Andrew RileyFeb 14

#unicycle day 0: Assembled the unicycle fairly easily. Adjusted for height. Worked on mounting and couldn't resist trying a few revs. Made it to 3 with a wall. Initially I had issues with floating up from my seat but I gradually got better. My core is already sore so tomorrow should be fun. Only one bad wipeout. I fell backwards and couldn't get my legs under me. Thankfully I was wearing my helmet but didn't have wrist guards so i got a little scraped up. Yes, I've now ordered some guards.

Time spent: 30ish minutes

Show threadAndrew RileyFeb 15

#unicycle day 1: worked on mounting and revs. Got up to 15 revs with a wall and 3 without it. So far it feels like I do better when my posture is correct and not imitating a gremlin. Called it after muscle fatigue made mounting nearly impossible. Probably going to take a zero day tomorrow to give my muscles a rest.

Time spent: 45 minutes

Show threadAndrew RileyFeb 18

#unicycle day 2: Skipped 2 days. One to rest and second due to not feeling well. Did a lunch time ride today. Still sore. I need to find a longer wall to lean on. I've out distanced my current wall but still can't free mount without a wall.

Time spent: 20 minutes

Show threadAndrew RileyFeb 20

#unicycle day 3: First serious wipeout. Thing were going well. Was in the 15-20 rev range (with wall.) Best I can tell is I started leaning back, went to correct, my ankle hit the crank arm and I fell backwards from there. Somehow I bounced off the wall and landed on my side. After taking a few minutes to gather myself I got back on to continue but the seat hit the ground so hard it was knocked loose and I needed an Allen wrench to tighten it. Will try again on Sunday.

Time spent: 20 minutes

Show threadAndrew RileyFeb 24

#unicycle day 4: Another short lunchtime practice. Today I worked on balance overall vs movement. I noticed that my first couple of mounting attempts at the beginning of every practice are near instant fall-offs (is that a real word?) So in my infinite wisdom I just worked on mounting and maintaining balancing with as little assist as possible. Hopefully this will help my core muscles since I'm guessing the issue is lack of core strength and overall lack of balance experience. We'll see. I'm just guessing here, I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm having fun.

Time spent: 20 minutes

Show threadAndrew RileyFeb 26

#unicycle session 5: Much success. The balance/core muscle training must be paying off. I'm not bouncing off the assisted mount in the first five minutes like I previously was. Did some more balance/core training and did some assisted revolutions for entertainment. Becoming a little more sure in the balance part of pedaling.

Time Spent: 20 minutes

Show threadAndrew Riley

#unicycle session 6: more of the same practice. I still need to find a better place with more room. Thinking about switching which shoes I wear since the soles stick out and sometimes catch in the crank arms.

Time spent: 20 minutes

Mar 1 at 5:59pmWeb
Show threadAndrew RileyMar 6

#unicycle session 7: Found an old pair of Converse that I had years ago. Foot placement was much easier than with my Nike that has a flared sole. Now I don't have to place my foot perfectly on every mount to avoid hitting the crank arm.

Time spent: 20 minutes

Show threadAndrew RileyMar 9
#unicycle session 8: At the point of diminishing returns with the wall and I need to go wall-less. I keep looking for a good spot to practice this but its mostly just delaying due to fear (and being self conscious.) The falls sometimes hurt and I really don't want people watching as I wipe out for the 5th time.
Show threadAndrew Riley5d ago

#unicycle session 9 and 10. I actually found a place I can practice that has walls directly adjacent to the sidewalk! It has shade and isn't super public. Only one downside. It's directly next to the grease traps so it is a little gross but hey, thats motivation not to fall. Progressing a litte bit more. Issue now is my brain freaks out when I'm riding unassisted and then I wipe out. Probably just need more practice to get my brain used to it.

Time spent: 60 minutes