I began riding a unicycle as a teen in the early 1970's, one of a large group of young riders that sprang up in suburban Philadelphia at that time. I rode quite a lot through high school and college years, enjoying tricks, spins and some distance riding. An accomplishment I was proud of in those days was unicycling down the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, the stone stairway made famous in the old Rocky movies. I rode less after college but did the two-wheeler more. I rode my bike across the US in 1980, and worked for several years as a bicycle tour guide. My interest in unicycling became re-ignited when my kids became old enough to ride. A few families started up a club in Montpelier Vermont five years ago where folks of all ages and abilities would get together to ride, learn from each other and do the occasional parade. I also began to offer unicycling to young people through my work in the local after school program, and have introduced the sport to a couple hundred kids in 9 different schools. I have found unicycling to be a continuous source of challenge and fun over the years, and am excited to be taking part in the premier running of Ride the Lobster.
Bill Merrylees, August 2007, Local Field Days event
Bill Merrylees, Craftsbury Ski Touring Center, January 2008, Photo by Dawn DiCecco
Bill Merrylees, Killington Uni Trials, Killington, Vermont, USA, July 2007, Daughter Eliza on board, Photo by Dawn DiCecco
Mark Premo
Four years ago I bought a 20" unicycle at a garage sale and tried to master it while riding in my kitchen around the table. I started to get the hang of it and quickly became dizzy and bored while riding alone. Like most Americans with a new purchase of exercise equipment it found its way to the basement. Two years passed, I was walking by a local gym when I noticed a group of people walking in with the one-wheel machine. They informed me they meet once a week in the winter. Soon while riding in the gym, using the gym wall and help from the fun group I was riding! From that point on it has been one fun ride, meeting new people exchanging stories and introducing friends to this interesting sport. With the basics down and my background as a long distance road rider (age 14 to see a friend until 21 when I started my career with UPS) and a mountain bike racer I wanted to ride farther. I started to think of races I could compete in. First, the races were in the woods at a local outdoor center. I started racing a mile and half race with the little kids, and then moved up to six miles this past summer. The kids loved it and I had fun listening to them shout, (slowly because unicycle was a new word): "Go Unicycle Man!" Next, because of the sole gear you have on a unicycle I thought to race up mountains. I started with a local race to help benefit my winter hobby, downhill skiing with kids who have disabilities (www.achillclimb.com). I couldn't free-mount yet, but I knew there were mailboxes and guardrails along the way to help. The race was fun but not as fun as this year when two more unicyclists from our local club also competed. One of them is my Ride the Lobster teammate, Bill Merrylees. Next my girlfriend found someone else on the Internet who was also racing up mountains. Most know him in the unicycle world as Steveyo. I called Steve Relles, not knowing him, and told him "I'm coming for you at the next Whiteface Hillclimb" which he has done twice before. June of 2007 was the race so with my girlfriend, Dawn DiCecco, as camera crew and support person we were off. The race was great but the most fun was being around others who share your passion with the sport. With confirmation of Bill Merrylees and Eric Scheer wanting to race in Ride the Lobster and Dawn DiCecco wanting to help we decided to form the American Mojo team.
Mark Premo
Mark Premo, Muni race at Catamount Outdoor Center, Williston Vermont, USA, July 2007
Mark Premo, Springfield Vermont, USA, July 2007, Simpson's Movie Premier
Eric Scheer
My name is Eric F. Scheer. I live in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, in the USA with my very tolerant wife Elektra and my 2 wonderful unicycle riding children, Quillan and Kindra. My unicycling started in Jr. High School when I purchased a $2 unicycle at a yard sale. After 4 hours learning in the back yard I moved to riding on the road. The unicycle broke, I moved on to bicycles and cars untill 20 years later when my wife asked the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" The Simcycle XL that was under the tree that year was the beginning of a new adventure! In the 10 years since the new unicycle arrived I have purchased over a dozen more unicycles, from the 36" Coker to a 5 ft tall giraffe. I have started a club, "The South County Luna-Cycles" which meets every week and introduces new riders to the sport. I have ridden in a least 20 Parades, run "how to ride" clinics for church youth groups, performed at town block parties and even ridden as the Flying Monkeys on unicycles in a production of the Wizard of Oz! Last year due to time constraints between church, family and running my own electrical contracting business, I gave up bicycle racing but still needed some form of competition. I think I found the challenge I needed in unicycle racing. I have competed in uphill races, (where I meet my Ride the Lobster teammates) as well as entering bike races on a unicycle. Ride the Lobster should be the ultimate unicycle challenge!
Eric Scheer, Peace Dale, Rhode Island, USA, January 2008, Photo by Quillan Scheer
Eric Scheer, Great Swamp management area, West Kingston, Rhode Island, USA, December 2007, Photo by Quillan Scheer
Eric Scheer, White Face Mountain Hill Climb, Wilmington New York USA, June 2007, Finish of the 8 mile uphill climb, Photo by Dawn DiCecco
Dawn DiCecco
I've been riding for about a year now, after my boyfriend, Mark Premo, suggested I try it just once. Of course, you can't just try it once, I was soon hooked and had to master this one-wheeled wonder. This can't be any different then riding a horse, I thought. You need to sit up straight, keep your weight deep in your seat and look straight ahead. Piece of cake, well not so fast, I spent most of my time holding onto the rusty chain-link fence around a local tennis court, trying to gain my balance. Unicycles and horses behave differently, you can control a horse, not a unicycle. Eventually, I was able to figure out this new way of balancing and let go of the fence for just a few seconds before coming off. I became part of a unicycle club that would meet on Sundays throughout the summer slowly continuing to gain my balance enough to ride the width of a parking space. In the winter we meet inside to ride and that's when things have really excelled. At first, I did a lot of what can only be described as "swimming" on my unicycle. My arms flailing around as I tried to turn the corners, looking as if I was trying to swim my way around the gym. I'm now able to ride relatively swim-free and I am working on my endurance to ride for longer periods of time. Now that I've started to become one with my unicycle I can see the similarities between riding a unicycle and a horse and it's cheaper, you don't have to feed a unicycle! It's more then just the mechanics of balance, vision and weight, it's also being outside enjoying the weather, the scenery and the company of good friends while riding makes it fun as well. I'm looking forward to keeping our American Mojo team, consisting of Mark Premo, Bill Merrylees and Eric Scheer, motivated, organized and ready for their miles of Unicycling fun across Nova Scotia. I fell into the role of support person for Mark Premo during several Mountain bike races over the last couple of years and as he started competing in Unicycling hill climb races. Being there with food, drink and an encouraging yell all while taking pictures and keeping things organized. Years of support from my parents throughout my horse show years have prepared me for the many challenges and fun times that lie ahead with the Ride the Lobster race.
Dawn DiCecco, August 2007, Local Field Days event
Dawn DiCecco, August 2007, Sunday riding with Montpelier Unicycle club
Dawn DiCecco, August 2007, Sunday riding with Montpelier Unicycle club