UNICON XIII: -Current Marathon World Champ: Gold 43km Road Race -Silver medalist 10km -Silver MUni Cross-Country UNICON XII: - 10km road race: 5th place - XC MUni: Bronze 3rd place - DH Muni: Bronze 3rd place World Records: - Former 24hr World Record Holder (378km) - Former Hour Record holder (25.6km) I work as a Doctor in Australia, and also organise unicycle tours around the world.
Ken Looi, Carbo-loading at the top of Haast Pass, New Zealand, SINZ Tour, January 2007, Photo by Tony Melton
Ken Looi in the Swiss Alps, August 2005, Photo by Ken Looi
Ken Looi at UniCon XIII, Langenthal, Switzerland, August, 2006
Tony Melton
In the 18 years I've been riding I've dabbled in many areas of unicycling. The great thing about unicycling is that there are always new challenges. At the 2006 World Champs I was fifth in the marathon race and sixth in the 10km race. I placed third in the offroad downhill race. In 2007 I toured the South Island of New Zealand, riding over 1000km in two weeks. On this tour I rode up and down the world's steepest street. Needless to say the descent was much easier than the ascent! In 2005 I performed on my unicycle for the King of Tonga in Nuku'alofa. I've also unicycled in 12 and 24 hour mountain bike races as part of a team, a pair and as a solo rider.
Tony Melton, In Glasses, New Zealand
Tony Melton, On a Giraffe In Glasses, New Zealand
Tony Melton, in West Melton, Feb 2007 on the South Island of New Zealand Unicycle Tour, Photo by by Roger Davies
William Sklenars
I learned to ride a unicycle in back in 2005 my sister moved away from home into a flat in town. I needed a form of transport so that I could visit her. A Unicycle seemed the most sensible choice at the time. As soon as i could stay on, I was hooked. Since then i have been active in the New Zealand unicycle scene and have helped to start various clubs, competed in national MTB events, hosted the 2007 NZUni nationals, and competed at the Uninats in Sydney, Australia (07). I am stoked to be representing New Zealand on an international scale. Currently I am studying Sonic Arts Composition and Jazz Performance at the New Zealand School of Music, as well as working part time for Unicycle.com NZ.
Will Sklenars, Puffed after completing his first nighttime lap at Moonride 24hr MTB race with a faulty light, Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua, New Zealand, May 2006, Photo by Gisella Sklenars
Will Sklenars balances on the summit of Mt Taranaki at eight thousand feet, before executing the first ever unicycle summit descent, Mt Taranaki, New Zealand, March 2007, Photo by Nick Johnson
Will Sklenars takes the roll in, Lake Mangamahoe, New Plymouth, New Zealand, February, 2007, Photo by Tony Melton
Véronique Grégoire
My name is Véronique Grégoire, I'm 28 years old and I learned unicycling 3 years ago. I don't know why I bought my first unicycle for my 25 birthday. I always liked sport, trying new things, and having new challenges in my life. Unicycle always fascinated me : I tried it at 15 years old, in a gym class, but I wasn't able to ride it. When I saw this unicycle (a cheap one with a big tire), I decided to put some time to learn it. After 2 months, I was able to control it (go forward, turn left and right). Cause I don't have car and live in a city, unicycle became the way I choose to transport myself through the city, even in winter.
Last spring, I finally got Internet. I tried to find an organisation in Montréal that promoted unicycling. I didn't find a real organisation, only a small community with a discussion forum, Montréal. This community was 6 month old; We organised some small rides between us and I met a lot of different people with unicycling for hobby. In the next year, we would like Montréal to become a real organisation (with a local, real training..).
At my first ride, I realised that I didn't know anything about unicycling and all the things that you can do with a unicycle. It's a much complex sport that I thought. You can jump gaps, ride down mountains, do some freestyle, dance, team sports, etc.
I trying to get better, but I don't have much time to try new things. This year, I would like to practice more regularly. I know I'll never be as good as some of my friends, but I can surely be a lot better than now, if I put some time in it. Unicycling is the center of my universe, a hobby like I never have before. I meet a lot of different people, and they are so friendly, that's unbelivable!
Unicycling is for everybody, even if you're not the best, you can still learn more. I think that's about friendship, and having fun with people. It's also a good way to challenge and try to overcome those challenges. Unicycling is a sport that everyone should know about.
I tried the qualification for the race, but I quit because I have some troubles with the saddle irritation in long distance riding. That's why I decided to become a support person for then event.
I hope I'll continue to unicycle till I'm 90 years old!
Véronique Grégoire, Montréal, Quebec, Canada, April 2008, Self portrait
Véronique Grégoire, Montréal, Quebec, Canada, April 2008, Self portrait