New Cokeur, Chicago's "Bike the Drive" Event!

Several months ago I realized there was no point in delaying the Coker
purchase until I was a better rider. I figured I may as well become a
better rider on the Coker...So I set a goal: research the components,
order, assemble, and learn how to ride it for a month in preparation
for Chicago's "Bike the Drive" event. I did everything except time it
well enough to get that month of preparation.

On Friday my frame showed up from Bedford Unicycles - Black with yellow
frames, and mounts for an eventual brake set-up. That was the last
piece. I asked my wife and kids to go on to Chicago without me, so I
could take a few hours to put the thing together after work. I figured
the odds of actually just being able to hop on and ride were about nil,
but I figured it was worth a couple of hours of work and having a
second car in Chicago to take the chance.

I know it's been said many times, but reading about Cokers does not
prepare one for the first actual meeting, that wheel seems shockingly
enormous at first. I was so intimidated, I just threw it on the car
for my trip to Chicago. I figured if I'd tried it, I'd hurt myself and
miss the holiday trip altogether.

So after staring at the ceiling fan in our host's guest bedroom all
night - all the while thinking about how that wheel in my car was even
bigger than the fan - I took the Coker out in the backyard to try it.
I just couldn't do anything. I couldn't get the wheel rolling through
the grass. Just before I officially gave up hope on my desire to
cruise Lakeshore Drive with 20,000 cyclists, I thought I'd give it a go
on pavement. Well the 10 minutes on the grass had taught me how to
dismount, so I just relaxed, and gave it a launch off the step of the
front porch. Went right down the driveway - and around the block -
officially a Cokeur!

So made it down for a 3 mile cruise alond Chicago's lakeshore late
Saturday evening, and woke up early for the "Bike the Drive" on Sunday.
What a blast! They close Lakeshore Drive for 20K cyclists to ride 15
or 30 miles - from downtown north and back, or south and back, or both.
I went from the harbor we stayed in to the event start and North about
1/2 the route and came back - 8 or 9 miles in all. Everyone loved
seeing a unicyclist out there. The bikes were really supportive. This
is a real family event - it was cool to be recognized by kids,
athletes, the event volunteers, etc.

It took me a long time to get started - it was tough to find a tall
enough guard rail, sign, or light post where I needed it. I tended to
ride about 2 miles between dismounts. I was having a ball, but I felt
like I was fighting for balance the whole time Sunday - Saturday had
actually been smoother. I don't know if the road was slanted or if my
seat was twisted a little bit - I look forward to getting the kinks out
- and learning enough to optimize the seat angle, air pressure, etc. I
loved the uphills, and dreaded the downhills - I guess I'll have to
learn to let the wheel roll without fighting it so much on the down
slopes...

The funniest part of the day was answering all of the "Wow, how long
have you been doing that?" questions. I truthfully said, "Anyone can
do it, I just started yesterday!" The event's film crew interviewed me
- probably internal use, maybe the local cable TV not sure....

Looking forward to many more miles,

Axe


--
Axe
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Great post...and welcome to the Big Wheel Club! It may have felt like
you didn't get very far, but that's a much better success than my first
few rides. The "fighting for balance" element should taper off pretty
quickly and you'll become much smoother in your cadence. That said,
even as you increase your comfort level, you'll always want to pay
respectful attention when riding the Coker. It doesn't take much of a
bump when spacing out at full speed to throw you for a tumble.

Congratulations, and enjoy the many miles ahead.

TB


--
tomblackwood

Tailgate at your own risk...
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Nice going, Axe! I hope to hear of many more adventures.


--
U-Turn

Weep in the dojo... laugh on the battlefield.
'LiveWire Unicycles' (http://www.livewireunicycles.com)
'Strongest Coker Wheel in the World'
(http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/albup39)
'29er Tire Study' (http://u-turn.unicyclist.com/29erTireStudy/)
'New York Unicycle Club' (http://www.newyorkunicycle.com)
-- Dave Stockton
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I've biked the drive on two wheels for the past couple years; I live
right on Lake Shore Drive. I was outta town this year, but I'm glad to
hear somebody went and braved it on a uni!! Well done!!


--
Palmercycle
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Like you, I have given up delaying the coker purchase and I expect my
(lilac and purple UDC 36") to arrive in the next week or so. I'm so
excited. I have bought some extra protection, if only to help me to
feel safer when riding (or at least trying to). Still, from your post,
it didn't seem as frightening as you thought it was going to be.

Cathy


--
cathwood

Say no to unicycle genre discrimination! - MrBoogiejuice

http://www.chuckingandtwirling.co.uk
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This gets me all excited about riding aroud on a Coker. Mine is in
progress as well

Waiting is the hardest part, but it'll make it all the more worth it
when it arrives!


--
flyer
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