For my little girl’s 8th birthday, I ordered a 20 inch uni from Tom Miller at
the Uni factory. (Yes, that man can talk!) She is elated, as I am, at the
prospect of her learning to ride. Without rehashing what’s already been said 100
times in this news group, what’s the best method for teaching her? I have done
the “walk beside her and hold one hand” thing, as well as “the hold both hands
and walk in front” thing (much to my shins’ dismay). I like the idea of a
shopping cart used for balance, but alas, I don’t have an extra one hanging
around anywhere. Thanks in advance. Hugh in SC BTW, Bernie, my email was
down for about 2 weeks, and I’m not sure if I’m still getting newsgroup
mailing… How can I check? Thanks!
RE: Teaching 8 year old to uni
> group, what’s the best method for teaching her? I have done the "walk beside
> her and hold one hand" thing, as well as "the hold both hands and walk in
> front" thing (much to my shins’ dismay).
Don’t walk in front (or behind) because … oh, you already know.
Support from the side, holding just by her hand if she can manage it, is
best. Use a wall or another spotter on the other side if she’s still rotating
to the side. When alone, she can practice with a wall or a fence (or someone
else’s car).
The emphasis should be on her balancing the unicycle, not you balancing her.
Different people learn at different rates, and for an 8 year old the emphasis
should be on fun.
> I like the idea of a shopping cart used for balance, but alas, I don’t have an
> extra one hanging around anywhere. Thanks in advance.
I know people who do… But holding something in front of you while
learning usually leads to riders who can’t seem to sit up straight after
they learn to ride.
Good luck,
jf
Re: Teaching 8 year old to uni
I have found that one terrific way to learn is to use a tennis court fence. Just
hang onto the fence and ride around and around the inside. After a little while,
you’re able to just hit the fence for balance every few feet.
Another one of my favorite ways to teach others is to have the inexperienced
unicyclist ride between two experienced riders. Everyone can hang onto
shoulders. That way, the person in the middle can get a feel for the uni, go at
the same speed as the others, and have support. Eventually, the middle rider can
let go and try to ride alone.
See ya! Tammy
Our web page has other methods of learning also:
http://members.tripod.com/~MarshT/index.html
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Re: Teaching 8 year old to uni
Hugh,
I remembered something else we used to do as well when I saw the other replies;
this was riding along holding hands. Joe would mount holding a fence and I’d
come along side take his hand and off we’d go. We could ride quite long
distances like this along the seafront and gave him confidence…just a thought
! We even got stopped and asked for a photo by someone out walking !
Tim
>-----Original Message----- From: Tim Murray
>[mailto:tim.murray.dot.ah@gtnet.gov.uk] Sent: Monday, November 23, 1998 11:17
>AM To: ‘Hugh Allison’ Subject: RE: Teaching 8 year old to uni
>
>
>Hugh what’s the best method for teaching her? [Tim Murray] I taught my 8 year
>old son by walkng along side up and down the garden…many hours of it when
>he asked to do it. One day he just got on and went ! He now free mounts with
>ease and has had his first game of uni hockey ! Still only 8.
>
>Good luck…Joe is really pleased with himself, it’s great to see.
>
>Tim
Re: Teaching 8 year old to uni
In a message dated 11/23/98 6:07:00 AM Pacific Standard Time,
HAllison@CWholesale.com writes:
<< I like the idea of a shopping cart used for balance, but alas, I don’t have
an extra one hanging around anywhere. Thanks in advance. >>
I have a friend who used a lawnmower…
-Mike UniChef@aol.com http://members.aol.com/UniChef/unichef.html
RE: Teaching 8 year old to uni
> I have a friend who used a lawnmower…
I’m glad I wasn’t that young when I learned. I have a feeling my Dad would have
tried that method on me. . . . And then told me the best way to learn was to go
back & forth across the front yard, then the back yard . . .
jf
RE: Teaching 8 year old to uni
I have a self propelled model… I wonder how that would work? Hugh
-----Original Message----- From: Foss, JohnX [mailto:johnx.foss@intel.com] Sent:
Wednesday, November 25, 1998 11:15 AM To: ‘UniChef@aol.com’;
HAllison@CWholesale.com; unicycling@winternet.com Subject: RE: Teaching 8 year
old to uni
> I have a friend who used a lawnmower…
I’m glad I wasn’t that young when I learned. I have a feeling my Dad would have
tried that method on me. . . . And then told me the best way to learn was to go
back & forth across the front yard, then the back yard . . .
jf
Re: Teaching 8 year old to uni
<< I like the idea of a shopping cart used for balance, but alas, I don’t= have
an extra one hanging around anywhere. Thanks in advance. =A0 >>
I have a friend who used a lawnmower…
-Mike
My uncle recommends a wheelbarrow!
Tammy
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
RE: Teaching 8 year old to uni
> My uncle recommends a wheelbarrow!
At least a wheelbarrow only has one wheel . . .
BTW, does your uncle ride? wheelbarrows aren’t the easiest things to push
on two feet!
jf
Re: Teaching 8 year old to uni
That sounds like a very dangerous maneuver with a child
chris
<UniChef@aol.com> wrote in message news:16ea2134.365b5ef0@aol.com… In a
message dated 11/23/98 6:07:00 AM Pacific Standard Time,
HAllison@CWholesale.com writes:
<< I like the idea of a shopping cart used for balance, but alas, I don’t have
an extra one hanging around anywhere. Thanks in advance.
>>
I have a friend who used a lawnmower…
-Mike UniChef@aol.com http://members.aol.com/UniChef/unichef.html