Unicycle Lesson

Here is some advice and a few tips on how to master your first unicycle.

Consider protection, for you and the uni.

We recommend that you protect the front and back of your unicycle seat with a good strong tape so that you can drop the unicycle on the ground and not wreck the seat cover.

If you start to fall from the unicycle just drop it on the ground and put your feet on the ground.

When you are first learning it is better to practice by yourself with something to hold on to. We have found it easier to have a chair each side of you and hold on to the back. Just hold on to the chairs and rock backwards and forwards until you get the feel of it.

Remember to keep your weight on the seat and not on the pedals. Sit up as straight as you can. Your body needs to be evenly spaced on the unicycle.

The pedals should be as horizontal as possible. The first stroke is when you push down on the pedal. Remember to wear a bicycle type helmet, wrist guards, knee pads and shin pads are the best safety item. The first time the pedal cracks you in the shin you will know why!!!!

When you feel confident enough just pedal forward, let go of the chairs and keep pedalling. It is okay to wildly throw your arms around. If you start to fall, step forwards or backwards off the unicycle and let it clatter to the ground.

If you get the unicycle moving, then keep pedalling. You need to move forward to keep your balance. The seat will be leaning very slightly forward in the direction that you are travelling.

Remember to look forward and not down. Like any other type of balancing you need to keep your eyes in the distance ahead of you.

Of course a nice, even flat surface is the easiest until you get the hang of it.

It helps with your balance if you continuously move your arms.

It takes some practise to ride a unicycle. Do not be discouraged. If a friend or family want to help then place your hand on their shoulders, it doesn't normally work if you hold hands or they grab hold of you.