Unicycling as a kid (or any age, really!)

One summer, when I was in 1st grade, I attended my mom's elementary school in Japan. My class was led outside to dozens of ichirinsha (unicycles) lined at the bottom of a stairwell. We wobbled every which way on our new unicycles, and I reveled in sharing a new experience with my classmates. We admired the older students speeding across the packed sand with their sturdy cores and spinning spokes. A rambunctious group of boys would crash into each other, running over toes and making last-minute 180s. Later, I learned that Japanese public schools were required to supply unicycles—hence why some of the world’s best unicyclists were Japanese!

I've owned a neon green unicycle for over a decade, but it's been years since I've gone for a ride. It's not like hopping on a bike, so I'll have to relearn all over again. Maybe this summer?