new to unicycling

hi, im new to unicycling. i broke my arm bad doing vertical
rollerskating but now its healing well. i am now in a short cast so i
have to play it safe for awhile. but im eager to try something fun and
new! i will probably later go into street/trails but for now i have a
simple used 16" Torker. im pretty tiny, 5', so it seems ok to learn the
basics before i get something nice.

i have the seat low since i dont want to fall yet but this seems to be
a problem learning? i really have to stand up and pull the seat up it
seems to pedal. so far all i can do is rock on it in the hallway. i
did 2 full turns one time but i was standing up on it and pulling up on
the seat. i also find if i dont lean forward, wheel goes in front of
me? is this sort of like using stilts as far as balancing as i had a
set as a kid. any help starting? i cant really go for it for a month
til i know my arm is healed but i would like to be able to go down the
hallway as even that amuses me now lol.


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cbs
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Welcome to unicycling! You covered alot in your short intro, much of
which is answered he

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64940

Its a long one but there is a whole lot of good information there.
Sounds like you need to raise your seat to help you learn the basics.
Ideally you want your leg to be almost straight at the bottom of the
pedal stroke while you are sitting in the seat. Later, depending on the
style of riding you go into you may want it lower. Even for your height
a 16" is pretty small, but it may well be enough to get you started.
Lots of knowledgeable folks here to help, also loads of info already
posted. Hit that search button hard!

Kurt


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zogola
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As for starting in a hallway, I'd suggest putting a 2X4 or something
behind your tire and putting the pedals at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. You
are correct that when the unicycle shoots out in front of you it
generally means you aren't leaning far enough forward as you pedal. Try
not to rely on the walls as you move forward, and whatever you do, don't
re-injure that arm!

Kurt


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zogola
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hey thanks for the links! i will read up on it. i am just messing
around safely as i had 2 surgeries and now im lucky its healing well.
ill be out of the cast in 2 weeks! just i lost out on lots of fun for
SIX freakin months so i will have some catchin up to do as soon as im
aloud lol.

my bf is coming here. could he hold the back of the seat? im a small
girl so im sure he can keep me up and the small wheel doesnt go fast.
so far even tho i know just balancing is pretty lame to u guys, from
being banged up its already a rush haha.

i live in maryland. anybody around here? prob. not. i pick fun
sports and usu. not whats in tho. cant wait til i can bounce around as
skateboards and roller sk8s dont bounce so this will be so kool.


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I'd probably have your boyfriend in front of you. That way he can keep
you from falling forward onto that arm. You may be surprised at how
many unicyclists are in your area... I'll shut up now, good luck to
you.

Kurt


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zogola
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the link is helpful, esp. the video! im adhd and stubborn so that means
ill learn lol. seems like its a lot like learning to rollersk8 the
ramps. u fall a million times then it just comes. i like the small
wheel since i cant fall far. so i guess i just practice daily til it
comes? and yes raise the seat? and anyone one can say what its most
similar to balance wise so i have a reference? ill stay in the hallway
for the next month til my arm is ok. ill read the whole thread
tomorrow. i want to try it a few more times now.


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cbs
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cbs;1149155 wrote:
my bf is coming here. could he hold the back of the seat?

It's not recommended that anyone holds your unicycle. You have to learn
how it reacts and how to keep it under you, which doesn't work if
someone pulls or pushes. Have him at your side or in front of you, so
that you hold his hand and/or shoulder. Only you should be the active
person, both on the uni and re the support, your bf should just be
stable and move along with you.

Lots of tips for beginners here, including a free 'booklet' how to
learn: http://www.xs4all.nl/~klaasbil/uni_beginners.htm


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Thanks for the help! Since I have about another month for my arm to be
really healed and get mobility back (arm was in cast for 5 month so its
stiff), I will stay in the hallway for now. I'll get the rocking good
and ride using the wall. I'm going to see if the bike shop can raise
the seat some. The bolt is too tight. Love it but my butts already
sore from the seat lol.


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OK, one more question lol. The raised seat helps a TON since now i can
put weight on it w/out pulling it up. So now been trying to pedal it
but a lot of times my feet slip off the pedals or I get stuck in the
crank arm. I am not sure if its because I'm riding in running shoes or
the pedals seem really small and slick. Would a plastic platform pedal
work much better? I dont really think I want/need a heavy one w/ metal
pins now. Whats a good one? I was thinking about the Odyssey or Animal
Hamilton? Are they a lot bigger? Would it help or is it because I'm
lame still on the uni?

I dont want to spend much on upgrades because once I can do all the
basics and have reason to need a better one, I'll probably get a good
one.


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I've been using Odyssey Twisted PCs. They are a bit bigger than what
came on my uni, probably alot bigger than what is on your 16". Great
traction, in fact almost too good as it gives me some trouble if I don't
get my foot in the right position immediately from a freemount. If they
fit your current uni they may be a good choice because you could use
them on a new uni later. Others here have a lot more experience than I
do on pedal options. I'll be interested to see what they have to add.
Oh yeah, I noticed that using a skate shoe or a true tennis shoe helped
me a bit with the overly grippy situation.

Kurt


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