The Guide to Unicycles and Unicycling

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the American Language, a unicycle is quite simply a "vehicle consisted of a mounted frame over a single wheel and usually propelled by pedals."

Although there are different theories concerning the origin of the unicycle, some historians believe that it evolved from a penny farthing. A penny farthing was basically a bicycle back in the 1800's, with one substantially bigger wheel in the front, and a small wheel in the back. The penny farthing was not too safe, and it was common for people to get injured from it. As a result, two inventions came out of the need to make transportation on "bicycles" safer, thus, born the unicycle and the bicycle of today , which we know as having two wheels of equal size.

What is interesting about the unicycle is that most people associate it with clowns juggling in carnivals. But in the past twenty years, unicycling has emerged into a hobby for the masses and has bred other sports involving the unicycle including Unicycle hockey, Unicycle basketball, Muni (mountain unicycling) and long distance unicycling.

Is unicycling for you?

1. Improves your balance and stamina
   
2. Gives you stronger leg and core muscles
   
3. Helps you lose weight
4. Teaches you to be in the moment
5. Relieves your stress from the daily grind
   

• Commuting Unicycles
• Giraffe Unicycles
• Freestyle Unicycles
• Mountain Unicycles
• Trials Unicycles

There is a wide range of unicycles, depending on your need. There are some pretty cheap unicycles on Amazon for around $80, while a mountain unicycle could sell for $700 or more. Your unicycle of choice will evolve as your skill level increases. If you are not sure how committed you are to the sport of unicycling, you may want to look for a dirt cheap unicycle on Ebay or at a garage sale.

For a beginner unicyclist, the wheel will be 20 inches in diameter for an adult and about 16 inches for a child. Your unicycle will be based on the measurement of your inseam, not your height. A good brand for beginner unicycles is Torker.

Remember to protect yourself while unicycling. This is true for beginners or experts. You should buy a quality helmet, shin guards, elbow guards and a pair of gloves.

Most people can learn how to unicycle with about 15 hours of practice time. When you are learning how to unicycle, it is important that you to wear your protective gear including your helmet, your shin guards and your wrist guards.

1. Standing next to a wall, a railing or a good friend, keep the unicycle in front of you. The seat of the unicycle should stand at the level of your belly button.

2. If you are a rightie, your right pedal should be at a 30 to 45 degree angle. Place your right foot on the right pedal, and then place your left foot on the left pedal. Hold onto the wall with your left hand and stand up straight.

3. Start pedaling while holding onto a wall. Don't look down or you will loose your balance. Don't be afraid to put some metal to the pedal or you will get stuck in the dead zone of unicycling, and you will fall off.

4. Don't be afraid to fall. Usually you will fall backwards or forwards, but rarely sideways. If you fall, sometimes the pedals will keep moving, and a pedal will slap you in the shin. This is when the shin guards stay in handy.

5. Once you feel comfortable with unicycling with the wall, try to take your hand off the wall, every few seconds, until you gradually can do away with the wall.

6. Practice makes perfect.