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Is 55 to old to ride?


HuskerDawg

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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!

:efefae4566: 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 :laughbounce2:), 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.

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@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:

 

 

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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.

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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? 

 

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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.........

 

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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 by bigwave
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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 :D

IMG_20191012_135523.thumb.jpg.21e7a50a4670ae475dbbf99ef7e0997d.jpg

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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.......

:laughbounce2:

Love it - rationalization at its best :cheers:

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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!

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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!

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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.......

:cheers:  :roflmao:

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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. 

 

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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.

 

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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. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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