joshp wrote:
> *do a smooth 90 degree turn to stop, then pull backwards out of it to
> get the other 90 degrees. As you get better the turn gets smaller and
> smaller until you can do the spin. *
This is where to start. Foot position is not relevant. Regardless of
what previous posters have mentioned, to stop (and switch pedaling
direction) your feet are going to be somewhere in the horizontal range.
You can't help it. If you ride *slow* enough, you can do it with your
feet in the dead spot, but the move only really looks good when there's
some speed and fluidity.
Your object is to get yourself turned around to going in reverse, with
as little upper body movement as possible. In other words, your upper
body should continue in an unbroken straight line. Of course it has to
rotate around.
Start slow, by making a 90 degree turn to the side, followed by a
reverse 90 degree turn to continue in the same direction. The slow
version is like pulling into and out of a tiny parking space. That's
what your wheel is going to do.
Now gradually work it up to faster speeds. Think about your upper body,
and work toward having it continue in an unbroken straight line while
the other stuff happens mostly at the lower body area. As you smooth it
out, the size of your "course deviation" will get smaller, but it will
always be there. It just won't look like it, because your upper body
keeps a straight line.
To do any trick well, it should look smooth and effortless. Unless it's
not a smooth-moving trick. You'll know you've got the backspin where you
want it when it *feels* smooth. Then work on the frontspin.
I watch the younger and beginner riders do backspins in their Standard
Skill competition routines. Ouch. Those aren't really backspins. But
there is no speed requirement, so pulling into and out of a parking
space is technically acceptable.
--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com"
www.unicycling.com
"Hey, could I have some of that spinach? I need to get this pork rind
taste out of my mouth." -- Ryan Atkins to Kris Holm, on the way back
from Moab after sampling some of my pork rinds. They grossed out the
whole van!
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