Please help me!
I started learning to unicycle about 1 month ago and after making fairly quick
progress now seem to be unable to get any further than about 10 metres before
falling off! I really enjoy practising but get so frustrated I give up after
about an hour.
Does anyone have any tips that may help me because I want to be as good as my
boyfriend by the summer?!
Thanks!
Fran
RE: how can I make progress…fast!!!
Sorry, but it just takes time. Not only are you developing your balance, you’re
developing the coordination of your leg muscles as well. There’s no short cut
around this.
Check seat height- if you’ve gotten the feel of it, raise the seat to maximum
height for you. This help me immensely when I started.
Extend arms out to the side. It doesn’t look as cool, but it sure helps
with balance.
Keep at it… and remember- that if it were easy, everyone would do it!
Hugh in SC
-----Original Message----- From: Fran Mosco
[mailto:fran@flmosco.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: Friday, April 28, 2000 9:25 AM To:
unicycling@winternet.com Subject: how can I make progress…fast!!!
Please help me!
I started learning to unicycle about 1 month ago and after making fairly quick
progress now seem to be unable to get any further than about 10 metres before
falling off! I really enjoy practising but get so frustrated I give up after
about an hour.
Does anyone have any tips that may help me because I want to be as good as my
boyfriend by the summer?!
Thanks!
Fran
Re: how can I make progress…fast!!!
A few tips that I find work with people I’ve taught to unicycle:
Draw a line on the ground about two meters further than you’ve been going.
Try to cross the line. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it helps a whole
lot of people.
Notice whether you usually fall off the back or off the front.
If you are falling off the back, then try to be more aggressive. Lean further
forward, and pedal faster. Try to fall off the front for a while.
If you are falling off the front, then try to take it slower with more
control. Many people stop pedaling as soon as their least dominant foot is at
the bottom of their stroke. It is as if they “trip” over their bottom foot. I
have these people focus on smoothing their pedal stroke. “Don’t let the pedals
stop moving.”
Keep your weight on the seat–minimize the weight on the pedals.
Hold your hands out to the sides–fully extended.
Look out about 5 meters in front of you–don’t stare at your tire.
Have someone walk beside you as support. You hold onto their arm or hand. They
don’t need to hold onto you. Let go when you feel ready to “launch”
Try cycling along a fence or tennis court net.
Good luck. It will all come together soon and suddenly. It is very exciting when
it happens.
David Maxfield Bainbridge Island, WA
Re: how can I make progress…fast!!!
well, i think i speak on behalf of most people on the group here when i say that
i admire your persistance.
what happens after 10 meters? do you just fall off? do your legs begin to
hurt…? if your legs hurt…i would suggest riding a bicycle more often to get
your legs into shape.
are you putting majority of your weight on the seat… roughly: 80% the seat
post should be adjusted accordingly…put a peddle to its farthest position
down, and when stepping on this peddle… your leg should have to reach all the
way down to rest on it, with just a <slight> bend in your knee…(like a
regualr bicycle)
10 meters sounds like the magic number i had for at least 3/4 days… then i
started to learn the trick to staying on longer…(practice) one day, you’re
gonna go farther then you could ever imagine yourself going and understand how
to stay on it…
you can search all over the net for instant success, i realized that there
really isnt any. The big quote from people is: “Dont try to stay on it…try to
keep it under you” which didnt help me…until i actually learned to ride 
then you’re like…“Ohhh, thats what they mean.”
how often do you get out and practice? i practiced every night after work for 20
minutes over 2/3 weeks before getting the hang of it…
sorry for no real INSTANT success…as i mentioned, it just takes practice.
good luck
Fran Mosco <fran@flmosco.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8ec3ii$62i$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk…
> Please help me!
>
> I started learning to unicycle about 1 month ago and after making fairly quick
> progress now seem to be unable to get any further than about 10
metres
> before falling off! I really enjoy practising but get so frustrated I
give
> up after about an hour.
>
> Does anyone have any tips that may help me because I want to be as good as my
> boyfriend by the summer?!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Fran
>