> >I have been trying to ride one footed. What have others done to learn >this skill? > >I can idle one footed (both feet) and have tried to start there but I always >lose control when the peddle comes over the top. > >I have tried taking the pressure off of one peddle while going forward - don’t >seem to be getting anywhere with that method either. > >Any tips? Maybe I just need encouragement that it can be done. This is the last >skill I need to finish level 4.
I learned this from Idling. Idle a bit then idle backwards a bit more than usual
(a run up) before pushing down to go for a full revolution. I think the trick is
in how you use your weight. When I was learning I used to think that since I
wanted to go forwards I had to lean forewards. Then I discovered that if I kept
my weight almost straight up and down I could do
it. Once you get one revolution go for two, etc.
I almost always ride one footed with the other foot on the frame. It can be done
with the other foot out the front but this is much harder.
Once I learned to ride one footed I learned to go into it from riding foreward.
I find this much more useful than going into it from idling. It’s also quite
easy once you get the hang of it.
>PS How do you ride with the seat on the side? (level 5)
Start by riding holding the seat out the back. Then you have to bend at the
knees as you bring the seat around to the side. You’ll soon learn that it’s not
just a straight bend (if you know what I mean) that is required but a rather
awkward skewed bend, to avoid the tyre. It is much easier to go around in
circles (towards the side the seat is on) than to go in a straight line.
Good luck
Mark Sands o o o E-mail M.R.Sands@iasos.utas.edu.au o o IASOS/CRC Ph: +61 20
2941 Fax: +61 20 2973 ------------------------------------------------ o
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies o @_/ CRC for Antarctic and
Southern Ocean Environment /|
#
/
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Hello. When you ride on footed it says you must place one foot o n the fort of
the uni. I have difficukty doing this. I have a Semcycle XL and rather larg
feet. Is there an alternative? How about advice? Cool.
Actually you can do whatever you want with the other foot. A Semcycle XL has a
nice flat platform for your foot, and I think it’s a great uni for working on 1
foot skills. Did you try 1 foot idling first? Many people find that to be an
easier skill.
I learned 1 foot riding with the other foot on the fork. But my son learned it
with the other foot dangling in the air. Since he’s short and the seat on his
unicycle is down just about all the way, he had to bend his leg quite a bit to
fit it onto the fork. Now he does it either way. For going long distances, it’s
surely more stable and relaxing to have the foot on the fork.
Also try 1 foot idling with the other foot in as many different positions as you
can think of.
Good luck,
Nathan
Kip Koski <ki@sopris.net> wrote in message news:renf4.618$pb2.35412@tw11.nn.bcandid.com… > Hello. When you ride on footed it says you must place one foot o n the
fort > of the uni. I have difficukty doing this. I have a Semcycle XL and rather larg > feet. Is there an alternative? How about advice? Cool.
Kip Koski <ki@sopris.net> wrote: : Hello. When you ride on footed it says you must place one foot o n the fort of : the uni. I have difficukty doing this. I have a Semcycle XL and rather larg : feet. Is there an alternative? How about advice? Cool.
I often put my spare foot agaist the side of the frame, below the crown, I’m not
too good at getting it to stay on the crown either kip. Its a sem XL as well so
you are not alone. When I started to ride one footed I did not do this and my
spare foot just floated around in he air somewhere so I could get it back on the
pedel quick when it all went wrong. I still do this if one footing off road or
somewhere bumpy. When I idel one footed I more often do get my foot to stay on
the crown I think I’m more stable in a rock and so have more time to place my
spare foot firmly on the crown.
The alternative is to ride with your foot flapping in the breeze. While this is
do-able it gives you less control. I too have a Sem XL and ride one footed
without any problems. Big feet should not cause a problem. I sure that it could
even be done wearing clown shoes.
The other alternative is to place your foot on the seat post, above the fork.
This can be done but it’s not as stable a place for your foot as the fork.
If you are flexible enough you could also place your foot behind your neck. I
would not recommend this as an unintentional dismount may be painful.
Hello. When you ride on footed it says you must place one foot o n the fort of
the uni. I have difficukty doing this. I have a Semcycle XL and rather larg
feet. Is there an alternative? How about advice? Cool.
> Hello. When you ride on footed it says you must place one foot o n the fort of > the uni. I have difficukty doing this. I have a Semcycle XL and rather larg > feet. Is there an alternative? How about advice? Cool.
Pretend the guy is pedaling with either one foot or the other. This is a 24"
frame with a 20" wheel, which gives his foot more room to hang down. But on
a Semcycle XL you have a bigger notch for your foot than on the frame in
this picture.
Most people learn to ride one foot comfortably before they put that other foot
onto the fork. At first it’s a little scary to have your free foot stuck
somewhere when you might need it any split second. When I first learned one
footing, I just lifted my other foot up and held it above the pedal. This is
fine for a while, but can get tiring, and as Dirk mentioned, gives you less
control on the uni. Hooking your foot on the fork (either on the crown or flat
against the front of the seat post) locks your body onto the unicycle for a more
stable ride.