What have you taken form unicycling?

Off-topic
1

I got into an argument the other day, and the topic was failure. A tough, mysterious subject for most, but alas I am a unicyclist. Through my few years and many hours of riding I did learn an extremely important lesson; failure is simply the physical manifestation of a lack of confidence. Of all time times I failed the worst and actually injured myself pretty well, couple trips to the hospital, it was all because I wasn’t confident in my actions. I held back just enough to make everything go wrong.

I was just tossing the subject around my mind since I’m selling all of my unicycle gear (shameless promotion here), and began to think all that it has meant to me over the years.

I can’t say I’m leaving the sport, I don’t think I’ll every be able to, but I’m definitely taking what looks to be a rather long break.

The wheel has been good to me these past 4 years or so. So, what has unicycling shown you? It’s definately carried over into most parts of my life in one way or another at this point.

2

that is soo tru on so many levels

3

Unicycling, and in particular this forum, has taught me when to post in Just Conversation and when to post in RSU.

Who is that little pixie in your avatar? It looks like me when I was younger. No, not the Teddy bear.

4

Over confidence hurts more.

5

I’ve taken from it that hard work and dedication does pay off, I can achieve stuff - something that unfortunately most of my life has been teaching me the opposite of. Growing up I quickly learned not to try because when I did it wasn’t rewarded. That damage is only just being undone.

Lol, sorry, way too deep and meaningful post :stuck_out_tongue:

6

Among a great many other things, I’ve learned that failure often lies along the road to success. Nobody learns to ride a unicycle without falling off a few (zillion) times. For those unwilling to fail, the unicycle remains “impossible.”

7

Bob, I hope you won’t give up riding for good. It’s such a unique and awesome sport in so many ways, and a lot of us have had our share of injuries too; some worse than others, but that kinda goes with the territory. The main thing is not to give up. As they say, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger! :slight_smile:

For some, unicycling will be just a passing phase, even though it might be enjoyed to the hilt, and some riders may even develop incredible skills and then, after a time, leave it. Either for good or for many years, filling his/her time with other endeavors.

Then there are those who feel such a connection to the sport, be it MUni, trials, street, etc., that it has become an integral part of their everyday lives, and without it, there would be a definite void. Many of us fall into this category.

Unicycling–MUni in particular–has had a most profound impact on my life, and has opened so many doors that could not have been imagined. Meeting so may great people, seeing them so inspired them to learn unicycling, and all the fun and cool places it has taken me.

The love for the sport is more than ever, and am always thinking of the new challenges that lie ahead. I’ve lived a lot in 54 years, and seen and experienced many things, but these past 5 years have been the most amazing, exciting and solefully fulfilling times of my entire life!

If I could go back in time to being your age again, I would correct the error I made in quitting! I let 40 years go by with no riding! That’s a helluva lot of lost time to make up for! So just don’t make the same mistake. If you want to take a break, that’s perfectly understandable, but don’t write it off for good. :slight_smile:

8

I’ve learned that there are a lot of incredibly awesome things in the world (Unicycling in this case), that most people just write off as being weird. Be open minded folks, everyone’s a freak in one way or another :wink:

9

couldn’t have said it better. I’m going to quote this in my sig:p

Have fun on your break. Be back later.

10

Wow. Thats deep, dude. But completely true.

11

i’m pretty sure that is a quote from Bruce Lee. i just saw a documentary on him a day or two ago.

12

I’ve only been unicycling for a couple of months but it has definitely taught me a lot about my thinking patterns already! I totally agree that lack of confidence can set you up for failure, on the other hand don’t you think a person needs to be honest about their skill level and aware of possible dangers?

I do find however when I am in a bad mindset about riding it filters through to the rest of the session, whereas if I try to learn from it and not take it “personally” things improve. For example on my daily commute there are several curbs to tackle. Some days I fail the 1st one - get all nervous and worked up about the ones coming up and by the time I reach an open stretch of pavement I’m a mess. Whereas if I fail and try to improve on the others by the time I reach the open stretch of pavement I am enjoying myself ready for some fun and games (riding backwards and seeing if I can slalom round some obstacles)

I’ve done a lot of different sports - horse riding, hockey, cycling and athletics but so far unicycling has been the most challenging mentally.It is improving my thinking from having a negative nervous outlook to a more positive and open one.

13

good for you

14

Assuming that you mean vicarious embarrassment, not physical pain:

We should distinguish here between your inner confidence and the self-confidence that you express to those around you. Understating the latter is a pleasant form of lying, IMO.

15

unicycling has given me practise at ignoring bad repetitive jokes without stabbing people in the face with broken beel bottles. I’m getting pretty good

16

you can see more on a 36

I am a very visual person. If I walk around my neighborhood, I see stuff a 5’ 8 " guy would see. Riding along the sidewalk on my 36, I can see what is over on the other side of these 6’ walls. I like that, it helps fill in my mental picture of my neighborhood.

I am not trying to spy on people, and I almost never see anything hot , and if I do, I just keep riding. What is awesome about 36 riding is it lets you fill in your mental map of the area. The code fence here is 6’ and I can easily see over that riding by on my 36. The best view of any ride ever .

17

Funny you said that… Just today, when I stopped riding to drink a soda, a walker who I often see along the walkway mentioned that they had never seen me on my feet. I thought about what they said, it occurred to me that they probably didn’t realize that I was rather short at 5" 7". Further, I then realized that one of the reason’s I’m enjoying this 36" wheel so much is that it gives me good height.