Hi,
About 3 months ago, I was inspired to drag out the Aldi unicycle (that I found abandoned at a council cleanup) from under the house. I was getting a bit bored taking Jessie for her 6am morning walk. I love Jessie but I felt I was missing out, somehow.
With working from home and being stuck to the desk, I found that 5-10min breaks in the backyard practicing with the unicycle was the perfect break from work - mentally and physically. I just got hooked. I just enjoyed the motion of …on…off…on…off… wasn’t really worried about any progress… bit by bit, I managed a little more balance…then …on…off…on…off…etc.
After 3 weeks I found I could free mount and maintain a steady forward motion on the unicycle in the backyard and on the street outside at 9pm under street lights - hiding my practicing from the neighbors.
The picture below was taken by my son, when I eventually had progressed enough to be confident that I could take Jessie for her walks and she was safe with me on a wheel. She knows to stay well behind me and to the left side. After this photo was taken the pedals became slightly loose. (Cheap unicycle with aluminum cranks - threads get stripped)
I got online to Unicycle.com (Aus) and ordered steel cranks and a 400mm steel seat post to replace the 300mm Post which had too little engagement length in the Uni frame. It turned out the new seat post had a different seat attachment top plate, with differing bolt hole pattern to the Aldi unicycle seat. I fixed that with a custom intermediate plate out of Galv Plate, skateboard nuts and bolts and loctite thread glue.
Anyway’s, while I was online ordering that stuff for the Aldi 20" uni, I thought – you know…I think I’ve “graduated” from the 20" and I also ordered a KH29 (all black with those 3.25 inch wide tyres, what an awesome looking beast!)- Also got the KH touring handlebars, I dislike paying for postage and packaging, so got it all.
I still intend to go with Jessie for walks with the Aldi 20" uni, it is perfect for that… I go to the local dog park that has a concrete “cricket” pitch where I practice idling, while Jessie is off leash rolling around, away from me…
2 weeks ago I finally got the nerve to try out the KH29 at the local park with open grass playing field. Jessie is off leash and rolling around away from me. I felt like I was starting over again learning to free mount.
I actually started to feel the shock of landing from failed freemounts on my ankles and actually am now recovering from slight ankle sprain. Had ice on left ankle last week and was able to walk but with irritation in the ankle.
For me, I guess I have reached the stage of my unicycle progression where I need to strengthen my body where it needs to be strengthened. I love unicycling and feel I am evolving from legs to a wheel, so am happy to take the the time to do the strengthening of my lower body, as it seems at this stage.
Also got some Ankle Braces - T2 Aktive Ankles (thanks for the recommendation UniMyra - you have been my inspiration). This will add to my “body armour” - Wrist gaurds, football shin pads, and helmet. I also got my "187 Killer Skateboard knee pads for later. They may be massive, but now I think I may need them - getting on this OG at 53. If I manage to attain my goal of commuting to work with the KH29, I also have my Leatt 3DF Body Protector.
So there you have it - if you managed to read this far. Thanks for staying with me…
Cheers