For some tips on learning to coast, look 'here.'
(http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/The_Unicyclopedia:Freestyle) You will have
to scroll down a ways.
1) Learning time varies from person to person. Jesse Berg told me he
learned it in a day. I have been working on it since June of 2004, so
about ten months, and I'm just about to the point where I can go ten
meters consistently. It will probably be a very long, frustrating
process. Just practice as much as you can, and it will come
eventually.
2) No, gliding is not necessary before coasting, although it would
certainly help to learn gliding first. I started on coasting about the
time I started working on one-footed wheel walk, but by the time
coasting actually clicked, (I could go ten meters and ride out at least
once in a while), six months later, I had learned gliding. I think I
probably would have gotten coasting eventually without gliding, but I
can't say for sure.
3) I have done a little downhill coasting. It's certainly possible on
very slight downhills. It's very scary on steep downhills, though,
because you accelerate sooooooo fast. I have managed to stay on on a
somewhat steep downhill grade for about twenty meters. Beyond that, the
fear factor usually overrides my balance. (Which is pretty pathetic in
any case.)
There are a bunch of ways to get into coasting. You can go from gliding,
one-footed riding, regular riding, and one-footed wheel walk fast. The
most practical for learning is one-footed riding, but I think going
directly from regular riding is a good exercise to improve stability
once you can coast at least a little bit.
I suggest you work on both kinds of coasting, with the leg extended and
with both feet on the frame. Originally, I worked only on leg extended,
coasting, and it was only when, six months later, I finally switched to
coasting with both feet on the frame that I finally got it. Now I
actually find it easier to coast leg extended. So work on both, and
don't be afraid to experiment.
--
jsm - Freestyler
Help edit the Unicyclopedia!
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