> Anyway the question is this: expecially when I try to free mount the unicycle
> it’s quite frequent that my testicles (Ok, I don’t know the correct word in
> english, I mean the balls) get in a very unpleasent position. This is quite a
> problem to me. Besides that sometimes it happens that it really hurts, I’m
> always cautious before putting the weight on the seat so I step on the cranks,
> get out of balance and fall.
>
> Did anybody have the same problem ? Is it related to the seat height or to the
> kind of seat ? Do you wear “special” protections (like soccer players)?
> Finally: is it only my problem ? (I don’t think so. Some of my friends
> experienced the same).
>
grin
I’m afraid its not just your problem. I would go as far as saying that for males
it is a universal problem. Every male I know of has experienced this when they
first get on.
Most of my friends when they first try a unicycle make coments about the small
chances of me having children and the fact that I’ll soon be singing Soprano:-)
You are right thought, there isn’t much on the “male problem” but it is one of
the biggest hurdles for any male learning to ride. (Females do you have similar
difficulties?)
So be rest assured, althought it isn’t talked about much it is indeed a wide
spread and here’s what you can do about it…
Rule number one: Genitals are sensitive, they do not take kindly to being sat
on! Therefore don’t sit on them.
They key to this is in your mounting. Most people who have never unicycled mount
by getting up somehow, standing on the pedals and then lowering themselves onto
the seat. As you have observed this is where the problem arises. Before mounting
make sure your seat is in the right position. When free mounting you should be
sitting on your seat before you do anything else.
Tuck your seat between your legs so that any genitalia are forward of the seat
out of the way. If necessary pull them up out of the way. You can actually avoid
looking rude by using the seat to do this. When positioning it between your legs
as you pull it up underneath you the end should tuck your testicles up out of
the way. In no circumstances should they be under you.
If you get the seat it the right position before mounting then things shouldn’t
be a problem. To free mount you push down on a pedal at about 45 degrees
bringing the seat up underneath you, the seat’s position in relation to your
buttocks etc shouldn’t change. Everything should still be tucked out of the way.
There are descriptions on mounting on http://www.unicycling.org As I said though
the key is to position the seat correctly before the mount.
When free mounting the seat should not leave your buttocks. If it is you are
doing it wrong. Don’t worry about the seat being in contact the whole time. You
sit down fairly often so your buttocks are more than capable of dealing with
the pressure.
Problems can arise when you try jump mounts etc. When doing these kind of things
before settling down on the seat, tuck anything loose up out of the way and keep
it there until you are safely on the seat. With a little experience it is
surprising how unobvious this is (again you can use your seat to do the deed if
you pull it up between your legs correctly.
*Bike pants are a help and make riding more comfortable, they still don’t take
care of everything though.
*Seat types have a part to play. Some seats are a lot more comfortable than
others. Generally bike shaped unicycle seats are more comfortable than saddle
type seats although it is a matter of personal opinion. Some people put
covers over their seats (Eg sheep skin) to make it more comfortable. Others
place a semi inflated tire within the seat but I don’t know much about how or
why that works.
Hope that is helpfull.
BTW your English is correct, testicles is the polite word for balls.
Catch ya Peter
o Peter Bier - computing student o O o pjb10@waikato.ac.nz o(|\o
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