One foot riding tips

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

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.
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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' (gallery.unicyclist.comMoivOpen ↗)

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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
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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."
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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?
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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
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