I started unicycling at the age of 14 when one summer I dug up my brothers old 24" Norco. Its wheel was wobbly and its cranks where loose but that did not stop me from learning. Back then I did not know what was possible on a unicycle. When I was 20 my brother started mountain unicycling and invited me for a ride. From that point on the new world of mountain and trials unicycling was opened to me. I was hooked. I started attending trials competitions, placing in beginner and intermediate divisions before injury prevented me from riding trials anymore. Going to the competitions introduced me to the Toronto Unicyclists. While in school earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering I went to the weekly club meetings when I got the chance often opting to instead practice at the University of Waterloo Juggling Club. Now I have graduated and moved to Toronto and ride with the Toronto Unicyclist frequently. I now practice freestyle riding in the gym and have discovered the joys of endurance training for distance riding.
Roman Allemann, Afternoon Starbucks break. Toronto Unicyclist 20th Anniversary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. January 2008 Photo by Roman Allemann
Roman Allemann, RTL qualifying ride 1. Milton, Ontario, Canada. October 2007. Photo by Rob McCormick.
Roman Allemann, Relaxing on a slackline. University of Waterloo juggling convention. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, March 2007. Photo by Jason Allemann
Jeff Groves
I started unicycling when I was 11 years old after my brother got a unicycle for Christmas. It took me about a month to be able to mount a unicycle and ride it to the end of my street. Since then I joined the Toronto Unicyclist Club and have been loving unicycling ever since. Over the past 12 years I have had the opportunity to compete and ride all over the world in different unicycle competitions. Unicycling has been a central part of my life and I look forward to many more years of riding.
Jeff Groves, Afternoon Starbucks break. Toronto Unicyclist 20th Anniversary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. January 2008 Photo by Roman Allemann
Jeff Groves, RTL qualifying ride day 2. Mount Pleasant, Ontario, Canada. October 2007. Photo by Pete Groves
Jeff Groves, Ring of fire. July 2006. Photo: Patric McGroaty.
Mike Thaler
At 17, I may be the youngest member on Team Atlas, but at 6'2" I'm still the tallest. I got my first unicycle and joined the Toronto Unicyclists Club four years ago. Since then, I've become an avid trials, muni and distance rider - while my trusty two-wheeler gathers dust. I also like to play around on my BC wheel (so named because it looks and works a lot like the wheel in the comic strip 'B.C.'). Nothing beats unicycling for meeting new people and making new friends. In addition to unicycling, I'm also into snowboarding and whitewater kayaking.
Mike Thaler, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. December 2007. Photo by Ted Thaler
Mike Thaler, Trials riding at the Brickworks. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. June 2007. Photo by Rob McCormick
Mike Thaler, Pushing through the white water. Minden, Ontario, Canada. September 2007. Photo by Ted Thaler
Jason Allemann
I started unicycling over 20 years ago, after my parents brought home a small novelty unicycle for me to try and ride. Since then it has become a major part of my life. During my university days I regularly used a unicycle to commute to and from class. Over the last several years I have become heavily involved in trials riding and the BC wheel. In addition to travelling to many unicycle events every year I help organize our own local grassroots event, the annual Ottawa Unicycle Invasion, which features a trials and mountain unicycle competition. I have met many great people at these events and I look forward to meeting many more.
Jason Allemann, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 2008 Photo by Jason Allemann
Jason Allemann, BC Wheel limbo. Toronto Unicyclist 20th Anniversary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. January 2008. Photo by Carl Roth.
Jason Allemann, Going for the lip. Bouldering outside Lake Placid, New York, U.S.A. June 2007. Photo by Roman Allemann