A guest post from my friend Connor:
I am a unicyclist. Believe it or not, “unicyclist” is a real word.
I still don’t know how I managed to tame this ridiculous vehicle. I remember it took a lot of falling over.
I got my first 20-inch unicycle as a birthday present when I was ten. I spent weeks getting on it and riding a few more inches everyday before falling over. It wasn’t until about two years ago that I could ride it over a hundred feet without face planting. Now I can ride indefinitely. The first thing you learn to do is step off when you feel that you are losing your balance. Then you prop yourself up against a wall and ride as far as you can.
I have ridden my unicycle to stores and restaurants, and even to school!
Once I rode past a moving car and the driver was taking a video of me, which isn’t exactly the smartest thing to do! That was just one reaction.
I get stares and strange looks too. I don’t mind. In fact, I think those looks are what fueled me to take up such a unique hobby.
Riding a unicycle is a very different experience. You feel very empowered, as you aren’t holding any handlebars, yet you still have total control. I like to joke that it’s a bike without the training wheel. No offence to bikers, but come on! Unicycles are pretty darn cool.
I have no intention of joining a circus (I can’t juggle, yet.)
I ride my unicycle just because I can.
You should try it sometime, just be sure to wear a helmet!