A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

General
1

I’m doing a little bit of research much of it motivated by the whole unicycling/clown thing; I will report later on this matter. I went through the past 30 years of the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature and turned up precious little under “Uncycles” or “Unicycling”. (Emma, my 8 year daughter helped go through the hardbound books, too; you can’t start them too early on their research skills, I say.)

Anyway, below are the articles I found. I’ll also note that the “Guide” as of 1998 had a separate heading for “Mountain unicycling”. Doesn’t mean that the public has much awareness/acceptance, but does mean that librarians by that time had taken note; librarians are often ahead of the curve.

  1. Unicycles go boom, Wiley, Jack, Mech Illustrated, Aug 76, pg 103

  2. High Riders: St Helen’s unicycle drill team, National Geographic World*, Mar 78, pg 24-26

  3. Big Wheels On One Wheel, National Geographic World Apr 84, pg 18-21

  4. On for the Road, Cycle, Jul 86, pg 92-94

  5. Miyata unicycle, Bicycling, Apr 93, pg 110-111

  6. On Wheeler, National Geographic World, Aug 94, 10-14

  7. A uni-track mind [G. Peck], Bicycling, Jan/Feb 98, pg 32-24

The last one is the one referred to in the “Are you here because of Kris” thread, I believe.

*National Geographic World is the children’s publication put out by the National Geographic Society.

Cheers,
Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ

2

Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

Ok, beer and accuracy don’t mix. Both of the above should begin “One”.

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ

3

Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

“JJuggle” <JJuggle.bpk5z@timelimit.unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:JJuggle.bpk5z@timelimit.unicyclist.com…
>
> I’m doing a little bit of research much of it motivated by the whole
> unicycling/clown thing; I will report later on this matter. I went
> through the past 30 years of the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature
> and turned up precious little under “Unicycles” or “Unicycling”. (Emma,
> my 8 year daughter helped go through the hardbound books, too; you can’t
> start them too early on their research skills, I say.)
>
> Anyway, below are the articles I found. I’ll also note that the “Guide”
> as of 1998 had a separate heading for “Mountain unicycling”. Doesn’t
> mean that the public has much awareness/acceptance, but does mean that
> librarians by that time had taken note; librarians are often ahead of
> the curve.
>
> 1) Unicycles go boom, Wiley, Jack, Mech Illustrated, Aug 76, pg 103
>
> 2) High Riders: St Helen’s unicycle drill team, National Geographic
> World*, Mar 78, pg 24-26
>
> 3) Big Wheels On One Wheel, National Geographic World Apr 84, pg 18-21
>
> 4) On for the Road, Cycle, Jul 86, pg 92-94
>
> 5) Miyata unicycle, Bicycling, Apr 93, pg 110-111
>
> 6) On Wheeler, National Geographic World, Aug 94, 10-14
>
> 7) A uni-track mind [G. Peck], Bicycling, Jan/Feb 98, pg 32-24
>
> The last one is the one referred to in the “Are you here because of
> Kris” thread, I believe.
>
> *National Geographic World is the children’s publication put out by the
> National Geographic Society.
>
> Cheers,
> Raphael Lasar
> Matawan, NJ

You missed a bunch, including the Atlantic Monthly piece on George Peck I
cited here last week. Tut.

4

Re: Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

Scott,

Yes, you’re right about my missing the Atlantic Monthly article. I realize that I did not include it when taking my notes because I already knew about it. It was an unfortunate omission since not all reading my post will know about it. Here is the citation:

Rough terrain unicycling, Finkel, Michael, Atlantic Monthly, April 1997, pg 109-112, http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/97apr/uni.htm

I’d also like to point out, before it is done so for me, that I have not adhered to any professional or academic standards of citation.

Also, Scott, other than the Atlantic Monthly article, did I miss any others from the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature between 1970 and the present? That was my source, that was my stated source and while I’m sure that there are other articles out there on unicycling and unicyclists I did not claim to be more thorough than that. I looked under “U” for “unicycling”, “unicycles”, or “unicycles”. There were a couple of “Sees” for “Mountain unicycling” and I think one other “see” reference which I can’t remember. I did not look under “monocycle” or any other possible synonyms.

So, my information, given my activities is as complete as I believe it could be. Scott, if there are other articles out there of which you’re aware, please then, share them with us.

By the way, the first mention on this newsgroup of the article we both cited from the Atlantic Monthly was, as far as I can tell, by John Foss in March of 1999 and a URL link was first offered by Greg House in November of 1999.

Ok, perhaps I should have name this thread, “A (brief and incomplete) unicycling literature bibliography”.

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ

5

Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

> > You missed a bunch, including the Atlantic Monthly piece on George
> > Peck I cited here last week. Tut.

> Yes, you’re right about my missing the Atlantic Monthly article. I
> realize that I did not include it when taking my notes because I already
> knew about it. It was an unfortunate omission since not all reading my
> post will know about it. Here is the citation:
>
> Rough terrain unicycling, Finkel, Michael, Atlantic Monthly, April 1997,
> pg 109-112, www.theatlantic.com/issues/97apr/uni.htm

Good man.
>
> I’d also like to point out, before it is done so for me, that I have not
> adhered to any professional or academic standards of citation.

Nice list, though.
>
> Also, Scott, other than the Atlantic Monthly article, did I miss any
> others from the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature between 1970 and
> the present? That was my source, that was my stated source and while I’m
> sure that there are other articles out there on unicycling and
> unicyclists I did not claim to be more thorough than that. I looked
> under “U” for “unicycling”, “unicycles”, or “unicycles”. There were a
> couple of “Sees” for “Mountain unicycling” and I think one other “see”
> reference which I can’t remember. I did not look under “monocycle” or
> any other possible synonyms.

I used a different source, Wilson’s Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature
only covers 327 magazines. That said, they’re offering free trials at
www.hwwilson.com/_promotrials/New_wweb/register.htm, so I thought I’d take a
look. When I get the free trial, I’ll let you know how it goes. One of the
joys of computer searches is it’s easier to use wildcard search terms like
cycl. Lotta easily filtered bicycling and motorcycling hits, of course.
And engine stuff, which didn’t occur to me before I tried it.
>
> So, my information, given my activities is as complete as I believe it
> could be. Scott, if there are other articles out there of which you’re
> aware, please then, share them with us.

Actually if you’re using Wilson all the way back to 1970 you’re more
thorough than I am - the copy readily available only goes back to 1983.

If you cheat like me and use Google, you get 1520 or so hits on unicycling
articles including, for example, the fascinating “Unicycling Helps Your
French: Spontaneous Recovery of Associations by Learning Unrelated Tasks” at
http://citeseer.nj.nec.com/harvey95unicycling.html. I downloaded the PDF.

> By the way, the first mention on this newsgroup of the article we both
> cited from the Atlantic Monthly was, as far as I can tell, by John Foss
> in March of 1999 and a URL link was first offered by Greg House in
> November of 1999.

Sure, I specified the latest citation on rsu, not the first.
>
> Ok, perhaps I should have name this thread, “A (brief and incomplete)
> unicycling literature bibliography”.

Didn’t mean to pick on “Raphael, he’s the leader of the group, transformed
from the norm by the nuclear goop…” Though now that I am picking on you
with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle references, it IS kinda fun. :wink: I’ll bet
I can Google up the lyrics…

6

Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

>Didn’t mean to pick on “Raphael, he’s the leader of the group, transformed
>from the norm by the nuclear goop…” Though now that I am picking on you
>with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle references, it IS kinda fun. :wink: I’ll bet
>I can Google up the lyrics…

Raphael is not the leader of the group, he is “cool but rude” Leonardo leads.

He are the lyrics:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power!

They’re the world’s most fearsome fighting team (We’re really hip!)
They’re heroes in a half-shell and they’re green (Hey - get a grip!)
When the evil Shredder attacks
These Turtle boys don’t cut him no slack!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Splinter taught them to be ninja teens (He’s a radical rat!)
Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines (That’s a fact, Jack!)
Raphael is cool but rude (Gimme a break!)
Michaelangelo’s a party dude (Party!)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a half shell
Turtle power!

(these may be wrong since they are from memory)

Dylan

7

Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

> >Didn’t mean to pick on “Raphael, he’s the leader of the group,
transformed
> >from the norm by the nuclear goop…” Though now that I am picking on
you
> >with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle references, it IS kinda fun. :wink: I’ll
bet
> >I can Google up the lyrics…
>
> Raphael is not the leader of the group, he is “cool but rude” Leonardo
leads.
>
> He are the lyrics:
>
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
> Heroes in a half-shell
> Turtle power!
>
> They’re the world’s most fearsome fighting team (We’re really hip!)
> They’re heroes in a half-shell and they’re green (Hey - get a grip!)
> When the evil Shredder attacks
> These Turtle boys don’t cut him no slack!
>
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
>
> Splinter taught them to be ninja teens (He’s a radical rat!)
> Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines (That’s a fact, Jack!)
> Raphael is cool but rude (Gimme a break!)
> Michelangelo’s a party dude (Party!)
>
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
> Heroes in a half shell
> Turtle power!
>
> (these may be wrong since they are from memory)
>
> Dylan

Depends on how bad the lyrics are that you actually remember. Here are the
ones I was talking about:

CHORUS:

T-u-r-t-l-e power
T-u-r-t-l-e power
T-u-r-t-l-e power
Teenage mutant ninja turtles

On the half shell they’re the heroes four
In this day and age who could ask for more
The crime wave is high
With muggings mysterious
All police and defectives are furious

Cause they can’t find the source
Of this lethally evil force
This is serious so give me a quarter
I was a witness
Get me a reporter
Call April O’Neil in on this case
You better hurry up there’s no time to waste
We need help like quick on the double
Have pity on the city 'cause man it’s in trouble

We need heroes like the Lone Ranger
When Tonto come pronto when there was danger
They didn’t say “We’d be there in half an hour”
'Cause they displayed
Turtle power

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Now our ace reporter was hot on the trail
Determined to put these crooks in jail
She spied the bad guys and saw what happened
But before she knew it she fell in a trap and

Got caught yes she was all alone
With no friends and no phone
Now this was beyond her worst dreams
'Cause she was cornered by some wayward teens

Headed by Shredder they were anything but good
Misguided, unloved, they called 'em “the foot”
They could terrorize and be angry youth and
They’d mug the people who needed proof

Then from out of the dark come an awesome sound
Shouted “Cowabunga” as they hit the ground
From the field of weeds the heroes rescued the flower
'Cause they possessed
Turtle power

(REPEAT CHORUS)

When you stand for what you believe in
And find the strength to do what’s right
That’s turtle power

Heroes on the half shell they’re on a mission
When there’s a battle got the enemy wishin’

That they stayed at home instead of fightin’
These ninja masters with moves like lightning
They were once normal but now they’re mutants
Splinter’s the teacher so they are the students

Leonardo, Michelangelo and Donatello
Make up the team with one other fellow
Raphael he’s the leader of the group
Transformed from the norm by the nuclear goop

Pizza’s the food that’s sure to please
These ninjas are in to pepperoni and cheese
Back to the story it’s not hard to find
Ninja’s not just of the body but of the mind

Those were the words that the master instructed
But a letter from Shredder had Splinter abducted
That was the last straw
Spring into action
Step on “the foot”
Now they’re gonna lose traction

Now this is for real so you fight for justice
Your shell is hard so you shout “They can’t dust us”
Off like some old coffee table
Since you’ve been born you’ve been willing and able
To defeat the sneak
Protect the weak
Fight for rights and your freedom to speak

Now the villain is chillin’
So you make a stand
Back to the wall
Put your sword in your hand

Remember the words of your teacher, your master
Evil moves fast but good moves faster
Than light shining for your illumination
Good versus evil equals confrontation

So when you’re in trouble
Don’t give in and go sour
Try to rely on your
Turtle power

REPEAT CHORUS

They’re from TMNT3, which should cause agony to an actual fan, sorry.

8

I dont know what your talking about Leonardo deffenatlly leads.

Turtles in time was deffenatlly a great movie though. My second fav. out of the turtles movies

9

Re: Re: Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

I doubt that I was the first to find out about this one, though I was contacted by Mike Finkel when he was researching the article. It came out in April 97, and there must have been a bunch of discussion about it during that year alone!

That article had a huge impact on mountain unicycling. It still comes up in conversation, and it seemed to affect people everywhere. How many people read the Atlantic Monthly anyway? Certainly it’s way more mainstream than most of our press.

I linked to it on my site for the 1999 MUni Weekend, which was probably in late summer of 99.

Stay on top,
John Foss

10

Re: Re: Re: Re: A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

Yes, I’d say so. The 1997 total circulation for Atlantic Monthly was 454,000. The circulation for 2001 was only slightly more 457,000.

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ

11

I was searching through some circus books at the library today and one of them mentioned a unicyclist in the late 1890’s. As well early on in the 1900’s there was a circus unicyclist that rode down stairs with his brother on his shoulders.
I would suggest searching circus and one-wheeled bicycles and see if you can find some more info.

12

There was an article about Kris Holm in a Current Science magazine my science teacher gave me last year. I think it was maybe the May 2002 issue. Or maybe they’re weekly. I’m not sure. He was on the cover.

13

Current Science

Yes, that was discussed in this thread.

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18229&highlight=holm+and+magazine+and+science

I tried to get a hold of a copy of that, but the elementary schools in my district don’t get it and I don’t really know anyone at the middle school (yet). I believe.

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ

14

A (brief) unicycling literature bibliography

I stumbled on a link to this story:

One Wheelers, National Geographic World, Aug 94, 10-14

http://www.andover.k12.nh.us/onewheel/natgeo.htm

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ