well… I put in about three days with one hour a day practice since my last post. . . today i rode for twelve minutes nonstop - no upds! I got five freemounts, and even fished my cell phone out of my pocket and had a 2:37 minute conversation while on the unicycle and traveling down the street. time to perfect freemounting , idling, and riding backwards. thanks for all your kind words, encouragement, and advice!!!