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Mark Wiggins
1996-01-10, 10:52 AM
Wolfgang Stroessner wrote:
> I'm just starting to learn how to ride an ultimate wheel. Up to now I'm able
> to do about one revolution and I'm perfect in violating my ankels. Do you have
> any advises how to learn without injuries? I think anything is better than the
> method I use at the moment (stand on the ultimate and go for it).

I got my ultimate wheel last Tuesday. I spent some time on Saturday trying to
ride it - reckon we're at a similar stage. It hurts, doesn't it? ;-)

My personal best is about 3 turns of the wheel (well *I* was impressed, anyway).
I managed that a couple of times just to prove it wasn't a fluke. :-)

Avoiding pain: Wear shoes/trainers/boots that protect the ankles. After playing
on Saturday morning, I immediately went out and bought some footballer's shin
guards. Not had a chance to try them yet. Hoping to try them out today if the
weather stays dry.

Starting off: I just go for it. I don't like leaning against walls 'cuz you just
end up being able to ride along a wall. Having people walk alongside doesn't
seem to help because you can't pause to regain your balance like you can when
learning to unicycle. One thing I found useful was to hold on to something while
mounting and to start with the pedals closer to horizontal than vertical -
that'd be a bit difficult if trying to free mount but makes it easier to get the
initial momentum. Once the wheel's going, it's a lot easier.

Tip: A piece of advice from Dave Mariner (DM) is to spray the sides of the wheel
with a silicone aerosol to reduce the friction against your legs. Seems to help.
Be warned though, don't do this in the kitchen
- it'll make the floor slippery and your wife will moan about it for ages. ;-)

You might've guessed that I'm no expert but I hope it helps.

ObWeather: Why is it that everytime you get a new toy that can't be used in the
house, it rains for weeks? :-(

Regards, Mark.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Wiggins, | markw@ftel.co.uk +44 (121) 717 6255 Fujitsu Telecom Europe
Ltd,|----------------------------------------- Solihull Parkway, | o Birmingham
Business Park, | In the land of the pedestrian, /|\ Birmingham, | the
one-wheeled man is king. << ENGLAND. | O

T W Lewis
1996-01-10, 01:24 PM
Being relatively new to the sport, please excuse me for not knowing what an
ultimate wheel is. All this discussion is sending me mad since I don't know
what you're all talking about. Could someone please put me out of my misery.
Thanks Tanat

adrianf@sps.siemens.co.uk
1996-01-10, 01:30 PM
>Mark Wiggins wrote:

>Weather: Why is it that everytime you get a new toy that can't be used in the
>house, it rains for weeks? :-(

Isn't that the truth !

I got a unicycle for Christmas, a Bogglefingers 20", I have only managed to get
outside once in the dry. I'm not worried about the rain, but I can't keep my
feet on the pedals when they are wet, perhaps toe-clips would help :-)

Still I am lucky to have a fairly long lounge and have been learning there
using the backs of two chairs. I can go about 10 feet (3 meters) forwards, sort
of in control.

Did any other beginners get a unicycle for Christmas ? How are you getting on ?

Adrian.

adrianf@sps.siemens.co.uk

Mark Wiggins
1996-01-10, 04:01 PM
T W Lewis wrote:
> Being relatively new to the sport, please excuse me for not knowing what an
> ultimate wheel is. All this discussion is sending me mad since I don't know
> what you're all talking about. Could someone please put me out of my misery.
> Thanks Tanat

You are excused. Just this once. Besides, all unicyclists are mad - it's in the
rules. ;-)

An ultimate wheel is a wheel with pedals and, er, that's it. Some are pretty
much a unicycle without the frame and saddle (still have spokes and cranks) but,
more commonly, the spokes are replaced by a wooden disk screwed directly to the
wheel rim. The pedals are then attached directly to the wooden disk.

Regards, Mark.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Wiggins, | markw@ftel.co.uk +44 (121) 717 6255 Fujitsu Telecom Europe
Ltd,|----------------------------------------- Solihull Parkway, | o Birmingham
Business Park, | In the land of the pedestrian, /|\ Birmingham, | the
one-wheeled man is king. << ENGLAND. | O

overfall@ixl.net
1996-01-11, 02:07 AM
>I got a unicycle for Christmas, a Bogglefingers 20", I have only managed to get
>outside once in the dry. I'm not worried about the rain, but I can't keep my
>feet on the pedals when they are wet, perhaps toe-clips would help :-) Still I
>am lucky to have a fairly long lounge and have been learning there using the
>backs of two chairs. I can go about 10 feet (3 meters) forwards, sort of in
>control. Did any other beginners get a unicycle for Christmas ? How are you
>getting on ? Adrian. adrianf@sps.siemens.co.uk

Sure did! Got a Cycle Designs 20" for xmas, and we have had THREE BLIZZARDS A
WEEK since then!!! And ANOTHER ONE coming this weekend! The snow is higher than
than the unicycle seat.

Same thing happened 2 years ago when I got a telescope---storms lasted til
March, too. So that's it...we're all uni-less until March. ;-)

Serially, though <grin>, I can't wait to actually have space to learn the darn
thing. Too small inside, unfortunately, and too hazard-ridden with fishtanks and
dogs and stuff.

Just wait for spring thaw.....

---Leander