My first experience on a unicycle happened in the summer of '88 when I was 8 years old at the Busker Festival in Halifax. I was the 'chosen one' in the audience who got to ride on the shoulders of a performer riding a 6 foot unicycle! From then on I was hooked. I found a unicycle at a yard sale and learned to ride in less than a week. After a 5 year hiatus, I got a new larger unicycle and rode casually on a 29" until I got wind of Ride the Lobster, at which point I immediately bought a 36" and began practicing. I live on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, where I surf year round. I co-own a surf school with some friends called 'One Life Surf School', where I am also a head surf instructor. I have a passion for environmental education, acting and stunt performing, and work for Cisco Systems as a Project Manager. My future goals include completing Ride the Lobster, Being a Movie Star and a Stunt woman, and surfing waves all over the world.
Beth Amiro, Professional acting picture, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, January 2008, Photo by Trevor C
Beth Amiro, Riding around St-FX University during our first team ride, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Photo by Heather Plumridge
Young Beth Amiro, 9 years old, riding around her neighborhood, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, September 1988, Photo taken by parents
Eric Morneau
I'm 39 years old, married to a Cape Breton girl and have four children. I have been living in Sydney for the past twelve years but I'm originally from the Saguenay region north of Quebec City. I'm an elementary teacher and have taught in northern Canada in the Inuit villages of Inukjuak and Great Whale before settling in Nova Scotia. I enjoy the outdoors and practice many different sports and activities like hiking, scuba diving, golf, the occasional triathlon, soccer and in the winter I play a lot of hockey, mainly as a goalie. I also coach my school's hockey and hand ball teams. I pedalled a unicycle the first time when I was about 18 years old. One of my cycling friends bought one and gave me the desire to get my own. I worked in a pastry shop and not long after I was delivering birthday cakes on my unicycle to nearby customers dressed up as a clown. A few cakes didn't make it in one piece but it was a fun thing and most customers didn't mind. Needing some money to go to university, I sold my unicycle about a year later. I thought my unicycle days were over until last year. The president of our local cycling club called me to ask me about volunteering in this race. Volunteering! Participating was more my desire so I purchased another unicycle and started riding again. Then in September, I graduated from a 24 inch wheel to my first 36 inch wheel and started training more seriously for Ride the Lobster.
Eric Morneau, Head shot in the Mayflower Mall for RTL, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Photo by Heather Plumridge
Eric Morneau trying to muni at the Louisbourg lighthouse, Louisbourg , Nova Scotia, Canada, RTL qualifying ride, March 2008, Photo by Cindy Morneau
Eric Morneau, Team ride around St-FX University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Photo by Heather Plumridge
Stephen Plumridge
Last summer, my brother-in-law Eric came to me during a hot, lazy afternoon and told me he was trying to organize a team for a really cool race the following summer and asked me if I wanted to join. Knowing I will say yes to almost any challenge, I said sure, what kind of race? You can imagine my surprise when he told me all about Ride The Lobster. Ride the lobster!?! Can't I just eat it? It had to be the wackiest race I have ever heard of! Of course I'm in! He ordered a unicycle in July, since he hasn't been on one for many years, and tried to remember how it works all the while showing me how to use one. (Did I mention I have never even sat on a unicycle before?) I ordered my first 24" in late August and have been learning ever since. Mastering getting on using a dumpster as a crutch was first, and then one or two pedals in the parking lot followed. Soon I could make it across the parking lot about 40 feet, baby steps to 800 kms. The next feat was around the quarter mile track, and to get on this thing unassisted. Half way around was my best for a while then miraculously I just kept going! Through the winter we trained in the Mayflower Mall after store hours, doing lots of laps a couple of times each week. After some interesting questions and comments, and a lot of strange looks, I bought a 36" wheel. WOW that's big! Now I'm a High Roller 'crusin' the streets, building my fan club, and looking forward to the big race! Not a bad six months, eh!
Steven Plumridge, Head shot in Mayflower Mall for RTL, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Photo by Heather Plumridge
Steven Plumridge, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Muniing around the lighthouse during RTL qualifying ride, Photo by Heather Plumridge
Steve Plumridge, Trying to order pizza during RTL qualifying ride, March 2008, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada, Photo by Cindy Morneau
Heather Plumridge
I am very excited about being part of the Nova Scotia team in Ride The Lobster as the support person! As soon as my husband decided he was going to enter the race I wanted to know how I could become involved with the team. Riding a unicycle was out of the question simply because gravity and I are great friends and as soon as I leave the ground gravity wants me to find my way back to it, quickly! I attempted to ride once and it didn't go very well. When my husband mentioned the team requires a support person I was quick to jump on board and he was relieved I did, having a nurse as a support person is great when the only thing you've ever done with a lobster was eat it!
Heather Plumridge, Baddeck Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 2007, Sailing on the Amoeba, Photo by Steve Plumridge
Heather Plumridge, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, January 2006, Honors Banquet at Cape Breton University, Photo by Steve Plumridge