The (AT)#%!$(AT)! Two Step of getting old

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ColinOldnCranky
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The (AT)#%!$(AT)! Two Step of getting old

Postby ColinOldnCranky » Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:18 pm

It seems that every time I advance one step forward, I have to follow with a half step back.

After nearly two years of varying injuries getting in the way, I have just got back onto the giraffe. That's a high unicycle with a chain, like you see street performers and circus artists working with.

A giraffe is not a particularly useful thin if you can't freemount it - that is, step onto it without any walls, ladders or helpers.

Among my acquaintances I know of only myself and one recent graduate of NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts) who can do it. But to make the giraffe useful it was one of the few skills that I have sought. (Thank you YouTube.)

I started on a series of freemounts combined with a short run two days ago. I was very happy, good solid mounts even with the odd stranger staring. I did a few more yesterday.

So an hour into my normal ride today - is there such a thing as a "normal" ride on a unicycle - my right knee starts playing up. And even the simple act of getting up from crouching down to a low cupboard causes me concern now.

Now I know that getting old is better than the alternative. But every so often it sucks. :(
Unchain yourself-Ride a unicycle

Eug1
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Re: The (AT)#%!$(AT)! Two Step of getting old

Postby Eug1 » Thu Jan 10, 2019 8:25 am

Hi, knee problems plagued me for a while, turned out to be Patella Femoral Syndrome. Quite common, easily remedied with a regime of easy exercises to strengthen a few muscles up. Might be worth you looking into? Hopefully nothing more serious or longer lasting. Cheers

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foo on patrol
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Re: The (AT)#%!$(AT)! Two Step of getting old

Postby foo on patrol » Fri Jan 11, 2019 7:33 am

I could be very wrong but isn't a uni more jerky movement than a normal bike in it's pedalling action and this in itself would not be conducive to knee area happiness? :?

Foo
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brumby33
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Re: The (AT)#%!$(AT)! Two Step of getting old

Postby brumby33 » Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:41 am

foo on patrol wrote:I could be very wrong but isn't a uni more jerky movement than a normal bike in it's pedalling action and this in itself would not be conducive to knee area happiness? :?

Foo
Yes this is what I thought....the one s I've seen on them, even just the shorter non- chain models, the pedalling is not exactly fluid movement.
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ColinOldnCranky
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Re: The (AT)#%!$(AT)! Two Step of getting old

Postby ColinOldnCranky » Mon Jan 14, 2019 7:09 pm

foo on patrol wrote:I could be very wrong but isn't a uni more jerky movement than a normal bike in it's pedalling action and this in itself would not be conducive to knee area happiness? :?

Foo
It is a problem but it can be addressed. Any pressure on the down pedal that is excess to what is absolutely needed means the same extra pressure on the trailing "up" pedal and that can, in he long run, be a problem for knees.

Riding with the seat lower down with a less straight-leg setup than you would on a well setup bike doesn't help either. Ideally I should almost "float" my feet above the pedals and I can do that. However that is not possible when doing anything other than riding on good straight paths with low slope. And it does mean more UPDs (Unplanned Dismounts).

Cobblestones, rough paved roads and climbing over curbs are particularly hard on the legs. Past rides around Rome, Paris, other places on the Continent and Mauritius come to mind. I can add parts of Adelaide and Perth in there too.
Unchain yourself-Ride a unicycle

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