Why do I ride the unicycle?
It was originally recommended to me by my chiropractor after I had a miserable bout of sciatica a couple years ago - just prior to contracting the lead climbing bug. I was willing to try just about anything to escape the pain and the possibility of a recurrence - plus I liked the idea of a new challenge.
It's a great core workout and excellent for back problems.
It's low impact - unlike all the running I was doing for a couple years prior (I was up to running half marathons).
There is a guaranteed double crux every time you ride - the mount and dismount.
More cruxes may occur during the ride depending on traffic, wind and debris.
Turnarounds are also what I would consider crux maneuvers.
You cannot stop, coast or brake - it's constant motion.
Every ride is a challenge - I am never bored even doing the same circuit for many months (actually years now).
I can get a kick-ass workout in 45 minutes total (average 36 minutes for 6 miles + cool down walk).
It is similar to lead climbing in many ways:
It always makes me nervous.
Start and exit moves take total focus and no one can help you - getting off the ground can be the hardest part.
You can never relax completely - relaxing at all takes practice.
You must commit and control your fear(most of which is only in your head).
You're constantly reading the route - you can take the LOLR or up the ante with more challenging paths.
Falling off like a cat helps.
It's just you and the wheel.
You start small (low grade/little wheel) and work your way up (upper grades/big wheel).
It takes determination to learn - you must be willing to fail countless times (I can't say I do this with my climbing).
It's one of the hardest things you'll ever learn.
Most people will think you are weird or crazy - only other riders will truly understand.
It's a freeing feeling like nothing else - especially after you learn to free mount.
It's adrenalized and addictive.
