More city riders get into the balancing act

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/07/2010 (5765 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you’re walking around The Forks, the Exchange District, or even the University of Manitoba and see cyclists bounding around on one wheel, rest assured the circus is no longer in town.

Unicycles, long the domain of jugglers and carnies, are slowly edging their way towards the mainstream — or at least away from the outermost points of cycling’s fringe.

Olympia Cycle and Ski has sold about 30 unicycles over the past 12 months — mostly to 15- to 25-year-olds — double what the store sold during the previous year.

Liam Mohan, one of the shop’s mechanics, said most unicyclists you see around town make it look easy because they’ve put in countless hours of practice. Getting your body weight balanced and riding without the benefit of handlebars is trickier than it looks. "Just because you can ride a bike doesn’t mean you can ride a unicycle. You can expect to spend a couple of hours just learning how to mount it without using a wall to get started. That’s the biggest thing."

Mohan said starter models sell for about $160. "Even if you’re not doing jumps, a lot of your body weight is on the pedals and the cranks so you want that to be strong," he said.

Some unicyclists pedal to work, but the highest-profile ones prefer doing "trials" — jumping up and riding down stairs, picnic tables, large boulders and public fountains or any terrain that even the hardiest of mountain bikers would avoid.

Mike Branconnier, a letter carrier by day, has been riding a unicycle for nine years after getting one for free while buying mountain bikes.

He said they’re ideal for people who aren’t big on team sports. "When you’re on your unicycle, it’s just you and your machine. It’s about slowing down your breathing. You’ve got to stay calm and not second-guess your machine. It’s so simple, no gears and no brakes. The possibilities are only defined by your fears. You’ve got to give ‘er.

"A lot of things I’ve tried on my unicycle are now routine. The first time you’re sitting at the top of the stairs at the legislative building, wondering, ‘can I do this?’ Then after you do it, you look for the next challenge, a steeper staircase or a larger obstacle. It’s you, a wheel and a seat. There’s something really pure about it."

Branconnier likes to go places where people can see him, not so much to show off — OK, maybe a little bit — but so he can increase the sport’s exposure.

"I try to be as big an ambassador as I can without coming off cocky."

Tristan Geisel, another unicycling enthusiast, will often ride around Olympia’s shop while helping customers. "We get lots of customers who come in and buy unicycles after they see me riding," he said.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca