I have a new obsession. I had been planning on learning to ride a unicycle this year. Now I can get started. I just bought this a few hours ago. It’s just an inexpensive unicycle with a 24″ wheel.
I’ve fallen twice already with no injury, and stepped off of it to avoid falling more times than I can count. The farthest I’ve traveled so far would be measured in inches.
It’s going to take time to master this thing.
Like teaching a kid to ride a bike, I suggest practicing on grass. Good luck. Now THAT would be a RCCS ride to remember, Unis only.
I tried it on the grass. I really needed a smoother surface. I fell on my tailbone in the house. It’s still a little sore. I fell in the driveway once, I’m not sore from that.
Once I get to where I can actually ride it, I want to wander up and down the riverwalk on it. That’ll be fun. I really can’t see doing much distance on it. I don’t think I’d be much faster than walking.
I certainly don’t think I’ll practice “Vehicular Unicycling”. 🙂
There’s a guy in Tulsa that I met several years ago. He weighed, I think, around 400 pounds. His doctor wanted to put him on an exercise regimen, but he politely declined. He said he knew how to best lose weight–he would buy a unicycle. He did, and lost about 200 pounds. It was amazing. He says it is because with no freewheel on a uni, he is pedaling all the time. It allows for more controlled increase in his heart rate, and thus allowed him to lose weight. When I knew him, he was riding our annual cross state ride, from Texas to Kansas, on a unicycle. He was an amazing dude.
At the century I did on the eastern shore last fall, there was a guy who finished it on a unicycle story link – http://twosentz.blogspot.com/2008/10/unicyclist-completes-seagull-century.html
I’m impressed. I’ve always wanted to try it, but knew that if I bought one, it’d sit in the back room next to my guitar. Too many ambitions, not enough days. Good luck!
I don’t think I’ll ever be into long-distance unicycling. I just looked at it as learning something new, and probably helping to strengthen core muscles.
I have been riding for 5 years. Last year I rode 2300 miles. Today I just rode 18 miles. I have a 36 inch uni, yes 36 you read it right. It is the BEST sport/excercise ever. Keep trying and never give up. I was the most un-coordinated kid in school, but I just taught my self at age 40 and in a month I was riding miles. Once I got to 6 miles I ordered the 36 although I started on the 24 inch. Good Luck!!!
Bruce,
That’s awesome. I haven’t been practicing on it as much as I should, but I did just have it out in the driveway a few days ago.