How to Ride a Unicycle

Learning To Ride A Unicycle

Welcome to the fun-filled world of unicycling! To kids young and old, you're about to embark on an adventure that will last a lifetime. The average time needed to learn unicycling is 10-15 hours; that's about an hour a day for two weeks.  

Safety Gear: Unicycling is generally not dangerous, but as with any physical activity, like riding a bike expect to fall every now and again, especially while learning. We strongly recommend wearing a helmet and wrist guards, sneakers or running shoes and trousers. 

Where to learn: The ultimate space would be a smooth corridor with a hand rail along each side.  Not easy to find! Look for a space clear of objects that might obstruct you.  It must be smooth and level, any pebble or dip will knock you off when you are beginning.  Tennis courts and school yards are generally good.  If you are lucky to have a juggling or unicycling club in your area they generally have appropriate space in a hall or gym and can also help you learn to ride.

Does this thing have a front and back? Yes. The seat post clamp skewer (bolt/nut or quick-release handle) is on the back - check this is on the correct way round, the slot in the frame under the clamp should be at the rear! The pedal marked "L" should be on your left, "R" on your right.

How high should the seat be? When you're seated on the unicycle, with the heel of one foot on a pedal in its lowest position, your leg should be almost straight.  This is important, if the seat does not go high enough we sell extra long replacement seat posts.

Getting Started:

1. Stand with both feet flat on the ground, legs apart. Put the seat between your legs.

2. Spin in the wheel so that the pedal is in the 4:00 o'clock position.

3. Put both hands on the handrail/fence.

4. Step on the pedal closest to you. This is different from a bicycle, where you step on the forward pedal. Bicyclists are used to moving forward when mounting. On a unicycle, you want the wheel to rotate 1/4-turn backwards. Step on the pedal and you should now be on the seat with the wheel underneath you.

5. Pedal backwards 1/4 turn to get your feet horizontal (backwards is easier than going forwards to get out of "the dead" position when your cranks are vertical).  You are now ready to go forwards.

6. Hold onto the handrail/fence tightly and lean forward slightly while pedaling slowly. Take it one "step" at a time: from horizontal feet with your left foot forward to horizontal feet with your right foot forward. Its just like learning to walk. Make sure you are sitting up straight (but still relaxed).

7. Build up from one step at a time to two steps, then three steps. Try to hold the rail/fence less and less until it is only needed for the occasional balance correction.

Congratulations!  Soon you'll travel a few metres without assistance, then a few more, then you'll soon discover the secret to unicycling: 

Tips:  Here are the top ten of tips; memorise these and you will be well on your way.

1.   "Sit on the seat" (don't hold your weight on your legs)
2.   "When the unicycle starts to fall, let it and don't catch it"
3.   "Don't look down, look ahead"
4.   "Lean forward not back"
5.   "Point your shoulders in the direction you want to go"
6.   "Sit on the seat"
7.   "Faster, like a bike it is much harder to ride very slow"
8.   "Do not try to stand still"
9.   "Don't worry, you will learn to turn right later, just turn left for the moment"
10. "Sit on the seat!"