I am a new guy here who has been riding a uni since Christmas of 1974, although the first week was mostly learning to fall properly. I kept seeing these crazy guys on these huge wheels at bike rides I was at, and last September I chatted up a guy at a ride near Bellingham, Washington and decided I wanted one of these 36" beasts for myself. Started saving my pennies and just ordered my 36" nimbus with the disk brake and shadow handle. It should here Tuesday. Can’t wait to try it out. I have been training on my son’s DM muni that I use to commute across Seattle to work. Around where I live my longest training ride has been 10 miles on it with 1000 feet of elevation gain. So I think I am ready to see how far I can go on the 36’er. See if I can join the 100 mile club someday. As soon as I am able to ride it well enough to ride across the city, I can start doing training rides on a long bike path that I have easy access to on my way home. I have a feeling I have a lot to learn. Aspen Mike is my new role model. That guy can ride anywhere.
Welcome aboard Keithb26 
Welcome to the big wheel club! Have fun!!
Holy Smokes!
Just got my new 36’er. A Nimbus impulse with the disc. Unbelievable. My son free mounted on his 3rd try and rode off, just gone. He was flying. This after I got it put together after dark. He goes zooming down the driveway and disappears into the night. Back he comes, and it’s my turn. Took me about 5 tries and I am up and going. What a ride. I was so intimidated when I saw these things and now I’m riding one. We traded back and forth until he gets the idea to see how fast he can go. He was really cruising when he face planted and rolled, he gets the first UPD and he has a nice strawberry. I know I shouldn’t laugh when he crashes, but it was funny. Now my son says he wants one so we can ride together. I am so blessed. Guess UDC is going to get some more of my $$. Got about a mile total and can’t wait for tomorrow and daylight. Took the day off cause I knew I was going to need to try this beast.
Welcome to the 36
Welcome to the forums…
We talked a bit at the Ride542 start. Good to hear you moved up to the 36. By this fall you should be ready to unicycle the Ride542 / Mt. Baker Hill Climb. I think your in the first picture.
If you use a tracking app on your phone you might want to check out the Strava app as it will track your elevation gain and will match you up with segments others ride or you can easily make some of your own segments.
JM
Ha! that is me in the bianchi green jersey. I had a great time that day watching you ride. I have had a whole bunch of “can I ride one of those” ever since we talked. Both my son and I are thrilled with the feeling you get riding a 36". He wants one for his transportation at College. Cause he sure isn’t taking my car. So I will get him one and talk him into doing the STP someday. That is the goal. If I can do ride 542 by Sept. would be awesome, gonna try. My wife and I are planning to do triathlons again this summer, so we’ll see how much training I can add for unicycling. After The races we have scheduled, I plan to really go after the ability to do some long rides.
Keith
Stp
Straightarrow is near you. Send him a private message (pm). He has lots of experiance doing the STP. You should arrange to go for a ride together.
If you search the forums there are a few posts about unicycling the STP. Its a great ride. I think there are now five of us who have unicycled the STP.
JM
Keith Checks in
Hi Keith, So glad you are here. Always happy when another rider comes to “play”. Hope to see you ride the Mt. Baker with Bungeejoe.
Keith: Welcome. I ride the Orting Trail some especially closer to spring. If you already do Triathalons you will have no trouble being ready for the STP in mid July. Being a unicyclist on the STP is really like I imagine being a “Rock Star” should feel. Don’t discount that you can be prepared to do the STP in 2012. Registration was 75% full as of yesterday for the STP. I am registered for the STP and god willing I will roll across the finish line again.
The 26th of February is the “Chilly Hilly” which is 33 miles and just under 2700 feet of elevation gain. There should be a few unicyclists there. I am registered and will roll out at 8am or so. Hopefully some of the SARs will also be there, I plan to post the event and can let you know. The weather can be really bad, but it has been really good one year, and one year was really decent plus I got to ride with Joe Meyers and Lana.
I will probably ride the Daffodil Classic again that starts at the high school in Orting. I could let you know for sure, but ride it no matter.
There are several smaller rides coming up and you should get on the list with Seattle Area Riders if you want to know all the rides that come up.
Thanks all of you for the welcome, I am very excited about some of the rides I have in front of me. I have had my 36er for about 60 hours and I can’t put it down. I rode it for my commute yesterday and today, and this morning I was competely tanked climbing the hill over Seattle. I did 9 miles yesterday and knew I was tired but thought I could suck it up for a ride across town, it’s only 2 miles after I get off the train. I did ok, but holy smokes I was gasping. The ride this afternoon should be fun.
I haven’t decided where to put my training efforts for this Summers fun. I get the blessing of joining my wife when we do our tri’s, and may focus on that again for this year. She thinks I can do both. Love her.
I will see what my learning curve is over the next couple of weeks. I hope to get some muscle memory and endurance built up, then I can decide. I ride the orting trail on my bike and would love to see you on the trail with my uni. Maybe we will get some nice weather in the near future and can go on a ride. I would love to learn from your experience.
I keep looking at it, and wondering where it will take me.
Keith