Johnfoss, no I haven’t noticed that I am any better than before on the 19”. I am no worse though, whew. I have not tried my 26” yet, I will be able to notice any difference on it I think. I do know what you mean though and have experienced that with my banjo. After trying unsuccessfully to learn a song part for several days, then leave it alone for a few and then it comes. I guess you just subconsciously work things out that are important at that time.
pierrox, yes definitely stretching before and after. Today was just another series of practicing my skills around the yard for an hour. So far so good.
So I have seven days back on the Unicycle since I hurt my foot three months ago. I started on the 19” Athmos slowly and carefully using assisted mounts to start, my foot was still a bit sore. My free mounting was poor for a couple of days at about a 30% success rate, by day five it was about 98%. My peddling has become smoother and I am sitting with more of my weight on the seat. My hands are down and one is holding the seat most of the time. I was able to make it up a small incline in my yard, a first for me. I went to the old section of seldom used Hwy on day six. I was able to ride it’s length, about a half kilometre which is on a slight down grade, remount and peddle back up to the starting point.
Still on day six, I thought I would then try the 26” muni on the Hwy since the 19” was going so well. Several failed free mount attempts sent me home to the assisted launch site. My first few assisted mounted rides were utter failures resulting in immediate UPDs. I was able to finally ride at about attempt number four. It was very jerky and only a few yards before I bailed. It did eventually smooth out and I was back to where I left off in May after another half an hour of practice.
Today was day seven, again on the 26er. My free mount percentage on the 26” is down to about 30% from around 90%. It will come back quickly I expect. My riding is smoother and much straighter than ever. My arms are down low and one hand is usually holding the seat. I believe I am going faster as well. I think I am starting to use my hips to lean the uni into turns. I say this because I am not using my hands in the odd circular stirring motion very much now. I can make it up the little hill on the 26” too. The 19” has helped a lot, it’s weird going back and forth between the 19 & 26 though. Totally different feel.
All in all I am progressing. I thought that after a year I would be much further along than I am. I’ve been off with injuries and a long winter, which with other delays has added up to almost nine months of down time. My foot is almost 100% so the riding is just going to get better with more saddle time. Thank you folks for all the advice.
just chiming in to say that I just finished reading through this thread, and your tenacity is pretty inspiring. I’ve been practicing with an old Schwinn for a couple of weeks on my gravel driveway, and was having some of the same problems you were running into. I just went out again this morning and was finally able to catch some forward motion, going between 20-30 feet a couple of times.
But yeah, gravel’s tough for starting out; I’ve got scabs all over to prove it.
BenSimons, Wow you’re not making it any easier on an old Schwinn, on a skinny tire and on gravel too. No wonder you’ve got the battle scars. I’m sure that is exactly how a lot of other forum members learned how to ride also. Maybe some of them could offer you some of their expertise. A small wheel and a smooth surface is the ideal way to learn but not always available. On advice from the forum I bought a 19” Impact Athmos. Once I got used to it I found it much easier to ride and free mount than my 26” Nimbus. I started to use both unis each practice and my proficiency on the 26” increased at a quicker rate prior to the 19.
What I did do wrong, was to use the 19” exclusively for a couple of weeks after my foot healed up. Then it was much harder to return to the 26”, my success on it went down quite a bit. I should have switched back and forth frequently between the two. I’m using both unis again now and I think it helps a lot. If you can manage to find a 19 or 20” with a wider tire I believe you’ll find it beneficial to learning. Certainly get some armour to save your hide too. 20 -30 feet, congrats you’re well on your way Ben. Keep at er and enjoy the small successes.
You’re only talking about 2 unis. Imagine having 10 unicycles like me. At least when riding the 29er it keeps it easier enough to switch between the 19" and 32". Smaller wheels are more twitchy and bigger wheels require a higher hop to get onto. For me it is impossible to have a 100% mount rate when riding different wheel sizes.
BenSimons, welcome to the Community!
Setonix, 10 unis! That is quite a pile. If I ever get this riding thing to a competent level, someday I would like to get a 36. I think for me I have to switch back and forth each day to be able to ride both unis without losing the feel. I expect it will be easier as I get more time in.
Getting a new unicycle probably isn’t going to happen any time soon; the wife is begrudged enough about getting the first one, and is still pretty skeptical of the merits of this whole affair. I am thinking about seeing if I can find a longer seat post (or perhaps cobble one together), as the one that came with it is pretty squatty feeling for me. You’re right about getting armor, I’m sure I’ll get some soon.
If I get over my fear of public scrutiny, there’s a large flat parking lot with relatively low traffic near my house that would be good for practicing.
Getting a new unicycle probably isn’t going to happen any time soon; the wife is begrudged enough about getting the first one, and is still pretty skeptical of the merits of this whole affair. I am thinking about seeing if I can find a longer seat post (or perhaps cobble one together), as the one that came with it is pretty squatty feeling for me. You’re right about getting armor, I’m sure I’ll get some soon.
If I get over my fear of public scrutiny, there’s a large flat parking lot with relatively low traffic near my house that would be good for practicing.
My wife, who is Thai, wanted to go see her family 2 weeks before I flew to Thailand. I used those 2 weeks to order a new unicycle. If ever she asks if it is a new one, I can simply say “No I’ve had it in the shed a very long time. You just never saw it.” She doesn’t have a key to the shed and when we got married I already had 6 or so unis. She won’t ever find out. (oops now it is registered on this website.)
Unfortunately that doesn’t work for me. I’m quite lazy. She sees dust where I don’t and she knows it. When I have mud on a uni, I wait until it gets dry and falls off.
Ben,
I just noticed that you are local, welcome to the forum. I’m from Onalaska and we have a few unicyclist in the Lewis County area. If you need any help with a seat post on your vintage unicycle, let me know. I made one for my 50 years old Columbia and it worked well. A few pics at: 26" Columbia Seat Post and Saddle Upgrade Photo Gallery by Jim Thode at pbase.com
Crazy! I wouldn’t have expected there to be other people from this forum around here. That’s a pretty slick looking upgrade. That old seat is pretty similar looking to the one I have.
I’m trying to decide whether or not this is good marriage advice, or unicycle advice…
BenSimons, go to the parking lot, it will really speed things up being on a flat surface. It’s also great that you may be able to connect with some other riders in your area. If you can that will be really helpful. You wife will probably be ok with the uni, once you explain how much money people will pay to see you ride after you get good at it.
I am thinking about seeing if I can find a longer seat post (or perhaps cobble one together), as the one that came with it is pretty squatty feeling for me. You’re right about getting armor, I’m sure I’ll get some soon.
