Unicycle is a fun and challenging hobby that can improve your balance, coordination, fitness, and confidence. It’s also a great way to express yourself and meet new people who share your passion. To get started, you need a unicycle that fits your height and style, a helmet and protective gear, and a lot of patience and practice.
Already an expert?
Unicycling
as a hobby
|
Helpful content to start unicycling as a hobby
We aim to provide accurate information, but errors might be found. Always exercise judgment and discretion.
📼 Videos
Short visual inspiration.
🎙️ Podcasts
Play an episode while exploring the page.
On 29 September 2007, Sam Wakeling (UK) set the world record for the longest continuous unicycle ride. He rode 169.90 km (105.57 miles) on a unicycle in Aberystwyth, Wales, UK, without letting his feet touch the ground.
Guinness World Records
📜 Terms
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Muni: Mountain unicycling. A type of unicycling where you ride on rough terrain, such as dirt trails, rocks, or hills.
- Trial: Trials unicycling. A type of unicycling where you perform jumps and hops over obstacles, such as stairs, rails, or benches.
- Freestyle: Freestyle unicycling. A type of unicycling where you perform artistic and creative moves, such as spins, pirouettes, or wheel walks.
- Flatland: Flatland unicycling. A type of unicycling where you perform tricks and combos on flat ground, such as crankflips, backflips, or unispins.
- Street: Street unicycling. A type of unicycling where you combine elements of trials and flatland on urban features, such as ledges, gaps, or stairs.
- Distance: Distance unicycling. A type of unicycling where you ride long distances on roads or paths, using larger wheels or gears.
- Crankflip: A trick where you kick the pedals backwards and make the wheel spin 360 degrees before landing back on the pedals.
- Backflip: A trick where you kick the pedals forwards and make the wheel spin 360 degrees backwards before landing back on the pedals.
- Unispin: A trick where you jump off the pedals and spin the unicycle 180 or 360 degrees before landing back on the pedals.
❗ How to start unicycling as a hobby
First moves for getting acquainted and breaking the ice.
As unicycles are not overly common, the most practical first move would perhaps be to get a unicycle of your own (and protective gear) and start with some YouTube tutorials.
📚 Books
Get read-y.
🪜 How-tos
Step-by-step tutorials.
📄 Articles
Further reading.
🌐 Websites
Go-tos for information.
🍿 Movies
Nothing like a film for inspiration.
❓ FAQS
Get a clue.
Is unicycling a good workout?
Yes, unicycling can be a great form of exercise that strengthens your core, improves your balance, and burns calories.
📱 Apps
Smart assistance.
📦 Products
Essentials to have.
⛳ Courses
Get smart.
📍 Near You
Get together.
💡 Tips
Additional advice for beginners.
- Find a handrail that’s a comfortable height.
- The easiest place to learn to ride is on smooth concrete or asphalt. Grass is too bumpy.
- Get used to simply sitting on the unicycle whilst holding onto the rail.
- Start riding forwards whilst holding onto the rail. (2 hands on the rail to start with and then progress to one)
- Eventually, when you are comfortable holding onto the rail and riding, let go.
- Get as far as you can and repeat.
- Keep your weight mainly on the seat. This stops you from wobbling side to side as much.
- Pedal evenly.
- Look forward.
- Wave your arms if you need.
From The Unicyclopedia.
Additional information
| Activities | |
|---|---|
| Fields | |
| Locations | |
| Participants | |
| Skills | Balance, Hand-eye Coordination, Mindfulness, Motor Coordination, Patience, Perseverance, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness, Resilience, Spatial Ability |