Hi, my name is John Sutter and I ride a unicycle. It’s not my fault though
:-). Twelve or thirteen years ago my grandfather decided that all his
grandchildren should learn how to ride. He had a trainer of unknown origin
with all kinds of sharp edges to bite shins and ankles with. When we passed
his test of riding about a mile on winding gravel roads he bought us a brand
new Schwinn 24". Of his 13 grandkids, 9 of us can ride and still do. Some of
us really got into it back then. I went off to college and fool that I was I
didn’t take my wheel with me.
10 years later I have my wheel back (same one) and commute a few miles every
day. I haven’t missed a day of riding since I got it back in August. Has
anyone tried running with studded tires? I only took two good falls this
winter, but I was pushing it a bit…
Occasionally I’ll go for long rides for a few hours, but I’ve decided that
it’s time for me to start learning some new tricks (besides riding w/ 4 pints
in me). I just joined up with Robert Michael’s group in Boston and we’re
trying various things. So, on with the questions, what’s out there for
organized riding and events? I saw references to “On One Wheel” in the
archives but no mention of where to get it. Is this a publication of the
Unicycling Association of America? Are there other resources out there?
Ok, now for the real questions… After riding for a few hours I sometimes
wear out skin in the groin area. I never seem to toughen that skin up. Does
anyone sell nice padded or sobothane(sp?) padded seat covers for Schwinns? I
guess I could make my own if I really needed to, but…
My second question is along a similar vein. Guys, what kind of underwear do
you prefer for long periods of riding: jockey’s, boxers, or other? Boxers
would probably help in the abrasion problem, but they just don’t keep things
in place…
Actually, the best type of unicycling shorts is a pair of spandex bicycling
shorts. They are conformed to fit on a regular bicycle seat, not a unicycle
seat, but they work just fine. They are skin tight, yet fllexible enough so
they don’t chafe or blister your skin. Boxer shorts or any type of underwear
isn’t really good for long distances, since the cloth will rub back and forth
no matter how lose or tight it is.
The spandex bike shorts can be had at a discount sports store, I got my pair
for $20 (DuPont). You can spend as much as $40 for a Nike or a Cannondale
brand, but I wasn’t able to see the difference between the two.
Remember the spandex is to be worn sans dainty underthings - just to let people
know. Sometimes people Miss the Point and wear briefs underneat the spandex,
which looks pretty dumb and has to be pointed out.
Spandex shorts can be had padded or not padded, but I prefer the padded type.
My Miyata 24" unicycle has a pretty good padded seat, so I’ve no complaints
about seat padding. If unicycles have any standard fittings at all, you could
try to get a Miyata unicycle seat for your Schwinn and see how that goes.
For my unicycle with training wheels (ie, bicycle) I have a Tailbone padded
seat which is pure heaven on long trips (although it takes a little getting
used to at first). I would like to see such a product for a unicycle, but I
imagine that the gel padded seat would be pretty expensive, regarding the
surface area that a unicycle seat has over a bicycle seat.
Anyhow, has anyone mounted a bike computer on their Unicycle? My ultra top
speed on the unicycle was 14kph, but I haven’t really tried to go all out and
see how fast I can go. There’s a problem mounting the computer, so I’m just
holding on to it as I pedal. Any ideas how to mount it so it’s easy to see?
Mounting on the seat didn’t seem to work- how about a wristwatch type of deal?
10 years later I have my wheel back (same one) and
commute a few miles every day. I haven’t missed a day
of riding since I got it back in August. Has anyone
tried running with studded tires? I only took two
good falls this winter, but I was pushing it a bit…
I just got a very studded tire, and it makes many things harder. There is a
central row of studs, which is fine if you are riding completely upright, but
once you lean a little sideways, the uni has a strong tendency to fall even
further. Another guy down here had the same problem and ended up leveling the
central studs using some sort of industrial strength sander.
I saw
references to “On One Wheel” in the archives but no mention
of where to get it. Is this a publication of the Unicycling
Association of America? Are there other resources out there?
Yes it is. Comes out quarterly. The address IS in the archives, but here it is
Unicycling Society of America
P.O. Box 40534 Redford, MI 48240
costs $10 a year.
Ok, now for the real questions… After riding for a few
hours I sometimes wear out skin in the groin area. I never
seem to toughen that skin up. Does anyone sell nice padded
or sobothane(sp?) padded seat covers for Schwinns? I guess
I could make my own if I really needed to, but…
Tom Miller sells thick sheepskin seat covers for unis. I don’t know how much
they are but a guy down here who uses one says it is fantastic. Also from
the archives:
Tom Miller The Unicycle Factory 2711 N. Aperson Kokomo, Indiana 46901
Phone: 317-452-2692
My second question is along a similar vein. Guys,
what kind of underwear do you prefer for long periods
of riding: jockey’s, boxers, or other? Boxers would
probably help in the abrasion problem, but they just
don’t keep things in place…
I agree with Derrick about the riding pants. I have owned some for about 3 or 4
years, and never wore them uniing. Before I came to New Mexico I was doing hours
every day, and only had a problem if I didn’t ride for a week or so and then did
a few hours. Now I uni much less and find that wearing bike shorts (padded) lets
me get on for a few hours once or twice a week with little discomfort, just a
bit of soreness that is much more structural than abrasive. Yep, don’t wear
underpants under the bike shorts, they’ll rub rub rub. Also wearing regular
cotton shorts over the top can be painful too - the seams and extra material
around and under the crotch will get you. Bike shorts also have the advantage of
keeping things “in place” well etc.
Regarding unicycle groups in Boston, I notice you have an MIT address. Back in
my MIT days (13 years ago) I was “president” of the unicycle and juggling clubs.
I think these groups are now merged, so you might try to find these juggling
folks and maybe some unicylists will be there as well… If the group doesn’t
exist, then I would really like to know what happened to all our great equipment
(including a genuine Schwinn Giraffe).
I really haven’t made too much contact with the Juggling (and unicycling) Club
here yet. I’m primarly interested in riding while the club seems almost all
juggling. Perhaps one of the other MIT folk on the list knows more… I should
work on juggling too, but there are only so many hours in a night…
Still have to try a giraffe… My brother used to ride one but I never tried
it.