I’ve done this with fairly shallow steps. It feels rather dangerous and I’m not
sure I want to attempt it on standard stairs.
Going off drops backwards is fun though.
On other backwards themes, anyone got tips for one foot backwards? I’m just
starting to get it but I still feel pretty unstable.
o o Peter Bier o O o Juggler, unicyclist and mathematician.
o/|\o peter_bier@usa.net
Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1
Re: riding backwards down steps
Didn’t Steve McPeak go down stairs backwards?
~Tammy 
>From: Peter Bier <peter_bier@usa.net> Reply-To: Peter Bier <peter_bier@usa.net>
>To: unicycling@winternet.com Subject: riding backwards down steps Date: 1 Mar
>2001 13:53:19 MST
>
>I’ve done this with fairly shallow steps. It feels rather dangerous and I’m not
>sure I want to attempt it on standard stairs.
>
>Going off drops backwards is fun though.
>
>On other backwards themes, anyone got tips for one foot backwards? I’m just
>starting to get it but I still feel pretty unstable.
>
> o o Peter Bier o O o Juggler, unicyclist and mathematician.
>o/|\o peter_bier@usa.net
>
>____________________________________________________________________
>Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1
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RE: riding backwards down steps
> On other backwards themes, anyone got tips for one foot backwards? I’m just
> starting to get it but I still feel pretty unstable.
My most common mistake when backwards one footing is that a foot will simply
come off the pedal. I think it helps to improve your “spin”. That is, making
smooth circles with your feet when pedaling backward. We have years of practice
at this going forward, but our feet aren’t used to the same motion backward and
they don’t make as good circles.
This will probably also smooth out the power in your pedal strokes, giving you
better control.
Enjoy, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone http://www.unicycling.com
“I’m one of those people who pray, ‘God, give me patience and do it now!’” –
Carol McLean, Twin Cities Unicycle Club
RE: riding backwards down steps
> Didn’t Steve McPeak go down stairs backwards?
Many people have gone down stairs backward, though I don’t know why. It’s
certainly not an “audience” trick. I know I’ve seen Wayne Haines do it many
years ago on his portable ramp/stairs unit. However I don’t recall reading
anything about Steve McPeak performing this.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone http://www.unicycling.com
“I’m one of those people who pray, ‘God, give me patience and do it now!’” –
Carol McLean, Twin Cities Unicycle Club
Re: riding backwards down steps
>Didn’t Steve McPeak go down stairs backwards?<
One footed too, I believe.
Johnny T
Re: riding backwards down steps
>I seriously
doubt that he can ride down steps one-foot backwards, but I would be interested
to know if someone has direct knowledge of this.<
Maybe I’m thinking of someone else. Now I’m really curious to see if I’m right
or not. Can anyone shed any light on this matter?
Johnny T
Re: riding backwards down steps
> >Didn’t Steve McPeak go down stairs backwards?<
>One footed too, I believe. Johnny T
Are you mocking me, Johnny?!! I found the site about Steve McPeak - I
remembered it because it was one of the first internet things I read about uni.
http://unicycling.org/unicycling/tales/mcpeak.html
Tammy
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Re: riding backwards down steps
In a message dated 3/2/2001 12:25:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,
dagobahyoda@hotmail.com writes:
<< Are you mocking me, Johnny?!! I found the site about Steve McPeak - I
remembered it because it was one of the first internet things I read about uni.
http://unicycling.org/unicycling/tales/mcpeak.html >>
Of course Im mocking you Tongue ;D, but I think I read the same story actually!
Has anyone else read that same story?
Johnny T 
RE: riding backwards down steps
> Are you mocking me, Johnny?!! I found the site about Steve McPeak - I
> remembered it because it was one of the first internet things I read about
> uni. http://unicycling.org/unicycling/tales/mcpeak.html
Hmm, if I read it right, the writer is saying Steve could ride down the stairs
forward or backward. Also he could ride one-foot forward or backward. I don’t
think he meant on the stairs.
This does open up the possibility of a new and dangerous stunt for people to
practice…
JF
Re: riding backwards down steps
Greetings
In message “Re: riding backwards down steps”, MoNKeYSPaZ@aol.com wrote…
>>Didn’t Steve McPeak go down stairs backwards?<
>
>One footed too, I believe.
Are you sure? I know Steve well and he spent a few days in my house in Japan.
Though his balancing skill on high-wires are legendary, his level of ability in
ordinary skills impressed me as rather low. I seriously doubt that he can ride
down steps one-foot backwards, but I would be interested to know if someone has
direct knowledge of this.
By the way, some TV stations approached me and asked me to help them find Steve.
I don’t know his current contact details. Does anyone?
Stay on top, Jack Halpern, IUF Vice President Website: http://www.kanji.org
Re: riding backwards down steps
Greetings
In message “RE: riding backwards down steps”, John Foss wrote…
>> Are you mocking me, Johnny?!! I found the site about Steve McPeak - I
>> remembered it because it was one of the first internet things I read about
>> uni. http://unicycling.org/unicycling/tales/mcpeak.html
>
>Hmm, if I read it right, the writer is saying Steve could ride down the stairs
>forward or backward. Also he could ride one-foot forward or backward. I don’t
>think he meant on the stairs.
The statement in qusation is the one below, right?
" I have seen him ride down a flight of thirty steps and he could even do it
backwards. Forward and backward with one foot…no problem"
I agree with John – that there is no direct implication he could ride down
steps one-footed. As I wrote in my previous message, from my memory of riding
with Steve several times in the vicinity of my house, my impression was that his
mastery of advanced skill was minimal. I remember him riding one-footed in a
straight line, kind of wobbling. Based on my personal experience, I doubt that
he could go down steps backwards, unless they are very shallow in which case the
feat becomes relatively easy.
>This does open up the possibility of a new and dangerous stunt for people to
>practice…
>
>JF
>
Stay on top, Jack Halpern, IUF Vice President Website: http://www.kanji.org