I rode past some kids today with the dog running ahead of me on a harness and one of them said “Why is he even pedalling?” Not a bad question I suppose, if only I had a freewheel uni (maybe unijoring is the perfect reason to learn)
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Today I got something like „one wheel, all the way!“ or „one wheel, always“ shouted from an oncoming b!cyclist. He also made a fist and pointed his arm to the sky.
Too bad I don‘t remember the exact words, ‘cause he even shouted it in english.
I would have told my brother “I‘m going to get my tiger now (since we already established all unicyclist have one) and you’re going to be sorry you said that.”
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Oh yes thats great
This weekend when riding the 24 road uni, a woman was riding on her bike in the opposite direction towards me laughing a bit and then just saying “Wow”. She was very impressed.
When I teach people to ride, I always tell them “almost everyone thinks this is impossible,or they will never be able to do this, when they fist try, but if you just push past that it will seem a less less impossible each time you practice right up until you are riding” I also mention that of you are only going to practice once every month or so… it probably isnt going to work out.
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A new one today while riding around on my work lunch break. I rode past a freight company where staff were standing around smoking on there break when one of them told me “ he could get the rest of a bike shipped to me”
I just responded by saying thanks but I’ve got all I need!
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In the office I set next to someone from Sales. I develop the tools he needs and he prefers to sit next to me in case he runs into issues and he can ask right away instead of going through the support department.
Anyways his boss was joking that he could take up unicycling. Everybody in the office knows I ride unicycles and my Sales colleague is a bit (very) chubby and not the sports type. So I said yeah that would be fun seeing him ride around the office and then head of Sales said he could get training wheels.
I actually think that when training wheels are attached left and right of the uni at the same height, it becomes unridable. You kinda need to fall towards where you’re “falling” and catch yourself. At least you won’t be able to steer then. So a uni without training wheels on the side is safer.
I concur. That‘s prolly the reason why b!kes have their training wheel attached in front of the main wheel (except for Penny Farthings, of course, and some specialty (hand)b!kes where the front wheel is driven).
Anyway, today I had my first proper muni ride of this year. Called a friend and could (just) convince him to join me on his uni instead of having an MTB ride on his own. A guy on his b!ke caught up on us and stated „You guys are two proper nuts!“. He apparently gave unicycling a try when he was a kid, but it didn‘t work out, so he was pretty stunned to see people riding munis on a single trail.
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Interesting thought. I’m not sure it wouldn’t work, and I’m always for trying how thoughts translate to reality.
My guess, for someone who can ride a unicycle, it would be weird “locked in”, most of all steering would be different.
But for beginners to have one direction less to worry about might be helpful in an early learning stage. Anyone here with a chance to give this a real try?
I don’t think you can keep your balance to wobble just forwards backwards. I think you’re catching yourself toward all directions. Sure the momentum helps, but I think being this stuck to the sides limits the ability to catch yourself.
But be my guest, please make such a setup. It will also make a difference if the sidewheels are smaller than that main wheel or the same size.
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“Could you stop for a moment, please?”
I was riding my muni on a trail in the woods when I encountered a woman with two dogs on very long leashes. When the lady saw me she started to “enroll” the leashes with her arms - they weren’t of the self enrolling kind. Since I’m afraid of dogs and have experienced some dogs reacting not too well to unicycles (or me…) I decided to dismount. This apparently provoked one of the dogs to do what I hoped it would not - barking and such. After I walked by the trio the lady asked me if I could just stop and wait a moment. She was a bit surprised that one of the dogs showed this reaction and wanted to give it the chance to get in contact with the uni and to learn that it’s nothing to be afraid of.
So, yeah, I always enjoy to meet responsible dog owners. There are a few around where I live, and I’m very thankful to them for taking their time and giving their pets a good education. Makes my life easier, as this dog will probably not react to the uni anymore at our next encounter.
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Had the typical “Where’s the other half” and a little girl said “Crazy bike”
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I try to ignore the dogs. They always leap towards what they don’t recognise, also my non-electric kickscooter, when I go riding with the kids. I just keep on riding and hope I will have passed them before they have a chance to jump up at me or I may talk to the dog in the hopes of stopping it in its track. Most boss owners know their dogs and keep them secured. So far I never UPD’ed because of a dog.
Problem is, if you’re afraid of dogs it’s almost impossible to ignore them. Whether they’re big or small - I’m very wary as soon as I see them, and if they start to bark and/or approach me I’m switching to panic mode. That’s of course not exactly helpful, and I know it, yet it’s my natural reaction. 
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My daughter is the same. She went to a psychologist for a while and that did help, but then winter came and we stayed indoors. It seems like she needs to start all over again with the sessions. I keep talking to her when we pass the dogs and tell her to look at what the dog is focused on when it is playing with its owner, but as soon as the dog comes closer she practically jumps into my arms.
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Funny thing is, a former employee of my father had a dog that she took to work. It wasn’t possible to evade her when I went to the factory to help my dad. We got accustomed to each other and I trusted that particular dog enough to play with her and chase after her. I knew she wouldn’t bit because she knew me. And when things started to get too wild for my taste I would just stop playing and the dog would calm down. So, it’s not impossible to overcome the fear (at least to a certain degree), but only in the context of specific dogs that I get to know as individuals (and vice versa), unfortunately not in general.
I’ve not waved at anyone since the day a young woman seemed to be watching me intently and I waved. She called out, “Did you wave at me?” in a rather insulted tone and then repeated it. I said nothing, looked ahead and rode away as fast as I could.
I don’t know what she was looking at but I really don’t want to repeat that experience.
Old guys like me waving at young women is probably best avoided.
My son (also a unicyclist) asked his three year old cycling mad son if he wanted to learn to ride a unicycle.
”When I’m a man”, came the reply. He would usually give anything a go (he asked his mum if he could ride his bike down the steps) so I think he had decided unicycles might be a bit beyond him for now.
Twelve inch unis are hard to find but he is already the size of a five year old (he was still two when someone asked him why he wasn’t in school that day). I will get him a sixteen inch to try when I’m sure he is big enough.
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Two boys/teens behind me:
Boy 1: „Oh …unicycle.“
Boy 2: „Do a backflip!“
Me - decided to ignore them.
Later, when leaving the shopping center:
Boy 1: „Oh …unicycle“
Boy 2: -
Me - still ignoring them.
A few moments later I encountered two moms with a handful of kids.
Girl 1: „Wow, a unicycle!“
Girl 2: „How can one ride it?!“
Me: „Simple, by practising. 
“
Moms - laughing and agreeing.
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