Unicyclical Pensations

Since we moved (you know, the reason I haven't been blogging a whole lot?) I now have a half hour walk-commute to work each way, instead of a 15-20 minute walk-commute to work each day. In an attempt to cut that time down, I have decided to take up cycling as my preferred means of (short range) transportation: Unicycling. So I borrowed a unicycle (or 'unik' as I shall henceforth be calling it) from a friend (thanks Dan!) to learn on and see if it is indeed a feasible plan. I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed feasible, but I have also come to some undeniable conclusions:

1) Uniking may not be harder than it looks, but it is indeed every bit as hard as it looks.
2) Unikers have not only a very well developed sense of balance, but also very well developed leg muscles. Just try uniking over 100 feet in a controlled manner, and see if you feel like going any further after you get off.
3) Balance is very important in learning to unicycle. However, learning to keep your balance is only secondary to learning to sense your balance. Once you can sense you balance pretty well, the unicycle almost balances itself. (okay, not really, but still...)
4) Bikers are sissies. (Sorry Dad B.)
5) I tried my first ride home from work Friday. It only took me about 45 minutes to unik what I usually take half an hour to walk. While there is definitely a mechanical advantage over walking, the time gained uniking is rather made up for by the time spent climbing back on the unik after jumping/falling/sliding/what-have-you-ing off.
6) I definitely want a unik with at least a 26" wheel. Nothing as exorbitant as this, but the larger the better.

So all that said, I am definitely making progress, but I still have a way to go. Soon, hopefully, I'll be zipping around town on my unicycle.