(I didn't write this, but anyway..)
> >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
>
> I must be an exception because from the very start I worked at lifting my right foot from the pedal and getting it hung on the fork ASAP. It _is_
> easier to control the unicycle this way.
I was going to reply along these lines as well: I think having one foot
flailing around wouldn't help at all. My foot was bang on the frame
pretty much as soon as possible.
I can't honestly remember which I learnt first: idling or riding. The
latter I do remember was a pain in the ass to learn as you just have to
keep trying and falling off. For quite a while it feels like no
progress is happening which is very disconcerting.
Pre-practise by riding with the 'foot-off' foot really loosely. I'm
learning (every few months between practising..) to ride one footed on
my wrong side and this has helped a lot. Visualise the feeling of not
using one foot at all while it is still on and _really_ ease the
pressure off. Lean slightly forward and feel the _pump_ - rel-a-x,
_pump_, rel-a-x as one foot does all the work.
I think idling one foot probably wasn't that hard, just stubbornly
learning it (he says helpfully..) It's a similar idea to learning
riding: relax over the bottom of the stroke and feel the pressure come
on at either end. You'll probably have near half wheel rev wobbling
everywhere. I found the wheel didn't go back and forth but in a curve
but this happened when I was learning two feet..
Take the foot off the frame to one side, just relaxed not
straight/uncomfortable. It's surprising how much the foot on the fork
actually helps.. Now you have to use your 'rear-end'. Really 'sit into
it' and use the counter effect of pressing into the seat and the
pressure of the foot. It's difficult to describe. You do need quite
a lot of pressure from the foot though and it's quite tiring. When I
actually have access to a uni I'll try it and elucidate further...
> I agree that you have to be able to get that foot on the fork without looking,
> you are simply too busy with other things to look down.
Yup. For some reason I find it quite tricky getting my right foot up
and not slipping on to the tire (which will be the most likely cause of
failure when you start idle -> ride away, one footed).
> I feel the building blocks to successful one-footed riding are:
>
> 1) being able to get one's foot off the pedal and hung on the fork crown,
> quickly without looking.
>
> 2) pre-adjusting side-to-side weight distribution to offset the tendency
> to fall to the pedaling side.
Hmm - I don't find this. I certainly wouldn't recommend riding
semi-'side-saddle'. Just get used to it.
> 3) learning the proper application of power with one pedal (fast on the
> downstroke, slow-but-not-too-slow on the upstroke).
Yeah, this is a good point. I find there's a significant pause either
end too.
> 4) learning to use the non-pedaling foot to leverage the frame of the
> unicycle.
You do indeed need to do this although I can't remember how.
Which reminds me: don't try to analyse what you're doing too much and
just do it. That sounds facetious but just let your motor neurons sort
themselves out on their own...
> Could some knowledgeable person explain the difference in techique between
> one footed riding with the off foot on the fork and the leg-extended
> variation?
I can't ride one-foot off only idle - sorry! My attempt would
probably involve just tentatively removing my frame-foot (and falling
off). Hmm, I'll try this some time..
>
> Dennis Kathrens
>
Cheers, Paul.