Shifting Level Up!

Following some advice from a fellow geared unicyclist, I moved my pedals from the 150 holes to 127 on my Spirit cranks. This makes it easy to hit the shift buttons on the Schlumpf hub for some riders.

WOW!  My shifting improved incredibly! I instantly went up to 90%+ for both upshifts and downshifts!

I rode this evening in the neighboring trail path and street while Kessa jogged and ran. So I was generally going slower and less serious, and had the opportunity to practice my shifting.

I even did a few intentional upshift-downshift in a single rotation! Which does nothing, but is still an accomplishment for me!

3 miles

Sick Unicycle!

I have been sick for about 5 days but was feeling like I was probably ok for a small ride. And it was sunny and warm after work. Kessa and I went around the neighborhood trail path a few times, and around a few neighborhoods. Shifting still needs much improvement. And my lower back muscles fatigue. I need to keep working on these.

4.7 miles

Eggcellent Hojack Ride

Kessa and I rode to the end of the Hojack and back on this Easter day. She rode her bike and I did my best to keep up with my geared 27.5 uni. It was my first real adventure on this uni outside of a few neighborhood rides.

While Kessa certainly would have gone faster and had to wait for me to catch up periodically, I am overall happy with my performance, especially for a first ride.

I need to get better at shifting. Dismounting due to inability to shift were the most costly when trying to keep up with Kessa.

My lower back muscles got pretty fatigued. And I'm saddle sore.

12.25 miles. Average speed was only 7.5 mph. I'm sure I can get that closer to 10 in time.

We stopped a few times to let me stretch my back and for a snack.

mouth full of snack

27.5 Test Ride

I rode my new 27.5 geared uni on a test ride this afternoon. It was 50F+ out and felt like Spring.

My new unicycle works! I like the tire for the road. It's smooth despite the knobs, as was advertised.

I need to get used to shifting. I'm not sure why but I can't seem to click the downshift button with my left foot. I just need to practice.

Looking at my GPS, I think I was comfortable going about 10 mph, but almost got to 12. I'll have to work on it over time.

I also need to try the brake. It wasn't really needed for the flat road today.

The trail path in the neighboring neighborhood was wet and muddy and I didn't want to deal with it today, so I stayed on the road. But it was a good indication of trail conditions right now.

I'll likely stick the road and try the Hojack trail soon.

27.5" Flansberrium Geared Unicycle

Over the past months I've been ordering parts to build a custom 27.5" geared unicycle. Today I put it together!

Flansberrium aluminum frame, 27.5"

Schlumpf geared hub, 100mm bearing spacing, 203mm rotor

Light Bicycle AM733 carbon rim

Sapim CX-Ray spokes

Schwalbe Wicked Will 2.4" tire, tubeless

Wellgo MG-1 pedals

Shimano ZT M8100 brake

KH Fusion One saddle

KH T-bar

I still need to figure out a brake position to lock in, and adjust the brake tube.

I've Got to Bring It

As part of my muni comeback I have been doing P90X like I did in the past. Actually, I finished it yesterday! I'm proud to say I only skipped one Ab Ripper due to being sick, and I substituted the dreadfully long 90 minute yoga for the 30 minute yoga from P90X3. I always did the Stretch X on rest day instead of nothing. My 14 year old daughter Kessa joined me for most of it and helped motivate me to not skip any days.

I'm definitely stronger and more fit than when I started, and I feel it's the required base fitness I need to now get into shape specifically for muni. To me that means more cardio and leg strength.
Today Kessa and I started Insanity, again like I did in the past. Day 1 is the first fit test. Holy cow I forgot how intense it is. I did well but my lungs got worked out so much I'm coughing and sneezing like I have a cold and I want to expel the crap in my lungs. I'm hoping that it's a good thing, and that it passes soon.

One Wheel, Too Icy

Yesterday was a day of thawing that got to over 40°F but we're back to cold, low 20's. Today I thought I'd duplicate my last neighborhood ride and maybe do the walking trail loop a twice this time.

Unfortunately the trail was a bit too icy and wet for my liking. It almost looks ok on the sides but it's inconsistent and drifting onto the wet ice just yanks the wheel out from under me. No good.

Maybe it would have gotten better further on, or if I started on the other side of the loop. But I also noticed my saddle was loose and so, all signs pointed to just being done and I headed back home.

2.8 miles

Rebooting Again

I've been working on making a muni comeback! More about that later, but for today, I did a short ride in my neighborhood. I rode my Oregon fat tire on the road and on the nearby snow-covered walking trail.

There was enough snow and boot-prints on the trail that make it a challenge but still rideable with a fat tire. I had one UPD in a place where the snow got deeper. I kept the ride short as I'm easing back into it.

3.4 miles