About a month ago I came up with a brilliant idea to knock off riding a unicycle from my list of goals without even having to spend a dime. All I had to do was go into the local bike store, ask to try out one of their’s and ride around the store. Like a Little GW, I’d proudly proclaim “Mission Accomplished” and be on my way.

And, in similar fashion to GW, my “Mission Accomplished” FAILED too!

I’d walked into the store with the arrogance of a frat boy at a beer party. It took all of two seconds for that arrogance to disappear. Riding a unicycle was hard. I could hardly balance myself with the help of the counter on one side and Erin on the other. I really couldn’t see spending so much money on a wheel, so I left feeling like the frat boy who pissed his pants in front of the cheerleaders. Stupid.

A few readers suggested I try Craigslist to find one. My mind defaults to prostitutes or murderers when someone mentions Craigslist, but I decided to give it a shot. I found a few in my area, but one in particular caught my attention. I contacted the seller and we exchanged a few emails. I made arrangements to pick it up the next day but at the last minute she backed out, saying her son now wanted to give it to his girlfriend. It figured. People don’t want what they have until someone else wants it…

My quest for a unicycle was over.

Until today. Driving by the bike store reminded me that I’d opened a door a month earlier that needed to be shut. Erin and I grabbed a bite to eat, and made a visit to see an old, one-wheeled friend of mine. This time, instead of trying to lean on the counter, I was bringing it home for a more intimate relationship. I’d had enough of the occasional foreplay. It was time to make a commitment and get serious.

I walked out of the store with my new unicycle in hand, and like a couple of new lovers, our first moments together were awkward and fumbling. As time progressed, my movements began to smooth and eventually I was able to ride for a few feet without the support of the handrail or wall I’d been using to keep myself upright.

I’m still not able to ride. I’m at the “fall off a unicycle” point in accomplishing this goal, but I know with a lot more practice, I’ll be riding like a champ!