Before I learned, I tried poles (trekking poles not ski poles, but similar enough) They did not work for me, I found them very distracting to the goal of learning to ride and they are something I wasn't interested in landing on. What did work was setting up 3 garbage bins in a sequence and using them to keep from falling for maybe 2 revs. I weaned myself off by at first tapping the bins and then eventually was able to ride and then practice went to not having bins anywhere near me because they were in the way of jumping off when the unicycling doesn't go as planned. I do think it is cool you learned with poles though and it was cheap to try.
Nice tumblers and terrific results! Just wondering....do you find the straight-sided barrels work better than the round ones, or are they about the same?
Hey Mike. I'm using your ski pole method. So far, so good. There's lots of nay sayers though. I get a lot of sith from people watching. One woman said I have to get used to falling 100% of the time! I replied that there would be no time left to learn if all the time was given to falling! ;) Ski poles allow UC learning when the are few, to no assisting walls, fences, or railing around, as with here. I can practice anywhere that is smooth and flat. Hopefully, I can ditch the poles soon and ride unassisted. Time will tell. Peace from Maine...Guy
Listen, I enjoyed the video and that amount of rocks is what I dream about. But could you please remake the video with the music a bit louder. It be nice to be able to hear the music while your talking. Keep on rocking in the free for now world.
I tried your method but after 3 days I had to stop because of wristpain (now it's good but I'm scared to begin again). The amortisation in the stics isn't enough.
Hi Mike. I've been learning to unicycle in Canada through the winter. Mostly short sessions in my basement. I've tried the nordic poles outside now and started to progress but I have a forward lean and struggle to look up and ahead. Was it hard to wean off them? Any tips? I saw a later video where you sit tall and juggle.
Nice practice place! I love to practice in two places: A double full court basketball area that has a low fence all around and a 4-ft opening in the fence between the courts A quad court tennis area that has a high fence but a smooth bar running all around the edge
I learned in 8 days practicing 45 minutes a day on parallel bars. Parallel bars are ideal because you can balance yourself easily with your arms as you learn the dynamics of the unicycle moving underneath you and your feet. You can turn around between the bars, or ride around to the outside and back. After 8 days, I could ride around 20 feet unassisted. After 12 days, I was riding. That was at age 50, I assume younger riders can learn faster. I know Seth at Berm Peak (Seth's Bike Hacks) learned much faster. And yes to the suggestion someone else made. If you haven't been on a bike in a while, definitely spend some time riding to get some leg fitness. Your quads are gonna burn on the unicycle. Do some hill climbing on your bicycle as good preparation.
Its a disservice to use those. I see him using them before he even try to hold balance. Im not sure if this is an aprils fool, but it seems some people here take it seriously. Instead; Hold the wall or fence and push off. And also try freemounting 5-10 times each session. That way you practice it but don't get overwhelmed by failure. A session us 30-60 mins a day. All of the sudden you will just do it. It took a week for me to learn. This is also recommend by champions.
I didn't learn using poles, but it looks like a good learning device. Especially, because you are not handicapped "finding" a good rail or wall to hold. The most critical unicycle fundamental are: 1.) Re-learning how to pedal with pressure on both pedals. You won't learn this by the "let go and just do it" method. Most beginners "need" something to allow constant steady velocity. 2.) Maintaining a constant forward lean. Since, the sticks are in front they automatically make you tip forwards. Even better if you have both sticks in front of you at the same time, as I mention below. I see two issue but can be remedied: a.) An "awkward rhythm" may result from the alternating pole planting action. Since, only one side of your body is tipping forwards. I would suggest a big forward lean then plant both sticks down at the same time. Pedal. Then repeat. Like using a "gorilla arms drag" type motion. This will allow you to equal support, but at same time freedom to twist any which way without "dependence" on one single stick b.) Once, you are able to ride bend your arms/wrist "ignore the sticks" and allow your shoulders and elbows to aggressively swing back/forth to aid unicycle riding. There is an actual rhythm between the pedaling/hip/shoulder action, which is very apparent when riding super slow. I hope this helps some beginners who are having a tough time.
Cant hear very well, did you say you use three steps and tumble for a total of three months? I tumble a course grit, fine grit, prepolish and polish each for 10 days. End result is a beautiful polish. I would think 3 months would be totally unnecessary but I'm wondering if maybe your rocks are that much better. I might have to rethink my way of tumbling. Any suggestions on where to get affordable grit? I'd love to make my own if there is a good way to do so?
Begginer tip. Sit on your seat and get all of your weight on the butt. Use the legs to balance. It helps to raise your seat incrementally to do this. I do not think having the seat high up is an easy way to learn, but a proper height makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE.
Thanks a million it work perfectly on my unicycle skate bike Lee run vintage MTV era. I purchased on eBay. I have a 12 inch wheel model and a 16-inch wheel model in excellent condition cool. Thanks again
Mike, great video, but the music overpowers everything the video is trying to do.... Other than that, great video... I cut and tumble lots of Montana moss too... Nothing better!
I don't recommend to these pools myself. I've used them and I used the fence and then my car to balance my hand on to hold onto. I tried the pools and it's I don't like it don't recommend it. But some people might get good use out of it I think it's better to keep your hands-free
Someone tell us how much you're spending on your unicycle and if you had a good one or bought a good one or had a cheap one got rid of it for a good one
