 Photo by Wayne Klufas |
|
 Photo by Wayne Klufas |
Riding with the seat out:
- First of all you should be wearing appropriate clothing. The best thing to wear are cycling shorts because they are tight and slippery which makes it easy to pull the seat out and to slide it back between your legs. If you don't want to wear cycling shorts almost any pants will work as long as they are not baggy.
- Having an appropriate seat is also helpful. For pulling the seat out and sliding it back I would recommend the Miyata seat as being the best choice. If you don't have a Miyata seat almost any seat will work. Although I love the Semcycle Deluxe seat because it is very comfortable and durable, the cover is made of rubber which makes it difficult to slide the seat back between your legs.
- Before you try to pull the seat out front lets first practice some skills.
- Practicing riding your unicycle with the seat between your legs but without siting down on the seat.
- Continue riding with the seat between your legs without siting on
the seat. Now try to ride with even pressure on each pedal so the seat
doesn't put any left or right pressure on your thighs as you ride.
- Spread your weight evenly over the two pedals (just like standing on the ground).
- In order to make the pedal move just put a little bit more pressure on the one pedal than the other.
- You will be putting downward pressure on the pedal that is moving up (and slightly more downward pressure on the pedal moving down).
- Keep practicing this until you can consistently ride without siting on the seat and without the seat pushing to one side or the other of your thighs.
- Pull the seat out & ride. (I would strongly recommend the use of shin guards while learning!)
- Hold the front of the seat firmly with both hands.
- Slowly pedal then stop with your crank arms horizontal.
- While you are shopped stand up, spread your legs apart slightly, and gently pull the seat forward.
- Once the seat is pulled out you may find it very unstable. To help keep the unicycle stable you will want to hold the seat firmly with both hands and support your arms by pressing your elbows against your body.
- Start to ride forward. (Remember to keep even pressure on both pedals just like in the practice section 3.)
- Put the seat back and ride like normal. Stop the unicycle with the crank arms in a horizontal position, spread your legs apart slightly and gently slide the seat back into place.
- When you start getting comfortable riding with the seat out try using only one hand. You should also try holding your arm away from your body. See if you can ride while just barely holding the seat with the tips of your fingers.