Pagoda SL Group

Off Topic => Way Off Topic => Topic started by: al_lieffring on May 04, 2008, 13:31:34

Title: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: al_lieffring on May 04, 2008, 13:31:34: Hey Y'all

My 50km unicycle ride is coming up in just 2 weeks.

I just thought y'all might be interested in seeing this YouTube video of an Atlanta Unicyle Club training ride at Stone Mountain Park a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTYkQjt1hyg

I'm the hippie with the pony tail and my back to the camera.

Thanks to the Pagoda SL Group members that have sponsored my ride.

I'm riding 50Km. on my Unicycle 18 May, 2008 in the Tour de Cure.
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/al.lieffring
Please help if you can by sponsoring my ride.
Al Lieffring
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: Robert_F on May 05, 2008, 10:12:07: Maybe we should have a forum catagory for topics that have nothing remotely to do with what the forum is intended for so as to keep organized.

quote:
Originally posted by al_lieffring

Hey Y'all

My 50km unicycle ride is coming up in just 2 weeks.

I just thought y'all might be interested in seeing this YouTube video of an Atlanta Unicyle Club training ride at Stone Mountain Park a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTYkQjt1hyg

I'm the hippie with the pony tail and my back to the camera.

Thanks to the Pagoda SL Group members that have sponsored my ride.

I'm riding 50Km. on my Unicycle 18 May, 2008 in the Tour de Cure.
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/al.lieffring
Please help if you can by sponsoring my ride.
Al Lieffring
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: DaveB on May 05, 2008, 22:52:25: I was surprised at the high-tech appearance of the unicycles and the large wheel diameter. I think I was picturing the old circus clown type unicycle!
What was the cop lecturing you about? (I didn't get the sound on my pc). Did he think you were any less safe than the 2-wheelers??

DaveB
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: 66andBlue on May 05, 2008, 23:04:22: Hi Al,
I didn't hear you singing "mu-mu-mu my Pagoda" - where you afraid the cop would double the fine? :D
All the best for the Tour-de-Cure!

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: graphic66 on May 06, 2008, 06:21:43: Maybe Al could show us pictures of the ultra rare factory roof mounted unicycle rack.
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: al_lieffring on May 06, 2008, 07:11:46: Dave

The 36" wheel touring unicycles were first made in 1999 by the Coker Tire Compnay, the same company that makes the reproduction Phoenix 195x14 radials.
They thought they would make a scaled down version of the old penny farthing bikes of the 1890's, The penny farthing didn't sell well but the unicycle they made with the same tire did. Fool heardy souls like myself found that the large diameter tire made a unicycle with more over-the-road range than the old "circus" type unis that limited rides to a mile or two. Now there are many other companies making 36" wheels unis but they are all genericaly refered to as "Cokers".

The cop in the vides was giving us a rambling diatribe about our inability to stop at intersections. The bikes that ride in the park go blasting around at 40mph while we have a crusing speed of about 8mph. His parting remark was "If something happens I'd suggest you make sure it looks like it's someone else's fault"

Thanks for sponsoring my ride, I bet I am the only rider in the event with a sponsor across the International Date Line.

I'm riding 50Km. on my Unicycle 18 May, 2008 in the Tour de Cure.
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/al.lieffring
Please help if you can by sponsoring my ride.
Al Lieffring
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: al_lieffring on May 19, 2008, 12:59:36: Thank you to all of the Pagoda group members who sponsored my Tour de Cure ride on Sunday.

I imagine I had more sponsors from Europe and Australia than all the 900 other riders combined.

(http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/al_lieffring/200851914372_50Kmwoohoo.jpg)

I was able to ride the entire 5okm course and only had to dismount to walk up one hill. This may have been a psychological block, it was at this same point on the course where in 2006 I decided I couldn't ride any farther. But this time after walking to the top of the hill I was able to remount my uni and ride the remaining 10Km without a problem.

I completed the 50Km course, was able to get the entire Thrivent matching funds grant, exceeded my personal and team fund raising goals and I didn't kill myself in the process.

(http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/al_lieffring/20061214105252_SigII.jpg)
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: J. Huber on May 20, 2008, 08:56:20: Way to Go Al! I couldn't ride one of those 50 CMs! Thanks for being our representative of Hope!
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: Paddy_Crow on May 20, 2008, 12:46:40: I had a unicycle when I was a kid, I got so I could ride it around the block pretty easily. It can be pretty tiring.
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: al_lieffring on May 22, 2008, 09:06:27: Here is a video of Team Unicycle out on the road riding in the Tour de Cure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXrTn2FeKeM

Enjoy
Title: Re: Waaay Off Topic (unicycling)
Post by: hauser on May 22, 2008, 18:12:34: Al, Please check out the June issue of Popular Science Magazine. I think you'll like it very much!