When my brother and I were kids (like, 16 and 13), we rode our first bike
fund-raiser. In those days it was not uncommon to have these rides where
you just went around the Central Park bike loop a number of times and had
some official check you in each go-round to ‘verify’ another loop of 5.2
miles.
How prepared were we for that first ride? Well, we’d never heard of bike
shorts, we rode 20" Schwinns with all standard equipment (like those nasty
long cranks that kept taking small chunks out of our ankles every time we
made a little error in foot placement), and we carried no extra food or
water. Since it was nigh on wintertime, I was eventually able to use one
of my fat mittens as a seat cushion. We ended up riding something like 25
miles that day. The next year John did the ride himself (maybe I was off
at college) and covered an astonishing 50 miles. I don’t think we’d
graduated to the 24" Schwinns yet, tho I’ll have to ask him.
So, yeah, 35km on a small wheel is very possible. I know that there are
ppl who’ve ridden further on a giraffe!
Harder? That depends on technique. For a reasonably good rider, the limiting factor is seat related discomfort. When running, you are supporting your weight with your legs, and your centre of gravity (mass, if you prefer) is rising and falling. Your feet strike the ground, which is tiring, and the foot landing tends to slow you slightly. On a uni, your centre of gravity remains at an almost constant height, and with a smooth pedalling action, it is a very efficient method of converting muscular energy into forward motion.
I’d rather ride 10 miles on a 20 than run 2 miles.
> > * Considering a 20"
> > is both harder and SLOWER than running, I’d wouldn’t step up to damn
> > near
> > marathon distance on my first long ride if I were you.
> > *
>
>
> Slower, yes.
>
> Harder? That depends on technique. For a reasonably good rider,
Ah, that’s why we disagree.
> limiting factor is seat related discomfort. When running, you are
> supporting your weight with your legs, and your centre of gravity (mass,
> if you prefer) is rising and falling.
A little. Ideally, not at all.
> Your feet strike the ground,
> which is tiring, and the foot landing tends to slow you slightly. On a
> uni, your centre of gravity remains at an almost constant height, and
> with a smooth pedaling action, it is a very efficient method of
> converting muscular energy into forward motion.
>
> I’d rather ride 10 miles on a 20 than run 2 miles.
I can run 3 miles in less than half an hour more comfortably than I can
Coker 3 blocks. I’m sure you’re right, that it’s a lack of unicycling
skill…
But I still think the 10K is much more sensible, especially on a 20".
I don’t know how big your blocks are (Oooer, Mrs… No, don’t titter… etc.) but a Coker rider with a few miles under his/her belt should be able to ride smoothly and with little effort on a flattish smooth surface until the seat hurts. I regard 40 mins to 1 hour as a fair ‘first leg’ of a ride before the need for a stop asserts itself. That’s between 5 and 10 miles (I’m not a speed freak).
On a 20, perhaps a bit more effort is required as the balance is more twitchy. 30 mins should equal getting on for 3 miles. I’ve done 20 miles on a 20 and it’s hard work, but it can be done by any reasonably fit, reasonably experienced rider, on the right course, and with sufficient determination.
Having said that, I have a regular favourite 5 mile or so round trip which I do by the off road route and think nothing of it, but my mate (first ride for weeks, due to a bad back) found it very tiring by the tarmac route yesterday.
