PuffAddr said:* And what types of "safetyproofing" equipment is advised.
I am 5'5" and believe my legs are a medium to short. City
dweller with harsh winters. *
Have you got osteoporesis? If your bones are ok then I can't
think of any reason not to start.
I've had three kinds of "falls." By far the most common is a
standard UPD (unplanned dismount) where you just step off.
On a 20" or 24" unicycle you are only a few inches above the
ground so this kind of "fall" is about as stressful as
stepping off a curb you didn't see. It's just a hard foot
plant. I'd say 99 out of 100 "falls" are of this type.
The second kind is about the same, but instead of catching
yourself you take a tumble. You can bump your knees, hips,
elbows or wrists during the roll. If you really want to get
decked out in pads these are the places to protect. Most
unicyclists use wrist protection, and some use knee and shin
protection. There are a few who use elbow protectors, and
others who use shorts with crash padding. Roller blading
pads are more than sufficient.
The third kind is very rare but potentially dangerous. The
unicycle scoots out in front of you and you land on your
butt or back. I've had this happen twice in my brief
experience as a unicyclist (7 months of regular practice),
and both times I've been very grateful that I was wearing a
helmet. I didn't hit my head either time but if I had the
back of my head would have slammed into the concrete pretty
hard. So I'd definately add a helmet to you padding set.
As for cold winters... Unicycling is an EXCELLENT sport. It
builds leg strength and ballance, of course, but it also
strengthens your abdominal, back and shoulder muscles and
improves your posture. I learned in an enclosed parking
garage over the winter.
A 20" is great for learning. Spend a couple of hundred bucks
and get a good one if you can. It doesn't need to be a top
of the line "professional" unicycle, but you should avoid
the really cheap ones. They are uncomfortable and don't hold
up well. As a beginner you are going to drop it 1000 times
before you can reliably catch it as you step off.
Have fun,
Tim
--
cyberbellum - Level 1.0 rider!
Optimists think the glass is half full. Pesimists think the glass is
half empty. Engineers think the glass is too big.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cyberbellum's Profile: unicyclist.com4550Open ↗
View this thread: unicyclist.com32605Open ↗
