Hey so today I was working on riding the 10ft giraffe unicycle at circus training. I’m pretty confident on the 5ft giraffe there and feel ready to move up. I know ideally I would be riding a 7ft or even 6ft and slowly work my way up but unfortunately I do not think I have access to one in working condition. The method for learning we went with was having someone with a crash mat ready to go a few revolutions away from my support, my goal was to ride to them before dropping whilst they threw the crash mat beneath me. For all intensive purposes it worked. I only took about 2 falls to the cement and being young I didn’t sustain any serious injury’s. However it still feels reasonably sketchy and I would like to be able to train this somewhat regularly without being severely injured. I was wondering if anyone knows the method used by people riding the big 13ft 14ft and beyond unicycles? How do they train safely and sustainably? do they just not fall? or is there a technique or facility to make it safer?
Thank you, any ideas to improve my safety when training are appreciated, or even just any tips from the experienced giraffe riders out there.
Welcome to the forum. I do believe there are some giraffe riders here. I once, at a uni event sat on a giraffe. Not very tall, but still a giraffe. I found it to scary to push off from the wall. Big respect riding such tall machines!
cheers, they are good fun once your up there mostly for the reactions. People are amazed by everything you do up there even if its as simple as a few revolutions backwards. I have found the hardest part is getting used to the idea of leaning less but once you understand the difference it is rather easy to ride.
I hope someone who really knows, no bs, will be able to provide info for your safety!
Only idea I have is how I learned normal unicycle when I was 5 years old.
We had a basement with ceiling support poles.
I rigged tight ropes on each side at comfortable
on uni height and width.
And a rear wheel mount aid being 2 x 4 wood block.
Using these 2 taught ropes one in each hand and block for horizontal pedal mount made progress quite fast, the joy of being young and fit helped.
This is very much like having two assistants on each side, how I have done a few true first timers
on both EUC and unicycle, but dont use anyones time.
Maybe you could rig ropes or slack lines at needed height and use ladder to get on?
Of course this set up is for straight line training only therefore limited, but could be confidence builder?
I fell on the side of my head doing 6 foot free
Mounts MANY years ago, was at about 50/50.
Now only use my RVs rear ladder to start and finish.
Biggest issue for me is flat pavement, I am still quite ok on tennis court as is consistant!
Inside on basket ball court at juggle club
was able to idle both feet, reverse as long as wanted though never tight turns.
I think it holds true that tall unis give more time to react and can be ridden comfortably with
time.
My only very basic advise is to remain concentrated yet relaxed, and like
Normal uni look forward yet aware of what your
wheel is facing.
uk
Thanks for the ideas.
sounds like we are at a similar level of riding on 5ft/6ft, I can juggle up there but never learned to free mount.
I will try and think off where I could rig up a line to hold , for now the mat seems to be working and I can ride in a straight line for a while. The current goal is to be able to ride away from the support then turn around (either riding in a circle or idling to rotate) and make it back to the support.
As said when Much younger was about 50/50 freemounts, would never even try now!
I can juggle 3 riding forwards, not idle.
Was able to reverse but now scared, that feeling is why!
Having bad knees, weak many times sprained ankles, needed hip replacement ,my life is sucking more and more!
Waiting MRI for knee that after 5 week injury is just not getting better, my HOT summer is looking like no kite, bike, uni, pretty much bummed!
To all the young, enjoy, those of us who worked and played HARD, often resulting in damage, wish we were you!
uk
yeah I can ride backwards and juggle (clubs) in an idle on the 5ft, I think pirouettes would be awesome up there soon just gotta figure out how to go from a tight spin into a full pirouette on my normal height uni first. wish you the best of luck with your knee. I will say I live life to the limits cause I know one day my body won’t be able to put up with what it used to. I hope you can live vicariously through us young daredevils
Taking drops from the 10ft unicycle to cement just feels like years being taken away from my knees and ankles down the track. part of why I’m so keen to come up with a safer way to ride.
I really hope u find a fun pass time for the summer. its winter down here in Australia right now, I’m looking forward to warmer less wet days ahead
Nasa: “We’re sending a giraffe and a unicyclist to the moon!”
People: “Pretty random, and wouldn’t the giraffe not fit on the spacecraft?”
Unicyclist: “It will fit, and I will give it my seatbelt, and bring a ton of spare parts, and not let it out of my sight, and hold it the entire time.”
People: “Spare parts, like prosthetic limbs? And how will you carry it?”
Unicyclist: “Giraffes don’t have limbs. And it is easy to carry! Only weighs about 20 pounds!”
People: “Of course giraffes have limbs! And they weigh over 200 pounds!”
Unicyclist: “Then prove it! What does the giraffe have to say?”
, for now the mat seems to be working and I can ride in a straight line for a while. The current goal is to be able to ride away from the support then turn around (either riding in a circle or idling to rotate) and make it back to the support.
