A HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB CREATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
Unicycling in Cooper Young: Not Just for the Circus, Recreation As Well
By Louis Goggans
Feb. 17, 2011
Members of the Memphis Unicycle Club ride one-wheeled vehicles swiftly around the basement of the First Congregational Church every Thursday evening.
Richard Wertz, 57, the activity coordinator of the MUC, said he began unicycling after being impressed by seeing his friend ride around on one-wheel without smacking the pavement.
“I started riding right after I turned 50. I tell people unicycling was my mid-life crisis,” he said. “It was much cheaper than a handmade Italian sports car and it’s a great way to get your mind off your worries. You have to concentrate on the riding.”
Different from its two-wheeled cousin, the unicycle doesn’t sport a gear or chain and brake arrangement to move it. Furthermore, the pedals are made to directly crank the axle and move the wheel.
The unicycle became popular in the late 18th century, shortly after the emergence of its relative, the big-wheeled penny-farthing—a bicycle with a large front wheel and smaller rear wheel.
There are several types of unicycles. Some are designed for tricks, others for riding in the woods, and there’s even one meant for long distances.
Wertz said the MUC uses four unicycles from the list: Freestyle, Trials, Mountain and Distance.
The freestyle unicycle is used for challenging movement skills usually indoors on a 20-inch wheel.
The trials unicycle is used for riding on manmade obstacles such as stairs and ramps indoors or outdoors usually on a 20-inch or 24-inch wheel with a fat tire.
The muni or mountain unicycle is used for riding on bicycle trails in the woods or other outdoor natural obstacles usually on a 24-inch or 26-inch wheel, and the distance unicycle is used for going long distances on a 29-inch or 36-inch wheel.
While unicycling isn’t exactly a mainstream sport, the Memphis organization attracts about 10 riders each week. These riders take on even greater risk than most traditional cyclist. In fact, the only requirement to join the club is to sign a release form in which the member accepts responsibility for himself while riding.
“Occasional falls and pedal scrapes are some bad things about riding unicycles,” Wertz said. “Bruises to the shins and lower leg are not uncommon.”
Ultimately, Wertz has found unicycling to be a sport that takes a desire to learn and a lot of practice.
“We tell the kids that learning to ride a unicycle requires patience, persistence and practice,” he said. “Anyone could learn if they were willing to put in the time, but very few people actually learn because it is very challenging. You have to want to learn. It is not something that can be learned casually in a day.”
The MUC has been active for more than nine years and normally rides in Overton Park, but during the winter months, the club cycles at First Congo.
Feb. 17, 2011
Members of the Memphis Unicycle Club ride one-wheeled vehicles swiftly around the basement of the First Congregational Church every Thursday evening.
Richard Wertz, 57, the activity coordinator of the MUC, said he began unicycling after being impressed by seeing his friend ride around on one-wheel without smacking the pavement.
“I started riding right after I turned 50. I tell people unicycling was my mid-life crisis,” he said. “It was much cheaper than a handmade Italian sports car and it’s a great way to get your mind off your worries. You have to concentrate on the riding.”
Different from its two-wheeled cousin, the unicycle doesn’t sport a gear or chain and brake arrangement to move it. Furthermore, the pedals are made to directly crank the axle and move the wheel.
The unicycle became popular in the late 18th century, shortly after the emergence of its relative, the big-wheeled penny-farthing—a bicycle with a large front wheel and smaller rear wheel.
There are several types of unicycles. Some are designed for tricks, others for riding in the woods, and there’s even one meant for long distances.
Wertz said the MUC uses four unicycles from the list: Freestyle, Trials, Mountain and Distance.
The freestyle unicycle is used for challenging movement skills usually indoors on a 20-inch wheel.
The trials unicycle is used for riding on manmade obstacles such as stairs and ramps indoors or outdoors usually on a 20-inch or 24-inch wheel with a fat tire.
The muni or mountain unicycle is used for riding on bicycle trails in the woods or other outdoor natural obstacles usually on a 24-inch or 26-inch wheel, and the distance unicycle is used for going long distances on a 29-inch or 36-inch wheel.
While unicycling isn’t exactly a mainstream sport, the Memphis organization attracts about 10 riders each week. These riders take on even greater risk than most traditional cyclist. In fact, the only requirement to join the club is to sign a release form in which the member accepts responsibility for himself while riding.
“Occasional falls and pedal scrapes are some bad things about riding unicycles,” Wertz said. “Bruises to the shins and lower leg are not uncommon.”
Ultimately, Wertz has found unicycling to be a sport that takes a desire to learn and a lot of practice.
“We tell the kids that learning to ride a unicycle requires patience, persistence and practice,” he said. “Anyone could learn if they were willing to put in the time, but very few people actually learn because it is very challenging. You have to want to learn. It is not something that can be learned casually in a day.”
The MUC has been active for more than nine years and normally rides in Overton Park, but during the winter months, the club cycles at First Congo.