Hop standing on the wheel
Feet on the Pedals to Hopping on the Wheel (transition):
Method #1:
- Come to a stop with the pedals horizontal and the right pedal
forward and pull the seat out to the front with the right hand.
Hold the front of the seat with the right hand and back of the seat
with the left hand. (If the pedals stopped with the left pedal
forward, switch "left" and "right" in the above two sentences.)
[This placement of the hands puts them in the best position to
do step 3 below.]
- Hop with the seat out in front until balance is stable.
- Leap up with both feet simultaneously so the body rotates 90
degrees right if the right pedal is backward (or 90 degrees left if
the left pedal is backward). [The feet travel a shorter distance
this way; turning 90 degrees the other way would force the feet to
travel a much greater distance.] The wheel stays in contact with the
floor and does not move throughout this movement. [This may be an
easier method to learn than twisting the unicycle itself 90
degrees, mentioned in method #2 below, because the feet can land
on a stationary target. However, try both methods to see which is
easier for you to learn.]
- The feet can land on the tire right next to the frame almost
touching it or about 4-6 inches from the frame on either side.
Method #2:
- Start by hopping with the seat held to the front.
- When you feel confident and well balanced jump off the pedals and
spin the uni 90 degrees so you can land on the wheel with one foot on
either side of the forks. (this jump is just a bit higher than the
bunny hops, the other difference being the wheel stays on the ground).
Brief description of Hopping on the Wheel (stationary skill):
Hopping the wheel can be done with the feet in two basic positions.
In the first position, the feet are squeezed together against the
frame so the wheel can not rotate while hopping. In the second
position, the feet are 8-12 inches apart with the frame centered
between them, so they can directly control the rotation of the
wheel with a slight rocking motion. Having the feet apart like this
can be an advantage when learning certain wheel hopping variations
and the sideways wheel walk. However, the position where the feet
squeeze the frame is probably easier to learn and is used far more
often. It is recommended that wheel hopping be learned in both of
these positions as soon as possible, since each has advantages over
the other.
Pull the seat up all the time and oppose this by pushing down with
your feet to keep tension between the wheel and your feet. Just like with
bunny hopping keep your legs mostly straight, drop your heels down and get
your hop from the ankles.
Hopping on the Wheel to Feet on the Pedals (transition):
Method #1:
- The right (left) foot on the wheel behind the frame reaches down
toward the back right (left) pedal while the left (right) foot on
the wheel in front of the frame maintains balance by not allowing
the wheel to turn or by doing a brief one foot wheel walk idle.
- The right (left) foot lands on the back right (left) pedal and its
momentum makes an idle starting on a backward stroke a natural next
movement. At about the same time, the rider slides into the saddle.
(Other final movements are hopping (on the pedals), stillstand,
riding backward, an idle starting on a forward stroke, and riding.)
Method #2:
- With both feet remaining on the wheel, lower the body down onto the
seat.
- Quickly move the feet off the wheel and onto the pedals which
should be horizontal with the right (left) pedal forward if the
right (left) foot was in front of the frame.
Mark Sands
Ken Fuchs
Copyright © 1997 Mark Sands and Ken Fuchs All rights reserved.
Last modified: Sat Feb 22 23:01:58 EDT 1997