rec.sport.unicycling · Public discussion

tense shoulders

Started by cathwood · · Last activity · 15 posts · 324 views

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rec.sport.unicycling
Published
4 May 2005
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8 May 2005
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cathwood
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  1. Hi,
    I'm trying to build up the distance that I unicycle for. I think I've
    got the thing about sitting down in the seat. My problem is that I tense
    my shoulders, especially the right one (which sorts of points in the
    direction that I want to go). My shoulders get quite sore, ofcourse.
    Any advice on helping me to relax my shoulders.
    Cathy
    PS I know the advice that goes - practice, practice, practice - I'm
    looking for short cuts here!!?

    --
    cathwood - lunicyclist

    A thought is just a thought.

    http://www.chuckingandtwirling.co.uk
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  2. The best short cut would be to work the muscles that are getting sore.
    That will make them stronger and less likely to be sore after your in
    shape. Cross training is invaluable in many sports.
    Good luck!
    Jeff

    --
    unidad - level 3 and climbing!

    Momma says this is a waste of time.
    So who wants to go uni?
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  3. First, stretch before and after you ride - especially windmill and
    helicopter stretches for your shoulders.

    Second, when you are riding on smoother surfaces, spend some time riding
    with your arms up; I lock my fingers behind my head. You can even do
    the periodic windmill stretch. (I also practice riding with my hands
    together behind my back.)

    Third, stretch your neck before and after you ride.

    IMHO: it's all about stretching.

    --
    munipsycho - CrashTestDummies are us.

    =====================
    'Victory belongs now to this small tree.'
    (http://munipsycho.com/stories/a_little_tree.jsp)

    'The UniSkills Assessment' (http://www.munipsycho.com/uniskills_2.jsp)

    I can fly too. But I can only fly down.
    -Little Bear

    Imagine all the people
    Riding on one wheel.
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  4. Try shaking out your arms as you ride; that seems to help me.

    --
    U-Turn - As long as my feet keep movin'...

    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)
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    -- Dave Stockton
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  5. cathwood said:

    my shoulders, especially the right one (which sorts of points in the
    direction that I want to go).

    Does that mean that the right shoulder sort of points forward if you
    ride just straight? That's bad, you should be symmetrical and relaxed.
    Rather than stretching etc, I suggest you work on relaxing while
    riding. That should prevent the problem rather than curing it
    afterwards. I don't know how though, maybe just a conscious effort
    would help?

    If you feel you would veer off a straight course when relaxing and not
    having one shoulder forward, that can have a variety of causes
    including:
    * seat not aligned
    * something else crooked on your uni
    * a tyre with one or several center ridges in the thread
    * road crown (side slope)
    * wind
    * uneven leg length
    * funny riding surface

    Preventive remedies:
    ** For the first two the remedy is obvious.
    * For the third, try more pressure. But usually a better tyre is the
    answer. Centre ridges are fine for low rolling resistance (I think)
    but bad for unicycles.
    * Number 4: it can help to relocate laterally on the
    road/path/whatever. Crown is usually not constant across the whole
    width of the riding surface. Mind your safety though.
    * Number 5: pick another day, or ride into another direction; side
    wind obviously is worse than head wind or tail wind.
    * Number 6: you probably have to live with; surgery in extreme cases.
    * Last one: don't ride on carpet.

    Klaas Bil - Newsgroup Addict
    --
    "When it comes to the family jewels, you won't be having fun until they're having fun. - Jake D"

  6. HI,
    I've just checked out my Uni, doesn't seem to be anything crooked
    (although sometimes it does feel like it),
    my tyres are hookworm & newish, they look OK to me,
    the wind yesterday was fairly light and I was riding along quite a
    flat/smooth surface.
    So either my legs are different lenghts and I've never noticed or I've
    got into a bad habit. I was riding along yesterday saying "relax your
    shoulders, relax your shoulders" to myself.
    I seems to be something that happens more on my 24" than my 20" so I'm
    wondering if it's something to do with the fear of falling off.
    So my new plan of action - stretch before I begin (although I do
    conscioulsy relax before I get on the uni - I find it easier to feemount
    when I do), consciously relax while I'm riding and see how it goes.
    Any other ideas would be appreciated.
    Thanks a lot 🙂
    Cathy

    --
    cathwood - lunicyclist

    A thought is just a thought.

    http://www.chuckingandtwirling.co.uk
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  7. Hi,
    you will naturally have a side which is predominant. I find that I can
    ride symetrical in good conditions.

    Under stress the predominant side will come to fore. The first time that
    you do a particular ride ie Muni ride, you are under stress. Do the same
    ride a few times and the stress should decrease.

    Then try relaxing your upper body (and all body), try to be
    symetrical.

    Also do some gym work like delt raises both lateral and fore. A light
    dumbell and say 10 to 15 reps and work up to 3 sets. Stand on a wobble
    board at the same time!

    Jeez this sound complicated

    --
    billblogs

    Muniuni
    Think big, start small
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  8. I'd recommend that you practice turning a lot (ride in figure-8s). Ride
    more. Remember to relax (or pull your elbows down, stretching the
    shoulders).

    --
    ChangingLINKS.com - member

    Wishing you Happiness, Joy and Laughter,
    Drew Brown
    'Changing LINKS' (http://www.ChangingLINKS.com)
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  9. ChangingLINKS.com said:

    *(ride in figure-8s). Ride more.*


    amen to both of those
    also spend some time focussing on your pedalling motion
    if u step down too hard on the pedals as they start their downward
    motion, u run the risk of causing the uni to turn (slightly) in that
    direction
    the shoulder turn is then a natural reaction in an attempt to correct
    the (pedal-caused) problem

    make sure that u roll the pedals over easily and gently without too much
    of a 'stomp-down' as the go down the front

    u may want to make sure that u don't practise a bad habit
    when u're riding and u start to twist, stop, get off, remount and ride
    off

    just some thoughts

    --
    GILD - Waffle-[censored] and Time-bider

    if you can't say anything good about someone, sit right here by me.--
    'alice' (http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html?) 'roosevelt'
    (http://tinyurl.com/963jr) longworth
    I feel like a fugitive from the law of averages.-- William H.
    Mauldin
    ...using nietzsche's metaphysics to escape from
    christianity...-'metro_tramp on the value of metaphysics'
    (http://tinyurl.com/4sjw6)-
    it's hard to be sure, and good to be paranoid...john childs on life on
    the internet
    'NAMASTE!' (http://tinyurl.com/4qcxw)
    'Dave' (http://tinyurl.com/ywxgb)
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  10. Thanks for all that great advice.
    Went out tonight and rode figure 8's until they were really smooth.
    Then focused on relax the shoulders, when they were really relaxed and I
    sat square - UPD. Do focused on the pedals. Thought I could detect more
    pressure on the right pedal. Worked on this. Got smoother.
    Eventually I think I really got it - riding felt much smoother. No
    shoulder ache tonight.
    Hurrah.
    Thanks again everybody.
    Cathy

    --
    cathwood - lunicyclist

    A thought is just a thought.

    http://www.chuckingandtwirling.co.uk
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  11. Not many. Very rural area.
    However there is one other in North Wales who I can ride with. We're
    arranging a unimeet in a town called Rhyl to see if we can meet up with
    anyone else from around here.
    So I'm working on it.
    Cathy

    --
    cathwood - lunicyclist

    A thought is just a thought.

    http://www.chuckingandtwirling.co.uk
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  12. kewl site
    don't u think unicycling deserves it's own section by now?
    it looks frightfully lost in there with the 'Other Fun Stuff'

    my gf's gran was from that Ponty place that causes me to spit out my
    toffee when i try 'n say it
    the gf can sing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau and actually say
    'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwll-llantysiliogogogoch '
    (http://www.britainusa.com/faq/showfaq.asp?SID=556)
    (without spitting out any toffees)

    Plaid Cymru

    --
    GILD - Waffle-[censored] and Time-bider

    if you can't say anything good about someone, sit right here by me.--
    'alice' (http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/custom.html?) 'roosevelt'
    (http://tinyurl.com/963jr) longworth
    I feel like a fugitive from the law of averages.-- William H.
    Mauldin
    ...using nietzsche's metaphysics to escape from
    christianity...-'metro_tramp on the value of metaphysics'
    (http://tinyurl.com/4sjw6)-
    it's hard to be sure, and good to be paranoid...john childs on life on
    the internet
    'NAMASTE!' (http://tinyurl.com/4qcxw)
    'Dave' (http://tinyurl.com/ywxgb)
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  13. Small world (creepy co-incidence). I grew up in
    Llanfairpwll.......!!!!
    Anyway, unicycle section is definately under construction and hopefully
    will be done in the next couple of weeks once I've finished some stuff
    for college.
    Glad you liked the site.
    Cathy

    --
    cathwood - lunicyclist

    A thought is just a thought.

    http://www.chuckingandtwirling.co.uk
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  14. cathwood said:

    Small world (creepy co-incidence). I grew up in
    Llanfairpwll.......!!!!

    Hey you're cheating :-). The place has a longer name than that.

    Klaas Bil - Newsgroup Addict
    --
    "When it comes to the family jewels, you won't be having fun until they're having fun. - Jake D"

  15. LOL
    That may be, but we don't actually USE it. It's just for the tourists.
    cathy

    --
    cathwood - lunicyclist

    A thought is just a thought.

    http://www.chuckingandtwirling.co.uk
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