RE: One-foot skill file
unifoss@CERF.NET
Fri, 30 Dec 94 20:15:00 PST
>------------------------------------------------------------
> RIDE WITH ONE FOOT
>Notes and Hints
>
> Some people prefer to go into a one-leg ride from a one-foot idle
> rather than a two-foot ride. Use whichever method you prefer.
> Depending on how far you want to go in the sport it will be useful to
> learn both methods.
>
From all my experience with people learning this skill, it is much
easier to learn it while riding, not from idling. Starting from the idle is
less scary to contemplate, but is really harder because of the power needed
for that initial push over the top. I'd consider starting from an idle to be
an advanced variation, at least one or two "skill levels" higher than
starting from a 2 foot ride.
A hint for starting off is to ride with both feet, keeping the non
dominant foot on the pedal as lightly as possible. Try to do all of the work
with the dominant foot. Then, practice lifting the non dominant foot as it
goes over the top of the pedal stroke and putting it back on. The hard part
when riding one foot is to get the pedaling foot over the top. When you
finally go for the full revolution with one foot, you just have to, as
someone said in an earlier post, go for it. Just screw up your courage, take
that one foot off, and see what happens. Yes, it will take a lot of tries.
While you're at it, keep track of how you are landing when you fall. If you
are not landing on your feet, you may be doing something wrong. When
learning the basic skills, such as one foot, you also have to concentrate on
safe dismounts.
> Later you may wish to learn to ride with your foot off of the fork.
> While you are first learning this skill, though, the fork will give
> you extra leverage to control the unicycle.
>
I disagree. All beginning one footers start with the non pedaling foot
suspended in midair, and later they learn how to get it onto the fork. It's
easier with the foot on the fork, because that foot helps you to grip and
control the unicycle. That's why it should be encouraged from the time a
person is learning the skill. Don't look down when doing this, do it by
feel.
I hope these additional comments are of help!
John Foss, President
International Unicycling Federation
unifoss@ix.netcom.com