manu Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 15 hours ago, rainystateguy said: 55 darn well better not be too old. I'm 73, will be 74 this fall, and I am gonna learn to ride this machine. I"ve got a Inmotion V10F, that I am slowly working on taming. lately I took some time off from learning to ride just to work on getting myself in slightly better shape. Here is the history that led me up to this. I have what the doctor calls a "severe" case of COPD, which means that I screwed my lungs up pretty bad by smoking for 50 years. I quit smoking 7 or 8 years ago. I had let the COPD throw me into a downward spiral. My breathing was so bad that often I couldn't reliably walk a block or two and have the strength and breath to return to my starting point. So I basically gave up walking, which of course made my physical condition worse (use it or lose it). I moved to a different living situation about 5 years ago which didn't help. In my old home I had to climb stairs several time a day, the new one is all on one level, so I even lost that bit of exercise. I was getting fatter and weaker. About 4 or 5 months ago I bought myself an ebike, just to have a way to get out of the house and still have the ability to get home again if I ran out of strength. That bike was a life changer. Not only could I get out of the house, but I was getting more exercise than I had in years, while having a lot of fun. Once I found myself out and riding and seeing how much better that made me feel, I set some goals for myself. One of those goals was to use as little pedal assist from the bike motor as I could, so as to start building up my muscles again, and the other was to lose weight. At the time I was about 225 lbs, (103 kg) I changed how I eat and today I weigh 193 lbs (87.5 kg) I've gone from wearing pants with a 38" waist to pants with a 34" waist (I lost 20 pounds after I started riding the bike, and an additional 10 after I started trying to learn the wheel- I return drenched in sweat after every session) My ebike has 9 levels of pedal assist, with "9" requiring the least amount of effort from the rider (think electric motorcycle), and "1" requiring the most effort. I have worked my way down to "2" and am switching to "1" on a fairly regular basis. For the last few weeks I have been working on building up my strength. I had discovered that somewhere over the years I had lost the ability to balance at all on one foot, and that while bike riding had gotten my legs in fairly good shape, the rest of my body needs some work. After buying and practicing on a boso ball I can now balance on either foot for a reasonable length of time, and I can bend, twist and reach in ways that I haven't been able to in years. I have to admit that I wasted far too many of the very limited dry days that we have had in in the Pacific Northwest by riding along fences or walls but not letting go. No more of that. I went out a couple of days ago to a parking lot that I had been avoiding just because it doesn't have anything to hold onto, and began shoving myself unsupported. I did this several times, each time getting a few feet further and further. I did fall once, straight back onto my butt, which was good for me. as I had been afraid of falling, and this showed me that it was nowhere as bad as I had feared. I got up and kept trying until I once again had to stop because of my breathing issues. I get really worn out after 15 or 20 minutes. But on this forum, which I read and reread often, I am encouraged by those who advocate limiting one's learning session to about that long. I am going to start taking my gopro and videoing each of my practices so I can see what I am doing. For example I would really like to know why I fell off the machine backwards - this is actually the second time I have done that. The first time was the day I received the wheel, and tried mounting it while standing in my hallway. That time I landed right on my tailbone and it was sore for about 3 weeks. Maybe the video will show me what has caused me to fall backwards. (Murphy's Law - my butt is the only place where I am NOT wearing protection) So while I am a slow learner, I am learning. I am so looking forward to "getting it". I know that is coming sooner rather than later. My thanks go out to all those who have learned to ride before me and then took the time to share their experiences here and on YouTube. Anyway, back to the original question:, 55? You are still a kid. Go for it! what a story! You have all my admiration and as I get older, I'll always try to remember people like you who just try to get over difficulties and enjoy life. When I started to consider trying EUCs, I also thought I was maybe a bit old (43 ), then I realised most people in the forums and youtube videos were older than me. I'll get my cheap second hand learning EUC in two days and my new V8F, which I ordered a month ago, will hopefully arrive one day. Can't wait. Thanks to everyone on this forum for sharing their experiences. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pengloong Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 @manu Hi manu, welcome to the EUC World. It is absolutely a very enjoyable hobby. I noted that you are in the Costa Blanca area. I sometimes ride at Caple, Altea, Albir, Benidorm, Villajoysosa. Are you anywhere close to these areas? It would be nice to have a buddy to ride with or indeed share ideas. Good luck and enjoy your new EUC. 1 hour ago, manu said: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manu Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 3 hours ago, Pengloong said: @manu Hi manu, welcome to the EUC World. It is absolutely a very enjoyable hobby. I noted that you are in the Costa Blanca area. I sometimes ride at Caple, Altea, Albir, Benidorm, Villajoysosa. Are you anywhere close to these areas? It would be nice to have a buddy to ride with or indeed share ideas. Good luck and enjoy your new EUC. I'm at the other side of Alicante, but still close enough to meet sometime. As soon as I learn and feel confident, I'll be ready for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Retrovertigo Posted March 1, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) Oh wow.....heart sank a little at the title I'm 55 (will be 56 on July 4th...make a note people ) and have been learning how to ride for the last 6 months or so. I must admit that I did have a slight advantage in that I knew how to ride a traditional unicycle, so my balance for a single wheel was there to some degree. But even if I hadn't had that previous experience, I don't think it would have been too difficult to learn, and it really is life changing. It's such a unique vehicle to ride. And my daughter thinks I'm the coolest thing since sliced bread, as do my grandkids whenever they have friends round, they stick on my YouTube channel and show them my videos I'm still a bit wobbly starting off, but that is improving all the time. I haven't even ridden that far from home yet, but it is so freeing and exhilarating, even just riding around the local areas. Don't think twice....get one Edited March 1, 2020 by Retrovertigo 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskerDawg Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 I just bought a KS18L. I am going told it will arrive locked from shipping. I am trying to locate the iOS app now and cannot find the app. How does one go about unlocking it without the app??? It states in the App Store that the app isn't available in my country and/or location. Surely I didn't just buy a wheel I can't use because its locked. Anyone heard of this shipping lock and whether or not it can be unlocked without the Kingsong app? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskerDawg Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Nevermind, I think I got the right app or at least until Kingsong comes out with their iOS version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefteris Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 You can use a family members or a friends android phone with euc.world and fix all the settings for riding. Then use your iOS apps 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskerDawg Posted March 2, 2020 Author Share Posted March 2, 2020 Thanks for all the help. Another question, how do you keep from scratching up a new wheel when you are first learning to ride? I believe I read somewhere to use a tether which I agree that will help for the early learning steps. One foot on the ground and learning to turn and for the small hops forward. Is there any skins out there or low tack vinyl for when the wheel takes a harder fall? Seems kind of painful to watch a new wheel go sliding down the road on its side......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwave Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 (edited) 55 minutes ago, HuskerDawg said: Thanks for all the help. Another question, how do you keep from scratching up a new wheel when you are first learning to ride? I believe I read somewhere to use a tether which I agree that will help for the early learning steps. One foot on the ground and learning to turn and for the small hops forward. Is there any skins out there or low tack vinyl for when the wheel takes a harder fall? Seems kind of painful to watch a new wheel go sliding down the road on its side......... This is an excellent video to assist your learning progression. No leash required. I'm sure @The Fat Unicyclist will be able to get you set up with a nice cover for your 18L. Edited March 3, 2020 by bigwave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrovertigo Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 4 hours ago, HuskerDawg said: Thanks for all the help. Another question, how do you keep from scratching up a new wheel when you are first learning to ride? I believe I read somewhere to use a tether which I agree that will help for the early learning steps. One foot on the ground and learning to turn and for the small hops forward. Is there any skins out there or low tack vinyl for when the wheel takes a harder fall? Seems kind of painful to watch a new wheel go sliding down the road on its side......... I bought a reasonably good quality yoga mat and then cut out pieces as needed to fit my wheel and attached it with double sided Gorilla tape. I also used a tether attached to the central handle, and it all seems to have done the trick. Hopefully you can see from the photo where I stuck it in all the places I felt would have contact with the ground. It's actually pretty comfortable to have my leg against as well when I am pushing off to start. I keep meaning to remove the yoga mat pieces now, and stick on the actual padding that comes with a Z10. But every time I go to do it, I think "hmmmmmm, am I tempting fate" and leave it on 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TimH Posted March 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted March 3, 2020 This topic has been comprehensively replied to, but I'll throw in my 2 cents worth as a medical specialist who bought an Inmotion V8 4 months ago, a Gotway MCM5 one month after that, and last week a KingSong 16X. I talked my wife into the first purchase with the rationale that if I couldn't do it or didn't like it, I could re-purpose it as a x-mas present for a nephew. The Gotway I explained was prudent as it has a little more power, hence safer. The Kingsong I had delivered to work. The relevance is I'm about to guarantee her, and anybody else, that the balance, core strength, mood effects, simple joy of an outdoor activity and proven benefits of learning new skills for aging brains are such that not to buy a third unicycle would almost be to neglect my health....... 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainystateguy Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 I used this neoprene from Amazon. You can get one sheet for $20 or two sheets for $6 more. One sheet and a roll of Gorilla tape was enough to do mine. I've beat up the covering pretty good but it is still doing its job. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TT8CRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefteris Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 Just don't put too much materials on the side of your legs cause it's going to hurt when riding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Backe Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 1 hour ago, TimH said: This topic has been comprehensively replied to, but I'll throw in my 2 cents worth as a medical specialist who bought an Inmotion V8 4 months ago, a Gotway MCM5 one month after that, and last week a KingSong 16X. I talked my wife into the first purchase with the rationale that if I couldn't do it or didn't like it, I could re-purpose it as a x-mas present for a nephew. The Gotway I explained was prudent as it has a little more power, hence safer. The Kingsong I had delivered to work. The relevance is I'm about to guarantee her, and anybody else, that the balance, core strength, mood effects, simple joy of an outdoor activity and proven benefits of learning new skills for aging brains are such that not to buy a third unicycle would almost be to neglect my health....... Love it - rationalization at its best 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post meepmeepmayer Posted March 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted March 3, 2020 9 hours ago, HuskerDawg said: Another question, how do you keep from scratching up a new wheel when you are first learning to ride? I believe I read somewhere to use a tether which I agree that will help for the early learning steps. Just get a EUC bodyguard: https://www.roll.nz/int/27-store Also available on ewheels. In general, don't try to catch the wheel if you have to run off it. Let the wheel fall on its own. Run off and care about yourself. That's what the EUC bodyguard (or an equally comprehensive DIY padding) is perfect for. And what a tether is counter to. Unlucky people have injured themselves trying to catch a wheel (be it on a tether, or just with their hands or feet) where a low speed run-off would have been a simple and completely harmless affair. Twisted knee, shin damage when the wheel rams into your leg, getting a foot stuck on the wheel and falling, etc. Pad your wheel up so you don't have to care whether it falls, and then do not care. Care about yourself. The thing will fall over on its own anyways. It's the safest and best way to deal with a run-off at anything faster than walking speed. (Of course, catching the wheel with your hand when you are extremely slow or standing still and doing some balancing excercise is safe. I'm not saying to just let it drop during learning like you have no arms. But let it drop if you have to run off it.) This is my opinion. I'm strongly against a tether, learning on grass, or anything else that is "unnatural" (and therefore probably counterproductive) when a simple well-made padding is all you ever need. As always, follow your intuition. If you just feel a tether is right for you, it's right for you, whatever anybody else says. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrovertigo Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 1 hour ago, meepmeepmayer said: This is my opinion. I'm strongly against a tether, learning on grass, or anything else that is "unnatural" (and therefore probably counterproductive) when a simple well-made padding is all you ever need. I really think a tether is totally dependant on where you live. I live a couple of miles from the city centre so every road I ride on has traffic, pedestrians and parked cars. I couldn't afford to come off and let me wheel just roll off and possibly hit a pedestrian, parked car, or go under the wheels of a vehicle or motorbike. Now I'm comfortable on the wheel I obviously take my chances. But while learning I think it would have held me back as I'd have been terrified of being sued! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..... Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 24 minutes ago, Retrovertigo said: I really think a tether is totally dependant on where you live. I live a couple of miles from the city centre so every road I ride on has traffic, pedestrians and parked cars. I couldn't afford to come off and let me wheel just roll off and possibly hit a pedestrian, parked car, or go under the wheels of a vehicle or motorbike. Now I'm comfortable on the wheel I obviously take my chances. But while learning I think it would have held me back as I'd have been terrified of being sued! I would seriously consider finding a safer place to learn. I mean hell, if you are worried that a wheel can get away from you and get run over, wtf is gna happen when it gets away from you with you ON IT?!!! I've 200 miles on mine and I would still not trust myself in a crowded city during peak driving hours, no leash would change my opinion of that. Horse for courses tho, whatever works out best for YOU in the end, if what it should be. I am still on my learning and it is mostly abandoned back roads and large grocer parking lots. You guys in cities are BRAVE souls. Ive about been run over twice on foot in the nearby city... on the sidewalk! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrovertigo Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 @ShanesPlanet It's pretty much impossible to find anywhere safe where I live. I'm so close to the city centre, and also the university that there aren't any quiet places. Even the parks always have a ton of people walking around in them. Just have to make the best of it really 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travsformation Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 6 hours ago, TimH said: The relevance is I'm about to guarantee her, and anybody else, that the balance, core strength, mood effects, simple joy of an outdoor activity and proven benefits of learning new skills for aging brains are such that not to buy a third unicycle would almost be to neglect my health....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskerDawg Posted March 3, 2020 Author Share Posted March 3, 2020 Thanks Guys- I'll use a tether but only when NOT riding. Starting out learning, with one foot on and rotating the wheel around my other leg. Skipping forward 2-3 ft at a time etc. I hope to master starting, stopping, and somewhat turning before I even try to go 10ft. This is when I'll use the tether because no doubt I'll drop it on its side a few times. I'll check the links and already ordered some low tack vinyl. Just want to protect the investment somewhat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskerDawg Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 did some practicing today. Getting used to controlling the wheel with one leg etc. I did ride along the fence back and forth some. This brings me to a question I have. I find it harder to go forward then it is for me to go backwards. Being so new to this I am sure it is just a learning curve deal but was wondering if anyone has any tips to combat this? It seems that I have to really lean forward. I have some ideas for my next practice session but if you guys have recommendations, I'll try them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 2 minutes ago, HuskerDawg said: I find it harder to go forward then it is for me to go backwards. That is definitely opposite the norm. Sounds like a calibration issue. Can you take a side photo of your wheel (pedals down while turned on) with someone holding onto the handle. Position the camera low so it is level with the pedals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskerDawg Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 Dont see how to post a picture here. However, it does appear that the pedal is tilted rearward a good bit. Maybe thats all it is. I'll re calibrate and try to get it level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meepmeepmayer Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 20 minutes ago, HuskerDawg said: Dont see how to post a picture here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadpower Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 I haven't read this thread yet beyond the opening line but here are my initial thoughts. I'm 57. I bought my first wheel (KS18XL) last spring. I put a lot of research into it but apparently not enough because I couldn't really learn on that wheel, too big, too heavy and I was just not ready for it. About a month ago Marty uploaded a video talking about the Mten3 and within minutes I decided to go for it as I was not ready to give up on a pursuit of being able to ride. This turned out to be a great decision but a rather dramatic difference in the size between the wheels. The Mten3 is about 1/3 the size of the KS18XL. At first I just had a hard time of mounting the thing but keeping at it I've found that this wheel is making all the difference in the world for me being able to learn to ride. Among the very first things I'm learning is that I have to build muscle in my feet, this is happening naturally as I do sessions on the wheel, usually to the point where the burn and muscle fatigue is apparent. I don't think I have spent a hour total on it yet but already I can shakily go 60'-70' (feet) without needing a wall, so I know things are only going to get better. Like Ian from Speedyfeet says, this is conditioning. You have to condition your body to ride. If you are starting off on low pile carpet I wouldn't worry too much about protection (just my experiences so far). I think the best video tutorial I've seen was the one recommended by Jason but there are many others as well I wouldn't discount. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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