Learning Journal

[TriPod1]

Hi All,

This thread is great and I have read a lot of it. Its amazing how aligned my experiences of learning are with so many others. I haven't gotten very far down the track with this Uni thing but as of the last few days can at least fairly consistantly get 50 -100 yards down the driveway without a 'get off'.

Just wondering from the more experienced riders here whether you get to the stage where riding is smooth and comfortable sort of like riding a two wheeler without UPDs for many kilometres? I have had a taste of riding smoothly without too much effort, but does it become second nature? Can you take in the scenery or are you 'riding' the whole time?

Thanks to all who have joined in on this thread as it has helped me to some degree past a bit of block last week.

Andrew.

[scott ttocs]

Originally Posted by TriPod1

Hi All,

Just wondering from the more experienced riders here whether you get to the stage where riding is smooth and comfortable sort of like riding a two wheeler without UPDs for many kilometres? I have had a taste of riding smoothly without too much effort, but does it become second nature? Can you take in the scenery or are you 'riding' the whole time?

Yes.

You get a nice and relaxing ride with more practice. Taking in the scenery takes more time, because you need to be really comfortable. (It took a long time before I could look over my shoulder without a UPD.) I still need to pay a lot of attention to the road, especially when I am pushing the pace. On a good road and with a moderate pace, I can relax and enjoy the ride and the scenery. I have been riding for 3.5 years.

Scott

[jojoxie]

Originally Posted by TriPod1

does it become second nature? Can you take in the scenery or are you 'riding' the whole time?

After a while and a lot of riding your body will remember what to do without thinking. So to some extent you are just watching the ride...looking for road imperfections, traffic etc.
In the last six months or so I've had only one road UPD. I ride on the road two or three times a day when I can and have been riding for about two and a half years.

57UniRider...Less than three weeks of school ...YIPPEEE

Have fun,
Joseph.

[Alucard]

Hi TriPod1 Welcome to the forum.

I've had my uni for nearly 2 years now, and been able to ride for about a year and a half. I have not got to the point yet where I can turn my head or take in my surroundings, but I have had three occasions where I have gone into 'auto pilot'.
When this occured I was cycling on a smooth track in a straight line . Hubby, who was walking behind me at the time later commented that it was the straightest line he'd ever seen me ride! Wish I could do that more often

Lone Reaction Great to hear from you. Don't rush things, you've a lifetime of uni ahead of you. By the way, like the piccies!

Jojoxie I've been trying to freemount my 29''. I have 125's on, not doing very well. I can manage okay on 150's but then my knees knock the frame. Any tips? I have been watching your vid over and over. I just can't seem to get the momentum to go up and over. I have done it a few times with practice, but nowhere near as good as to be able to do on paths etc.

I've got some vids from a few weeks ago. I'll upload them if anyone wants a look.

27Unirider You guys finish early for summer! How many gettups now?

[Alucard]

Hi guys.
Here is a vid of me on my 24''. Sorry about the poor quality, it was shot with a potato This is the most fun I've ever had on my muni. It was downhill so no effort required to move, just used legs for steering This is also the furthest I've gone without falling off and the fastest I've travelled. I had a blast!

muni Sheil Forest - YouTube

Alucard

[jojoxie]

Alucard...Hi, And you were the one who helped me out of my mount block a few weeks ago Yes the first few times doing the rolling mount can be intimidating (as you saw from my fails!). I now have the nearest crank in a position pointing toward the top of my head rather than in line with my eyes... this works for my length of stride....and I do leap trusting to the unigod and looking at my feet as they make contact. This vid helped me... It shows how speed will help. Unigeezers 36er mounting tutorial also helped. If I only do static mounts for a while I quickly get rusty with the rolling mount. Good luck. (nice vid...where can I get me one of them tatties?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OOi-VDKsL8

Have fun,
Joseph.

[Alucard]

Thanks jojoxie I might try swapping which feet go first. I have put something on 'you tube' but it seems to be stuck in the twiglet zone. I'll try again later. I thought I was doing so well, it seems to have knocked my confidence a bit. I'm not out practising at the 'mo' the wind is too strong

[Alucard]

Sorry for all the posts guys.
Here's the vid.
Please give more suggestions. Hey jojoxie Maybe I need more ooommpphh in my stride. I'm itching to try again, only this time it's on a concrete path, if the wind dies down that it is

29'' uni - YouTube

[LoneReaction]

Hi Alucard, it seems that you are not following through with the forward momentum! The last time I rode the 36" I also had this problem. I have a fear of flying over the top.

You could try jogging for a bit then jumping up the uni. If you want to step hard on the pedal to get up, like at the 15th second in the video, you will need more momentum. Maybe try to imaging that your unicycle is riding off without you, and you're trying to jump back on?

[scott ttocs]

Hi Alucard,

I agree with LonReaction that a little more vigor in your jump may be all that is needed to get the mount to work for you.

I notice that as you step up/leap on the pedal, the crank is horizontal or even above horizontal. On a 36" I have to start a bit earlier in the cycle or I will not be able to get over the top. Instead of aiming for a 3 o'clock of 2 o'clock position, I will try to time my leap for a 4 or 5 o'clock position. By the time I roll up to the top of the unicycle, the cranks are close to horizontal and I am ready to go.

Scott

[jojoxie]

Hi Alucard.

Don't be disheartened...You are so nearly there...as you say 'a little more ommpphh'. I generally try to keep the uni at arm's length prior to mounting and before the first foot hits the pedal the other foot has left the ground. When mounts etc. are unsuccessful three or four times in a row I stop, take a deep breath, and look around for a second or two.....then calmly carry on...this usually works for me.

Good luck. As you know, it took me ages to mount the 29er consistently and even now I have occasional problems

Have fun.

Joseph.

[Young at heart]

Did you ride back up the hill? I have gotten a few freemounts on the 29 via the hold the wheel method. I know this mount doesn't seem to be popular, but if it gets me up, I don't care. It's better than having to walk back.

[LoneReaction]

So over the last 2 weeks I have been slowly getting back into bicycling, to get some of my fitness back. My aim is to eventually get back to unicycling. Last night my friend asked me to join him for a casual ride nearby a local park (East Coast park) with a few friends of his. I decided to use my 36" unicycle on a whim, so I won't get bored when cycling at casual bicycling speeds.

It took me a few attempts to freemount, and ride away. It has been a long time since I've last ridden! Fell and rolled over once.. scratched my left elbow a little, so decided to wear my arm guards as well. I ride super protected with a helmet, knee/shin guards, long socks, full-finger gloves, and ankle guards (don't want to sprain my ankle again!). Gives me courage.

The bicyclists were more enthusiastic than I expected, and we managed to cover about 20km. Ride time was around 1.5hours, not counting short breaks in between. It was quite scary in the beginning, because this is my first time riding at night. There were lots of patches of darkness on the cycling path.

20km is the longest distance I've covered in a single ride so far! My butt was hurting like mad near the end, it has been a long time since I've rode a unicycle. My legs are weak and tired right now. But I'm happy

[krjames]

Yes Alucard, I want to know if you rode back up too

I thought your rolling mounts merely looked a bit tentative. Not different from when learning a static mount. You'll nail it soon.

BTW I had one of those dumb mount incidents at the gym last week, don't know what I hopped on only to find myself with feet on the pedals and seat well behind the axle, I wasn't going anywhere fast! Love the rubber flooring at the gym Could I call it a rolling (onto my back) dismount?

Hope you are having a fine weekend.

[jojoxie]

Originally Posted by LoneReaction

I'm happy

Great to hear you are back on your uni....we're all happy for you too

Have fun,
Joseph.