Sore wrist + seat holder

[Zasek]

Hi,
I'd like to ask few questions.

I'm riding about three weeks and I started practising hopping. The problem is that after practising my wrist (the one I hold my saddle with) hurts. I practised hopping just two times, because at first a wasn't sure that the pain was caused by hopping. But then I used my other hand and found out that that's it.

Where's the problem?



I have one more question. I'm riding on a forrest road where some humps and roots are. Sometimes I fall of the uni because of my mistake, sometimes because of root. I want to ask if it's helpful to hold my saddle holder, because i noticed that most of muni riders do that, so I wondered if it can protect me from some falls.

I'm looking forward to your replies

[Milosboy]

Originally Posted by Zasek

Hi,

I have one more question. I'm riding on a forrest road where some humps and roots are. Sometimes I fall of the uni because of my mistake, sometimes because of root. I want to ask if it's helpful to hold my saddle holder, because i noticed that most of muni riders do that, so I wondered if it can protect me from some falls.

I'm looking forward to your replies

I don't know much about hopping, but I can answer this.
The reason you see MUni riders holding their seat handle or bars is the added stability. In a way, it will help you out... but it's not going to save you from a lapse in focus.
You'll get better at it as time passes as well. What is difficult now will be second nature in due time. Eventually, you'll be able to roll over your trouble spots no problem.

[Nurse Ben]

Where's the problem?

=> "I'm riding about three weeks and I started practising hopping."

Sometimes I fall of the uni because of my mistake, sometimes because of root. I want to ask if it's helpful to hold my saddle holder, because i noticed that most of muni riders do that, so I wondered if it can protect me from some falls.

Yes, holding onto something with one hand can help with control, but only if you don't need both hands for balance.

Holding on may help protect you from falls if you learn how to use the "grab hand" to push yourself away from the uni as you're falling.

I've been riding four years on trails and I still fall because of roots

Ride more, skills build with time, wear protective gear such as wrist guards and knee/leg guards, and of course wear a helmet.

[Zasek]

Nurse Ben:
I donť think that's the problem, you think that when I try it next month the pain after hopping won't miraculously show up?

Milosboy, Nurste Ben:
Thanks, I know that the seat holder doesn't save me from all the falls, but I was curious if it can help somehow.

I know that with more time spent on the unicycle will everything seem easier, othervise I would give up after my first day on the unicycle

[ImFalling]

Give yourself a break from hopping for a few days or a couple of weeks - whatever it takes. Then when you practise that again, start with shorter sessions and only practise every other day. Gradually lengthen sessions as your body adjusts to the new excercise. I had a similar problem with hopping and only noticed soreness after I'd stopped. So force yourself to stop after, e.g. 15 mins because you may not be able to tell that you're hurting yourself while you're doing it.

Holding the seat over roots, bumps, etc. helps for a few reasons. There is a tendency for your feet to come off the pedals when you hit a bump or drop off something, holding the seat helps keep your feet positioned. Another reason is it allows one to transfer more power to the pedals, which is rather useful when you hit a bump and the cranks are not horizontal (the position of maximum power transfer). Furthermore most people unweight the seat going over bumps and absorb the bump into their knees, holding the seat provides more control when you stand off the saddle.

If you can't ride holding the saddle just yet, don't be too concerned. It will take practise, but its definitely worth it. Once I could balance holding the saddle, I found it more comfortable riding, going over bumps, dropping off curbs, climbing, etc. pretty much all riding became easier.

[UVcycle]

Originally Posted by Zasek

Hi,
I'd like to ask few questions.

I'm riding about three weeks and I started practising hopping. The problem is that after practising my wrist (the one I hold my saddle with) hurts. I practised hopping just two times, because at first a wasn't sure that the pain was caused by hopping. But then I used my other hand and found out that that's it.

Maybe you׳re trying to hop mainly by pulling the seat. If this is the case, try to compress your tire (and your Body ) like a spring, and add the seat pull just when you going up...

Have fun,
UVcycle