I started riding the uni two years ago when my friend Steve loaned me his after extolling how FUN it was. It looked like good exercise, although I was dubious about the fun part. Turns out he was right. The most fun comes from improving; I learn something new every ride. The exercise bit is true too, and I find plenty of opportunity to push myself in technical off-road rides as well as long-distance craziness like Ride the Lobster. This keeps me in shape for my day-job as field biologist and curator of mammals at the New York State Museum.
Roland Kays, Panama, April 2007, Flying over the rain forest, photo by Martin Wikelski
Roland Kays, Albany NY USA, Feb. 2008, Snow cokering, photo by Chip Foster
Roland Kays, Tsavo, Kenya, March 2005, Flying over a boulder, photo by Selina Green
Vincent Lemay
I come from Quebec City, but I've been living with my girlfriend in Montreal for two years now. I'm currently studying in mechanical engineering, at the University of Quebec in Montreal, and working full time in aeronautics. Since 2003, my main hobby is riding a unicycle. Whether doing trial, freestyle, technical muni, or the commute ride on my 36er, it's always a great challenge. My road racing experiences are limited, but for four years now I unicycle the 24h mountain bike race Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in Ontario. My other interests are mountain biking, slack lining, eating good food and playing the didgeridoo.
Vince Lemay, Montreal Quebec, Canada, September 2007, Self portrait during RTL Qualifying Ride, Photo by Vince Lemay
Vince Lemay, Ontario Canada, May 2005, Riding loose sand at 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' 24 Hour MTB Race, Photo by Nathan Hoover
Vince Lemay, Ontario, Canada, May 2007, Blazing at the 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' 24 Hour MTB Race, Photo by Roland Kays
Steve Relles
I left college in 1984 with a degree in math and a lifetime passion for ultimate, a fast team sport using a flying disc. I programmed computers and sprinkled in some ski-bumming, and, in 1990, I met an ultimate player named Rose. We got married, traveled (including in Nova Scotia), kept playing disc, and had two children. In a big tourney in Oct. 2003, I blew out my ACL (r. knee) in what I thought were my invulnerable knees. I had surgery to repair it, but recovery was so traumatic that I thought I'd never walk again, let alone play ultimate, which had been my athletic identity. It truly led to a mid-life crisis and I was extremely depressed. To try something new, in July 2004, I bought my first unicycle and taught myself to ride. It was so much fun it replaced ultimate as my main athletic interest and also brought my leg muscles and knee back to their original strength. Now I unicycle in off-road bike races and various mountain climb events. My daughter, Monya, has learned to unicycle and my son, Denali, is nearly there. I mountain unicycle (muni) a few times per week and do longer road rides on my 36" wheel when I have the time. I still play ultimate, but not when it cuts into my unicycling.
Steve Relles, Unshaven and relaxing at home, Delmar, New York, USA, March2008, Photo by Rose Duhan
Steve Relles, Halloween 2 Hour MTB Race, Schenectady, New York, USA,October 2007, Photo by Laura Woodin
Steve Relles, Eating dirt at the 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' 24 Hour MTB Race, Ontario, Canada, May 2007, Photo by Roland Kays
David Kays
I am a pension actuary located in music city Tn- Nashville where everyone is song writer and guitar picker (not me I just make numbers). Starting to ride bicycles seriously (3000 miles a year) 4 years ago when my runners knee gave. I look forward to supporting the unis
David Kays, A Moon Pie and RC cola to all ya' all, Franklin, Tennessee, USA, May 2008, Photo by Bonnie Kays
David Kays with his wife Bonnie Kays, Always ready to ride, Franklin, Tennessee, USA, May 2008, photo by David Kays