Hey anybody want to learn how to ride a unicycle without falling down and breaking/spraining any joints during the process?
I’ve been rehabbing myself from minor knee issues, lately. That means no unicycle riding for weeks to almost a month. Each time I get back onto the unicycle, I have to be careful. Even though I used to be an expert ride. Remembering certain movements, techniques or skills that I have forgotten.
Even “humbling” myself to holding onto a stationary object like fence, pole, tree…etc. so I can isolate certain motion to minimize knee stress.
Anyways, since I am a senior I am also hyper aware of injuries. In addition to being a mechanical engineer and a late unicycle learner(after 50) who applied certain dynamic movement principals to overcome the learning hump, when I felt like quitting.
I think I have a method of learning unicycle that I would like to share.
Definitely much better than the traditional method of trail and error. You know take the plunge. Buy a unicycle. Try it. Fall down. Quit.
I better technique that also focuses on the “awkward feel” before you are actually trying to ride it and ultimately fall down.
However, I am only motivated if there is enough beginners young and old(but primarily targeted to you guys or gals, and also former “quitters” who want to give it another go). So I am want to know by your replies if anybody cares.
Well, this is somewhat encouraging. 3 people are interested(Pierrox, Raven and Manius…thanks), but they can already ride. I’m eager to share my method, but I am really hoping to find beginners and former “quitters”. Especially, who are older and cannot afford to have broken bones, ligaments, sprains…etc.
Come on members, readers, “ghosters”. Any beginners interested??? Anyone who tried, quit but are forever “obsessed” to try again!!!
Good on you, any help for those of us struggling is very welcome.
It has taken me about 2 years(started learning at 60) and I have semi given up a couple of times because of UPD that hurt, so its knocked my confidence .
I can ride along a flat surface,tarmac beach,garden but I can’t quite start without holding onto a wheelybin lampost or shoulder of someone.
So i’m trying to learn rollback mount in the garden so I can get started when UPD happens far from any suitable objects.
Long time no see. John Foss told the story of a guy who was 91 when he learned to ride. It took him a year because he could not afford to fall. I don’t remember what his learning regimen was. I met him at the NAUCC in 2003 when he was 92. It would be cool if he was now 114 years old and still riding.
Falling off is a part of unicycling, I dont care how good a rider your are, sooner or later your gonna have a UPD. Unless you want to ride in circle on a pefectly flat surface. Good saftey gear always minimises risk, as does knowing your own skill level. Bailing and safe dismounting, are often over looked as essential training.
Keen to know your method though, if it works then share away.
I wonder if the linked device is of any use in learning to ride a uni. It seems to be pretty rigid, while unicycling is about constantly making corrections to regain balance …basically the opposite of rigidity.
i’d like to know more, but at the same time, i feels like we’re being sold something?
i’ve been relearning, and getting my soft core back in action as an older nearly retired adult…
learned to ride in HS and did circus type stuff in college. was fairly good, but not like magically excellent. just solid distance riding and some tricks.
definitely looking at ways to improve… curb mounts for confidence… i think until i just go for free mounting, will it really click again…
also got a Hoppley Circus bike, and it in theory adds one dimension of stability, but at the same time, introduces a complexity, was hoping i could lock the rear wheel (built in), but i’ll figure that out later as i’m sure it would help.
My first time riding was in ‘21 when I was 60 & went 9 times & stopped/quit. I started again this September & have gone 18 more times. I always ride in a hockey rink & use the fence every time to start. I have a long way to go but occasionally I go around the rink 3-5 times. My distance has improved greatly but I’m still shaky 1/2 the time it seems & the bike flies away many times, landing on my feet almost every time now. I keep trying to get more comfortable riding & haven’t really tried to free mount.
Anything to help improve the learning experience of riding a uni
