The Juggling Edge - I thought this was quite interesting.

pumpkineater23 - 2015-05-28 20:30:32 UTC #

I thought this was quite interesting. With the aid of a backwards bike he managed to unlearn how to ride a bicycle.

https://www.youtube.com/v/MFzDaBzBlL0

Daniel Simu - 2015-05-28 22:15:44 UTC - Parent #

Yes, a cool vid indeed, I've seen it before! I'd love to try it :)

My approach would be biking with no hands, slowly put your hands down on the handle bar, and put more and more pressure until you can control the handle bar yourself... I find it really hard to imagine that it would take daily practise 8 months long...
It sounds easier than the reverse unicycle, which people have also learned under 8 months.

Anyway, this magical 'click' moment where he can suddenly ride a bike again is very cool and interesting.. I had it when I did not speak my mother tongue for a couple of months, it took some minutes of babbling nonsense before I could properly speak Dutch anymore. But his click must have been way stronger!

ejwysz - 2015-05-30 19:23:16 UTC - Parent #

What is a reverse unicycle? I tried looking it up already.

Orinoco - 2015-05-30 19:30:13 UTC - Parent #

2 wheels mounted one on top of the other so that you have to pedal backwards to go forwards. More commonly known as a biverticycle. I've also heard it called an oxymoronocycle because it is a unicycle with 2 wheels.

https://youtube.com/v/qsn3IAkG6Jg

ejwysz - 2015-05-31 06:53:24 UTC - Parent #

AHH! Yes, I've seen that before. Thank you.

peterbone - 2015-05-29 08:11:38 UTC - Parent #

I know that this is easy to say without having tried it, but I'd like to think that I could learn that quicker than 8 months.

pumpkineater23 - 2015-05-29 12:02:31 UTC - Parent #

I wonder did he break it all down sufficiently.. I wasn't overly impressed with his cascade.

Buck Rudder - 2015-05-31 17:09:57 UTC - Parent #

It seems you are right Peter
https://www.youtube.com/v/x81ZbXxmcuA

Scott Seltzer - 2015-05-29 15:50:44 UTC - Parent #

I didn't watch the video, but I assume it's got the handlebars reversed so turning handlebars right makes you travel left (and vice versa).

So, ya'll should come to IJC if you want to try it. A guy named Doron makes all sorts of such bikes and they're available pretty much 24/7 in the hall. Not only is there the aforementioned cycle, but there's a similar one that also requires you to pedal backwards to travel forwards (a double brain fuck). Ha also has some super tall bikes, bikes with handlebars controlling a wheel that's a couple meters in front, and other challenging options.

Aside from Doron, I've seen two people learn to ride at IJC. Dekel Azulay (the well-known diabolist) and Noi Lev-Or. Noi learned because I challenged him a few years ago to learn and I offered him I think 20 or 40 shekels ($5 or $10) if he could go across the length of the gym by the end of the convention. He did it and I was thrilled and it was totally worth the money. Since they've learned it, I've seen them riding year after year (once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget...).

IJC next year will be April 24-28.