Riding on one wheel
I think I finally learned how to consistently ride a unicycle about 50 yards. It took a quite a few nights of practice to get to where I am now- about 10-15 hours total, but was definitely worth it. Seeing this video just makes me smile.
The most difficult part about learning how to ride a unicycle was getting back up. Every. Single. Time. It’s not like a bicycle where you have training wheels or can just stand it up. With a unicycle, you need to hold on to something while you’re learning so that you’re able to mount it correctly.
When I first started practicing on the sidewalk and the street, I only had a lamp post to help me mount. I probably fell off of my unicycle every minute I was on it. But whenever that happened, I’d just tell myself three things: butt down, back straight, and keep pedaling.
Little by little, I went farther and father. When I went farther than I thought I’d ever been before, I measured the distance (using 8 to 5 steps, go band!) on my way back to the pole. Five yards, ten yards, twenty yards. Forty-five yards. Each time I arrived back at the pole, I realize it’s actually not that far but then my mind puts a positive image in my head and tells me, “Hey! Listen! Just imagine you riding around, seeing smiles or weird looks on peoples faces when you ride by, and maybe even riding it at CicLaVia one day! Or even juggling at the same time too.” And so I keep getting on and trying.
Yay.
Lessons learned:
- If you fall down, get back up.
- Mantras help
- Measure your successes
- Keep looking forward (otherwise you might fall)
Three down, twenty-two more to go!