Unicycling
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Unicycling is the activity of riding a unicycle. Traditionally, unicycling has been connected with parades or the circus. This is because the unicycle requires a great degree of skill to ride, and many people who could ride them became entertainers. Recent developments in the strength and durability of bicycle (and consequently unicycle) parts have given rise to many riding styles such as trials unicycling and mountain unicycling. Unicycling has therefore developed from primarily an entertainment activity, to a competitive sport and recreational vehicle.
[edit] History
The unicycle's history began with the invention of the bicycle. Comte De Sivrac first developed bicycles during the late eighteenth century. His device, called a celerifere, was a wooden horse that had two wheels joined by a wooden beam. Germany’s Baron von Drais improved the design by adding a steering mechanism and introduce his Draisienne or Hobby Horse in 1818.
Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, added cranks and pedals to the front wheel in 1839, and called it the Velocipede. The first mass-produced riding machine, the Michaux Velocipede, was designed in 1863. In 1866, James Stanley invented a unique bicycle called the Penny Farthing with a very large front wheel and a small rear wheel. It is this vehicle that is thought to be the inspiration for the unicycle.
One theory of the advent of the unicycle is based on the popularity of the Penny Farthing during the late nineteenth century. Since its pedal cranks were connected directly to the front axle, the rear wheel would go up in the air and the rider would be moved slightly forward. This likely prompted riders to see how long they could ride with the back wheel in the air and the unicycle was born. Evidence for this theory of development can be found in pictures from the late eighteenth century that show unicycles with large wheels.
Since the unicycle requires a greater degree of skill to ride than a bicycle, many people that could ride them became entertainers. Over the years, unicycle enthusiasts have inspired manufacturers to create new designs such as seatless (the ultimate wheel) and tall (giraffe unicycle) unicycles. During the late 1980s some extreme sportsmen took an interest in the unicycle and off-road unicycling (MUni) was born. Today, the unicycle remains a relatively obscure vehicle, however there are more people riding unicycles now then ever before.
[edit] Riding Styles
- Neighborhood
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- For basic unicycling, this is the place to be. Not too long ago, all mass-produced unicycles were in this category. Basic, cheap unicycles such as the Torker CX are used.
- Freestyle unicycling
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- Freestyle means to do skills, stunts, or tricks. Not only is freestyle a well-known term in BMX bicycling, it is also the name for a competition event in unicycling.
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- Trials unicycling is specifically aimed at hopping and riding over obstacles. Because of the constant pounding a trials unicycle endures, it must have a very strong axle and crankset.
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- Street unicycling (or simply "street" as it's known within the sport) is a style of unicycling where riders use combinations of objects found in urbanized settings, such as curbs, ledges, handrails, stairs as well as flat areas to perform a wide variety of tricks.
- Off-Road - Mountain Unicycling (MUni)
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- Rough Terrain unicycling is attracting a lot of attention and has been the swiftest growing form of unicycling in recent years. Any place a mountain bike can go, a mountain unicycle can go as well (and sometimes better)
- Touring or Commuting
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- This style is meant for distance riding. With a 29-inch or 36-inch wheel cruising speeds of 10 to 15 mph can easily be reached. However, the smallest wheel diameter to fit within the Touring category is 26 inches.
- Racing
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- 100 meter, 400 meter, 1600 meter races and more.
- Novelty
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- This category includes any unusual cycles not covered by our other categories. Examples include tall giraffe unicycles, multi-wheelers (wheels stacked), kangaroo and others.
[edit] Speed and Functionality
The pedals of a typical unicycle (not a giraffe) are connected directly to the wheel. This means that there are no gears to shift like on a bicycle. It also means that wheel size is a major factor in unicycle speeds.
| Wheel size | Avg | High |
|---|---|---|
| 20" | 3 mph | 8 mph |
| 24" | 5 mph | 10 mph |
| 29" | 7 mph | 14 mph |
| 36" | 11 mph | 22 mph |
- References: [1]
The top speed achieved on a unicycle is around 29 mph, on a 36".
[edit] Skill Levels
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There are ten official unicycle Skill Levels. A consolidated list is given here. See IUF Skill Levels for a fully itemized list.
[edit] Level 1
- mount unicycle unassisted
- ride 50 meters
- dismount gracefully with unicycle in front
[edit] Level 2
- mount with left and right foot
- ride 10 meters between two parallel lines 30 cm apart
- ride a figure eight with circle diameters smaller than three meters
- ride down a 15 cm vertical drop
- make a sharp 90 degree turn to the left, then to the right
[edit] Level 3
- demonstrate three mount types
- ride a figure eight with circle diameters smaller than 1.5 meters
- come to a stop, pedal half a revolution backward and continue forward
- ride with the stomach on the seat for 10 meters
- make a sharp 180 degree turn to the left, then to the right
- hop five times
- ride or hop over a 10 x 10 cm obstacle
[edit] Level 4
- demonstrate four mount types
- ride backward for 10 meters
- ride one footed for 10 meters
- idle 25 times with left foot down, then with right foot down
- idle with right foot down 25 times
- ride for 10 meters with seat out in front, then with seat out in back
- make a tight 360 degree turn to the left, then to the right
[edit] Level 5
- demonstrate five mount types
- ride backward in a circle
- ride one footed in a figure eight
- idle one footed 25 times with each foot
- ride in a circle with seat out in front, with the seat out in back, and with seat on the side
- hop-twist 90 degrees to the left and right
- walk the wheel for 10 meters
[edit] Level 6
- demonstrate six mount types
- ride backward in a figure eight
- ride with the seat out in front in a figure eight
- ride with the seat out in back in a figure eight
- ride backward with the seat out in front for 10 meters
- hop standing on wheel five times
- ride with the seat on the side in a circle to the left
- ride with the seat on the side in a circle to the right
- ride one footed with the left foot for 10 meters
- ride one footed with the right foot for 10 meters
- backspin
- frontspin
- spin
[edit] Level 7
- demonstrate seven mount types
- ride backward with the seat out in front in a circle
- ride one footed with the left foot in a circle
- ride one footed with the right foot in a circle
- walk the wheel in a circle
- walk the wheel one footed for 10 meters
- hop-twist 180 degrees to the left
- hop-twist 180 degrees to the right
- ride backward with the seat out in back for 10 meters
- spin to the left
- spin to the right
[edit] Level 8
- demonstrate eight mount types
- ride one footed with the left foot in a figure eight
- ride one footed with the right foot in a figure eight
- walk the wheel in a figure eight
- walk the wheel one footed in a circle
- ride backward one footed for 10 meters
- glide for 10 meters
- hand wheel walk for 10 meters
- pirouette
- backward spin
[edit] Level 9
- demonstrate nine mount types
- walk the wheel one footed in a figure eight
- ride backward one footed in a circle
- ride backward with the seat out in front in a figure eight
- ride backward with the seat out in back in a circle
- walk the wheel one footed with the left foot for 10 meters
- walk the wheel one footed with the right foot for 10 meters
- walk the wheel backward for 10 meters
- drag seat in front for 10 meters
- drag seat in back for 10 meters
- ride backward one footed with the left foot for 10 meters
- ride backward one footed with the right foot for 10 meters
- one footed with the seat out in front for 10 meters
- backward pirouette
[edit] Level 10
- demonstrate 10 types of mounts
- ride backward with the seat out in back in a figure eight
- ride backward one footed in a figure eight
- walk the wheel one footed with the left foot in a circle
- walk the wheel one footed with the right foot in a circle
- walk the wheel backward in a circle
- 180 uni spin
- sideways wheel walk for 10 meters
- coast for 10 meters
- side ride for 10 meters
- walk the wheel one footed backward for 10 meters
[edit] Equipment / Safety
- Wrist guards
- The most common impact points when falling from a unicycle are the hands and wrists. Of all the safety gear, wrist guards receive the most wear and tear.
- Knee and elbow pads
- The second most common impact point are the knees followed by the elbows.
- Helmet
- A helmet is especially important with specialty riding like MUni.
- Shin guards
- Shin guards become a necessary piece of equipment when using metal or pinned pedals. These types of pedals grip the shoes better, but can cause injury to the legs.
- Cycling shorts
- Padded cycling shorts are designed with a seamless, padded crotch, and long enough legs to extend down past the saddle, making them much more comfortable than "normal" shorts.
[edit] Unicycling Organizations
- International Unicycling Federation
- Unicycling Society of America
- Swiss Unicycling Federation
- Stockton Unicycle and Juggling Club
- Unicyclist.com
[edit] Famous & Notable Unicyclists
- John Foss - World Record holder for many unicycling events[2]
- Kaleigh Grainger - British unicyclist who was World Champion at the age of 14
- Kris Holm - Pioneer in Mountain Unicycling
- Yoggi - French trials unicyclist
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Unicyclist.com - rec.sport.unicycling and much more
- Koxx One Unicycles
- http://www.unicycling.org
- Mountain Unicycling DVDs Kris Holm
- Unicycle Pictures - Unicycle picture gallery with free upload
