 Photo by Wayne Klufas |
How to learn to unicycle with only one foot:
- Before you try riding with only 1 foot you should do this practice exercise. Try riding down the sidewalk with both feet on the pedal but only use 1 foot to pedal with (let the other foot just go around for the ride). Try to use only the one foot and don't use the other for adjustments if at all possible. Practice this with both feet.
- When you feel like you are good enough at this exercise that you could almost take a foot off and ride with only 1 foot then continue to step 3.
- Find a smooth flat surface that is either flat or slightly sloped downhill with something to hold onto (i.e. tennis court with a fence around it, a bridge with a good railing beside the sidewalk, or your driveway if it has a fence beside it). You will find it easier to learn on a slight downhill slope.
- Before you start learning to wheel walk make sure to wear a helmet. As your pedal goes over the top you are in an unstable position. There is a good chance you will push down thinking it will make you go forward and the pedal goes back because it is not over the center. If this happens you can go flying faster than you might think.
- Go to the top of your driveway beside the fence (or anywhere you can find
something to hold on to). Slowly start riding with both feet. As the foot
you are going to ride with goes over the top lift the other foot off the
pedal and rest it on your unicycle frame.
(Place
your foot where the arrow is pointing.) - If you find steps 7 through 10 confusing don't worry about it just try riding and you'll get the hang of it.
- In order to keep your balance you will need to keep your center of gravity almost perfectly balanced above the wheel every time your foot goes over the top of the pedal.
- After your foot passes the top your weight should be leaning slightly forward. Then you will push on the pedal's down stroke to bring the unicycle wheel under your center of gravity again.
- When the pedal is coming back up your weight should be either right above the wheel or leaning slightly back.
- As the pedal is coming back up if your weight is leaning back you will need to push down slightly on the pedal to slow the wheel down so your weight can catch up to the unicycle.