A Die-Hard Unicyclists’ New Year’s Resolutions
We’ve just gotten into 2024. It’s a new year, and that means plenty of opportunities to commit to resolutions that will make you your best self.
Or, in this case, just a better unicycle rider. This is a tough sport we all love, and takes some serious (and uncommon) skill. Those skills require a lifetime dedication. You’re never done. You can just keep getting better.
So, if you’ve been slacking (so to speak) take up these New Year’s resolutions for 2024 and beyond.
Ride More
This is a big one, and it doesn’t require you to buy anything, start a new subscription, or anything whacky like that. It’s all about you and your drive.
Ride more. Say it out loud. That’s the ticket here. You know the expression, use it or lose it?
It’s like going to the gym, or baking, or practicing archery. The more you don’t use it, well, you know.
We know there’s that whole thing about “once you learn to ride a bike you can get right back on it,” or something like that. Well, not with unicycling.
You will never become better if you don’t commit to it. So buckle up, get a new set of knee, elbow, and wrist pads, and embrace the unplanned dismounts you experience on the way to the summit.
Each of them is an opportunity to learn.
Gear Care and Maintaining
Far too many unicyclists treat this as a hobby and not as a discipline, and for that we have some comments that we will reserve.
The long and short of it is that there is no excuse for failing to properly maintain a unicycle since these are some of the simplest machines out there, and with the fewest moving parts.
You take care of yourself with a helmet, knee, elbow and wrist pads. Why not take care of the unicycle?
Unicycle maintenance isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg, and all you need are a few tools.
It’s basically like this. Keep your tires properly filed when riding (you don’t want pinch flats). Don’t ride with the cranks loose. Perform the drop test and make sure nothing rattles; tighten the loose hardware.
Unicycle maintenance is important, but it isn’t rocket science.
Check our post on the 5 tools every unicyclist needs (maintenance suggestions are in there) as well as our post on how to ruin your unicycle (don’t do those things!).
Buy That One You’ve Been Wanting to Add to Your Collection
Fun fact: our research indicates that the average one-wheeler that’s actually dedicated to the sport has not one, not two, but on average, three unicycles in their collection.
This is because unicycles are like tools. You can’t do everything with just one.
Just like you can’t hammer nails with a screwdriver, a 36” unicycle that’s great for racing and touring is unlikely to perform well when learning tricks or when the discipline at hand is mountain riding.
Similarly, a tiny unicycle with a 20” wheel is not going to handle bumps and dips very well.
The point is, if you feel limited, it’s probably not in your head. Get that unicycle you’ve had your eye on, then refer back to point number one: ride more!
Work Out
There’s a reason that athlete’s don’t just practice on the court or on the field. They lift weights, too.
It’s because building strength and stamina doesn’t just come from practice, but from discipline with resistance training.
It may not be fun, and it is formulaic, we know, but there are numerous benefits of working out, like lifting weights or running, that you won’t get from unicycling alone - at least not in the same measure.
Stronger, denser bones, stronger tendons, greater flexibility, superior cardiovascular health and endurance. All of these things can arise from training when you’re not in the saddle.
And they are transferable to unicycle riding.
(Note: check out our previous blog on some of the different exercises you can do that can make you a better unicyclist.)
Get Into Crossover Sports
Another idea, if you just loathe the idea of lifting weights or running for the sake of it, is to get into crossover sports.
These are the sports that cultivate the same skills and strength you need to be an effective unicyclist.
Some of them (but not all) are snowboarding and windsurfing. These will challenge you to build your core muscles, to respond quickly to changing stimuli, and to hone a better sense of balance.
Learn a New Trick
You know what else can make you a better one-wheeler? Committing to tackling a new trick.
Every trick (even though some of them aren’t really tricks but plain old skills) can help you become more proficient and more adaptable as a rider.
And there are tons to choose from. Consider one of the following and then watch the helpful videos we’ve included: hopping, idling, sidemounting, wheel-walking, and kick-up mounting.
All of them are useful tricks and skills.
Visit a Unicycle Fest/Convention
Do you feel like the only unicyclist in your area? You might not be alone, but there are tons of us out here, and a great way to get together is to visit a unicycle convention/fest, or anything else of that nature.
Some instances are S.T.O.M.P. Muni Fest (Oct 2024) and UNICON (upcoming in Minnesota this summer), but there are others.
Get in touch with us for more details and we will point you in the right direction.
Another good idea is to explore a league that runs unicycle sports, like hockey or basketball.
For Those of You That Haven’t Taken the Plunge Yet…
Our last suggestion is this. If you haven’t learned to ride yet, and keep putting it off, get yourself that unicycle you’ve been wanting.
This is your year to learn that new skill, and believe it or not, learning to ride a unicycle comes with a whole load of other benefits.
So get a helmet, some knee, elbow and wrist pads, a new unicycle, and get to it.
2024 Is Your Year: Get Back at It Today
Questions before you get started? Want to learn more or do you need a personalized recommendation about what unicycle to buy? Do you want to find out more about a unicycle event that’s in your area?
Get in touch with us at 678-494-4962. We are here to help.