Going to Disney World, a great place to uni! ?

[johnfoss]

Better to leave the tire on if you can, as it will protect your rim. Also pumping up is easier than putting a tire back on...

[1-wheeled-grape]

yeah its definetly easier and will protect the rim a bit more, do you have to deflate the tyre on planes anyway, because theyre preasurised and could burst at high altitude? Ive never been on a plane so would never know, but my 20' is deffinetly coming with me when i go to cyprus so it would be usefull to know

[JJuggle]

Ken,

Just saw this thread.

We always drive down to Disney when we go so the travel thing is not a problem for us.

But I have taken unicycles to Disney and rode around the resorts. It's quite a lot of fun. Some people will assume you're part of the entertainment there. Enjoy!

[Chrashing]

I was thinking about removing the tire from the rim because even deflated the tire seemed to put a lot of pressure on the bag's zipper. While the zipper is good and sturdy, I worried it would be the first component to break. Since then I have tried putting a tie-down strap around the circumference of the tire (while on the rim), and pulled it tight to compress the tire. That works out well, in fact now I can get the wheel in the bag all the way off to one side, so that there is no pressure against the zipper. Great.

I don't know how much tires/tubes expand with airplane flights. Since I've never heard of a problem with that, I guess it's not a problem. At least as long as you don't put a tight nylon strap around the wheel. Won't the pilot be surprised!

Maybe I should take the tire valve out?

[Chrashing]

Originally Posted by JJuggle

Ken,

Just saw this thread.

We always drive down to Disney when we go so the travel thing is not a problem for us.

But I have taken unicycles to Disney and rode around the resorts. It's quite a lot of fun. Some people will assume you're part of the entertainment there. Enjoy!

This is good to hear, thanks for the encouragement. I was beginning to think maybe my wife was right, she usually is you know.

(she made me add that last bit.)

(not really.)

(made me add that too!)

(I have a wonderful and loving wife.)

[tholub]

Originally Posted by 1-wheeled-grape

yeah its definetly easier and will protect the rim a bit more, do you have to deflate the tyre on planes anyway, because theyre preasurised and could burst at high altitude? Ive never been on a plane so would never know, but my 20' is deffinetly coming with me when i go to cyprus so it would be usefull to know

The difference between sea level and outer space is just 15 psi. Don't worry about it.

[Chrashing]

Returned from Disney Caribbean Beach last night.

Flight:

Jet blue accepted the wheel bag as a check in bag without any problem even though technically the bag was a few inches over the size limit.

The unicycle made it there and back without a scratch. I'm happy with the wheel bag used. The only harm was one or two metal cleats from the pedals poked through the bag. I'll wrap the pedals next trip.

Riding:

Each day, rode 3-8 laps on the sidewalk around the small lake(large pond?) there, about 1 mile per lap. It was easy, mostly level going. The loop was large enough that you don't feel like your constantly turning to make a circle. The walkway is wide, about 5 feet, so there plenty of room to avoid obstacles. The walkway loops around the lake, has a bridged link to the island, and crosses the patio eating area outside the club house food court area.

I was mostly out between 8 and 10 AM in the morning, and so passed many families on there way to or from breakfast. The families mostly smiled, shared a "good morning" or a few completely ignored the wheel. There were absolutely no complaints.

The biggest challenge was avoiding pedestrians who are unaware of the approaching unicyclist. Mostly, I simply slowed down and paced them until they staggered to one side, so I could pass. There were a few times when pedestrian traffic became too dense to keep moving, so I idled until an opening presented itself. Or alternatively would take off on another sidewalk heading toward the parking lot. Idling always amazed the kids, but I didn't want to be more of a spectacle than I was, so I mostly just rode around the lake.

Unicycle:
The 29" with 140 mm was fine for me. The 140mm cranks seemed long by the end of the vacation, but I think it was best to have the control they offered when riding around families especially with the unpredictability of children.

A 24" would have been too tedious around the loop, and I think going muni or trials on Disney grounds would be damaging and rude. Besides that St. Augustine grass that is everywhere is no fun to ride on.

A 36" wheel would be difficult to control among the pedestrians. At least for me.

Me:
I am glad that I brought the unicycle, had great exercise, and I'm getting back in shape for summer riding. Would definitely do it again. The Disney resorts with lakes with the long sidewalks make a great place to ride.

Oh yeah, I had one good fall. I don't wear pads, only a helmet. The second day, I was going though the parking lot, and found a row of 10 orange traffic cones in a line about a 2 ft apart. So I proceeded to zig-zag between them as fast as I could. At about the 8th cone, not sure what happened, but I fell hands and knees to the ground. Was funny how I made a number of rolls before losing the momentum. Lucky that I rolled it out, so I ended up with just light road rash to palms and one knee. I hadn't fallen like that in 2 about years.

I didn't take any pictures, since I worried that it would distract me, and I'd either run someone down, or break it with a UPD.

[Wheel Rider]

Sounds like you had a good trip with the unicycle. I stayed at Caribbean Beach years ago and enjoyed it. The food court offered lots of choices. I especially enjoyed the vendor that served meat loaf, mashed potatoes and other vegetables for supper.

I have thought about getting a bicycle bell to alert unaware pedestrians but have not done it. A unicycle is so quiet that it is possible to really startle people who are walking along in their own world and not paying attention to what is going on around them.

[steveyo]

Originally Posted by Chrashing

Returned from Disney Caribbean Beach last night.

Flight:

Jet blue accepted the wheel bag as a check in bag without any problem even though technically the bag was a few inches over the size limit.

The unicycle made it there and back without a scratch. I'm happy with the wheel bag used. The only harm was one or two metal cleats from the pedals poked through the bag. I'll wrap the pedals next trip.

Good to know this.

Originally Posted by Chrashing

Riding:

Each day, rode 3-8 laps on the sidewalk around the small lake(large pond?) there, about 1 mile per lap....

You animal! When are you coming up to Albany to ride again, eh Ken? We're like Disney without all the mice.

[Chrashing]

Originally Posted by Wheel Rider

Sounds like you had a good trip with the unicycle. I stayed at Caribbean Beach years ago and enjoyed it. The food court offered lots of choices. I especially enjoyed the vendor that served meat loaf, mashed potatoes and other vegetables for supper.

I have thought about getting a bicycle bell to alert unaware pedestrians but have not done it. A unicycle is so quiet that it is possible to really startle people who are walking along in their own world and not paying attention to what is going on around them.

Yeah, it was great time. We really like the Disney resorts, more of nature, less ivory tower. The food at the food court is still good.

I had hesitated to use a bell, but think a friendly warning bell/chime would be a good thing.

Originally Posted by steveyo

You animal! When are you coming up to Albany to ride again, eh Ken? We're like Disney without all the mice.

Ha Steve, Over last winter I became a fatter animal, I've been trying to work it off, but eating out on vacation was counter productive. At least I'm getting back up to riding some distance again. That is some adventure your planning south of the boarder. I'll keep my eye out for an Albany ride that I can join in. It would be fun. Thanks.