I’ve finally decided to de-lurk after seeing Chris Carey’s beach pictures
(btw: very anti-authoritarian with the no-bikes sign on the pavement in the
picture there).
Anyhow, I want to learn how to ride one of those buggers. I think I would do
well as at 5’5" my center of gravity would probably do me well But, none of the sports/bike stores in the city of Edmonton carry
unis. Ultimately I plan on picking up a Coker if I go to California this
January as I would love to be able to travel long distances on it.
But first I need someone in the Edmonton area who is wise in the ways of
staying-on-the-uni to maybe loan a shoulder for a little bit.
Anybody? Help? Pleassssssse?
–
To reply: Remove what maps spelled backwards is.
> I’ve finally decided to de-lurk after seeing Chris Carey’s beach pictures > (btw: very anti-authoritarian with the no-bikes sign on the pavement in the > picture there). > > Anyhow, I want to learn how to ride one of those buggers. I think I would do > well as at 5’5" my center of gravity would probably do me well > But, none of the sports/bike stores in the city of Edmonton carry > unis. Ultimately I plan on picking up a Coker if I go to California this > January as I would love to be able to travel long distances on it. > > But first I need someone in the Edmonton area who is wise in the ways of > staying-on-the-uni to maybe loan a shoulder for a little bit. > > Anybody? Help? Pleassssssse? > > – > To reply: Remove what maps spelled backwards is.
Etherknot,
I do a great deal of offroad unicycling in Calgary and often some trips to the
mountains.
I have taught three people to ride in less than one hour. The most important
things I think to learn are:
Learn on Pavement (or shooth packed dirt), not grass, it is hard but
nice and smooth so that bumby ground doesn’t destroy all hope of
learning to balance.
Keep your head up somewhat, at least high enough to see the horizon in your
periferal vision. This helps your balance.
Hold your arms out far and only use one hand/arm to maintain your balance,
along a fence, wall or person’s shoulder. This forces you to use your free
arm to help balance. Use your hand that is hanging on to stuff as little
as possible.
Try using about 25% weight on the pedals and 75% ont he seat. You need to
learn to keep a bit of pressure on both peddals until you are confortable
riding forward smoothly.
Don’t have the seat to low, it makes it hard to steer. Your leg should only
have a sligth bend at full extension.
If your looking to buy a Uni. I strongly suggest a Bedford Unicycle from Darren
Bedford in Ontario. He custom builds them, and I regularly ride with two people
who have them and they have withstood a lot of offroad riding and intermediate
stunts. They have a comfortable seat that you can easily make an innertube air
seat and they have a wide frame to fit a big knobby tire into.
I have only seen 24" Bedfords but I have never asked him if he makes a 26"
version. The best part is that it only costs you about $200 Canadian to get it
to your house.
Here’s his contact if you care… Darren’s contact info is: Darren Bedford 71
Jasper Ave. Toronto, Ontario M6N 2N2
(6) 767-4742
Hope this helps you out…If your down in Calgary anytime, send me a email and
we might be able to hook up and ride…
Ultimately I plan on picking up a Coker if I go to California this