My 29-er riding has been going well, after almost a month
of consistent daily riding I'm more confident both on the
road and off.
A nice side effect has been that negative comments, already
quite low, have dropped even lower now I'm on the 29-er. I
guess it's something to do with the height,
skill/confidence and general serious look (high speed,
helmet/padding, lights etc).
However today, I was faced with this: -
riding on the pavement (sidewalk) I saw two young men ahead,
and adjusted direction to pass them as they came towards me.
The one closest was speaking on a mobile and, as I passed I
heard him saying there was a unicyclist who he was GOING TO
KICK! (capitals indicate the fact that he shouted the last
part whilst thrusting his face towards me).
People jumping towards me or pretending to push me I see as
a problem because, although usually a joke it's difficult
not to react because one day it may be carried out.
On passing a flurry of thoughts went through my head but I
think it was mainly instinct that led me to react. This took
the form of immediately dismounting and striding towards him
with the intention of explaining that what he had just done
was dangerous.
However, I must have gone in looking a bit aggressive
because his mouth opened, his hands went up and he
immediately blurted out that he 'wasn't really going to kick
me!'; he looked as though he expected me to punch him.
I stopped and said that it was a pretty stupid thing to do
to someone on a unicycle, and, as he again explained that he
hadn't meant it, cut him off by saying that I understood
that now, but that I had only a split second to decide, at
the time, whether he was joking or whether he was going to
actually do it.
He still looked scared and was stuck on again saying that he
didn't mean what he said so I just held up my hands told him
it was OK and walked off.
Looking back, I thing there are two lessons from the
incident: -
1. Some behaviour is out of order and, if you're up to
it, there's good reason to not just ride by as if it
didn't happen.
2. Be aware that jumping off a high wheel and bearing down
on someone whilst wearing a big helmet and padded up with
wrist guards etc, is open to misinterpretation. Whilst
some may see this as good because people may take more
notice if they are feeling threatened, my feelings are
that it's not a good impression to give because: -
a) it's bad for the image of unicycling (although it does
counter the image of unicyclists as clowns/hippy types)
b) it's going to make the person feel bullied
c) one day you may encounter someone who's well up for a
scrap and end up getting hurt
It's important to realise that when someone does something
like this as a joke, they generally expect you to see it as
a joke as well, and will not be expecting you to get off and
head towards them; equally, it's important for us to do our
best to spread the word that certain types of 'jokey'
behaviour are unwelcome and potentially quite dangerous.
--
onewheeldave - Semi Skilled Unicyclist
"He's also been known to indulge in a spot of flame juggling - but it's
the Muni that really fires him up."
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