Author Topic: One for the road  (Read 54992 times)

JC w KC redux

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One for the road
« on: October 07, 2013, 08:05:49 AM »
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JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2013, 02:24:43 PM »
Why do I ride the unicycle?
It was originally recommended to me by my chiropractor after I had a miserable bout of sciatica a couple years ago - just prior to contracting the lead climbing bug. I was willing to try just about anything to escape the pain and the possibility of a recurrence - plus I liked the idea of a new challenge.
It's a great core workout and excellent for back problems.
It's low impact - unlike all the running I was doing for a couple years prior (I was up to running half marathons).
There is a guaranteed double crux every time you ride - the mount and dismount.
More cruxes may occur during the ride depending on traffic, wind and debris.
Turnarounds are also what I would consider crux maneuvers.
You cannot stop, coast or brake - it's constant motion.
Every ride is a challenge - I am never bored even doing the same circuit for many months (actually years now).
I can get a kick-ass workout in 45 minutes total (average 36 minutes for 6 miles + cool down walk).
It is similar to lead climbing in many ways:
It always makes me nervous.
Start and exit moves take total focus and no one can help you - getting off the ground can be the hardest part.
You can never relax completely - relaxing at all takes practice.
You must commit and control your fear(most of which is only in your head).
You're constantly reading the route - you can take the LOLR or up the ante with more challenging paths.
Falling off like a cat helps.
It's just you and the wheel.
You start small (low grade/little wheel) and work your way up (upper grades/big wheel).
It takes determination to learn - you must be willing to fail countless times (I can't say I do this with my climbing).
It's one of the hardest things you'll ever learn.
Most people will think you are weird or crazy - only other riders will truly understand.
It's a freeing feeling like nothing else - especially after you learn to free mount.
It's adrenalized and addictive.

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JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2013, 01:05:07 PM »
Where's the love?
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mynameismud

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2013, 05:09:04 PM »
Looks cool. Wanted to get a demo on one at Outerbike but there were just to many other bikes on the list.
Here's to sweat in your eye

JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2013, 09:23:49 PM »
good to have you back Mud :)
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JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2015, 03:57:39 PM »
Replaced two broken spokes and wrestled some new rubber onto my big wheel today.
Learned how to true my rim so hopefully no more broken spokes.
No time left for a ride.
Hopefully give it a spin tamale.
 
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mynameismud

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2015, 05:38:59 PM »
Is it possible to ride rollers with a uni?
Here's to sweat in your eye

JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2015, 06:38:44 PM »
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mynameismud

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2015, 10:21:08 PM »
dang
Here's to sweat in your eye

clink

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2015, 05:07:32 AM »
Doesn't count on the rollers without juggling.
Causing trouble when not climbing.

NOAL

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2015, 06:40:52 AM »
Training to operate world's largest eggbeater perhaps?

JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #11 on: September 11, 2015, 09:04:19 AM »
Doesn't count on the rollers without juggling.

He says it's scary as hell just doing it in a doorway.
If this guy can't let go and ride it in place I doubt anyone can!

Training to operate world's largest eggbeater perhaps?

That would make for some seriously fluffy eggs - or meringue :)
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JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #12 on: September 11, 2015, 02:54:24 PM »
Had an interesting ride today. Got up and going on the second try but after being off for 10 days and riding a brand new tire, it was tricky and challenging. Evidently I had been riding a much flatter profile tire - since the two middle rows of knobs were almost gone on my old tire. The new rubber at full inflation has a much rounder profile, so riding the apex is way more balancy and the handling is completely different. Cornering went from a full on lean (old, worn tire) to barely thinking about it (new tire). I remember last time I put on new rubber it took about a week to get the feel for it.
The good news is - the wheel stayed true and no spokes broke.
A little extra core workout adjusting to the new balance and squirrely handling won't hurt me :)   
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Brad Young

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #13 on: September 11, 2015, 03:19:30 PM »

A little extra core workout adjusting to the new balance and squirrely handling won't hurt me :)   


Nope. But the offwidth crack leads you're going to be in shape for might.

JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #14 on: December 04, 2015, 05:21:16 PM »
Can't resist a repost.

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Thanks to looks easy from here I had The Last Ride in my head today while spinning :)
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mynameismud

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #15 on: December 06, 2015, 01:35:08 PM »
Cool, but I think you need a bigger wheel, ; )
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JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2016, 08:24:51 PM »
Today was likely our last day of onshore breezes. It was one of the most if not THE MOST challenging day I have ever had on the wheel. Every time I turned toward the ocean the gusts damn near brought me to a halt. Turning on to the main road with gusts and crosswinds was crazy hard. I thought about cutting my normal ride short but stubborn me pressed on and did my whole circuit complete with turns(circles) and figure eights. I let out a few old man noises (similar to climbing 10's) at a few points. I was relieved to get home and step off. The best part was 1st time on and a perfect dismount  :ihih:
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Brad Young

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2016, 08:41:22 PM »

...but stubborn me...


I had no trouble forming a mental picture of this description  :P

clink

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #18 on: June 16, 2016, 02:54:00 AM »
Quote
The best part was 1st time on and a perfect dismount  Ihih

TMI





This is your practice wake up time for next Wed.
Causing trouble when not climbing.

JC w KC redux

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Re: One for the road
« Reply #19 on: June 16, 2016, 07:58:22 AM »
TMI

This is your practice wake up time for next Wed.

Really? With that setup? You must have been sleepy-eyed and meanderthal slow in the wit department.

Wednesday will be a good day to sleep in and celebrate the end of the quarter. :sleep: :prrr:
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