the sticks are some scrap pieces of roof batten - really simple. No handle, no
straps. I wear thick work gloves anyway. About 40 cm is correct I guess.
Now and then I lose one - especially when I grab the brake in a panic when
going too fast on a shallow downwards slope.
What Mathieu wrote is a very good observation:
Every time I think too much things get out of control. I think I get too close
to that bush over there - bam!
I hink I have to go left to avoid the fence - boom!
Two days ago I had my first roundtrip: from our backyard down the driveway -
half turn to not get onto the street and back down the driveway - and a full
circle in the backyard again.
It was nearly dark, I was feeling relaxed, nobody watched, I was under no
pressure - and it worked! First time. Without much thinking.
Today I wanted to do a second video and tried the circles in a clockwise motion
- and I failed. I thought it was possible, but I was wrong.
So this is the next thing I am going to train: Doing circles in both
directions. Or maybe a figure eight pattern.
So you are near Newcastle upon Tyne.
We did a camping trip in a Smart car with a little tent in 2002 and took the
ferry from the Netherlands to Newcastle and went straight up to Scotland on the
east coast.
It was wonderful - Edinburgh really blew my mind. I love Britain. Even got me a
RHD car for my holidays there (just another Smart car because they are so cute).
Oh - in case you missed it a few weeks ago: This is my Python (custom built
because if I had tried it myself it would have been the next unfinished
project): https://flic.kr/s/aHsmdFUT2B
And this is Vi’s demonstration of how to start with only one foot on the pedal
because the second foot to soon may bring some instability in the early stages:
https://youtu.be/m7e1EvvVO30
Maybe you can share some pictures and details of your bike as well.
Cheers,
Christian
Am 14.03.2018 um 20:33 schrieb Karl McCracken <karl.mccracken@xxxxxxxxxxx>:
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. 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>:
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.
