unicycling on tight rope

[Peter Bier]

I'm curious as to how hard tight rope unicycling would be. Is it comparable to
walking a tight rope or is it easier (or perhaps harder)? I guess a pole would
be a big help either way.

Anyone out there tried it?

Peter Bier

[Foss, JohnX]

It's a lot harder than walking (speaking from very limited). You don't have two
different feet to work with, and the non-standing foot can be very helpful for
balancing if it's not stuck on a pedal. Also you can flex your body to the sides
more easily when you're not on a unicycle.

It's very rare to see unicycles ridden on tightropes (or wires, tight or slack)
without a balance pole.

For comparison, it's very, very easy to ride a (specially adapted) bicycle on
the wire. They usually have the front wheel welded straight, so steering is
about as difficult as in a train. On a unicycle, even with the hollow rim you
can very easily go crooked and ride right off the wire.

Practice (a lot) on a low wire first, or kiss your cranks goodbye!

jf

______________________________ Reply Separator
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Subject: unicycling on tight rope Author: "Peter Bier"
[SMTP:pjb10@lab1.cs.waikato.ac.nz] at MSXGATE Date: 6/11/98 5:42 PM

I'm curious as to how hard tight rope unicycling would be. Is it comparable to
walking a tight rope or is it easier (or perhaps harder)? I guess a pole would
be a big help either way.

Anyone out there tried it?

Peter Bier

[AlDoug38]

yeah, only got to try it a few times so far, but I found it to be much harder
than I expected. I thought it might be easier than walking... I guess the big
problem is that (when I'm on the ground) I'm used to correcting side-to-side
balance with my wheel, not just the arms. I've been very comfortable up on the
wire on my feet for a few months now, but the uni is a completely new
experience. I guess it's like anything - needs a little practice. Good luck!

-Alex

[bonzor]

hey guys,
what kind of equipment do you use? i tried on slackline, it s not great. i now bought a static rope hoping it will be better.
do you adjust the wheel on the unicycle? i only took the tyre off so far.
thanks and good luck!

[mbalmer]

Oh, that's disappointing. I thought a slackline might be a little easier since you can get one that's 2" wide. I want to learn to play on one myself (on my feet). I'm hoping to try it with the unicycle.

[emile]

Just so you know, this thread is from 1998... That being said, one of the guy that posted, John Foss, is still on the forums :)