I bought a new 28" DM a couple of weeks ago. On Saturday I went out on it for the second time.
As I was riding, I decided to see how fast I could go. Having only ridden a 20" before, I didn’t think to wear any protection. I was going faster and faster, and getting cocky.
You can probably guess what happened next - I ate dirt, hard. Now I have gravel in my hand, bandages on my elbow and big bruise on my thigh.
Anyway, I was wondering if everyone else who started to ride a cruiser-sized unicycle learned their lesson the hard way, like I did!
Well, not quite to the extent that you did. I was riding a 24x3 Muni and then bought a 28’r. The first time that I rode it, I was really feeling the need for speed and cranked that baby up!!!
I went about 50 yards, building speed rather quickly, and then the dreaded UPD happened. I was promptly spit off the uni and (being unable to “run out” of it) landed on my hands and knees. Being as I WAS my wrist guards (and helmet) my hands immediately slid on the pavement, leaving my knees to the mercy of the rough asphalt. I ended up with some pretty good scrapes on both knees. I picked myself up off the ground and hung my head in shame as I walked back to the truck to put my knee pads on over my bloody knee caps.
Now, after learning the hard way, I don’t ride any of my uni’s without full protection, especially my newest toy, the Coker 
Yeah, I just assumed I could ‘run’ out of it. I always could on the 20"…
I just ‘rolled’ out of it instead.
Re: Learing the hard way
I started off with all my protection, then after a few hours of practice with no major falls I got complacent and just went out with my wrist guards. Decided that it was “time” to attempt to ride solo. Got pedals jammed in the dead spot and launched myself off forwards. Wrist guards saved wrists, elbows didn’t touch floor, knees rammed into floor <insert expletive of choice here> hard, giving me paving marks and bruises on my knees.
Now I wear ALL my protective stuff WHENEVER I ride. I’d rather have it on and not need it than need it and not have it on.
Jayne
Re: Learing the hard way
fattyjules wrote:
> I bought a new 28" DM a couple of weeks ago. On Saturday I went out
> on it for the second time.
>
> As I was riding, I decided to see how fast I could go. Having only
> ridden a 20" before, I didn’t think to wear any protection. I was
> going faster and faster, and getting cocky.
>
> You can probably guess what happened next - I ate dirt, hard. Now I
> have gravel in my hand, bandages on my elbow and big bruise on my
> thigh.
>
> Anyway, I was wondering if everyone else who started to ride a
> cruiser-sized unicycle learned their lesson the hard way, like I did!
The only unicycle I’ve ever ridden is my Coker, Grendel. My first fast UPD
reaffirmed that I am still a god of ukemi - I just roll out of whatever,
smiling and unscathed.
The only time I’ve ever hurt myself* riding Grendel I had help - my GF yelled
“Car!” so my head snapped around, I got tangled up, and went down sideways. I
don’t let Christa near me when I’m riding and she hasn’t had her coffee yet
anymore - the car she warned me about was a couple of hundred feet away doing
about 20 mph.
*Which isn’t to say innocent bystanders are the least bit safe.