Unicycling in class

Off-topic
1

I’ve been asked by my PE teacher to help them hold a lesson. Tey’ve asked me to give the class 10 minuts of showand general theory in the beginning. Later I will have about 2 minutes per person to help them induvidually. Regarding this, I’m asking if anybody else has some experience wth this or if anybody could answer someof thefollowing questions:

  • What kind of unicycle should I use? I’ve got a trails unicycle, a modified beginner-uni (which is half the way a trails uni) and some normal beginnrunis.
  • What exactly should I tell the people?
  • Should I ask them to hold onto a wall, onto me, or what way of learning should I advice?
  • Should I ask people to wear protection (which I would have to bring to the lesson)?
  • Any other tips?

Thanks for all help!

PS: I’ve warned my teachers that it is highly unrealistic that somebody who can’t ride a unicycle will learn it in a few minutes. They are also aware of the danger of getting rubber-marks on the floor.

2

Yes, nobody will learn in 2 minutes. But it’s okay to give people a try anyway. Make sure this is part of your presentation. The basic concept is that if you think a unicycle is impossible now, wait until you’ve sat on one!

But on the other hand, if “I” (you) can ride one, there’s no reason to think “you” (your students) can’t learn as well.

2 minutes is about enough time for a person to get seated, feel the safety position, and try a couple of half-revolutions. By the time they’ve done that, I’m sure you’ll be over the 2.

For this reason, you can spend more time in your lecture on why unicycling is so interesting. It’s not just about riding around in a gym, or a circus ring. Tell people how you can ride them anywhere, they can turn and stop on a dime, etc.

For first-attempt rides, any unicycle will do. Avoid anything with pins on the pedals. In general, you don’t want to use metal pedals on a gym floor. If you have access to some plastic ones, use those.

Your students should hold onto you and another spotter, or you and a wall.

No protection should be necessary for a 2-minute lesson. You might want to wear some shinguards yourself though.

Rubber marks are not likely to be a problem, except from whatever demo riding you do. The students won’t be going anywhere. Trials tires tend to make much bigger marks than regular tires.

Remember, a 2-minute lesson will only serve to increase the perceived difficulty of riding a unicycle. This is the key point to explain to your class before they try.

This was why, when I worked for the National Circus Project, we only taught unicycling in schools that either owned their own, or where we were doing very long-term programs.

3

Use regular bicycle petals.

You don’t want leg scrapes or gouges from metal/spiked peg petals.

That would ‘turn them off’ on the first incident.
Use a quick release seat post.

Adjusting seat hieght is going to eat seconds also.

Make sure everyone knows ‘at your own risk’.
You don’t want anyone suing you.

Good luck, that’s all I can think of (ATM)

4

Dave,
DO you have any idea how long I was watching your avatar to see one of them make a point, untill i realized the crap repeated.

5

lol :smiley:

6

You should put a sock over the saddle to protect it and the floor.