Riding over bumps, and other difficult tasks

[NotSoYoungOne]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie to the UNIverse but I can at least ride up and down the street now. So I am having a few challenges that I could use some ideas on, particularly;

1. I tend to the left. A lot. Not sure why or what I should do about it. For now I just try to fight it, but it is prevalent when I start out, which is the most critical time. It also plagues me when riding on the sidewalk since there is much less room for lateral corrections!
2. I am riding on asphalt and sidewalk, but transitioning between them means riding through a gutter and sidewalk ramp which means some bumpy surfaces. Do I want to stay down on the seat more or get lighter in the saddle?
3. Free mounting. I see a variety of videos on youtube but nothing so far that has helped that much. I am right handed but my left foot is dominant, at least I think it is. In other words it is the foot I always put on the back pedal first. Since there are dozens of ideas and techniques it is hard to figure where I should put my focus. At this point it seems like I am putting too much weight on the back pedal which causes the front pedal to come up to the top which is bad starting position with the pedals at 6 and 12. The other challenge is on the few times when the front pedal is closer to the 9 position I have a hard time starting with my right foot forward since the left foot is dominant. But I guess this is pretty normal and just needs time and practice (like everything else on a Uni :))

So, with that as a way-too-long explanation, I am open to your input and coaching.

Thanks in advance!
NSYO

[NotSoYoungOne]

26 or 29

So, I have another question. I moved from a 20 to a 24 a few days ago when I first got to the point that I could ride the length of our residential street (about 200 yards). At 6’3" I really like the 24, but the 20 was THE thing to start out on. Now I want to get going on a better quality uni and one that will let me ride longer distances, as this is my main goal.

I am comparing the nimbus 29 touring and the nimbus 26 Muni. I would put a road tire on the 26 much of the time if I go with it. Since I have never ridden either size it is hard to decide which to go with. But I am not made of $ so I have to choose. Open to suggestions, etc. Thanks!

[saskatchewanian]

If you want good rational helpful answers you might have much better luck posting in RSU. If you want smart-aleky answers full of spelling misteaks this is the right spot.

First I was drunk the first time I could turn right. Start with two beer, if you still can’t go right up the dosage, or ride on the other side of the street. it might be the road crown.

Second you want to grab your lift handle and mentally jump any bump you are going over. You don’t need to actually jump but thinking about doing it helps you unweight the seat and eventually you will be able to just rolling hop up or down any curb.

Third do what feels right for you. Maybe try jumping further and higher when getting on so you don’t need so much weight on the back foot.

fourth I love my 26 but if you already have a 24 I would go strait to a 29. heck go for a 36er. You won’t regret it.

[BillyTheMountain]

You’ll get serious and helpful advice in the Rec.Sport forum.

Just Conversation is for goofing around.

[ally1776]

@NotSoYoungOne

1. I tend to the left. A lot. Not sure why or what I should do about it. For now I just try to fight it, but it is prevalent when I start out, which is the most critical time. It also plagues me when riding on the sidewalk since there is much less room for lateral corrections!

2. I am riding on asphalt and sidewalk, but transitioning between them means riding through a gutter and sidewalk ramp which means some bumpy surfaces. Do I want to stay down on the seat more or get lighter in the saddle?

So, with that as a way-too-long explanation, I am open to your input and coaching.

Thanks in advance!
NSYO

Freemounting as you said will come in time, just practice, practice, practice.
If your unicycle is in good shape, leaning to one side can be or is sometimes a thing that new riders tend to experience. Of course being conscious of it as you said then plagues you and it happens more, think less about it and maybe that will help, in any case it will go away with experience the more you ride, providing there is no problems with the unicycle. Here is a link that will give you more info…http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85100&highlight=leaning+side from better riders.

As far as going over bumps, ruts and gutters, I tend to put more control in my legs when I do those, hold the seat and kind of maneuver through. I’m probably too new to tell you the easiest or proper way to handle the bumps and ruts.

I have a KH26 and a KH29er. There really isn’t much difference between a 26 and 29 but if you are going to ride distance, and never plan to ride trails then I would suggest the Nimbus 29 I have heard it is a very good uni. This thread isn’t about which size to get but it might help with your decision http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86340&highlight=26+29 and even though this is a 24 vs 29 it might have additional information for you too http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85890&highlight=26+29

Hope this helps, welcome and I hope you continue to enjoy riding.

[unireed]

i used to turn left automatically but i found that there was a problem with the seat. make sure it is straight and that you are sitting centered in it. also it could be your street, if it slopes towards the sidewalks.

[craigfrommichigan]

26 or 29?

@saskatchewanian

If you want good rational helpful answers you might have much better luck posting in RSU. If you want smart-aleky answers full of spelling misteaks this is the right spot.

First I was drunk the first time I could turn right. Start with two beer, if you still can’t go right up the dosage, or ride on the other side of the street. it might be the road crown.

Second you want to grab your lift handle and mentally jump any bump you are going over. You don’t need to actually jump but thinking about doing it helps you unweight the seat and eventually you will be able to just rolling hop up or down any curb.

Third do what feels right for you. Maybe try jumping further and higher when getting on so you don’t need so much weight on the back foot.

fourth I love my 26 but if you already have a 24 I would go strait to a 29. heck go for a 36er. You won’t regret it.

I learned on a Nimbus 36. Still can’t free mount it. Bought a Nimbus 29. I can mount with one minor stationary assist. The 29 is more portable, and I can foresee free mounting it one day… but you only ride a 29… you FLY a 36.

[Hazmat]

Hawo NotSoYoungOne, i welcome you to the forums.

@NotSoYoungOne

Hi everyone, I am a newbie to the UNIverse but I can at least ride up and down the street now. So I am having a few challenges that I could use some ideas on, particularly;

1. I tend to the left. A lot. Not sure why or what I should do about it. For now I just try to fight it, but it is prevalent when I start out, which is the most critical time. It also plagues me when riding on the sidewalk since there is much less room for lateral corrections!
2. I am riding on asphalt and sidewalk, but transitioning between them means riding through a gutter and sidewalk ramp which means some bumpy surfaces. Do I want to stay down on the seat more or get lighter in the saddle?
3. Free mounting. I see a variety of videos on youtube but nothing so far that has helped that much. I am right handed but my left foot is dominant, at least I think it is. In other words it is the foot I always put on the back pedal first. Since there are dozens of ideas and techniques it is hard to figure where I should put my focus. At this point it seems like I am putting too much weight on the back pedal which causes the front pedal to come up to the top which is bad starting position with the pedals at 6 and 12. The other challenge is on the few times when the front pedal is closer to the 9 position I have a hard time starting with my right foot forward since the left foot is dominant. But I guess this is pretty normal and just needs time and practice (like everything else on a Uni :))

So, with that as a way-too-long explanation, I am open to your input and coaching.

Thanks in advance!
NSYO

1) From what i have seen and in my own experience. I have found that when people tend to lean to the one side, they are either using more pressure on that one pedal or are not sitting properly on the saddle which means they always have to counterbalance themselves which makes the unicycling experience somewhat harder and tiring.
2) I would recommend going lighter on the saddle in my opinion. But other unicyclists of this forum might say otherwise.
3) Well practice does make perfect. Also i found this technique to be helpful when i was first learning how to freemount my 20 and 24".

I hoped this helped you in some way. PM me if you need more help/advice.
Harry a.k.a Hazmat

[NotSoYoungOne]

Wow - thanks for all the responses…

I had my first successful freemount this evening! Woohoo! I did it in a different way than any I have seen or heard about, but it just seemed to make sense so I tried it. I just put the left pedal down at the 6 and the right up at the 12, the same as what I have been doing the past few weeks as I am a total noob and have been learning. Then I rock the right (top) pedal back just slightly and get a good start with a quick transition to pushing the left forward and the right one just comes around nicely. My second attempt was successful and I just continued on down the street!! Very surprising. This may not be the best technique, but it worked :)

Thanks everyone for the great input. I didn’t really know about the RSU forum, but this one is certainly bringing in great stuff, plus it is a lot of fun.

Thanks Hazmat for the link to the great technique instructions. I am definitely going to give it a try. The beginner piece by Klas Bil was a huge help for me as I started out a few weeks ago, and I have made surprising quick progress using the stuff I learned there.

Thanks for all the tips on the wheel size. I think I am leaning toward the 29er, but craigfrommichigan has me thinking. How in the heck did you learn on a 36er!!! I tried starting on a 24 and went to a 20 because it was a lot easier for a beginner…

So, should I just jump right to a 36er? There is a Nimbus for sale on the Trading Post for a great price. It is in Australia and I don’t know if the seller would ship it, or how much it would cost. But now I am thinking about it. I am a road rider on my skinny tire bicycle and do lot’s of long distance rides. I think it would be cool to commute to work (7 miles one way with only one real hill that is pretty short), then work up to riding longer distances. I don’t see me doing any crazy tricks or that kind of riding, so I think the 29 or 36 is the right size wheel, though a 26 with short cranks still looks like a possible good choice - but I am certainly leaning toward the 29. Just kind of afraid of the 36 this soon. Can I figure it out, and can I handle it??

BTW, I really got control of the left-leaning thing on this evening’s ride, and even did better on the not-so-smooth surfaces. The tips y’all gave are going to be a HUGE help and I will refer back to this thread several times for review I am sure.

Now, off to my other thread “Learning Journal” where I have been logging my progress since my first day of trying out this crazy and intriguing UNI-world.

Thanks again everyone! I will check in again and ultimately let you know how I am progressing, and what I decide to purchase.

[craigfrommichigan]

36ing

@NotSoYoungOne

I had my first successful freemount this evening! Woohoo! I did it in a different way than any I have seen or heard about, but it just seemed to make sense so I tried it. I just put the left pedal down at the 6 and the right up at the 12, the same as what I have been doing the past few weeks as I am a total noob and have been learning. Then I rock the right (top) pedal back just slightly and get a good start with a quick transition to pushing the left forward and the right one just comes around nicely. My second attempt was successful and I just continued on down the street!! Very surprising. This may not be the best technique, but it worked :)

Thanks everyone for the great input. I didn’t really know about the RSU forum, but this one is certainly bringing in great stuff, plus it is a lot of fun.

Thanks Hazmat for the link to the great technique instructions. I am definitely going to give it a try. The beginner piece by Klas Bil was a huge help for me as I started out a few weeks ago, and I have made surprising quick progress using the stuff I learned there.

Thanks for all the tips on the wheel size. I think I am leaning toward the 29er, but craigfrommichigan has me thinking. How in the heck did you learn on a 36er!!! I tried starting on a 24 and went to a 20 because it was a lot easier for a beginner…

So, should I just jump right to a 36er? There is a Nimbus for sale on the Trading Post for a great price. It is in Australia and I don’t know if the seller would ship it, or how much it would cost. But now I am thinking about it. I am a road rider on my skinny tire bicycle and do lot’s of long distance rides. I think it would be cool to commute to work (7 miles one way with only one real hill that is pretty short), then work up to riding longer distances. I don’t see me doing any crazy tricks or that kind of riding, so I think the 29 or 36 is the right size wheel, though a 26 with short cranks still looks like a possible good choice - but I am certainly leaning toward the 29. Just kind of afraid of the 36 this soon. Can I figure it out, and can I handle it??

BTW, I really got control of the left-leaning thing on this evening’s ride, and even did better on the not-so-smooth surfaces. The tips y’all gave are going to be a HUGE help and I will refer back to this thread several times for review I am sure.

Now, off to my other thread “Learning Journal” where I have been logging my progress since my first day of trying out this crazy and intriguing UNI-world.

Thanks again everyone! I will check in again and ultimately let you know how I am progressing, and what I decide to purchase.

A 36 gives you a lot more time to make corrections. That = fewer UPD’s. The biggest hurdle you will have with a 36 is mounting- not riding. Also, there is nothing like the feeling of flying you get [only] on a 36.

I saw that 29er you are referring to. It was intriguing to me because it is equipped with the T-7 handlebars, like I did with mine. I find the T-7 much more efficient than grabbing the seat handle, when needed.

[NotSoYoungOne]

@craigfrommichigan

A 36 gives you a lot more time to make corrections. That = fewer UPD’s. The biggest hurdle you will have with a 36 is mounting- not riding. Also, there is nothing like the feeling of flying you get [only] on a 36.

Thanks for the tips CFM. I have only had three successful free mounts so far on my 24", but I am starting to figure it out. I reviewed Uni Geezer’s excellent tutorial on mounting on You Tube which he does on a 36". I saw another one a few days ago that I can’t seem to find now, but it shows how you put almost no weight on the back pedal but just lean forward and kind of do a little 'jump" up with the other foot to the front pedal - just as described in the link in an earlier reply on this post. Anyway, I think I will get the hang of it here over the next several practice sessions.

I do quite a bit of long distance road riding on two wheels, and I really look forward to progressing to where I can do the same on a uni, so a 36er is definitely where I am headed. So maybe I should just make the leap now as you suggest . But I also would like to try to get better balance and technical skills before jumping up to the 36er. I found a used 26 Muni that I will probably start with for a while, then next spring when the weather starts getting nice here in Utah I make make the jump to light speed :D.

I used to fly in the military (Army-helicopter) so I love your comparison to “flying” a 36er! Learning to fly a helicopter and learning to ride a uni have had some interesting parallels. Lots of Roll-Pitch-Yaw to learn with both!

Since I don’t think I can afford a KH my choices are between the two Coker’s and the Nimbus Nightrider. I am leaning toward the Nimbus (LOVE the cool frame design), but there are a lot of people very happy on the Coker - both of them. Though the V2 is a pound heavier than the Nimbus (2 pounds heavier than the Big One) it is also a really cool (squid) frame design, and I think the PI bar looks like a good design (though the T7 also looks like a good design so it is hard to tell which I would like better). Buying direct from Coker looks like the cheapest way to go with either of them. The Big One aluminum looks nice too with a simple design and lighter weight than the other two. So it is hard to decide which of these three to go with, and which handle design to choose. I am interested in your thoughts.

@craigfrommichigan

I saw that 29er you are referring to. It was intriguing to me because it is equipped with the T-7 handlebars, like I did with mine. I find the T-7 much more efficient than grabbing the seat handle, when needed.

I am not sure which one you saw, but I don’t remember looking at one that had the T7 handle on it. Where did you see it?

Thanks! NSYO

[Hazmat]

@NotSoYoungOne

I am not sure which one you saw, but I don’t remember looking at one that had the T7 handle on it. Where did you see it?

Thanks! NSYO

I think you can order them with 1 if you want. I am not sure if that is the case anymore though. Cause when i ordered mine on UDC Australia, i actually called them and asked if it could come with a T7 handlebar and they said it wouldn’t be a problem.

[ezas]

Here is what I did to correct ‘drift’ but you have to be able to ride without needing to wave both hands around. If you can’t ride with one hand on the handle it’s a good skill to learn. Learn it with both hands, and then both hands on the handle. It will really tighten up your riding.

If you drift left, put your right arm behind your back. This will bias your body to the right and your body will correct everything without effort. Also if you are better at turning one way or the other, make sure your practice the direction you are weak in.

Also try exxagerating the tilt of the uni to both sides. Really try to cock the uni underneath you. This might reveal that you are putting more weight on one side of the seat or the other.