I have been trying to learn seat on side for a couple months now. I am getting rather frustrated; I usually learn the basics quite quickly. (For example I learned the basics of one foot riding in one day).
Here is my problem:
I start riding and transition to seat out in back.
I begin to move the seat over to my right side.
All is well as my right foot reaches the top of the pedal.
But on the downstroke, something bad happens. I basically end up running over my right calf.
This knocks me off the unicycle, and that is the end of one attempt at seat on side.
I am using a Torker CX 24", if that makes any difference. Please give me some advice, tips, or at least some encouragement, as I’m feeling kind of down due to my frustration.
It helps to squat down when riding seat on side. Squatting down gives your knees more bend and you can more easily contort your leg so your calf clears the tire.
Squat down so that your legs are never fully extended even at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Practicing riding seat out front or seat out back in a squatted position might be good practice for riding seat on side.
This skill can be done on a 24. It’s easier on a 20. And it’s easier with shorter cranks. It’s a tough skill to do on a muni because of the long cranks and big tire.
Check out the video of seat on side at unicyclist.org. The video shows the skill being done on a 20". You can see the rider is squatting down and has bend in the knee even at the bottom of the pedal stroke. On a 24" with longer cranks than the 20" you’re going to have to squat down even further and contort your right leg even more so your calf clears the tire.
It also helps to raise your seat. This gets the seat out of the way while you learn. Also you might try practicing along a wall. I’m doing this to learn seat on side (in a line). But it might make learning a little faster since you can start in position.