I was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. I feel like I grew up on a bicycle, being one of my main forms of entertainment and transport through childhood. Since moving to the USA 20 years ago I've continued the trend, becoming competitive in mountain biking. I was introduced to unicycling just last year, making my first scary attempts to ride without a training wheel on August 16th. Although I'm not as good as my son, who started at the same time, I'm improving every day and definitely enjoying the journey. I'm looking forward to the challenges of Ride the Lobster, especially with my wife (my 'soul mate') as part of our team...
Geoff Elder, Williston, Vermont, USA, April 2008, Photo by Kelly Elder
Geoff Elder, RTL Day 1 Qualification Ride, Williston, Vermont, USA, November 2007, Photo by Kelly Elder
Geoff Elder, Rocket that launched a 16 pound Bowling Ball to an altitude of 6416 feet! Williston, Vermont, USA, March 2003, Photo by Jake Elder
Richard Dawson
I enjoy the outdoors having been brought up just outside the Lake District National Park (UK) and find unicycling one of the most fun ways of being out and about. I now live with my wife Anna in West Sussex not far from the South Downs (a good place for a day out on a unicycle) having steadily moved south through the country after leaving home. If the trend continues we’ll be in France next year!
I first learnt to ride a few years ago playing unicycle hockey and have steadily branched out into mountain and road unicycling. I am looking forward the RTL though I am feeling a little nervous since I am acting as a last minute substitute, but I am ready to do my best.
Richard Dawson, Horsham, UK, May 2008, Photo by Anna Dawson
Richard Dawson, Horsham - Worthing Charity ride (I wasn't in the lead for long), Horsham, UK, May 2008, Photo by Anna Dawson
Richard Dawson, A lovely evening for long distance wheel-barrowing, Glen Dessary, Scotland, August 2006, Photo by David Dawson
Perry Woodin
I started riding uni about 25 years ago when I was around 10 years old. I rode almost everyday for about 5 years. Once I got my drivers license, the uni was relegated to the basement and for the next 20 years, it sat neglected. I transitioned to the road bike, and in college, I was a member of the first NCAA cycling team in the country, so I'm no stranger to wheeled competition. In early 2007, I was riding my CycloCross bike on some nice single-track when I noticed a guy with one wheel covering the same ground that I had just ridden. The rider was Steve Relles, another RTL rider from Albany, NY. He let me try his 29er on the spot and I was hooked. Soon after this fateful meeting I purchased a KH 29er and have been riding almost daily rain or shine. In October and then again in November of 2007, I raced in an organized mountain bike race that included a uni category. With two uni races under my belt, I'm ready for RTL.
Perry Woodin, San Francisco, California, USA, October 2007, Photo by Laura Welles
Perry Woodin, RTL Day 2 Qualification Ride, Watervliet, New York, USA, March 2008, Photo by Roland Kays
Perry Woodin, All Hallows Mt. Bike Race, Schenectady, New York, USA, October 2007, Photo by Laura Welles
Kelly Elder
I do not unicycle. I am not coordinated enough. I have made several attempts without success. I am, however, married to a unicyclist, Geoff Elder. We compliment each other and make a good team at most things we do. Together we've been EMT partners, scuba diving buddies and world travelers. I look forward to participating in the Ride The Lobster event together with Brendan and Perry. I am an RN and work at a local hospital in the Mother/Child Unit.
Kelly Elder, Williston, Vermont, USA, April 2008, Photo by Geoff Elder
Kelly Elder, Bike ride while on vacation, Lalomanu Village, Samoa, July 2007, Photo by Geoff Elder