Descending down a steep grade is one of those things which are super cool do do on a unicycle, but can seem terrifying before one learns to be able to do it. Ever since I’ve learned to ride a unicycle, few things have left me more scared than the prospect of descending, with even the gentlest of grades causing me plenty of anxiety. When I decided to buy a 29-er earlier this year, I was sure that it would have to be disc-brake equipped, and that I’d use that to learn to be able to take on steeper descents.

Linköping is largely flat, with the odd route offering a mild grade, but there are few opportunities to really practice climbing/descending, but fortunately for me, there’s a nice steep bridge for use by pedestrians (and the odd bicycle), but it seemed really intimidating when I tried to descend it. This is what the descent looks like, viewed from the bottom.

Session 1: May 02 2021

When I started at the top, the steepness seemed too daunting, and I found myself dismounting right away, so what I decided to do was to go to the bottom end of the bridge and try to mount and ride away a few steps, and gradually working my way up the bridge. My first session was spent in overcoming the fear at mounting time. Since I’m not used to using brakes, launching by holding onto the railing was not an option, so I had to learn to be able to freemount and ride away, without dismounting. While freemounting is always easier on a downward grade, keeping the wheel in check is the harder part.

Session 2: May 03 2021

In my second session, things got better, with my being able to start the descent further and further up the bridge, thought not quite from all the way to the top, and riding down till the end.

Session 3: May 4 2021

Was able to ride down from the top of the bridge, both from standstill, and riding down. Here’s the video:

Session 5: May 6 2021

Was able to ride down a steeper descent next to Tannefors sluice gates.

Practicing climbing

When I started practicing riding downhill, I decided also to try and climb back to the top. Initially, the 125 mm cranks on the 29-er seemed to be too short for climbing, and I could barely climb a few meters before having to stop, but tips I got from other unicyclists helped me make some improvements to my technique. Some of the tips I received that were of help:

• Using my hand on the handlebar to get additional stability, leverage while climbing.
• Leaning further forward while climbing while trying to shift the center of gravity continuously upwards and forwards.
• Imagining being pulled up by a rope tied to the chest; helps to achieve a staighter line while climbing.

Here’s a video of me climbing to the top of the Tannefors sluice gates.