Cycling backwards

Wear a knapsac with a sweater or sweat shirt inside!

When you fall you are supposed to take your feet off the pedals.

Learning to ride backwards is harder than learning to ride but is can
be done safely, and it leads to much better MUni riding and to Idling.

Unicorn

--
Unicorn

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the pedals, and you will
accomplish great feats!

'The Unicycling Commune' (http://tinyurl.com/3xkd8d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unicorn's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12801
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I've never fallen on my coxyx when learning to ride backwards, only when
muniiing. And yes a rucksack with some sort of padding in it will
protect your back. If you really think you're going to fall backwards
then maybe think about your elbows aswell, it's not that difficult to
smash an elbow, and very unpleasent.

--
kington99

Dave

- what a thoroughly post-modern subversion of the cycling genre -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
kington99's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/9417
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

If it's REALLY a concern, I would recomend elbow guards, then when you
fall just land on your ankles and you won't feel a thing!

--
Kyle_Destroyer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kyle_Destroyer's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16298
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I'm still trying to learn backwards riding. I've found it's way harder
to run or walk out of a UPD backwards and have fallen a number of
times. I usually land on my a$$ and my elbows so this is another vote
for elbow guards. Mine have really paid off.

--
underdog

'I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody
tell you different' - Kurt Vonnegut
------------------------------------------------------------------------
underdog's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6197
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I hurt a tendon pretty bad, so wrist support can be nice at first.

--
thejdw

I didn't spell it wrong, you just read it wrong!

kington99 said:

A hobnob is an oaty biscuit, the fact that they don't exist in america
just goes to show that you have no culinary heritage 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

don't follow Jesus, follow me!<<

------------------------------------------------------------------------
thejdw's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/13230
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I too have been struggling with learning to ride backwards. I've been
reaching out and using a wall for guidance, but progress is slow. I
can maybe do 20-30 feet using the wall, and only a few feet without the
wall support.

I too am afraid of landing my spine on the uni, but so far I have been
able to hop off onto my feet.

Here is the dreaded spine-pedal contact, but this dude was going
forward.

Looks mighty painful to me.

--
CrazyChrisVT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CrazyChrisVT's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12606
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

CrazyChrisVT said:

I too have been struggling with learning to ride backwards. I've been
reaching out and using a wall for guidance, but progress is slow. I
can maybe do 20-30 feet using the wall, and only a few feet without the
wall support.

I too am afraid of landing my spine on the uni, but so far I have been
able to hop off onto my feet.

Here is the dreaded spine-pedal contact, but this dude was going
forward.

Looks mighty painful to me.

Sh!t dude, that looks painful.

--
mill_mobile
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mill_mobile's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14584
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I have been trying to learn to ride backwards, but i just end up on my
butt.
Can anyone tell me if i should use a wall or something or just keep
trying unaided?

--
TheNewbie
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TheNewbie's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16279
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I ride backwards often, I fall on my back usually once a ride or every
other ride. I had at least 3 backwards falls just today. Back feels
fine. My elbow is a bit sore, no pain no gain, eh.

If you are worried about falling backwards listen to the folks here and
get elbow pads.

Take the fall with your bottom and roll back on the forearm with your
hands in fists. As you hit the ground roll to one side or the other.
This is the proper way to fall backwards. It will enable you to fall
without hitting your back to hard and without spraining your wrists. It
helps to practice the fall a few times(no joke). Stand up fall over
backwards, butt-to-forearm with hands in closed fists, rolling to one
side. After a couple practice falls you will realize the real thing wil
not at all be to bad.

--
agentQ

'*)--SmallSpin-'O,*'
(

)
'*)---TreFlip-'O,'
(

)
'*)--DoubbleFlip-'O,*'
(http://www.vimeo.com/683454)
---
'Uneed Films' (http://www.uneedfilms.com)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
agentQ's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/13021
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

You'll find you fall on your back a lot less then you would think when
learning to ride backwards. I learnt by riding forwards doing a 180
then only doing a few pedal revs backwards, over time this increased
and I could ride backwards. I also noticed a vast improvement once I
was able to idle also, as when you feel unable to go backwards any
further you can just idle or quickly switch back into a forward pedal
again.

I've only fell a few times, and it wasn't too bad really, uncomfortable
for a day or so depending on how you land but no worse than other
injuries so far.

On a side note does anyone else here ride backwards while holding onto
to saddle/handle. I find that I stand up ever so slightly when going
backwards and if I don't hold the saddle it slips between my legs due
to the saddle being quite low.

--
bungalistic

A COMMON MISTAKE THAT PEOPLE MAKE WHEN TRYING TO DESIGN SOMETHING
COMPLETELY FOOLPROOF IS TO UNDERESTIMATE THE INGENUITY OF THE COMPLETE
FOOLS

'My Website' (http://www.bungalistic.co.uk/)

'Fat-Tyre.co.uk' (http://www.fat-tyre.co.uk/)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
bungalistic's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12035
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Before learning to ride backwards, I strongly recommend learning to
idle!

Once your idling is solid, continue to learn what I call super-idling.
When idling, you do something less than 180 degrees with one foot. In
super-idling you do 540 degrees or more.

Super-idling is an ideal way to learn to ride backwards! Superidling is
riding backwards for one or two revolutions, stopping, going forward
and then back again. When learning to ride backwards beginners tend to
go faster and faster until they fall. In Super-idling you always reduce
your speed.

Learn to super-idle first and develop your backward riding skills out
of this intermediate skill.

--
bbraf

Hasta luego,
Franz

'I unicycle, therefore I am.' (http://beavers.einradsport.ch/)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
bbraf's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/404
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

bbraf said:

Before learning to ride backwards, I strongly recommend learning to
idle!

+1

I started working on backwards a few weeks ago. Tried using the wall
method, didn't work too well. I then abandoned the backwards effort
and taught myself to idle. After getting over 100 idles with the left
and 50 with the right foot down, I started concentrating on backwards
again. Sooooo much easier.

I started by going back a few revolutions, then heading forward (super
idle), then gradually got further and further. Yesterday I finally got
over 50 yards.

In my mind, I've drawn a parallel between going forwards, idling, and
going backwards. For me, as soon as you can effectively "turn" in any
one of those three skills, you're not far from having it mastered.
Since turning is the way we keep balance in a left/right manner, I
concentrated on this aspect when practicing backwards riding and it
went much smoother.

On the falling, I only fell backwards a few times in the past month. I
try very hard to keep my speed in control, then if when I do fall, it's
just a step off, not a ground to butt contact.

As with everything, keep at it, it will come.

Good luck!

--
gnonim
------------------------------------------------------------------------
gnonim's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15397
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

The big realization for me in learning to ride backwards was what to do
with my eyes. At first I couldn't help staring straight at the ground,
watching the pavement go by in a blur.

As soon as I learned to focus my eyes on an object on the ground in
front of me, I started getting it.

Like others, I learned by idling, then super idles, then more and more
pedal strokes backwards. I think that's much easier than the rolling
hop-twist.

I use elbow pads (and a helmet). From riding backwards, my UPDs usually
end up on my feet. I sometimes hit my butt and roll backwards onto a
shoulder. Every once in a while I've had an uncontrolled fall where I
smacked an elbow. Rare, but it would be bad without the pads.

--
tmoyer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tmoyer's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16057
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I had a bit of a go today after I'd read this thread. Strangely I was
able to idle for maybe 4-5 pedals and I didn't even know I could do
that! I then did a couple of pedal strokes backwards. I think it really
helped me with confidence, just knowing that I could idle. Maybe idle a
bit and throw in the odd backwards pedal, then continue to idle and
keep pedaling backwards every now and then. I think that's what I'll.
Sort of like trying to learn several things at the same time. Then you
won't get so hung up about one or the other.

--
UnicycleJuggler

*)--Noob-'O*
'U n
i c
y c
l e
*D O T* c
o m *D
O T* U K'
(http://unicycle.uk.com/Shop/)
_Stack_It_Up (\"http://www.vimeo.com/stackitup\"😉_
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UnicycleJuggler's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16722
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Kyle_Destroyer said:

If it's REALLY a concern, I would recomend elbow guards, then when you
fall just land on your ankles and you won't feel a thing!

Hmmmm. Was that deliberate?

In 20 years of riding, I have fallen backwards only 2 or 3 times, and
forwards hundreds of times.

The secrets are to ride backwards under control, and to look at a fixed
point on the ground 10 metres or so in front of you, shifting your gaze
to a new point every few pedal strokes. Always be ready to stop and
idle.

Learn to idle before you learn to ride backwards.

--
Mikefule

In material terms, compare yourself to those behind you.
In spiritual terms, compare yourself to those ahead of you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikefule's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/879
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I took a butt-fall off a giraffe once, but that's the only time I've
ever fallen onto my back in four years of riding. be sure to keep your
weight forward when learning and you should be fine. (elbow pads might
be a good idea though)

--
Tjorning
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tjorning's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16789
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

bbraf said:

When learning to ride backwards beginners tend to go faster and faster
until they fall. In Super-idling you always reduce your speed.

Learn to super-idle first and develop your backward riding skills out
of this intermediate skill, i.e. increase the number of revolutions for
each super-idling cycle.

That really makes sense! I think that I probably could ride backwards
but always seem to give up after a few revs. Maybe I felt out of
control. I want to go back out now to practice. Thanks.

--
Unibugg

johnfoss said:

If riding the unicycle seems impossible at first, that only proves
you're human. 🙂

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unibugg's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14480
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

If you ever get any clothing tangled up in your uni you can certainly
ride the uni all the way down to the ground! Otherwise falling
backwards onto your back or head is prety hard to do but neverthelss
possible. But even if it only happens to one person in a hundred then
that's still a worry due to the life/health threatening aspects of
hitting the back of your head on the path.

Use a helmet until you are OK with it. It may seem daggy to you, but to
most people seeing you in a uni, you are pretty cool.

I'm using my old bike helmet at the moment until I can consistently
nail a freemount on my new giraffe. (Only three successes so far.)

--
Coln_OldnCranky
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coln_OldnCranky's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16882
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Riding backwards is totaly mastered for me, its just the falling
backwards. I took a sorta bad spill off of a 19'' tall box last night.
Luckily i didnt hurt myself badly. I hopped on the back side of it (it
was at night, and the flood light we had didnt cover it) and when i
hopped up i rolled my tire forwards, then fell off the box backwards,
flat onto concrete. My elbow was pretty bloody from it, if only i had a
picture of it after i got home... oh wait! i do! lol

[image:
http://a544.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/36/l_d75600f9d50311c327315d5a8c4d0a77.jpg]

--
unibikeling

wickedbob said:

I tried doing sit ups once, but got tired so I had a poptart.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
unibikeling's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/14752
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68709

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com