I have lived in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., for most of my life. I started unicycling when I was about 12 years old when a neighbor got me interested in it. I learned how to ride on his driveway, and then soon joined a unicycling show troop that was based in Northern Virginia called the Supercycles. Through the Supercycles I was able to unicycle in parades and shows across the area. I lost interest in high school, but picked it up again in college at Virginia Tech where I got into the more "extreme" side of unicycling. At the same time, I started doing long distance unicycling and got really into the endurance part of riding by seeing how far I could go in a given day. After graduation I met up with other long distance unicyclists from around the world and completed a unicycle tour of the South Island of New Zealand. Riding across New Zealand with other unicyclists was one of the best experiences of my life, and I can't wait to compete with everyone up in Nova Scotia!
James Amon, Unicycling up the Crown Range, near Wanaka, New Zealand, Jan. 2007
James Amon, Great Sand Dunes National Park - Colorado, USA, April 2007
Joe Marshall
Joe Marshall
I first got a unicycle in order to avoid working during my final year at university. During the revision period for my final exams, I started riding distances of up to 12 miles, on a small wheeled circus unicycle. When I graduated, I moved to a small flat in London, with no room for a commuter bike. The unicycle was the obvious choice for my journey to work, so I began using it as a mode of transport. The time this took on the small wheel led to me getting a 36" wheeled unicycle for extra speed, and doing rides at weekends of 50 or 60 miles, often to the seaside. I met other unicyclists, who inspired me to further long distance sillyness, including solo 24 hour racing, 100 mile rides, multi-day touring, and rides in several countries round the world.
Joe Marshall, Snowdon, Wales, April 2006, Photo by Phil Himsworth
Joe Marshall, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, April 2007, Photo by Penny Munro
Spencer Owen
Spencer Owen
I first learned how to ride a unicycle about 12 years ago after borrowing an old Pashley from a colleague. Once I’d proved to myself it was possible, I began to lose interest. After joining Nottingham Juggling club several years later I began to get an idea of just what was possible, and I got hooked again.
Spencer Owen, Sleepless In The Saddle, 24 hour mountain bike race, 2007
I now commute up to 80 miles each week in Central London, play unicycle hockey, ride muni (mountain unicycling), and have been on a couple of long tours on one wheel. When I’m not riding, I’m an IT engineer that also juggles, drives a Ford Model T hotrod and has more piercings than I’d like to tell you about!
Spencer Owen, Fire breathing in The Lake District, 2003
Stephanie Thornton, March 2008, Self portrait
Stephanie Thornton
I grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland, 15 minutes outside of Washington, D.C. I attended public school and I am graduating from Frostburg State University with a bachelor's in Mass Communication. I have a strong interest in music especially hardcore, punk, pop-punk, and indie. I have always wanted to write about music and I hope to freelance for various publications including newspapers and music magazines. As far as sports, I figure skated from ages 4-17 on a regular basis, taking lessons and competing. Now I opt for running or bike riding, and occasionally I use James' unicycle to attempt unicycling, but I can really only go for maybe 10 yards before I mess up. That's about it.
Stephanie Thornton, In a DeLorean, Frostburg, Maryland, Sept. 2007, Photo by Becki Manuel