Newbie Question

[saskatchewanian]

Raise your seat a tad, sit upright, look forward and drink two beer (or one if you are a lightweight.)


The beer is to loosen you up a bit. It is easier if you relax.

[epicfall]

Wow, thanks so much for all the replies!

I practiced some more tonight and tried to really focus on relaxing my legs and putting more weight on the seat. At some points I was able to feel the difference briefly, it did feel more like riding a bike, just pedaling instead of using my legs to hold up all my weight, and I found myself sitting up straighter too. Now at least I have a better idea what I'm aiming for, so hopefully I can start doing that more!

I've already raised the seat as high as it goes - whenever my legs started hurting I would raise it, since at first it was especially hurting my knees and I figured from bike riding that meant the seat was too low. But now I've had it on its maximum height for a couple weeks (this is my friend's unicycle and she's quite a bit shorter than me) and I think it feels pretty good at this height, is there a particular way to tell how high it should be?

Luderart, I'm sorry you're stuck at this plateau too, I hope some of these replies have been helpful to you too! Good luck!

Thank you all so much for the advice and encouragement, I'm having so much fun with this and it's good to know I'm on the right track!

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by epicfall

I've already raised the seat as high as it goes - whenever my legs started hurting I would raise it, since at first it was especially hurting my knees and I figured from bike riding that meant the seat was too low. But now I've had it on its maximum height for a couple weeks (this is my friend's unicycle and she's quite a bit shorter than me) and I think it feels pretty good at this height, is there a particular way to tell how high it should be?

I tell my students that it is best for their leg to be nearly straight when it is at the bottom of a pedal stroke. The optimum height can be different for everyone- bellybutton height seat is a rough guide but legs and cranks and wheels are all different sizes so you are better off measuring between the pedal and the seat.

It feels a lot better when you stop battling your other leg each time you pedal and the balance allows you to put minimal effort into pedaling. Put your feet on straight, relax, sit up straight, arms out, only use gentle pressure on the pedals and keep most of your weight in the seat.

Don't worry there are plenty more plateaus ahead of you which will tempt you to reach even further into what you once thought impossible-

I never thought I'd be able to coast and now I can do it on purpose!

Good luck and keep persisting!