Unicyclist Interview

tomblackwood

1) How long have you been unicycling
About 3.5 years
2) What style of unicycling do you most enjoy, what are some examples of
skills you know.
I enjoy muni most, then distance riding on Coker. Just starting to pick
up trials, which looks like something I'll like. Working on getting
better as most basic skills needed for muni...climbing, hopping, drops,
negotiating tight turns on rooty or rock terrain, climbing. Did I say
climbing?
3) What was the reason you began unicycling
I had wanted to ever since my next door neighbor pal got one when we
were about 12. I tried his a few times but could never get it, while he
went on and became quite good. Then, almost 30 years later, it hit me
that the reason he learned and I didn't was it was his unicycle, not
mine. I never put in the required practice time. Sent out and bought one
for myself, and was riding two weeks later.
4) How has unicycling effected your life.
Through unicycling I've met a large number of really great people with
all sorts of diverse background and experience. Very similar to the
juggling community in that regard. It's also helped me get into a
regular exercise routine, set improvement targets, etc. As a result, I'm
in much better shape now than I was a year ago.
5) Have you met any new good friends through unicycling
See above. I feel pretty well connected to the unicycling community,
and ride with a number of cool people on a regular basis. It's funny,
because some of the folks I've met seemed very much like "old friends"
that I just had never seen before.
6) Do you feel there is anything different or special about
unicyclists
I'd second Nathan's comments here. I find unicyclists and jugglers share
that trait; the willingness to rise to the challenge, and invest time in
a difficult activity to improve themselves. They share a disposition
toward self-improvement, which is a trait I admire. Plus--every
population has a certain percentage of "jerks"; but with unicyclists,
that percentage seems much much smaller. I've found some unicyclists I
don't see eye to eye with, but haven't found one yet that I don't like.

7) Would you rather unicycle by yourself or with others - why is this
more beneficial.
I prefer riding with others. Not only do I like the social aspect, but I
find I'll tend to try things and push myself in ways I might not by
myself. If "everyone" is going to try to hop over that log pile, then I
guess I better too....
8) how much money have you invested in unicycling - is it worth it?
Between equipment for me and my son and associated travel, etc., a few
thousand. Worth every penny.
9) Will you someday or have you already taught your kids to unicycle.
My son is 10, and he learned to ride about a year and half ago at the
Portland Juggling Festival. He loves it, and it's given us a great
father/son activity. We ride together at least a couple times each
week.
10) What benefits do you feel have come from unicycling
See above. Physical, mental, and social enrichment.


--
tomblackwood - Registered Nurtz

Tailgate at your own risk.....

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aspenmike

1) How long have you been unicycling
Going on 4 years, but first learned 35 years ago.
2) What style of unicycling do you most enjoy, what are some examples of
skills you know.
Give me a mountain and either a MUni or Coker and I will (try) climb it.
I like both, but really enjoy long rides that involve BIG climbs at high
altitudes on the Coker. Long single track rides on the MUni are quite
enjoyable as well.
3) What was the reason you began unicycling
My wife brouht one home a few years ago, otherwise I might not be
writing this. When I learned as a kid, it was because my neighborhood
buddy and I challenged each other.
4) How has unicycling effected your life.
I've had only positive results from unicycling. I now uni trails and
roads that I have been riding for 30 years on bikes, with better
conditioning and bigger smiles, like Slickrock in Moab.
5) Have you met any new good friends through unicycling
Yes, from writers and photographers who have been part of my Epic rides
to the numerous kids and adults that I have helped start unicycling.
6) Do you feel there is anything different or special about unicyclists

Challenge, they love the challenge, and being different. Unicyclist are
to bicyclist as telemark skiers are to alpine skiers, it's all good,
just a harder way to accomplish their sport. Both telemarkers and
unicyclist are a little wacked.
7) Would you rather unicycle by yourself or with others - why is this
more beneficial.
It does not matter to me, I like riding alone and with others.
8) how much money have you invested in unicycling - is it worth it?
Quite a bit, yes it is worth it.
9) Will you someday or have you already taught your kids to unicycle.
Both my kids ride, ages 10,13. They have been riding for about 3 years
now. I have also taught a bunch of kids to ride in town here.
10) What benefits do you feel have come from unicycling .
The biggest benefit for me has been staying in shape, both physical and
mental. Also, I have met so many cool people because of it. Its a great
sport to get you in shape for ski season. The (adrenilene& personal)
high that comes with summiting a high mountain pass on a Coker, (or
MUni) is second to none, so that experience I would say is a benefit to
my overall well being. Another benefit from unicycling has been the
"Family" aspect of it. It is quality family time spent together, a high
priority of mine.







--
aspenmike - unicycling albino
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eenwieler

1) How long have you been unicycling
3,5 years

2) What style of unicycling do you most enjoy, what are some examples of
skills you know.
my favorite was freestyle, but since i have seen unicycle trials my
favorite is street ( there aren't big trials obstacles in the
netherlands ). My best tricks are wheel walk ( 1 and 2 footed ) glide,
practising coast ( record is 13 meter )

3) What was the reason you began unicycling
at school we have got a block called circus by the gym. there i started
unicycling

4) How has unicycling effected your life.
very important. it is a way of live and without my unicycle i cant
life
5) Have you met any new good friends through unicycling
before i did unicycling ( and after 1 year juggling ) I hadn't much
friends, but now i have got a lot of friends

6) Do you feel there is anything different or special about
unicyclists
yeaah unicyclist rocks

7) Would you rather unicycle by yourself or with others - why is this
more beneficial.
in my village there are plenty of people who can ride a unicycle (
because of my school ) but there are only 3 people in our villege who
practise a lot with unicycling and juggling. Most of the times I'am
alone because the others aren't at my level.

8) how much money have you invested in unicycling - is it worth it?
more than 1000 euro's in 3 years and ofcourse it is worth. the big
problem is my bank account that isn't big enough ( still student )
9) Will you someday or have you already taught your kids to unicycle.
my kids??? I'am just 16 i have got a girlfriend but we don't want kids
at this age. we will waight until our 25 or maybe later with getting
kids.

10) What benefits do you feel have come from unicycling
before unicycling i did'nt do any sports ( except archery ) but that
isn't a verry extreem sport ( if you do that 2 at the same time, so
shooting an arrow from your unicycle, than it is quite cool )


--
eenwieler - One wheel is everything I need.

Eenwieler, Einrad, Unicycle, Monocycle. It is just the same!
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fluffinator007

Thank you much everyone.


--
fluffinator007 - Expert UPD'ist

My image was voted out.
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