Unicyclist secret code.

[Crazy Stares]

Say I am walking down the street and I pass by someone else who is riding a unicycle. What can I do to let them know I am one of their kind?

Or similarly, what should I look for when I am riding so I can tell other unicyclists apart from the civilians?

[MuniSano]

Say, "Where's your other wheel?" If if they nod their head knowingly, you'll know...

[steph]

Haha, that's what I was going to suggest. It really seems to be the code.

[fluxusmaximus]

Ask them to ride a b*ke. If they look awkward turning with handlebars, you know.

[sockmonster]

Well, motorcyclists have a secret wave depending on what kind of bike they ride. Maybe if you're a muni rider, you turn three fingers down like an M, or something.

I'd suggest using the ASL sign for "unicycle", but it's pretty complicated, requires two hands, and basically means "a bike with one wheel"

[MuniOrBust]

Originally Posted by MuniSano

Say, "Where's your other wheel?" If if they nod their head knowingly, you'll know...

Originally Posted by steph

Haha, that's what I was going to suggest. It really seems to be the code.

I can't figure out if you guys are joking or don't understand the situation. If you are riding and a pedestrian says "Where's your other wheel?", why would you think the pedestrian is a unicyclist?

I would say your best bet is to comment on a detail that a non-unicyclist wouldn't know.

Like...
"cool, is that a KH 24?"
"cool, a coker!"
"cool, muni rocks"

Prefacing with "cool" is clearly required.

[johnfoss]

How about a more obscure approach: "Wow, another unicyclist! You are not the only one around here." pointing to yourself.

Avoid using "I can do that." I get that a lot, and 95% of the time it's from people who know they can't. Of those, 75% instantly change their tune if you stop and offer them a try. Of the rest, less than 33% are tall enough to fit on my unicycles, but it was their crude way of asking to give it a try.

[MuniSano]

Originally Posted by MuniOrBust

I can't figure out if you guys are joking or don't understand the situation. If you are riding and a pedestrian says "Where's your other wheel?", why would you think the pedestrian is a unicyclist?

Sorry I guess I miss read the scenario(s). I think "where's your other wheel?" might be good to use between two unicyclists meeting up for the first time? ha ha.

In the scenario of this thread, if you're walking and somebody is unicycling.

You could say, "I've got your other wheel!" or use any number of the common responses that YOU might use to respond to that annoying classic question, "where's your other wheel?"

If you're riding, then leave it up to them to tell you they ride.

[reprah]

Only those who experience shame require secrecy.

[Tak]

Originally Posted by reprah

Only those who experience shame require secrecy.

Privacy is for people who have something to hide?

[Into the blue]

MR has a secret salute.

I have yet to use it, but I know it just in case.

[David_Stone]

1. In NYC, "Where's your other wheel?" is the wrong answer. I get that ALL the FRICKIN' TIME. The people asking this are universally non-riders who are failing to be clever.

Maybe: "I've got your other wheel." Add a knowing nod of the head, and you're in business. Or they'll just think you're the one who stole their other unicycle. In either case, it could start a dialog.

2. Since "Enter the Gladiator" is the name of the music we always hear from jerks who sing the circus music as we pass, maybe the code could be "Rock on, gladiator!"'

I'd favor the 2nd option.

Rock on, gladiators!

[phil]

Whenever I've seen another unicyclist (not that it's been all that often, it must be said) I've imaginatively said "you've lost your other wheel!". Only I say it in an ironic self deprecating way instead of a trying to be funny way. Obviously.

[Mikefule]

Someone came up to me a few weeks ago as I was putting the 36er away and he asked, "Is that a Schlumpf?" Turned out he wasn't a unicyclist, just someone who'd heard of a Schlumpf.

In 22 years of unicycling, I've only once met another unicyclist unexpectedly whilst I was out riding, and he was someone I'd met a few weeks before and sold a unicycle to! As a bicyclist, I have never seen a unicycle being ridden. As a pedestrian, the only unicycles I've seen randomly have been performers.

However, I have sometimes speculated on how I would make myself known to a unicyclist, in the event that I should meet one while I am not riding a unicycle. I think I'd go for, "Excuse me, I'm a keen unicyclist too. Are you local?"

[reprah]

Originally Posted by Tak

Privacy is for people who have something to hide?

I said that? Oh, I see, you said that. I said

Originally Posted by reprah

Only those who experience shame require secrecy.