I started unicycling at age 16, with a 70's era Schwinn bought at a pawn shop for $20. Like so many others, I discovered mountain unicycling when I saw Kris Holm on TV. The idea of unicycling as an athletic sport and not just a performing art really caught my interest. In college, I upgraded to real mountain unicycle complete with the virtually indestructible Profile brand hub and a 3" wide tire. On campus, I was "that guy on the unicycle." For getting from class to class, I got a light road unicycle with a 27" thin, high-pressure tire, perfect for maneuvering through a crowded campus. It was with this unicycle that I got my first taste of distance riding when I signed up for a two day, 150 mile bike tour hosted by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Since then I have split my riding between distance and mountain unicycling. I have competed in a 24 hour mountain bike race, won two competitions in the niche-within-a-niche sport of 'rolling trials' unicycling, and went on a week long uni-ride along C&O Canal. Now, with a 36" unicycle and a lot of training, I'm ready to take on the next challenge - Ride the Lobster!
Frank Brown, Richmond, Virginia, USA, April 2008, Photo by Rebecca Johnson
Frank Brown rides his unicycle in training for the "Ride the Lobster" race in Nova Scotia, Richmond, Virginia, USA, April 2008, Photo by Rebecca Johnson
Frank Brown, right, takes a break from training with his wife, Wendy Belton Brown, Richmond, Virginia, USA, April 2008, Photo by Rebecca Johnson
Ian Gallant
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Canada, I moved to Nova Scotia 4 years ago to begin a career in 2D Animation. My First introduction to unicycling was over 10 years ago when my parent's neighbour let me try out his 15 year old unicycle. After I few days of it being more difficult than I thought it would be, I gave it back to the neighbour and pretty much forgot about it. Then in early 2007 I saw a wide tired type of unicycle in the window of a local bike shop. Something clicked in my brain and I knew I had to go back and buy it. I'm so glad I stuck with it this time. After a few exhilarating/ frustrating days practicing in my backyard, I finally managed to stay on and ride for a few feet. From then on it became and obsession for me and all I could talk or think about ever since. Since then I've started to help teach unicycling to kids at the Circus Circle program in Halifax. I mainly ride a 20 inch for whatever type of riding I do. But this race is giving me a chance to step up to a 36 inch wheel. I 'm definitely a newcomer to the long rides, but I'm extremely excited to meet other riders from around the world and to get my first experience in long distance riding.
Ian Gallant, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,Canada. March 2008. Photo by Holly Gallant
Ian Gallant, First ride on the new 36, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Photo by Holly Gallant
Ian Gallant, Trying to learn to mount my new Uni, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Photo by Holly Gallant
Claude Magnuson
I began riding a unicycle when I was 10 years old to keep up with my brother who had just learned. Soon my dad, mom and sister also learned to ride and all five of us began riding in parades in Maryland. In 1969 my brother and I may have completed the first trans-Atlantic crossing by unicycle when our family took a cruise ship from New York to France. For five days on the ship my brother and I rode our unicycles everywhere we went on board. We turned some heads in the Italian Alps visiting relatives as we rode our unicycles from village to village. They wanted to know if all Americans did that. I continued to ride through my teenage years and then gave it a 20 year rest. When my daughter was 10 years old I pulled out the old unicycle and showed her what her dad could do. Of course she wanted to learn so I bought her one and I bought a new one for myself because the old one was pretty beat up. In 2006, I discovered that they made unicycles strong enough to ride on trails. I bought a mountain unicycle and became hooked on off road unicycle riding. Now I have discovered the joys of a 36 wheel (yes, another unicycle) and I am enjoying putting in some miles in preparation for the big ride in Nova Scotia.
Claude Magnuson
Claude Magnuson, Black Hill Park, Germantown, Maryland, USA, March 2008, Photo by Andrew Magnuson
Claude Magnuson with son Andrew, 1000 Islands, New York, USA, August 2006, Photo by Laura Magnuson
Holly Gallant
I'm originally from Lower Derby, New Brunswick, but have lived in the Halifax area of Nova Scotia for the past 4 years while attending Dalhousie University. I'm currently in my third year of the Bachelor of Pharmacy program, so I have one more year before I'm a licensed pharmacist - that's scary stuff. I don't unicycle but my husband (Ian) has tried to get me to learn. I think I'll give it a try this summer because unicycle tours sound fun! I even named our pet hedgehog 'Muni'.
Holly Gallant, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, March 2008, Photo By Ian Gallant
Holly Gallant, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, Hanging out with Padmé, Oct 2007, Photo By Ian Gallant