Anybody here ever not have one of those dreams where you're flying? K.
I have those dreams all the time, and every time it's just as disappointing to wake up. BUT! When I was learning to ride a unicycle, I used to have similar dreams about unicycling. You know: you get up on it, and take off down the street, with the wind in your hair, and it's just effortless and fun. Okay, you probably don't know. Take my word for it.
Well, I'm happy to say that tonight on the ride home I got one of those rides. The air was cool, and I don't know if it was the fact that it was dark and I couldn't see all the imperfections in the sidewalk enough to worry about them, but I was just cruising. I think it was the fastest I've made it home since getting a unicycle (and while actually riding a unicycle).
So remember: some things may be tricky, and take some learning, and may even be a minor pain on occasion, but on other occasions they can be a real blast.
Showing posts with label unicycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unicycling. Show all posts
2009-11-09
2008-11-25
We have liftoff!
I am babysitting the older kids today while Wife takes the younger two to an eye appointment.
After they started to get a little wiggly, I was tempted to put them down for quite time, but then figured it would probably be wiser to unwiggle them a bit first, so I took them, two balls, and my unicycle over to 'the quadrangle', a spot in the complex where there is a four-sided walk with grass in the middle. They threw their balls around while I worked on my unicycling skillz.
Anyway, the point of the post is that I was finally able to get fairly consistent at free-mounting! Not every time, and not half of the time, but probably a third of the time I was able to get up and keep going! L00t*!
Of course, I'm sure it will be trickier once I'm wearing my 20 lb backpack, but nonetheless, it is progress!
The tip, for those of you who are working on learning the same thing, is to put your momentum forward, and not try to 'finesse' your way onto the unicycle, so much as to get yourself in motion and then let the unicycle catch up.
In other news, I am considering getting some shin- and wrist-guards so that I can start practicing my bunny hopping. Otherwise, how am I ever going to learn to go up curbs (kerbs?) and such?
* yelling (or even muttering) "w00t" is too internet geeky for me. I figure if you put an L on the front, it becomes a nice combination of internet geek and pirate. R!
After they started to get a little wiggly, I was tempted to put them down for quite time, but then figured it would probably be wiser to unwiggle them a bit first, so I took them, two balls, and my unicycle over to 'the quadrangle', a spot in the complex where there is a four-sided walk with grass in the middle. They threw their balls around while I worked on my unicycling skillz.
Anyway, the point of the post is that I was finally able to get fairly consistent at free-mounting! Not every time, and not half of the time, but probably a third of the time I was able to get up and keep going! L00t*!
Of course, I'm sure it will be trickier once I'm wearing my 20 lb backpack, but nonetheless, it is progress!
The tip, for those of you who are working on learning the same thing, is to put your momentum forward, and not try to 'finesse' your way onto the unicycle, so much as to get yourself in motion and then let the unicycle catch up.
In other news, I am considering getting some shin- and wrist-guards so that I can start practicing my bunny hopping. Otherwise, how am I ever going to learn to go up curbs (kerbs?) and such?
* yelling (or even muttering) "w00t" is too internet geeky for me. I figure if you put an L on the front, it becomes a nice combination of internet geek and pirate. R!
2008-09-26
UniTrek: The Next Cycle
Captain's log, Unidate 12 point something or other:
It has been one week since being transferred to the new vessel, and I have yet to christen her yet, although I am leaning toward something like "The Crimson Circle", or "Ring of Fire" (although that one conjures up bad associations with bean burritos with too much hot sauce). I am finding that progress is slow, but measurable aboard the new ship, and disasters so far have been minimal.
On day four we had our first real voyage - not just piloting around the port, but actually venturing out into open space. The trip was a little unstable, due in part to unfamiliarity with controls, and the fact that we were unevenly loaded with extra cargo for our first duty. This combination resulted in one fairly minor encouter with vertical instability, which resulted in some bruising, but nothing major.
As I progress in my piloting skills, I find that there are still major obstacles to overcome, but some of what at first appeared to be major obstacles are becoming manageable. Today I cleared a 1-2 inch bump without spilling (both directions), and was finally able to make an assisted launch from position at the bottom of an immediate rise.
I am still working toward unassisted launches, but have not had much luck with them thus far. I will probably tackle that goal in full once I am more comfortable with getting into the saddle comfortably and quickly.
I am also developing the ability to shift seat position mid-flight, although these adjustments are rarely a full realization of my wish, and it is often more beneficial to pull over and relaunch.
Turning is coming along, and I am actually able to pull off some fairly graceful turns now, rather than relying solely on jerky turns.
Hopefully, improvements will continue to acrue and soon I will be flying high and free and making good time.
It has been one week since being transferred to the new vessel, and I have yet to christen her yet, although I am leaning toward something like "The Crimson Circle", or "Ring of Fire" (although that one conjures up bad associations with bean burritos with too much hot sauce). I am finding that progress is slow, but measurable aboard the new ship, and disasters so far have been minimal.
On day four we had our first real voyage - not just piloting around the port, but actually venturing out into open space. The trip was a little unstable, due in part to unfamiliarity with controls, and the fact that we were unevenly loaded with extra cargo for our first duty. This combination resulted in one fairly minor encouter with vertical instability, which resulted in some bruising, but nothing major.
As I progress in my piloting skills, I find that there are still major obstacles to overcome, but some of what at first appeared to be major obstacles are becoming manageable. Today I cleared a 1-2 inch bump without spilling (both directions), and was finally able to make an assisted launch from position at the bottom of an immediate rise.
I am still working toward unassisted launches, but have not had much luck with them thus far. I will probably tackle that goal in full once I am more comfortable with getting into the saddle comfortably and quickly.
I am also developing the ability to shift seat position mid-flight, although these adjustments are rarely a full realization of my wish, and it is often more beneficial to pull over and relaunch.
Turning is coming along, and I am actually able to pull off some fairly graceful turns now, rather than relying solely on jerky turns.
Hopefully, improvements will continue to acrue and soon I will be flying high and free and making good time.
2008-09-04
not two tired anymore
I've done it. Today I put in an order for a Nimbus 29er, with an Isis hub, a 300mm seat post, 125mm cranks, and red highlights.
What does all that mean? It means I've gotten far enough in my efforts to learn to unicycle that I'm buying my own! (You can have yours back in a week, Daniel). I am confident enough in my abilities (or at least the potential of my abilities) that I'm sinking over 300 bucks into the coolest, manliest form of transportation I have ever tried. Soon you should see me zipping around town in what amounts to a perpetual wheelie. Now I just need to find someone I can con into learning to unicycle so we can go riding together. Who knows, maybe some day I'll even try muni!
What does all that mean? It means I've gotten far enough in my efforts to learn to unicycle that I'm buying my own! (You can have yours back in a week, Daniel). I am confident enough in my abilities (or at least the potential of my abilities) that I'm sinking over 300 bucks into the coolest, manliest form of transportation I have ever tried. Soon you should see me zipping around town in what amounts to a perpetual wheelie. Now I just need to find someone I can con into learning to unicycle so we can go riding together. Who knows, maybe some day I'll even try muni!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)