Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Arne Tilgen, and accomplished unicycler from Germany rode up and down Sani Pass a cople of days ago.

 

Arne along with a friend Linda have been cycling (on normal bicycles, which front wheels convert into their unicycles) from Cape Town to Duran over the last month, arriving there a few days ago. From there they went up to Lesotho and Arne took the opportunity to ride up Sani Pass.

 

20090127_015637_Arne-Sani_Pass.jpg

 

Arne was part of the "German Speeders" team that won the Ride The Lobster race in Novia Scotia in Canada last year. The race is 800km done over 5 days!!! Arne used a 36" Unicycle with a geared hub with a 1.5:1 gear ratio, effectively giving him 54" wheel.

 

Arne's blog with the entire trip is here. It is in German, however Google can translate it for you. Here is a pic of me riding my unicycle with them when they were leaving Cape Town.

 

20090127_020855_Brent-Ride_with.jpg

 

Posted

Are you guys secretly planning world domination? Crazy!

 

A question on your bikes. Is there any sort of freewheel system available? Maybe something where you pull a lever and it releases the hub?

 

Posted

 

  Quote
Are you guys secretly planning world domination? Crazy!

 

A question on your bikes. Is there any sort of freewheel system available? Maybe something where you pull a lever and it releases the hub?

 

The freewheel system is even more low-tech than that and simply involves taking your feet off the pedals !!Wacko

 

There are 2 methods..... coasting and gliding. The first is where you take your feet off the pedals and put one foot on top of the wheel effectively creating a type of brake.The 2nd is take your feet off completely and pray.

 

I have some more info on both here. Look under "Additional Skills and Tricks" Smile

 

Posted

 

  Quote
  Quote
Are you guys secretly planning world domination? Crazy!

 

A question on your bikes. Is there any sort of freewheel system available? Maybe something where you pull a lever and it releases the hub?

 

The freewheel system is even more low-tech than that and simply involves taking your feet off the pedals !!Wacko

 

There are 2 methods..... coasting and gliding. The first is where you take your feet off the pedals and put one foot on top of the wheel effectively creating a type of brake.The 2nd is take your feet off completely and pray.

 

I have some more info on both here. Look under "Additional Skills and Tricks" Smile

 

LOL Is that why you guys wear shin guards!

 

Posted

 

  Quote

 

LOL Is that why you guys wear shin guards!

Yup... being smacked on the shins by a pedal hurts like a b*$^@*ch !!

 

Although coasting and gliding are skills that I have not yet acquired. They are  both very advanced skills, and is one of those getting over the fear things....

 

Posted

Surely you're going to need some sort of a brake if you are going to go "gliding"? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

 

What're the gloves for Johnny...cold mornin'?
Posted

 

  Quote
Surely you're going to need some sort of a brake if you are going to go "gliding"? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

 

What're the gloves for Johnny...cold mornin'?

That's why gliding is an advanced skill. Have seen a few videos of guys doing it. One crazy French dude was being "towed" behind a car gliding at about 40km's/hour.... and he did bail...

 

The gloves are to protect the hands in case I bail and need to put my hands down (which has happened quite a few times), and also to give some cushioning when grabbing the saddle when taking drops and obstacles. Had roasties on my palms once after bailing on tar and sticking my hands out... never again...

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout