Introduction: Welcome to the fun-filled world of unicycling! To kids young and old, you're about to embark on an adventure that will last a lifetime. The average time needed to learn unicycling is 10-15 hours. That's about an hour a day for two weeks.
Safety Gear: Unicycling is generally not dangerous, but as with any physical activity, like riding a bike expect to fall every now and again, especially while learning. The Unicycle Source team strongly recommends a helmet and wrist guards. We've been unicycling for many years; we all wear a helmet and wrist guards.
Where to learn: The ultimate space would be a smooth corridor with a handrail along each side. Not easy to find! Look for a space clear of objects that might obstruct you. It must be smooth and level, any pebble or dip will knock you off when you are beginning. Tennis courts and schoolyards are generally good. If you are lucky to have a juggling club in your area they generally have appropriate space in a hall or gym and can also help you learn to ride.
Does this thing have a front and back? Yes. Generally the front of the unicycling seat is narrower than the rear. The seat post clamp skewer (bolt/nut or quick-release handle) is on the back - check this is on the correct way round, the slot in the frame under the clamp should be at the rear! The pedal marked 'L' should be on your left, 'R' on your right. Riding with the pedals on the wrong side will damage the cranks and cause the pedals to fall out.
How high should the seat be? When you're seated on the unicycle, with the heel of one foot on a pedal in its lowest position, your leg should be almost straight. This is important; if the seat does not go high enough we sell extra long replacement seat posts.
How to Free Mount
There are 2 basic techniques for free mounting (getting on without assistance).
1. You stay still and the wheel moves.
Place your first foot on the nearest pedal at about 4 o'clock (this varies slightly with size of wheel, bigger the wheel the lower the pedal) with the seat in position.
Apply weight to the pedal, the unicycle will then wind its way underneath you until the pedal is at the bottom (6 o'clock) and the frame is vertical.
Place the second foot on the other pedal which will be at the top and apply a backwards motion.
The pedals should be moved to where they are at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock (horizontal) where your balance should be slightly forward and you will be ready to ride off forwards immediately.
All of this should be done in a smooth action with the shoulders staying almost still.
This is a good start for the more analytical learner and can be done holding on to bar or wall because your shoulders should stay almost still.
2. You move and the wheel stays still.
Place your first foot on the nearest pedal at about 3 o'clock with your seat in position and one hand on the front of the seat.
Move forward as if stepping up on to a step... but, with putting as little weight on the step as possible.
As you move forward it often helps to push the saddle forward slightly to keep the cranks horizontal where you want them (this also helps men!).
This can be done relatively slowly and does not need to execute rapidly.
The pedals should stay horizontal during whole of this exercise. When you are on top of the unicycle and the pedals are horizontal you will be ready to ride off.
This tends to be better for the rider who is a 'go for it' learner.
In the long run this is a better start to learn as it give more control for the start.
One technique for learning the second mount is the place the wheel up against a curb so that it cannot rotate backwards. This alleviates one part of the process, as the curb will keep the wheel still.
Tips: Sometimes I think a parrot could teach someone to ride a unicycle as the same phrases keep on being repeated. Here is a top ten of tips, memorise these and you will be well on your way.
1. 'Sit on the seat'
2. 'When the unicycle starts to fall, let it and don't catch it'
3. 'Don’t look down, look ahead'
4. 'Lean forward not back'
5. 'Point your shoulders in the direction you want to go'
6. 'Sit on the seat'
7. 'Faster, like a bike it is much harder to ride very slow'
8. 'Do not try to stand still'
9. 'Don’t worry, you will learn to turn right later, just turn left for the moment'
10. 'Sit on the seat!
Best of luck, and happy unicycling!
Getting Started:
1. Pull the seat into place.
2. Spin the wheel so that the pedal is in the 4o’clock position. Put both hands on the handrail or fence, as shown in the picture. Step on the pedal closest to you. This is different from a bicycle, where you step on the forward pedal. Bicyclists are used to moving forward when mounting. On a unicycle, you want the wheel to rotate 1/4-turn backwards. Step on the pedal and you should now be on the seat with the wheel underneath you.
4. Pedal backwards 1/4 turn to get your feet horizontal (backwards is easier than going forwards to get out of 'the dead' position when your cranks are vertical). You are now ready to go forwards.
4. Hold onto the handrail tightly and lean forward slightly while pedalling slowly. Next is the most important tip we can offer you. When the unicycle starts to fall, let it. Stay on your feet and let it fall. The seat can be replaced; your seat can't. Continue to hold onto the handrail until you've practiced steps 1-4 for at least three hours.
Congratulations! You're about 10 hours away from riding without assistance! During the next several days you'll ease your grip on the handrail and then hold on with one hand. You'll travel a few feet without assistance, then a few yards, then you'll soon discover the secret to unicycling.
