Anyway, first I got one of those old "AXL Skatebikes" and taught myself how to ride. Then, while I was riding around a local park, I met a guy riding a unicycle. That reminded me of that TV show and I thought "Hey, that'd be fun!". So, I mentioned it to my folks and they bought me a Schwinn unicycle for my 16th birthday.
Now, I'd seen people learning (trying to learn) to ride using two wooden poles, one in each hand, as sort of braces... Well, in our basement, we had these cables, like where you'd hang up your laundry. Well, I hopped aboard my uni and grabbed on to the cables and began to learn how to balance and ride forward slowly. After about a week, I felt I could get on and ride forward without falling off. Time to go outside! Well, after maybe 3 falls I finally got somewhere... Another week later I was confident enough to take on the streets!
Well, I'm 19 now, and since losing my first uni to "wandering fingers" (I was changing duty stations and someone swiped it from the movers) have aquired a new Schwinn. You thought people got weird looks riding around city streets, try riding around a Marine Corps base! (to comply with base regulation, I had to rig a bicycle light on the frame, and wear a helmet and reflective vest when I ride. I even poked one of my chevrons into the front of my helmet!) A tire pump also has found its way onto my uni. I think I'll start riding around more on base now... I'd like to try to get a Semcycle at one point, but I figure I'd learn to ride backwards and stand still first.
I love riding my unicycle. I wouldn't trade that for anything!
Anyway, better go now.... Take Care!
Scott
Scott