One for the road

[JC w KC redux]

Good for Dave for picking it up so fast. But he's got a ways to go - the difference between the two of you in "smoothness" is very noticeable. He'll get there though....

Dave looks pretty wild at times but you'll also see extended moments when he has his arms down looking really stable - unusual at this stage.
Notice I am keeping my distance just the same! He is advancing amazingly fast. For folks that don't know us - you're looking at a few months of riding versus 9 years.

[JC w KC redux]

I've been trying a slightly different strategy for mounting lately and it has been pretty successful until today.
Today it took me 20 tries to get going.
I totally psyched myself out.
Weird.
A few days ago I was getting on 1st try.
Time to do something else for a few days 

[clink]

 Utilize a mounting pressure relief valve.

[F4?]

Sounds personal there JC, but I’m sure Klink would help.

[NOAL]

Sounds like you need to bring the Ruckus.

[JC w KC redux]

Sounds personal there JC, but I’m sure Klink would help.

It was personal since I actually almost took off on the first try and nutted myself in the process (I know TMI).
That is one inherent danger of the uni. clink wouldn't know as he is in the "frozen chicken" club.
I think my record for failed mounts is 20 or 21 so that was either a tie or another personal worst.

Sounds like you need to bring the Ruckus.

I did but at Pinns.
May try to get back on the wheel tomorrow - or not.
I'm purdy sore.

[NOAL]

[JC w KC redux]

Thanks for sharing.
I watched after breakfast this morning.
Crazy amount of miles, adventure and money raised.
Nobody in England has teeth that straight.
Dude on the Penny Farthing was interesting.
The segment where the guys he met were trying to mount the uni and giving him grief about his padded shorts was funny.
Fisheye lens on the selfie stick was surreal/cartoonish.
Saw a couple guys on freewheel unis coasting in the background during the Unicycle.com headquarters visit.
I bet there are some great scenery shots if you watch the series.
 

[mynameismud]

I guess it would be safe.  Who in the world would attack a British dork on a Uni?  Proud effort.

[Brad Young]

There really is something about British dorks.

[JC w KC redux]

I guess it would be safe.  Who in the world would attack a British dork on a Uni?  Proud effort.

There really is something about British dorks.

Seems like you both have a thing for British Dorks.   

[F4?]

You would be a bit odd if you lived where it always rains. And a lot of time to practice.

Crazy how easy he made it look to hop on that thing....like it was nothing.

[JC w KC redux]

You would be a bit odd if you lived where it always rains.
Crazy how easy he made it look to hop on that thing....like it was nothing.

What do you mean "would be"?

I'm sure he was already good at mounting - then add riding every day for 3+ years.
I wonder how many UPD's he had during that time.
Find the spot where he tries to get on the Penny Farthing (around 13 minute mark).
Penny Farthing dude tries to get on the uni around 15 minute mark.

[F4?]

I know, the farthing guy....he made it look real to get on that thing...

[JC w KC redux]

Got in a fairly pleasant but cool ride yesterday with a little sunshine.
I did not quite break through the one hour endurance threshold I have been seeking/anticipating lately.
We got out earlier today and got sprinkled on for about 5 minutes a little before the end of the ride but I FINALLY broke through and made it just over an hour in cool temps and some gusty breezes. Haven't ridden for that long since last February.
I am damn pleased, considering I had barely been able to attempt any rides (4 short rides in 8 months) until I started back (for 6 days) in late October (while we were in KY).
I want to thank my buddy Dave Stahl for getting me back out when we were in Wonder Lake, Illinois. That ride was punctuated by multiple bail-offs and probably lasted a grand total of about 10 minutes before I was completely gassed. I also want to thank Kat for her infinite patience and support over these many months.

Now it is pouring rain here.

Here is a shot from one of my rides on our Arizona trip.
You can see the Citadel at Tuzigoot National Monument in the background (over my left shoulder).

Dead Horse Ranch State Park - Flycatcher Road.

[clink]

So, did you ride any with your mouth open? Catch any flies riding past a dead horse?

[JC w KC redux]

So, did you ride any with your mouth open? Catch any flies riding past a dead horse?

 
Yeah, yeah, laugh it up funny man...
I mostly try to keep my yap snapped.
Maybe you should too!

[JC w KC redux]

Well...it may not be Quest for Mud but it was really fun.
My buddy Dave Stahl came up from L.A. the week before last and braved getting on my other big wheel to go out and ride with me. We rode 4 days in a row and he rode anywhere from 35 to 45 minutes each day. He had a few unplanned dismounts each day but managed to keep from landing on the pavement (mostly) until the last day. I was so jazzed thinking that he was going to ride that last day without a fall and he was doing great until about halfway through our 3rd loop - he popped off and got tripped up and dove/shouldered into the pavement - OUCH! He was a bit scraped, bloodied and banged up but he got back on and finished the ride. He is a trooper.

What was amazing to me was the fact that he had only ridden the big wheel once before - in his neighborhood in Illinois - and that ride was just a few minutes long. During our rides together he was riding so slow that i was having trouble staying behind him and he rode most of the time with arms at his side. Uni riders know and appreciate the fact that the slower you go, the harder it is to maintain balance and riding with arms down is a sign of stability/control. Most people would never try this - much less in their 60s. Dave and I have ridden together before but he was not on a 36 inch wheel - so this was a real treat for both of us. This is one dude who abides. Nice job Dave!

[JC w KC redux]

Here is a short video of Dave and me riding the big wheels.
I like it because it shows Dave get back on after having an unplanned dismount - then we ride into the sunset like the western heroes do...

[NOAL]

Did you see this guy?