How to Ride a Unicycle
Don't run away and join the circus before you master the art of the unicycle.
Up next in Juggling & Circus Tricks (5 videos)
Love the circus? Learn how to juggle, ride a unicycle, and throw knives with these Howcast videos.
You Will Need
- Helmet
- Elbow and knee pads
- Unicycle
- Wall or railing
Steps
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Step 1
Suit up
Put on your helmet and pads. You can expect to fall down a lot at first.
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Step 2
Get on
Put one pedal at its lowest position and put your foot on the pedal. Hold onto a wall or railing and pull your body up and onto the seat.
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Put your weight on the saddle instead of leaning hard on the pedals. Remember this saying: "Weight on the seat, not on the feet."
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Step 3
Balance
Practice balancing while holding onto a wall or railing by rocking the unicycle back and forth in half-pedal turns.
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Step 4
Move forward
Pedal forward using the wall or railing as a guide. When you get going, let go and hold your arms out for balance.
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Sit up straight. Hunching over will throw off your balance.
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Step 5
Step off
If you start to fall, step off the unicycle and let it fall down.
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Step 6
Stay up
Keep practicing until you get comfortable. Pedal faster to catch up with the wheel when it gets out in front, and pedal slower when it falls behind.
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Step 7
Add new moves
Add new moves. Shift your body weight to turn, and pedal backwards to move the unicycle backwards.
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A unicycle that is over 5 feet tall is called a "giraffe unicycle."
