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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

326.0. "UNICYCLE HELP!" by CHOVAX::GILSON () Thu May 28 1987 19:24

    My son (age 17) has purchased a unicycle and has been diligently
    trying to learn to ride it without success.  He's a skilled bike
    rider and did not anticipate that it would be such a problem for
    him; he's very frustrated at this point.  None of the local bike
    shops can offer any assistance.  
    
    If you can ride a unicycle, please advise how you learned. 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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326.1here's some basic infoAITG::LERNERThu May 28 1987 20:0221
    It does take a lot of practice. The first thing to do is to tape
    some rags to each end of the seat so that the seat doesn't get shreaded
    with all the falls it's going to take.
    
    The best, first step is to go out with two other people that he can
    use as supports until he gets a feel for the center of balance.
    Once he has a handle on that, he should be able to use a stationary
    object (parked cars worked well) to start off. As he gains confidence
    he will be able to back the tire against a curb for the start and
    finally he will be able to start in the middle of the road.
    
    The key is giving him the physical supports (one on each arm) so
    that he can get a feel for that balancing point.
    
    I was surprised to find that after 15 or so years I was able to
    just hop up on one last week and buzz around. Again, it was just
    having a feel for the balancing point.
    
    Good luck, it's a blast once you've got the hang of it. 
    
    Tom
326.2Uni basicsTALLIS::DICKMon Jul 20 1987 15:0210
    Learning to unicycle can be a challange, but one worth undertaking.
    I started riding in college and though I don't do it regularly I
    find I can still go into a bike shop and take the uni's for a fun
    spin. The secrets to learning to ride are simple and few.
    
       1. Find a smooth parking lot to practice
       2. Use ski poles to provide the necessary support untill you
          acquire the necessary balance
       3. Don't give up, it will come just give it time