Hello Christian -
It all sounds like good advice. Particularly the steer into the fall... we'll
see how this works out. And as for the idea of the sticks... that really sounds
like a plan, as after just a few hundred metres of not riding the Python, I
have rather sore palms and wrists. What length are you using? I was thinking
something around 40cm long, with straps like ski poles.
Actually, that brings me onto how I'm thinking / feeling about learning to ride
the Python. It seems a bit like learning to ski (which I did when I was 30).
Other people can do it. I want to do it. So it's just a matter of perseverance
and learning how it feels!
As for where I am... In the Sunny North East of
England<https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.0388316,-1.4328103,3a,75y,73.12h,93.54t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s94p32thVZCWBTUg5fog2Ww!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D94p32thVZCWBTUg5fog2Ww%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D87.78931%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656>.
Current temperature just above freezing and a stiff breeze blowing salt water
at the house. Priority #1 is to get some red oxide on the Python's steel, as
this is not an environment for non-stainless steels to do well!
More later...
Karl.
~
Karl McCracken
You can call me on 0770 9966 936
________________________________
From: python-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <python-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of
Christian Winkgen <christian.winkgen@xxxxxxx>
Sent: 14 March 2018 07:08
To: python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [python] Re: Learning curve: it's steep!
Hi Karl,
welcome to the group.
I have also started learning about two weeks ago.
At first it was only a few meters till I panicked and had to put my feet down.
Because my seat is too high I use two wooden sticks to push back from the
ground when I feel like tipping over.
It takes some time. I practised every evening for about half an hour.
For me going straight was harder than going in circles.
When doing circles it felt like a controlled tipping with two options to
survive:
1. steering to the center (into the fall)
2. going a bit faster
Now - after nearly two weeks - I can do circles in both directions, go straight
for some time and also feel like having control about 70% of the time.
And yes, the steering may feel a bit inverted because you steer with your hip
or legs.
I have ridden a Snaix bike (center steered upright) before and that may be
similar in that aspect - but much easier since you are still upright and use
your arms in some way.
Take your time, feel how the bike behaves and don’t overdo it.
You may use muscles you did not use much before - especially in your legs and
back.
One tip from Vi about a week ago was to try with one foot up the pedal first -
wait with the second feet till you learned the steering.
I have always had both feet up so that did not much to me, but maybe it helps
you.
Where do you come from?
Best,
Christian
Am 14.03.2018 um 00:08 schrieb Karl McCracken
<karl.mccracken@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:karl.mccracken@xxxxxxxxxxx>>:
Hello all - my first post to the group!
I've mostly finished building my first Python. Nothing adventurous, just
followed Jurgen's build instructions, pretty much to the letter. ;o)
But now I'm starting to try to learn to ride it... which is... challenging. I
actually teach both children and adults to ride normal bikes, so I have a
really good feel for the dynamics of how they stay upright and steer (hint:
steer into the fall), but can't get my head or body around the Python. My
feeling is that shifting weight to the right causes steer to the left. But
mostly it's about paddling along on my hands, with the neighbours shaking their
heads from behind their curtains.
Does anyone have any good tips about this? I mean the riding - I'm sure I can
suffer the neighbours' ridicule.
Thanks,
Karl.
