Around The World With Unicycle?

[SirAnteli]

Hey guys!

There are thousands of people who are traveling around the world right now with bicycle. I regularly read blogs of those travellers. My favorite rider is Jukka Salminen, from Finland. When I read his stories, I always would like to be on his route. And I have thought that when I will finish my high school, I could get a cap year(s) and go around the world. (sounds sick, I know:D)

It would be cooler to travel with unicycle. But is it possible? Do you know if anyone has did it already? Go around the world with unicycle? Where would I put my clothes, tent, sleeping bag, etc.? In a backpack?:D I think it wouldn't be good for back to ride many hour in day with backpack. Jukka Salminen used best quality tubes and tyres when he travelled from Bankok(Thailand) to Helsinki(Finland), but still he broke 28 tubes on his route. I could imagine that it would be easyer to break tubes with unicycle than bicycle.

I would like to hear your feelings about this kind of trip. Which unicycle would you use? How would you solve the problems which unicycle traveller might get? Take this with humorous or seriously. Let's share ideas!:)

[Alaa]

yeah great idea :D really i would like to do that :)

[EwokChieftain]

I've found these (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums//showthread.php?p=1334306) threads (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27714) about unicycle trailers.

Perhaps a sort of trailer that is not connected to the uni but to your body could do it too, like the Radical Wheelie (http://www.radicaldesign.nl/en/products/trailers/wheelie.php)...
Note how it converts to a rucksack if needed, so you could carry it on your back while pushing your uni if there's a difficult spot.

[EwokChieftain]

Also I've read about someone who did the Panamerica on a giraffe.
Why a giraffe?
Because there is room for some panniers below the pedals...

[SirAnteli]

I've found these (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums//showthread.php?p=1334306) threads (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27714) about unicycle trailers.

Perhaps a sort of trailer that is not connected to the uni but to your body could do it too, like the Radical Wheelie (http://www.radicaldesign.nl/en/products/trailers/wheelie.php)...
Note how it converts to a rucksack if needed, so you could carry it on your back while pushing your uni if there's a difficult spot.

Some trailer would be good idea, but is it still unicycle? I would call it tricycle.

Also I've read about someone who did the Panamerica on a giraffe.
Why a giraffe?
Because there is room for some panniers below the pedals...

Intresting... Do you remember where from you read about it? Link?

[Rowan]

Do you know if anyone has did it already? Go around the world with unicycle? Where would I put my clothes, tent, sleeping bag, etc.? In a backpack?:D I think it wouldn't be good for back to ride many hour in day with backpack. It has been done before, but not a non-stop ride. Wobbling Wally Watts (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30135) did it! Apologies for the font tags- they changed the way the forum works. I'm having trouble viewing the pictures too but they are stashed in the unicyclist.com gallery somewhere.

An article on the net where I stole this photo says "between 1976 and 1978 he was credited with riding around the world, a journey of 12,000 miles."

[SirAnteli]

Thank you so mutch for information! I will read about him, and maybe after two years I'm travelling around the world with unicycle:D

[Dr D]

Interesting. Wally wouldn't have had tube issues with that unicycle

[johnfoss]

Interesting. Wally wouldn't have had tube issues with that unicycleNo, he would have ass issues. Along the way, someone built him a suspension post, and his seat was shaped roughly like a loaf of bread; lots of padding! And I remember a woman who, after meeting him in 1981, commented that "His legs are like tree trunks!"

I think Wally used a backpack. He traveled very light, and was on his own. A better setup was used by Pietro Biondo, another Canadian unicyclist who did a 12,193 mile journey between 1982-84. He rode more or less the perimeter of the US and Canada. His vehicle was a low giraffe with (I think) a 24" wheel and probably a geared-up chain drive. This allowed him to carry a pair of panniers, a spare tire on top of them, a couple of water bottles in cages on the frame, and nothing on his back!

I got to meet Pietro in 1993. He was a masseuse with Cirque du Soleil on tour. :)

[EwokChieftain]

Could you explain your last phrase? Being male, he can only be a masseur.
So did you mean he was on tour with a woman who works as a masseuse for cirque du soleil?

[Denali]

According to the Guinness Book, a circumnavigation by land should meet the following requirements:
- Cycle a minimum of 29,000km (actually a shade less than that).
- Total travel (inlcuding flights) 40,000km
- Travel in one general direction (East-West, West-East)
- Cross the equator twice and pass through a pair of antipodal points
- Start and end in the same place.

This has never been done before on a unicycle.

[maestro8]

There are thousands of people who are traveling around the world right now with bicycle.

And there are thousands of people who are posting unicycling threads in Just Conversation.

That doesn't mean you should do it too.

Please post your unicycling threads in Rec.Sport.Unicycling. It helps make the world a better place. Really, it does.

Thanks,

Your friendly forum Nazi

[Dr D]

According to the Guinness Book, a circumnavigation by land should meet the following requirements:
- Cycle a minimum of 29,000km (actually a shade less than that).
-

That's a long ride. I suspect it would take the better part of a year to complete it given all the potential challenges. It does explain why some individuals who are able to complete such a task are considered epic. :cool:

[feel the light]

I don't want to bet the tire would go all the way. Sounds impossible. I'll bet it can go further than you. If you can wear a TA down to the threads, that would be special.

[EwokChieftain]

Some trailer would be good idea, but is it still unicycle? I would call it tricycle.
A bicycle stays a bicycle too, no matter wether it pulls a single- or multitrack trailer or no trailer...

What I would be worried most about:

- the luggage solution - it's not only about having one. How does the rack or trailer feel after a long day's ride, when your attention ceases? How does it behave on a bumpy track down a hill? You should test it thoroughly.

BTW, how about something like this (http://www.aevon-trailers.com/2009/?p=13&lang=en)? A singletrack trailer with a high drawbar?
It should affect your turning less than one of these drawfork solutions (see: BOB Yak/Ibex and Weber Monoporter), as the pivot point is at your saddle tube.

- the development of your uni. When you get weaker by the end of the day, the development of your uni could be too long for you at climbs... a 36er has 2,85 metres of development, that's really a lot for your lowest gear.
I'd take a Guni with a smaller wheel. If you don't want a Guni for your normal riding, you could sell the hub after having it checked... I guess a Schlumpf should be quite stable in value.

- how to walk with all that stuff including the uni... you will have to, at times.
The Wheelie or something equivalent (which converts into a rucksack I mean) is one approach. Alternatively, a trailer could convert into a handcart onto which you put/strap your uni, so that you still have one hand left.

[Denali]

A bicycle stays a bicycle too, no matter wether it pulls a single- or multitrack trailer or no trailer...

But that does not make it right. A bicycle with a trailer is probably considered a bicycle because in terms of skill and balance it is the same with or without a trailer (I am assuming here as I have never ridden a bike with a trailer).

The novelty of a unicycle is that it has one wheel (that is in contact with the ground). In my opinion, any attached trailer takes away the novelty of the unicycle (I agree that a unicycle with a trailer is more novel than a unicycle), and from an adventure point of view, takes away the additional challenge of riding unsupported on a unicycle as compared to a bike.

And there have been tours that have been unsupported (without trailers), so it is possible. Obviously, if you are going to be camping (which is a cheaper option and more probable for a world tour), then you're gonna have to put up with the discomfort.

But with or without a trailer, it will still be a huge achievement.

[Dr D]

I think to pull it off, there would have to be some kind of support crew. One thing missing from the debate here is the actual record of the event, and that takes witnesses.

Alternatively, lots of cash solves most of the challenges too. Smaller sleeping bag and tent. No need for cooking supplies (just buy food) etc.

Epic can often carry a high price tag. :eek:

[EwokChieftain]

Who cares about the record? I wouldn't.

[johnfoss]

Could you explain your last phrase? Being male, he can only be a masseur.Correction: He did the massages for Cirque du Soleil. I had to look up the spelling, but did not look up the definition! :o

- Cycle a minimum of 29,000km (actually a shade less than that).
- Total travel (inlcuding flights) 40,000km
- Travel in one general direction (East-West, West-East)
- Cross the equator twice and pass through a pair of antipodal points
- Start and end in the same place.

This has never been done before on a unicycle.In the case of Wally Watts, apparently he did not have sufficient documentation of his trip to satisfy the Guinness folks. Though there was quite a bit, he wasn't after the recognition as much as completing the trip. I don't think Guinness had developed the above list at that time, but it sounds like a good one to apply when each person's route is likely to be different.

A bicycle stays a bicycle too, no matter wether it pulls a single- or multitrack trailer or no trailer...Yup. Unless the trailer is attached in a rigid fashion, it's still a unicycle; a vehicle that is balanced on, and driven by, a single wheel. The trailer would be an attachment. Of course many people would probably have a similar reaction, especially to a trailer with more than one wheel. Most people probably don't realize that for a cycle trailer to work, it can't also support the vehicle pulling it.

How does the rack or trailer feel after a long day's ride, when your attention ceases? How does it behave on a bumpy track down a hill? You should test it thoroughly.Any smart rider would do plenty of testing. But knowing how these things often turn out, the finished and complete equipment set is often only finished at the last minute, and seldom gets enough testing before the ride starts...

But once you've started, you have tons of time to get used to it; assuming it works. Wally Watts went through lots of modifications along his ride, including even having his wheel completely rebuilt at least once. And I imagine he wore out his solid rubber tire at least once.

I love the idea of a one-wheeled trailer for a unicycle. Ultimately you would have a support vehicle, but this is highly unlikely unless you are very well funded. If going for the "unicycle record" you should check with the IUF World Records Committee to see if they have any issues with a trailer. Their response would probably be "depends on the trailer", to make sure it's not a rigid attachment, which would turn your unicycle into a bike.

I'd take a Guni with a smaller wheel.There are many reasons why this would be a good idea; nearly universal availability of tires, rims, tubes, spokes. The problem may be if you have hub issues. Got to send it to Switzerland. If you had a backup axle (either type) you could continue, but your repaired axle might have some adventures finding its way back to you...

BTW, at the end of a day you would of course be tired, but on those ultra-long trips, the riders get more and more used to the abuse after the first couple of weeks.

[EwokChieftain]

I thought about trailer-free travel setups...

The 1st one I came up with puts the rider in a crank-forward position, very different from normal unicycling. Unplanned dismounts might prove problematic, for the load is in your way...
The 2nd one puts only narrow stuff in front of you, so your legs should pass by when the uni tips to the front. The position remains upright.
All further concepts I could think of included a chain and would be harder to build.

I know the wheels would have to be bigger than on my drawings for any touring machine.
Also I didn't add details like bumpers or skids that protect the uni/the load when falling...

Edit: I just noticed I mistranslated something on the picture.
By "trimming" I mean fine-tuning the fore-and-aft weight distribution.
I falsely assumed the nautic expression "trimmen" would be the same in english, as many German nautic expressions are.

[johnfoss]

Water for trimming? What happens when you drink it? :) Of course the unicycle will continue to be balanced by the rider, at whatever angle necessary. Among other things, the limits on how much you can carry also apply to what they will do to the handling abilities of the cycle. Though you don't need great handling for touring, if you put lots of mass out to the front and rear (or to either side) it will make steering more difficult. Also the cycle will have more trouble with crosswinds.

If you *really* want to be unsupported and bring lots of stuff (Wally Watts was very minimal), your best bet is probably a giraffe. It would still probably end up cheaper than something with a Schlumpf hub, and you'd be able to set your desired gear ratio.

[ThisIsAUsername]

I dont like that trailer either, looks like it takes away from the coolness of the unicycle... :cool:

And, I dont know if youve say it before, What size wheel would you be using?

[EwokChieftain]

Some new equipment I've discovered:

The Monowalker Hiking Trailer (http://monowalker.com/ENG-index.html), a concept similar to the Radical Wheelie, except:
- it's singletrack (one-wheeled)
- it has a brake (operated by an index-less bar end shifter)
- it can also convert to a low-drawbar type bicycle trailer (not relevant for the use on a uni, of course)

There is no price stated on the website, but I've read something about 900 Euros elsewhere.
So this is rather something a sane non-rich person would try to copy in a DIY project...

A new (http://www.recumbentjournal.com/news/industry/item/153-trident-trikes-reveals-trident-drive-other-developments.html) alternative to the existing bottom bracket gearing systems (Schlumpf for bicycles, Truvativ Hammerschmitt) has been announced.
- 3-speed (direct gear is the middle one),
- hand-operated,
- no special bottom bracket shell required,
- "projected retail price of $450-650"

Could help make a very capable geared Penguin/Giraffe.

[EwokChieftain]

Water for trimming? What happens when you drink it? :)
Oops. Right.
If I think about it, it would be cleverer to just make it possible to slide the whole longside beam fore and aft...
with a quick-release clamp or something.

[Denali]

This is what I used for a section of an unsupported tour:
The rack at the back had my tent, sleeping bag and down jacket. The backpack held the rest including at times 2 days food and water (and I managed to cover a max of 198km in the two days that I was carrying the food and water for). If the gear on the rack is packed too wide or too high, mounting becomes an issue. I did have a bit of knee pain at the end. The gear must be packed as close to the centre of the unicycle. You can attach gear on the handlebar. I did put my tent along the handlebar once. The handlebar broke after 7 hours. After that I began to only attach my tent poles on the handlebar. But for a circumnavigation, you could reinforce the handlebar and hang/attach a few items. Though for the sake of your knees, go light and pack as much as you can in the backpack. I reckon for a circumnavigation, they'll be lots of extended breaks. So, if you plan the breaks well, you'll be ok.

[johnfoss]

A new (http://www.recumbentjournal.com/news/industry/item/153-trident-trikes-reveals-trident-drive-other-developments.html) alternative to the existing bottom bracket gearing systems (Schlumpf for bicycles, Truvativ Hammerschmitt) has been announced.Looks fascinating! My assumption is that it contains a freewheel mechanism, so would not work on a unicycle without modification. Had you considered that? If this is not the case, it would seem to be a very interesting transmission to try on a short giraffe. Plus, with a .66:1 ratio, you could run a 36" wheel if you want, and still make it up the hills! :)

I'd probably stick with 29" though...

[EwokChieftain]

I know that a Schlumpf Drive doesn't have a freewheel mechanism. (this (http://www.schlumpf.ch/bilder/g_plgetr_innenleben.jpg) is what it looks like inside - very very simple). Hammerschmidt doesn't (http://www.sicklines.com/news-images/hammerschmidt_exploded_s.jpg) have one either.
So my assumption is that the other drives (FSA Metropolis, Trident Drive) that are coming up at the moment won't do this different. Why should they, after all. Wether or not the cogwheels are turning when you are back-pedaling shouldn't relevantly influence their wear.
Well if I think about it, a freewheel preceding the drive could help with the use of asymmetric teeth... maybe they could transfer more power per contact surface.
Alright, it could make sense^ but I think they would have mentioned it. Front freewheels are a rather exotic technology after all. Except for tandems.