rec.sport.unicycling · Public discussion

One foot riding tips

Started by vivalargo · · Last activity · 8 posts · 330 views

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section
rec.sport.unicycling
Published
8 May 2004
Last activity
9 May 2004
Original author
vivalargo
Posts
8
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
330
Views / 30 days
0

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Showing posts 1–8 of 8
Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Text size
  1. I started trying to ride one-foot day before yesterday and it took me
    several sessions to understand that getting my "free" foot placed just
    right on the frame was the most impostant thing--at least for me. I
    kept fumbling the foot placement, usually having my foot extended too
    far and my toe would drag the tire and I'd pitch off in a flash. Once I
    perfected snapping my foot back and up (a tricky move to get it just so)
    onto the frame I could crank eight or nine revolutions right off.
    There's a lot of precision with the foot-to-frame move, and uit felt
    totally bizarre at first. For anyone who is trying to learn one foot
    riding, practicing getting that foot placed correctly (I did so leaning
    against a truck) will likely radically steepen your learning curve.

    I ate so much asphalt trying to get this I wanted to chuck my uni in the
    dumpster. It also imtimidated me like crazy. A great mental exercise
    on letting go.

    It's fantastic learning new stuff, especially at my age (50).

    JL

    --
    vivalargo
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    vivalargo's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5625
    View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32352

  2. I can get 10-15 rev's now and the best thing I can tell you, as someone
    who's at about the same level, don't put yor foot on the crown. At least
    when starting off. I just held my foot to the fork and found it much
    easier. Are started putting my foot on, once I got the hang of it.

    For beginning beginners, just try lifting your foot from the pedal as it
    comes on the upward part of its revolution. Put most of your weight on
    the other pedal too. You'll find you can hold it off for a little more
    each time.

    Thats wmy findings anyway.
    David

    --
    darchibald - Unofficial level 3.8

    "Testacles still intact" ~ My mom's reaction after watching me do a
    suicide mount.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    darchibald's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6240
    View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32352

  3. Thanks for the tip, Largo. I'll work on getting that foot in place.

    I started learning one footed riding on a 26" frame with a rounded
    crown, and couldn't place my foot on the frame (even using a pipe
    clamp as a step) so I've been holding the seat for dear life and
    flailing like mad, free foot kicking in the air. Switching to a 20"
    wheel (on the 26" frame) was a huge help as I was instantly able to
    replace my foot and continue riding, but I am still limited to 4
    rotations max before I get too far ahead or behind the wheel.
    Finally, I have the 20" frame with a flat crown. Horray!

    By the way, I should mention that I am jealous of people who seem to
    be learning faster than me, especially those who seem to have more
    endurance than I. Just reading about the Workout from Hell makes my
    tendons ache, so I have to take things slowly and let my body adapt
    gradually. Idling, backward riding and one-footing all seem to stress
    my left hamstring, so my practice is limited (fortunately, I can cross
    trainby riding MUni). I'd like to blame it on my advanced age (43
    years), but I've always been prone to overuse.

    On the bright side, unicycling is the first activity I've found that I
    can do 5 days a week without completely melting down and without
    getting the least bit bored.

    Sorry if I drifted off topic.

    Cheers,

    Ken

  4. When I first learned to ride one footed, I couldnt get my foot up to the
    crown. I just couldnt find it without losing my balance. So my foot just
    dangled in the air. Once i could do about 20 rotations dangling, i
    remembered I still didnt put my foot up. So I forced myself to put it up
    there. Within an hour I was riding down the street. Its so much easier
    and stable with your foot up

    --
    gpickett00 - Level 3.7

    Bicycle is just a short way of saying unicycle with a training wheel.
    'Our unicycling videos' (http://gallery.unicyclist.com/Moiv)

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    gpickett00's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5654
    View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32352

  5. darchibald said:

    *I can get 10-15 rev's now and the best thing I can tell you, as
    someone who's at about the same level, don't put yor foot on the
    crown. At least when starting off. *

    Yo, David, et al:

    The problem is that I got a prototype trials uni from KH (a climbing
    buddy) and there ain't much of a frame. Today I blew off the Muni, put
    in two practice sessions and got up to about 20 strokes; but still, half
    the time (if not more) I'd bungle the foot placement, boot the tire and
    instantly UPD.

    It's a trip when you hit that effortless groove and can just go.
    Likewise, how amazing that it first felt totally impossible and two 30
    minute sessions later you're motoring down the block -- some of the
    time.

    It's fun to share these experiences with other folks working on the same
    challenges.

    Thanks for the encouragements.

    JL

    --
    vivalargo
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    vivalargo's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5625
    View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32352

  6. Congratulations vivalargo! Do you hold the seat when riding one-footed?

    The progression of my kids was

    ---Holding seat, free foot hanging.

    ---Holding seat with free foot on frame.

    ---Hands free, foot on frame.

    They now go up and down steep stuff one footed. If I don't practice it
    daily I seem to lose it, though it sounds like I'm about with you on
    skill progression.

    --
    elmer - uniimpaired

    "At 40 life begins...to show."
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    elmer's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5193
    View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32352

  7. gpickett00 said:

    *When I first learned to ride one footed, I couldnt get my foot up to
    the crown. I just couldnt find it without losing my balance. *

    haha u shud see the amount of balnce i lose trying to find the crown on
    my 28" frame i run on my 20" trials uni, its soo bizarre lifting your
    foot that high, on the other hand it looks cooler )ive been told)
    because my foot is no where near the wheel

    --
    tom_edmonds - Finally...less talking, more riding

    "rest and elevation" we know its all we'll be told, so why do we still
    go and wait in A&E all day?
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    tom_edmonds's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/3992
    View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32352

  8. What I have to do right before lifting my foot up to the crown is take a
    look at the crown. Somehow that helps my brain tell my foot exactly
    where to go. When that foot comes off the pedal, I only have a split
    second for it to be residing in its place on the frame.

    I switch unicycles too. I have to lift my foot way up high on my MUni.
    Really put a tight bend in the knee. But on the Summit its not so high.
    So a glance before the first couple of attemts helps that foot move into
    position quickly and confidently.

    --
    Memphis Mud - Student of GrandMaster 2T

    Mantra: Avoid Hitting Tailbone...Avoid Hitting Tailbone...

    "do not think, just ride"...muniracer
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Memphis Mud's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/1987
    View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32352

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.