I have been riding for awhile now, and am stuck with a (seemingly) simple thing: Dismounting off the back of the unicycle.
When I learned, I always just jumped off the front of the unicycle and usually let it fall. As I got better, I started hopping off the front and grabbing the seat behind me as I dismounted. I have continued with this technique since then because it is what I know. I would like to be able to dismount properly (by stepping off the back), but I can’t seem to figure out how to do it. I seem to have a problem slowing down enough to step off the back – maybe it is a fear thing? Every time I try, I find myself saying “EEEEEEK!” and jumping off the front instead.
Is there a particular technique? Do you stop with your feet in a particular position? How do you come to a stop and step down without toppling over in the process?
It is easy to freemount one way and then get used to it making another way seem harder. You will want whichever foot is at the front to come off first, probably your favourite foot. The rear-pedal foot will hold the unicycle steady as you lean your weight backwards and plant your foot firmly on the ground followed by the other foot soon after. If you do it the other way and leave the front foot on the pedal it will want to keep moving and send you off the front or catch your leg or something.
Try practising not riding and stepping off- just freemount then step back down and then the speed won’t send you forwards. If you haven’t learned freemounting yet that is something worth spending the time to master, and a graceful dismount should follow soon after.
If you practice idling it should help. Another thing would be to practice going forward, and then a half rev back, and then forward again. You can do this repeatedly, and I think that the dismount will just come along for the ride.
When riding backwards (or idling) you need your center of gravity behind the wheel at some point. (You fall backwards to ride backwards–just like you fall forwards to ride forwards.) Practicing idling will help with a back dismount. I just lean back hard enough with pressure on my dominant foot to stop the unicycle. This move leaves my weight just behind the wheel, and I step off. Practicing stop-start may be the easiest way to figure out the dismount and to get started idling.