Cocked in the Saddle

[DBr1998]

I have been riding now since January, about an hour a week. I now ride to work
and can idle, only on one side. It didn't take me long to learn how to ride,
about a half hour. But, now I seem to twist toward my left while trying to
ride straight.

I though maybe the wheel was not dished or out of alignment, but no that was not
the case. Maybe the crown of the road caused the problem. So I tried riding on
the other side and still I twisted to the left.

The only cause I can think of is that I had a severe accident to my right leg 4
years ago, nearly lost it. Anyway, I have worked hard to gain back the muscle
mass lost during the year of immobility with some success.

I notice that when I ride my left leg gets much more tired than my right. Does
anyone have suggestions on how to prevent this twist and or peddle equally with
both legs.

Anyones help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!

Dwight, Butte, Montana

[Roger Davies]

Dwight wrote:

> I have been riding now since January, about an hour a week. I now ride to work
> and can idle, only on one side. It didn't take me long to learn how to ride,
> about a half hour. But, now I seem to twist toward my left while trying to
> ride straight.
>
> I though maybe the wheel was not dished or out of alignment, but no that was
> not the case. Maybe the crown of the road caused the problem. So I tried
> riding on the other side and still I twisted to the left.
>
> The only cause I can think of is that I had a severe accident to my right leg
> 4 years ago, nearly lost it. Anyway, I have worked hard to gain back the
> muscle mass lost during the year of immobility with some success.
>
> I notice that when I ride my left leg gets much more tired than my right. Does
> anyone have suggestions on how to prevent this twist and or peddle equally
> with both legs.
>
> Anyones help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot offer anything specific except to say that it will get better with time
and experience. Dave Marshell (DM) at the British Unicycling Convention last
year convention did some experiements with a load cell on the pedals. This was
to prove a theory he had that the more experienced the rider was the less
pressure he exerts on the pedal and the more even the pressure is. His theory
was proved to be correct. Since then I have noticing that learners put a lot of
weight on the pedals and if you can instruct them to take the weight of them
(and more onto the seat) then the wobble/twist gets less. I have tried reducing
the weight on the pedals and it does make for smoother riding. Worth a try?
Stuart Carter rides with his saddle off square, that might help. It also might
make you feel better to know that everyone who I know has a leading side.

Roger

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Roger.Davies@Octacon.co.uk
Stockton, North East England

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