Beirne
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Hints for the 15cm drop
You can practice this by riding off curbs. When starting make sure the curb
is regular, with a flat surface all the way to the edge and then a straight
drop. The street should be fairly level at the base of the curb. You can
work on trickier curbs later.
To ride off the curb, approach it at a relaxed but even pace. Ride off the
edge, and be ready for the unicycle to drop a bit underneath your seat.
You will want to land with your weight on the pedals, which reduces pain and
lets your legs act as shock absorbers. Start moving when you land and
settle back down on the unicycle. You may wish to hold on to the front of
the seat when you go off the curb, so that you can guide it back as you settle
down.
If you don't like the idea of curbs, when off the uni, position the wheel
where it would drop off the curb, and place the pedals in horizontal position.
Then back up the wheel carefully, mount the uni, and go down the curb. This
method ensures that the pedals are horizontal for landing, which is the easiest
way to do it. After confidence and skill builds, it won't matter where the
pedals are when going down curbs.
Also, some people prefer to jump off of the curb, rather than dropping off.
This way you are sure to land with the pedals in a good position, but you
need to be able to jump while moving.
If you don't want to think a whole lot, just go try it and see what happens.
It may be easier than you expect.
Beirne Konarski bkonarsk@mcs.kent.edu
Constance Cotter cotter@cae.wisc.edu
Mark Sands M.R.Sands@iasos.utas.edu.au
Terry Jones terry@santafe.edu
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