I think I agree with all the advice above about learning idling and backwards. The good thing about learning idling/backwards is that it is incremental learning and a natural extension of speed variation in normal riding - it is not like a special trick that you have to get into your mind and pluck up courage and “go for it” (in fact overthinking the “how” of idling should probably be avoided). The ideal way to learn is to have a smallish wheel unicycle and a motivation to hang around in your driveway and play rather than go for an interesting long ride. It could be good to have kids to look after so you are not able to leave home on a ride ;-).
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Great point Gocup,
I would classify certain tricks like backwards and idling as:
Seated and both feet on pedals trick
Where the trick is just learning more “control” with what you already do.
Versus, doing such tricks as:
-One footing on tire(wheel walk)
-One footing on pedal
-jumping crank spins
-jumping unicycle seat spins
You see those tricks above require extra motion, position and balancing in order to do those tricks.
So, idling and backwards “should be the easiest” tricks to learn because you already know how to ride with both feet on pedal and your butt on the seat. Right?
…slam
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riding forwards is one thing and when you tumble you just bend forwards and hop/step off, but once doesn’t bend backwards, at least I don’t. Leaning backwards is therefore scary. With idling you can still keep your balance in place, so it isn’t so scary. Oh yes the problem I had when holding a pole while idling was that the wheel would move away to the side, either closer to the pole or probably away from the pole. I understand you should only lightly touch the pole and keep the weight and balance on the seat, but as you start out, I reckon I’d hang too much towards the pole.
And once you master this, do you transition to weight on the saddle? Or idling should only be about weight on the feet?
Okay, so we got some feedback:
a.) Setonix asking:
-Hazards of backwards riding.
-Issue with idling practice holding a stationary pole
b.) Pierrox asking:
-Idling weight on feet or saddle?
Great points all:
- Let’s talk about hazards of unicycle backwards riding(BKWD), first.
This begs the question:
a.) Should we be riding backwards with the same purpose of riding forwards(FWD)?
My quick answer, abso-fukenlutely Not!!!!, I will explain in more details, later.
but let’s get back to the dukes of Hazards.
Injuries. Broken bones. Comas. Upper Cervical Spine. Lower Pelvic, Sacrum, Illiac,…etc. What injuries have you sustained from actually riding BKWD. Let’s stop and talk about injuries and experiences, first. Shall we.
All you experts or beginners who can ride BKWD or attempted and got hurt, please share your experiences. Especially, if you gave up or “might like” to give it another try.
Then I will give my answer on this. (hopefully, I do not get too technical: free body diagrams, force moment equations, seriously,…). My current BKWD riding method can be distilled in two topics.
-BKWD riding BAILOUT TECHNIQUE (Only one method)
-BKWD riding RULES(It’s a trick, not a commute)
This is very critical for me. Why?
Because I am one of those “knucklehead” unicycle riders who refuse to wear safety gear.
I will “wear” during learning, but once learned. I make it an absolute rule to master “incremental steps” and follow specific rules/protocol to remove certain risks out of the equation.
You will see that this is incorporated in my learning process or next topic: BKWD learning technique.
Setonix/Pierrox, I promise I will get back on topic regarding idling. In fact, my idling and BKWD are highly related in the next topic of bailing out and learning technique.
…slam