Are you 45+

[steveyo]

Originally Posted by Panotaker

I am 51 and haven't been on a uni in at least 25 or 30 years...I will probably be getting a muni and a 36 incher also, I just have to build my skills back up. I had no idea that people are doing all sorts of trick riding and mountain biking with unicycles today. Back in my younger days, the only trick was just being able to ride a uni. I have a lot of catching up to do. Wish me luck.

Dude, you're going to have fun. Welcome back and good luck!

[Panotaker]

Well my seat post came in yesterday and I quickly put it on and took it for a quick spin. I am really amazed that I haven't forgotten much about riding. I was going to ride around the block, but something happened that I wasn't expecting. I got saddle sore after only a couple of minutes and had to call it quits after just five minutes. I remember when I bought a regular mountain bike a few years ago that I also got saddle sore. It was so bad that I thought it would never stop, but I kept ridding and after a few weeks the saddle soreness stopped. So I guess I will have to put up with the saddle soreness for a while until I get used to it.

Today I took the Schwinn seat apart and put a 12" innertube in it to give me a more comfortable air ride and that helped a little. I also looked on craiglist again this morning a saw a guy selling a Coker and met up with him and bought that too. So in less than a week, I am a proud owner of two unicycles.

I was intimidated with the Coker at first since it has such a gigantic tire on it. The guy I bought it from said he only used it 3 times and it showed. The bike looks brand new. I asked him to ride it first so I could see how it is done. Then I took a try at it. I started up peddleling too slow and fell off after only 10 feet or so. So on my second attempt, I just peddled faster and took off down the street with no problems. I even made a u-turn and turned around and came back to where I started. I can't wait to free mount the thing. Now I just need to get over this saddle soreness thing so I can put some miles on that Coker.
Ralph

[Bondo]

Good score on the Coker there Panotaker.

I've been checking my local craiglist too for the very same 36"er.

sigh...someday

Austin is where I learned to ride unicycles. We lived up in North Austin off Baker lane, I rode all over that area on my schwinn 20" back in the late seventies. I also busked on the Drag and up on 6th st (Before it became the 6th st. we know today...) My first ever street shows were there on the drag in front of the student union, I'd go spend my earnings at the Conan Pizza, or at the original Schlotskey's....

[mcgary]

I have much the same story...the body is willing, but saddle soreness after less than a mile.

Two words: bike shorts.

Since I got them, I haven't come even close to any chafing.

[Chrashing]

You older riders, Is it old age?

I've been struggling this year with poor riding performance. Otherwise I'm in great health. I'm always anxious to get out and ride my 36, but then sometimes find myself exhausted after 1 mile. I'm really frustrated with my riding performance. Have had a couple nice peaks providing 10 miles in a day rides, so I'm not dead yet. But then those rides are followed by 1 to 2 weeks of dismal rides. Have also had a dismal morning ride, followed by great performance that evening. I've made various excuses; antihistamine, not in proper shape, work stress, or (shutter) maybe I'm aging.

I've quit the antihistamine, and things did not improve. As for getting in shape, I'm only about 8 pounds heaver than last year, and slowly losing that. I get out almost daily to ride, and ride as far as it feels good, but with these peaks and long valleys I'm not working up to last year's performance.

Currently I'm sorta hoping it's work stress, work has sucked much worst than normal for the last year, has me totally frustrated, close to postal, looking for a transfer. But there again, last year I could get out and ride out from under that crap from work.

Since I'm 53, I'm left wondering, maybe there is a reason that there are fewer folks over 50 participating in these high energy activities. I noticed right away three years ago when I started riding again, that I wasn't picking this up as fast I did 35 years ago. But at least 3 years ago I improved. Is this year's low due to aging? I !ing hope not.

[Wheel Rider]

Originally Posted by Chrashing

You older riders, Is it old age?
...
Since I'm 53, I'm left wondering, maybe there is a reason that there are fewer folks over 50 participating in these high energy activities. I noticed right away three years ago when I started riding again, that I wasn't picking this up as fast I did 35 years ago. But at least 3 years ago I improved. Is this year's low due to aging? I !ing hope not.

I always thought the percentage of old farts was rather high in this activity. However, "we" seem to be more interested in MUni and/or distance riding than the younger riders who are into trials riding. Percentage-wise I would say we are holding our own.

Don't count yourself out. The fact that you can ride a unicycle at age 53 is a great accomplishment. I know people our age who cannot walk half a mile. I just finished 6 miles through the woods.

Hang in there. Unicycle riding is very theraputic.

Maybe you just need another new unicycle. It's cheaper than a new car.

[Chrashing]

Originally Posted by Wheel Rider

I always thought the percentage of old farts was rather high in this activity. However, "we" seem to be more interested in MUni and/or distance riding than the younger riders who are into trials riding. Percentage-wise I would say we are holding our own.

Don't count yourself out. The fact that you can ride a unicycle at age 53 is a great accomplishment. I know people our age who cannot walk half a mile. I just finished 6 miles through the woods.

Hang in there. Unicycle riding is very theraputic.

Maybe you just need another new unicycle. It's cheaper than a new car.

Thank you for the encouragement Wheel Rider. Yes, for me it's distance and constant working up to muni. I love this exercise and wouldn't want to watch my diet like I would if I stopped. I hope your right about a new uni, I'm waiting for a KH guni hub now. (Good thing you qualified the new uni being cheaper than a NEW car.)

[Enoch]

46 started riding 3 months ago. Loving it.

[BillyTheMountain]

Originally Posted by Wheel Rider

I always thought the percentage of old farts was rather high in this activity. However, "we" seem to be more interested in MUni and/or distance riding than the younger riders who are into trials riding. Percentage-wise I would say we are holding our own.

Don't count yourself out. The fact that you can ride a unicycle at age 53 is a great accomplishment. I know people our age who cannot walk half a mile. I just finished 6 miles through the woods.

Hang in there. Unicycle riding is very theraputic.

Definitely. But I'm no kid at nearly 53.

After 2 weeks of getting pretty good at sif on my Coker in prep for my UW, I developed severe back pain,which required 2 chiro visits and a therapeutic massage.

[Panotaker]

Hey Ken, how is your diet? You might not have the energy if you are not eating the right foods or getting enough sleep or drinking enough water. 53 is still plenty young to do a lot of things. I just got my Coker a few days ago so I haven't built my stamina yet, but I plan on it. I will let you know if I have the same problem. As far as stress, I quit worrying about stress a long time ago.
Ralph

[unisporty]

Hey,

After a friend from the Maritimes in Canada told me about 'Riding the Lobster' race, I did a google of 'unicycle' and was amazed at all the information, camraderie, and videos out there. It is fantastic. So I dusted off my old 20 inch no name unicycle that I have not rode since I was 13.

My fist attempt got me two feet, then four feet, then the next day 12 feet, and three days later to the end of the driveway, and then finally down the street. I am getting there. I used to ride a mile to school back in elementary school.

This is great fun. This forum, and especially this thread is motivating.

I never learned to free mount, always needed a post or wall to start, but I plan on mastering that this summer. The youtube instructional videos are a help.

[Daytripper63]

Originally Posted by unisporty

Hey,

After a friend from the Maritimes in Canada told me about 'Riding the Lobster' race, I did a google of 'unicycle' and was amazed at all the information, camraderie, and videos out there. It is fantastic. So I dusted off my old 20 inch no name unicycle that I have not rode since I was 13.

My fist attempt got me two feet, then four feet, then the next day 12 feet, and three days later to the end of the driveway, and then finally down the street. I am getting there. I used to ride a mile to school back in elementary school.

This is great fun. This forum, and especially this thread is motivating.

I never learned to free mount, always needed a post or wall to start, but I plan on mastering that this summer. The youtube instructional videos are a help.

Welcome to the fora and here is another link you may find useful
http://www.unicycletips.com/

[Chrashing]

Originally Posted by Panotaker

Hey Ken, how is your diet? You might not have the energy if you are not eating the right foods or getting enough sleep or drinking enough water. 53 is still plenty young to do a lot of things. I just got my Coker a few days ago so I haven't built my stamina yet, but I plan on it. I will let you know if I have the same problem. As far as stress, I quit worrying about stress a long time ago.
Ralph

Hello Ralph,
My diet is not the greatest, but it's not the worst. I certainly don't eat like I'm in training. I do like lots of water.

Glad to hear 53 is plenty young I'm gonna count on that.

Been caught up in things at work, the stress effecting my sleep/nerves. Things are improving beginning July 1st with my manager replaced with an experienced manager who comes highly rated by his staff. Mostly, I do need to follow your lead just not let the shenanigans(stole that word from Steve R. RTL write up) at work get under my skin.

Congratulations on that big wheel, the most fun of the wheels. That will be great. Austin must be a great place to ride.

Thanks for all the comments.

[Chrashing]

Originally Posted by Enoch

46 started riding 3 months ago. Loving it.

Welcome Enoch, At 3 months bet it feels to be a great challenge, and so rewarding. That feeling never ends! Happy rolling!

[skilewis74]

Some things that has helped w/ my energy:

Eat breakfast & stop eating 4 hrs. before bed.

Eating salads more regularly w/ lots of diff vegetables (esp. ones w/ sharp flavors like red onion) and my own dressing - equal parts flax oil, apple cider vinegar, Braggs Amino Acids & some garlic, lemon pepper, dejon mustard, & stevia. (It tastes a bit better w/ olive oil, red wine vinegar, & soy sauce, but I feel better when I've been using the first one.)

Avoiding sweets (my nemesis) and starchy foods.

Plenty of sleep - I try to go to bed/get up at the same time each day & set my alarm late enough so that I usually wake up before it goes off.

I learned an acupressure technique a while ago that I can tell you if you like. It eliminated my insomnia and took a hour off my sleep time. Also I'm in a better mood and get stressed out less easily the next day when I do it.