Riding Backwards

[robbo333]

Any body have any tips for riding backwards? Can I at least get it done in a week or will it take more time?

[skate4flip]

To master backwards it will take longer then a week. It depends on how hard you work at it. I suggest learn to idle first if you cant already.

Heres a good way to learn:
1.Idle a few times, and then pedal backwards a whole revolution and then go back to idling.
2. Idle a few times, pedal backwards 2 revolutions and then continue idling.
3. Idle a few times, pedal backwards 3 revolutions.....

You just keep adding more revolutions on as you get better, and you soon you'll be to ride backwards with out needing to idle at all.

Hope this helps.

[krring]

firstly, if you don't know how to idle, that is definitely your first aim. that said...

i managed it in under a week, but - not meaning to dismiss a well-founded tip or those who go by it - i didn't find the extended idle approach all that helpful. it's definitely good if you can idle with either foot, but otherwise, i say just go forwards, make sure you're well-balanced, then stop and go backwards, or launch yourself backwards from a wall. starting off, it's good to think of each half-pedal backwards as a seperate idle, but without the shift forward of your weight. another thing is that while keeping your gaze forward helps with forward cycling, it's disorientating when going backwards. correct me if i'm wrong, but i'd advise you to look down at the wheel.

when you are able to deal with the backwards pedalling and side-to-side balance, you're next issue is probably that your speed gets carried away, and you want to be able to switch back to forwards riding. at this point, the extended idle is a good way to learn to control your speed and front-back balance.

a warning: i'm not too advanced in my unicycling, but backwards has been the most painful thing to learn so far, simply because falling backwards is synonymous with not landing on your feet. either get wrist/elbow guards, or put up with a bruise at the base of your thumb for a few weeks as i did.

[LikeableRodent]

I'm with krring on the falling backwards thing. So far I injured myself more often simply learning to ride backwards than any other skill. I'd very much recommend wrist gaurds.

From my own experience and watching my friends learn, I've found that it's easiest to learn by mounting holding on to something and then attempting to ride away backwards. Once you start getting good at that then you'll eventually move on to riding forwards to a stop to backwards and freemounting into backwards.

Also, if you practice going backwards you'll get better at idling and vice-versa, so practicing one will greatly help out the other.

[Unitik908]

i dont think it is nesseacry to know how to idle to know how to go backwards.. in fact i think its the opposite me learning how to go backwards is what allowed me the idle..

Chase

[trials2k]

for riding backwards, the way i learnt to do it, was to start riding forwards and once u feel comfortable and well balanced, stop, lean backward a bit and start pedalling backwards!!
thats the way i taught myself, it is a good way to learn i think because, u already have the momentom from riding forwards to help u to ride backwards.
:)

[maxisback]

just pedal backwards and try and find balance.. thats what I did.. yep it hurts.. haha

[w.lu]

i found to get started, it helps to push off a wall just to get your body used to teh motion

[0nly0newheel]

iim tr ying to teach my self and what im doing s just riding forwards and then just stop and start going backwards