Finally received my InMotion V5F

[leroadrunner]

Being in Canada, I had ordered my wheel from China, well, that almost took 3 months.

I know there are much better wheels, but I'm an old guy (56), and I dont think I'll go too fast, and 20 clicks will be plenty for me.

 

Now, the learning start. Lets see if we can teach this old dog new tricks! Wish me luck. I think I'll start with on grass, and around a tree in a park (I remember seeing a video teaching it that way, which for the life of me I cannot find now!).

 

Wish me luck!

[Nestor]

Old at 56!!!  I am 72 and waiting for my second wheel - V12. I wish you luck and I am sure you won't have any problem learning it. My advise to you, however, is starting on tennis or basketball court. I initially tried to learn on astroturf but realized it is too hard to keep the balance.  Moved to tennis court where it took me about 4 hours to have sustained ride. Riding on grass is much more difficult then on a smooth surface.     

[Guest]

Good luck, there is no old man at 58 when he's on a wheel. Good choice to start the V5F.

[leroadrunner]

Thanks guys for the support!

So, I instead started with this video  , and did the first 5 steps only and very slowly. My right leg (the strong one - right) is dead tired!! LOL

 

 

[mtreload]

1 hour ago, Nestor said:

Old at 56!!!  I am 72 and waiting for my second wheel - V12. I wish you luck and I am sure you won't have any problem learning it. My advise to you, however, is starting on tennis or basketball court. I initially tried to learn on astroturf but realized it is too hard to keep the balance.  Moved to tennis court where it took me about 4 hours to have sustained ride. Riding on grass is much more difficult then on a smooth surface.     

I highly recommend a tennis court too. Tennis court with fencing helped me learn and feel safe as I could grab the fence at first and then eventually I could ride around in circles. I tried to learn on grass and turf at first and was having a hard time.

[euc.Serbia]

I also manage to find used v5 and started to learn. Going small steps, and learning. It is fun. Luckily i got this small wheel, because it was hard to stand on it for the first tim. Take some fance and hold to it. Do we have some learning group to share progres in some app?

[RockyTop]

Old? I walk and ride past old people all day. People in their 40’s, 50’s and even 60’s with their white hair and slow movements. I avoid saying more than I polite hello. They watch me with disapproval.  I respect their space and truly wish them well. I try not to be a disrespectful youth.  Then I realize. ...... I am older than half of them.  ......... ..

56 is the new 36. Enjoy it while you can!! 

[alcatraz]

A tennis court sounds like a good place. Have fun! Be patient... better safe than sorry. 

[Elwood]

Second the tennis court idea. I'm 57, took about two or so half hour tries on the court to get on and stay on, (that's the only trick) all downhill from there. I've logged about 200 miles on the v8f in the last two months to get comfy changing from pavement to grass, tight turns, high speeds, and adjusting feet and steep hills. Flat shoes seems to make a difference.

[leroadrunner]

I went to a tennis court last night for about 30 mins. It was slowly sinking in, best I managed was maybe 15 feet flailing of what a call "not falling". Was pretty tired.

 

This morning went again, court was busy, so went to baseball field, outfield is all grass surrounded by a fence. I can see why grass is harder, so bumpy. But the good news is because it's grass I was less afraid of falling. I had to push myself to lean forward more to go faster, as I am finding slow speed is harder to control. Anyways, I did manage one run across the whole outfield of "not falling", and somewhat going in the direction I wanted. I had many other 50 feet runs, but could not do the whole outfield again. I think I was tired.

 

Anyways, thanks for the support, lots of practice left for sure, this will take awhile!

Edited August 14, 2021 by leroadrunner

[OldFartRides]

Don’t forget to hang those toes off the front edge !

Have fun !

[Paul A]

Maybe try using a supermarket shopping trolley/cart.

Use it a bit like a Zimmer walking frame, gives you something to hold on to practice going forwards in a straight line at the beginning.

A wide open carpark with a hard, flat surface might be easier than soft, bumpy grass.

Standing straight upright, not slouching, when learning seems to help.

Good luck.

[Paul A]

Also, maybe try placing the ankles at the center of the pedal, which would correspond to the vertical center line of the wheel, this may be easier.

Most people just assume to place their feet on the pedals evenly positioned.

Just a suggestion, everyone will have different preferences.

[leroadrunner]

53 minutes ago, OldFartRides said:

Don’t forget to hang those toes off the front edge !

Have fun !

What does that mean? Could you explain it a bit?

 

Thanks

[leroadrunner]

1 hour ago, Paul A said:

Maybe try using a supermarket shopping trolley/cart.

Use it a bit like a Zimmer walking frame, gives you something to hold on to practice going forwards in a straight line at the beginning.

A wide open carpark with a hard, flat surface might be easier than soft, bumpy grass.

Standing straight upright, not slouching, when learning seems to help.

Good luck.

That's a great idea thanks!

49 minutes ago, leroadrunner said:

What does that mean? Could you explain it a bit?

 

Thanks

Nevermind, I think I get it

[Guest]

Toes means your toes are at the front of the pedal.

[OldFartRides]

7 hours ago, Paul A said:

Also, maybe try placing the ankles at the center of the pedal, which would correspond to the vertical center line of the wheel, this may be easier.

Most people just assume to place their feet on the pedals evenly positioned.

Just a suggestion, everyone will have different preferences.

Maybe more like what Paul said…

  The balls of my feet are usually at the front edge of the pedals. My toes are literally off the front edge.

 Unless I going down a really steep grade, in which case I scootch  back some.

[leroadrunner]

Thanks, I'll try that. Definitely not what I was doing

[euc.Serbia]

How many psi do you inflate v5? For 100kg?

Edited August 15, 2021 by Nenad83

[mrelwood]

45 minutes ago, Nenad83 said:

How many psi do you inflate v5? For 100kg?

Something like 45 psi, just to give a quick ballpark figure.

[leroadrunner]

Man, those tennis courts are busy in the morning. So it was back to the baseball field.

 

I did the toes forward. Not sure if that was that or the brain clicking in, but definitely a lot better. Still no sense of direction, but definitely can do frequently 10-20 feet unassisted. I'm hearing less often the "be careful". Tho the light was turned on once in a fall, not sure how!

I also had to practice getting on without support, as I was often stuck far from the fence. Painful, but succeeded twice.

Oh, I have my first injury, pinky finger got stuck in the fence once, cut and bleed. That's ok!

Anyways, thank you all, slowly sinking in.

[Paul A]

Very good to hear it's coming along nicely.

When you become proficient and start going for hours long rides, a common thing that might happen is that you get sore/numb feet.

This is likely because of blood flow being restricted.

Very likely and simple causes may include:

The shoelaces just need to be loosened up a bit.

Gripping the wheel a bit too tight with the calves.

 

Please seriously consider safety gear such as wrist guards, full face helmet, knee and elbow guards, etc.

Plenty of forum posts outlining injuries.

 

[leroadrunner]

4 hours ago, Paul A said:

Very good to hear it's coming along nicely.

When you become proficient and start going for hours long rides, a common thing that might happen is that you get sore/numb feet.

This is likely because of blood flow being restricted.

Very likely and simple causes may include:

The shoelaces just need to be loosened up a bit.

Gripping the wheel a bit too tight with the calves.

 

Please seriously consider safety gear such as wrist guards, full face helmet, knee and elbow guards, etc.

Plenty of forum posts outlining injuries.

 

Appreciated. I notice the sole of my feet felt in pain a bit. I was wearing an old pair of sneakers, probably way past due.

I am wearing: knee, elbow and knee guards. Full face MTB helmet is ordered and on its way, should be here in a week or so.

I am dreaming of long rides, but nowhere ready, it may take awhile.

 

Thank you all!

[mrelwood]

8 hours ago, leroadrunner said:

Appreciated. I notice the sole of my feet felt in pain a bit. I was wearing an old pair of sneakers, probably way past due.

I’ve noticed that soft soled shoes cause my feet to get numb and painful much sooner than rigid ones. Sneakers are usually quite soft. I’ve used light hiking boots for a good while now, easily the best for longer trips from all the shoes I’ve tried to ride with.

8 hours ago, leroadrunner said:

I am wearing: knee, elbow and knee guards. Full face MTB helmet is ordered and on its way, should be here in a week or so.

Sounds great! But don’t forget your wrists and palms, humans will always try to catch any fall with our hands.

[euc.Serbia]

8 hours ago, leroadrunner said:

Appreciated. I notice the sole of my feet felt in pain a bit. I was wearing an old pair of sneakers, probably way past due.

I am wearing: knee, elbow and knee guards. Full face MTB helmet is ordered and on its way, should be here in a week or so.

I am dreaming of long rides, but nowhere ready, it may take awhile.

 

Thank you all!

What helmet did you ordered?