain bikes, skateboards, snowboards, etc. can all be done at
varying levels of speed and danger. You can ride on level ground, and
you’re still a mountain biker. So you can compare yourself to Jeff Lenosky
because you and he are both riding bikes. So now maybe you can go and try
some of the stuff he does? It could get ugly. Same with a skateboard. You
can do it on level ground, or you can try to jump off a set of stairs,
grind on the railing, and land without breaking your leg. It’s all
skateboarding.

But you can’t pick up a unicycle and just start riding. For most people
you need a minimum of several hours of hard practice just to be able to
ride straight on level ground. A lot more practice to have an enjoyable
ride on an easy trail. So to get to that point, you have invested some
large amount of brainpower in learning to ride.

Does this make you (a unicyclist) safer? Not on its own. But I definitely
believe unicyclists average out at least a little smarter than the general
population. This to me suggests we should see a lower incidence of what
you always see kids trying to do with skateboards (with no pads).

It doesn’t mean we don’t have people trying things beyond their abilities.
With the popularity of MUni and the high visibility of Kris’ riding, more
people will attempt to imitate it. But so far the unicycling community is
too small to be divided up into separate groups by type of riding. Yes we
do this when we go out for rides, but not in our sport’s magazines,
newsletters, and large organizations.

In the future there may be separate publications for MUni, Trials, hockey,
Freestyle, road, etc. But not too soon, as there isn’t enough of a market,
or a pool of volunteers, to support it.

So have fun, and ride safe!

Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com

“Freedom is not free”

13

> Some sports/activities have a high learning curve, and require that the
> person maintain a high level of physical/mental work, and
> commitment(unicycling, mountaineering, parachuting, marathon running,
> golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, martial arts… fill in your
> favorite). None of us would think of these as very dangerous when
> practised properly.
>
> Other sports/activities involve a device or piece of machinery that does
> most of the work for you. These do not have a high learning curve, and
> often put the individual at great risk, often well outside the
> comfortable envelope because the individual really didn’t have to get
> very involved mentally or physically in the first place: (bicycling,
> scootering, skateboarding, rollerblading, snowmobling, hunting, driving
> a car or motorcycle …

This is a good observation, and I think it’s part of the equation.

Also, there are varying levels of “gonzoness” in different people; and
this applies to any activity. Some people are content to stick to safe
ground, while others are willing to take varying amounts of risk. The
payoffs can be substantial, in both the good and bad directions.

Kris Holm does not strike me as a gonzo type of person. Though he takes on
amazing challenges, I don’t think he ever takes a risk that is not
calculated. This would go with the “intelligent” part that seems to be a
common theme for unicyclists.

But there’s no doubt about why it’s Kris we see on TV and at the film
festivals more than anything else. He flies higher, rides narrower, and
simply tries things most of us would never dare. So if the general
public sees only Kris, will they think this is what you’re supposed to do
with a unicycle? To a certain extent, yes. He is setting an example.

  • BUT -

Here’s where I think the difference is.

Some sports are automatically dangerous, no matter what. Rock
climbing? You’re either on the rock or you’re plummeting. Skydiving? The
chute had better work. Auto racing? If you aren’t going fast you aren’t
really racing.

However mountain bikes, skateboards, snowboards, etc. can all be done at
varying levels of speed and danger. You can ride on level ground, and
you’re still a mountain biker. So you can compare yourself to Jeff Lenosky
because you and he are both riding bikes. So now maybe you can go and try
some of the stuff he does? It could get ugly. Same with a skateboard. You
can do it on level ground, or you can try to jump off a set of stairs,
grind on the railing, and land without breaking your leg. It’s all
skateboarding.

But you can’t pick up a unicycle and just start riding. For most people
you need a minimum of several hours of hard practice just to be able to
ride straight on level ground. A lot more practice to have an enjoyable
ride on an easy trail. So to get to that point, you have invested some
large amount of brainpower in learning to ride.

Does this make you (a unicyclist) safer? Not on its own. But I definitely
believe unicyclists average out at least a little smarter than the general
population. This to me suggests we should see a lower incidence of what
you always see kids trying to do with skateboards (with no pads).

It doesn’t mean we don’t have people trying things beyond their abilities.
With the popularity of MUni and the high visibility of Kris’ riding, more
people will attempt to imitate it. But so far the unicycling community is
too small to be divided up into separate groups by type of riding. Yes we
do this when we go out for rides, but not in our sport’s magazines,
newsletters, and large organizations.

In the future there may be separate publications for MUni, Trials, hockey,
Freestyle, road, etc. But not too soon, as there isn’t enough of a market,
or a pool of volunteers, to support it.

So have fun, and ride safe!

Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com

“Freedom is not free”

14

> Some sports/activities have a high learning curve, and require that the
> person maintain a high level of physical/mental work, and
> commitment(unicycling, mountaineering, parachuting, marathon running,
> golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, martial arts… fill in your
> favorite). None of us would think of these as very dangerous when
> practised properly.
>
> Other sports/activities involve a device or piece of machinery that does
> most of the work for you. These do not have a high learning curve, and
> often put the individual at great risk, often well outside the
> comfortable envelope because the individual really didn’t have to get
> very involved mentally or physically in the first place: (bicycling,
> scootering, skateboarding, rollerblading, snowmobling, hunting, driving
> a car or motorcycle …

This is a good observation, and I think it’s part of the equation.

Also, there are varying levels of “gonzoness” in different people; and
this applies to any activity. Some people are content to stick to safe
ground, while others are willing to take varying amounts of risk. The
payoffs can be substantial, in both the good and bad directions.

Kris Holm does not strike me as a gonzo type of person. Though he takes on
amazing challenges, I don’t think he ever takes a risk that is not
calculated. This would go with the “intelligent” part that seems to be a
common theme for unicyclists.

But there’s no doubt about why it’s Kris we see on TV and at the film
festivals more than anything else. He flies higher, rides narrower, and
simply tries things most of us would never dare. So if the general
public sees only Kris, will they think this is what you’re supposed to do
with a unicycle? To a certain extent, yes. He is setting an example.

  • BUT -

Here’s where I think the difference is.

Some sports are automatically dangerous, no matter what. Rock
climbing? You’re either on the rock or you’re plummeting. Skydiving? The
chute had better work. Auto racing? If you aren’t going fast you aren’t
really racing.

However mountain bikes, skateboards, snowboards, etc. can all be done at
varying levels of speed and danger. You can ride on level ground, and
you’re still a mountain biker. So you can compare yourself to Jeff Lenosky
because you and he are both riding bikes. So now maybe you can go and try
some of the stuff he does? It could get ugly. Same with a skateboard. You
can do it on level ground, or you can try to jump off a set of stairs,
grind on the railing, and land without breaking your leg. It’s all
skateboarding.

But you can’t pick up a unicycle and just start riding. For most people
you need a minimum of several hours of hard practice just to be able to
ride straight on level ground. A lot more practice to have an enjoyable
ride on an easy trail. So to get to that point, you have invested some
large amount of brainpower in learning to ride.

Does this make you (a unicyclist) safer? Not on its own. But I definitely
believe unicyclists average out at least a little smarter than the general
population. This to me suggests we should see a lower incidence of what
you always see kids trying to do with skateboards (with no pads).

It doesn’t mean we don’t have people trying things beyond their abilities.
With the popularity of MUni and the high visibility of Kris’ riding, more
people will attempt to imitate it. But so far the unicycling community is
too small to be divided up into separate groups by type of riding. Yes we
do this when we go out for rides, but not in our sport’s magazines,
newsletters, and large organizations.

In the future there may be separate publications for MUni, Trials, hockey,
Freestyle, road, etc. But not too soon, as there isn’t enough of a market,
or a pool of volunteers, to support it.

So have fun, and ride safe!

Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com

“Freedom is not free”

15

I read this post not knowing it was posted by Kris, and I couldn’t agree with him more. I haven’t been riding that long but just the help I’ve gotten alone from the community has improved my skills that much more. I’m always on the fora and people are always willing to help out. I seem to find myself in awe constantly at the things people are doing, and instead of bragging or gloating these people have helped me to realize that I can achieve this stuff too in time.

16

This is not really on the topic exactly, but how many unicyclist are also climbers? And is there a connection there between the nature of the two sports. I climb, I know Kris climbs and by the sound of things in the above post, many other people climb aswell. Just a thought.
The weird/different aspect of unicycling was what hooked me, one day at school i thought next year i’ll learn to ride a unicycle and i did. But now the slower and technical side of things is making me learn more and improve. ALthough sometimes I wish my wheel was bigger than 20inch so i could get places faster, but all in good time.

Tim

I worship Jesus

17

One thing i have noticed about unicycling and pushbike trials riding is the lack of morons in the sport. I define a moron as someone with no regard to there own personal safety and the sports public image. I think this is the result of a couple of things,

one, both sports arent the easiest things to do, you cant just hop on a trials bike or unicycle and expect to be able to do amazing things, a common misconception of many bmxers when the see us do things on our bikes and unicycles “if i had a bike like that i could do that” ha, if your not too worried about your equipment, give them a go!

I think people who have an attitude like “im extreme because i can do a thousand feet drop off a cliff” have no patience for this sport because when they find out its not as easy as riding off a cliff, they dont have the attitude to learn something different!

My two cents.

18

Interesting thread.

Someone care to add updates?

Personally, I think that there are a lot of young riders with a “no helmet, I’m too cool” attitude borrowed from skaters. No good. Their moms should spank them.

19

but hitting people is wrong!

20

Another trend I’ve seen surprisingly is the glorification of no leg protection. Somehow its cooler to have large bloody gashes down your legs. I understand I’m not wearing a helmet in my avatar but when I’m riding muni I always wear a helmet as well as when I’m going big with street.

Shaun of all people. Not quite as noble as Mr. Holm now are we? :stuck_out_tongue: