Congratulations. 
Yep, me too. Very good advice indeed. Learning to freemount is so frustrating, but after a couple of days of practice it’s second nature to me now.
If nothing else, being able to ride at least gives you something to do in those dark times between failed freemounts!
Thanks for the advice, it really helped today. I got my distance up, still only 20m but is better than 5!
Still tried a few freemounts and rode away from a couple so I was pleased with that too.
I have found that once I get going, I keep speeding up, then fall forwards? Any tips?? I thought maybe it was just because I was aware of my speed so I started to lean further forward. Does that sound about right?
today I barely squeeked out 2 idles while juggling, man thats hard!
Minson,
20 meters is definately better than 5! Honestly, you’re at the stage where the only advice is to practice, practice, practice. Once you have gone 20 meters, you’ve taught yourself the basic concept of riding. You just need to keep at it and continue to break your distance record. Subtle improvements in skill will occur as you rack up “time in the saddle.”
Relevant tips though:
Make sure your seat is adjusted to the proper hight for you. You want each leg to be almost straight when in the lowest position pedaling.
Practice falling off in a controlled fashion, landing on your feet.
Wear a helmet, shin guards, wrist guards etc… whenever it is appropriate. You’ll bash your shins soon enough if you haven’t already.
Have fun! Enjoy each little bit of improvement.
Are you keeping your back straight? When I was at your stage I found that when I set off I had a straight back but as I got going I would slouch in the seat, resulting in exactly what you describe here. Slouching makes the unicycle lean forwards, you speed up to compensate, and it leans forwards a bit too far to the point that you can’t balance the thing anymore and fall off.
Of course everyone’s learning experience is different so I may be completely wrong here. Super G’s tip about getting the seat height correct is definitely worth checking out as that’s another thing that caused me problems early on.
Anyway, sounds like you’re making good progress. I was in that position 6 months ago but now I can sympathise with the noobs again as I’m going through it all again now learning to ride backwards!
I concur:
I can do backwards better! I don’t enjoy clonking myself on the head with my clubs!
That’s why I’m using bean bags
Do you find it easier on you 20 vs 24 or vice versa? Or is it about the same? For me it seems to be about the same.
I found some guys website about juggling and unicycling, I guess it helps to learn to idle while keeping your hands in your pockets or folded together. Back to the basics I guess… More idling, sweet!
I actually haven’t tried juggling on my 24" but I imagine it’d be about the same. I didn’t practice idling but what I’ve been practicing for going backwards is similar to what you mentioned:
I should do the same for regular idling. Now that my balance is improving it’s not as much of a chore. Turning around is pretty hard, too! I should have done a video of that.
Waaalrus,
After trying to idle today with my hands behind my back, your video really impressed me!
It’s really hard, I spent maybe an hour today riding around with hands behind my back, I can do that o.k. for the most part. Idling, another story though, could only get 5 idles with hands behind my back. Its really amazing how much your arms help.
Waaalrus and Anton,
I’ve been thinking about getting clubs for juggling. Now I must! I haven’t tried juggling my hacky sacks yet on my uni but I’m almost ready to work on it. Clubs are visually more interesting to watch therefore I must get some…
clubs are fun to juggle, I remember when I first got mine, when I was trying to learn, it must have been hilarious to watch…
get some, you won’t regret it
Well, I have been practicing for a while! Have you tried turning around? My first practice was just changing direction (forwards to backwards). Once it dries up here I want to try hands behind back idling.
I agree that clubs are fun. I’m trying to work up to juggling five. Not so great indoors but I find them easier to juggle without drops when I’m in motion (jogging or riding my unicycle). They slap into your hand! Passing is fun, too, although I’ve only done it a few times. I’d like to learn to pass while riding the unicycle.
Greetings, all. This is my first post.
Told my wife I wanted a unicycle for Christmas and she just rolled her eyes and said “You’re gonna kill yourself!”
Well she got me a Nimbus 24" cruiser and I’ve been at it for about 4 weeks now and I’m “not dead yet”.
Practice averages about an hour a day. I’ve taken a very cautious and methodical approach and have stayed very close to my “best friend”–an 18 ft. 2 x 6 handrail across the front of the garage.
Practice mostly includes riding back and forth, rollback mounting using either the left or right foot, and practicing about two hundred rocking/idling reps for each foot. Of course, all of this with the help of my “best friend”.
Well last week, I realized that in order to advance, I needed to let go and ride. And I did.
For the last three sessions, I have been riding without support (except for mounting and idling) and have achieved moderate success traversing my 35 ft. enclosed practice area with control of my speed and direction, including some rudimentary turns. Panic and fear has turned into “oh wow!”
Now, I’m looking for a place to practice that will give me on opportunity to increase my distance riding before I take the show out to my neighborhood streets.
My goals are to be at ease on my uni, to go as far as I want with me deciding when to dismount, and to learn to freemount, to idle and to ride backwards.
No chortling or snickering, please. My progress and goals are modest, but it works for me.
Ibedon, Those are good goals. Just go outside and practice on the street. Don’t worry about what the neighbors will think. They will enjoy seeing your progress. I remember some embarrassing moments, but I didn’t care. I just practiced. The streets belong to you too.
An hour a day!
WOW!
I’m hoping for 15 minutes a couple of days a week.
(I get my unicycle tonight!)
I found an old jogging stroller, added some weight to the front of it,
and my son finds it makes a great mobile support.
i started to hop about an inch and a half , its pretty funny cuz every one else is sayin like i hopped 60 cm or stuff like that and i on the other hand can hop like 10
Good advice!
I’ve never been a quick study.
I assembled my unicycle.
Today I gained alot of confidence!
I went down to the local pools (which have some great BIG steps/ drops etc) And after months of wishful practice I finally had the confidence to just jump off a 60cm or so drop and LAND IT! and roll off My confidence has been boosted so Im trying new and previously ‘scary’ things!
eg, mounted on a park table set and jumped off the seat, jumping UP gutters successfully, getting up and down staircases.
Can also ride seat out now!
This is getting long. Anyhooodles- new unicycle and confidence = success!