Unijoring

[Beirne Konarski]

I am always looking for ways to combine my hobbies, and I was wondering if one
of them made any sense. I ski cross-country and I have two husky-mix dogs.
People will practice a sport called skijoring, where the dogs pull you on the
skis. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I got to thinking about
unicycles. I run my dogs on the unicycle (I haven't done both at once yet but
will soon), but I pedal as I go. I figured it would be really neat though, if I
could glide while the dogs pull me. The only thing is that this seems somewhat
suicidal. So, I'll put this question to the list: If you can glide, would you
ever consider letting a dog pull you?

Thanks, Beirne

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[Beirne Konarski]

From mfrank@wishep.physics.wisc.edu Sun Oct 30 21:22:45 1994 Date: Sun, 30 Oct
1994 21:22:34 CST From: MIKE FRANKOWSKI UNIV OF WISC HEP 608-263-2557
<mfrank@wishep.physics.wisc.edu> To: bkonarsk Message-ID:
<00986BC4.D21220A5.6@wishep.physics.wisc.edu> Subject: RE: Unijoring

About gliding: I would think that gliding behind a pack of dogs would
be great fun. There would however be consequences, like wearing
through the soles of your shoes. On saturday I had to buy new shoes
because I actually wore right on through the sole from excessive
gliding Another thing is that pull gliding is much easier than
gliding. I know several people who can glide holding hands, but as
soon as they let go, they fall. If you were gliding behind dogs, you
wouldn't have any support from the ropes, so it would be necessary to
genuinly know how to glide. It's possible though, I've glided while
holding ropes attached to a bike, it's just a little more difficult.
Karl Frankowski (Madison, WI)

[unifoss@CERF.NET]

About gliding: I would think that gliding behind a pack of dogs
> would be great fun. There would however be consequences, like wearing
> through the soles of your shoes. On saturday I had to buy new shoes
> because I actually wore right on through the sole from excessive
gliding
> Another thing is that pull gliding is much easier than gliding. I
> know several people who can glide holding hands, but as soon as they
> let go, they fall. If you were gliding behind dogs, you wouldn't
> have any support from the ropes, so it would be necessary to
> genuinly know how to glide. It's possible though, I've glided while
> holding ropes attached to a bike, it's just a little more difficult.
> Karl Frankowski (Madison, WI)

How to train for Unijoring (the rider, that is):

Actually, let's mention the dogs first. Ultimately, if they can learn to give a
steady pull, it would make things much easier. Though I'll assume that this can
only be accomplished with limited success, the below still applies.

You must be solid at gliding. It's true that gliding while holding onto
something (or someone) is easier, probably a big reason why the people mentioned
above were falling is because of the TRANSITION from supported, to unsupported
gliding. The transition is the hard part. You would have to deal with the same
thing while being pulled by dogs (or other creatures).

Of course all of this doesn't even touch on the part about how difficult it will
be to do all of this on snow . . . . (see ON ONE WHEEL vol. 18 #1, Winter '92
issue for a photo of similar activity)

Practice gliding over less-than-perfect surfaces. When first learning the skill,
it's extremely important to have a very smooth surface for success. With more
skill and practice, you can go over cracks, bumps, down driveways & into the
street, even down (ouch) curbs! These skills will make you more versatile, and
better equipped to handle Unijoring

My next article will be about "Unisnoring," the art of falling asleep
while riding.

John Foss, President International Unicycling Federation unifoss@cerfnet.com