If you feel like the people on the internet or the riders you cruise with are a little bit better than you, you're not alone. You might see their smooth turns or amazing takeoffs and wish you could master those skills.
The good news is, you can. Your stance is the foundation. Mastering it, along with these three essential techniques for turning, braking, and accelerating, will make you a much better rider overall.
Foundation: The Correct Stance
Before you can master advanced moves, your basic stance must be solid. The standard stance for riding a unicycle is to stand with both feet parallel and side-by-side. For more agility and control, you can shift one foot slightly forward, adopting a position similar to skateboard or snowboard riding. Finding a comfortable, stable stance in the middle allows for maneuvering the wheel without losing control. Additionally, keeping your shoulders relaxed and aligned with your hips will further enhance your balance.
Tip 1: Smooth & Stable Turning
When making a turn on an electric unicycle, it's natural to want to lean in the direction of the turn. However, for added stability, especially during more aggressive turns, focus on locking or bracing your outer leg against the side of the wheel. This technique works best on taller wheels but can be used across any electric unicycle.
By bracing your outer leg, you'll gain greater control and maintain your line through the turn, resulting in a more enjoyable and confident riding experience. This technique is all about improving stability and having complete control over what you’re doing.
Tip 2: Powerful Emergency Braking
To execute a hard stop on an EUC, you need to use your whole body. When you're ready to stop, grip the wheel tightly with both legs, lean your weight back (leading with your hips/butt), and apply slight twisting pressure with your legs.
This combined action gives you excellent control to stop quickly and prevent wobbling or falling off your wheel. This technique is especially useful for emergency stops, such as when a car or pedestrian unexpectedly appears in your path. I've had great success with this method and use it often.
Tip 3: Rapid Acceleration from a Standstill
To achieve extreme acceleration from a standing start, think of it like skiing. Just like when you slalom back and forth on skis, you'll apply a similar pumping motion with your knees against the side of the wheel.
To accelerate quickly, rhythmically push your knees into the sides of the wheel—alternating left and right. You are essentially pushing into the wheel, alternating sides as you pump your way to faster acceleration. It takes some practice to find the right amount of pressure, as overdoing it could cause you to lose balance. But with a little trial and error, you'll get the hang of it and enjoy the thrilling sensation of faster acceleration. Give it a try!
