It’s my first one and it’s a good job it’s not too far away, as I’m like a kid waiting for Christmas with excitement at the prospect of meeting fellow unicyclists!
I’m bringing my two boys who love the universe 2 DVD and still think it’s cool that their dad can uni. They have half-heartedly tried riding the 20" (I bought a short stemmed seat for them) and as I type this number 2 son is asleep in bed with a large bandage round his lower leg to cover lacerations caused by uni pedals. Ahhh, the memories…
Anyway, thoughts, questions, etc.
I’m keen to meet posters on this forum in person, but how will I know who is who? Should we all wear cheesy badges with our posting names on? How about posting photos here so we can play “spot the poster”? If not, how about simply adding to this thread that you’re coming so I’ve got an idea who to search for to remind you of the obscure thread you started a long time ago? Or, maybe post cunning clues to be solved to find out who we are in person at the BUC?
How many kids will be there (mine are boys aged 9 and 11)?
Also, I’d like the boys to get some decent practice time in; are there usually plenty of spare kids’ size unicycles around for them to try, or should I invest in an 18", or will another 20" with a short stem be ok?
And finally, I’ve (unfathomably) almost nailed the kick-up mount, but can’t get my second foot on the pedal and tend to land “tender bits” first on the saddle. Any pointers?
I haven’t got round to doing a t-shirt for my self, but my kids (5 & 7) normally wear black t-shirts with big day-glo orange L’s printed on each side. Their uni’s are distinctive due to having red plastic wheels.
Not quite sure I want a t shirt with mine on though… Maybe a badge? Or change my avatar quickly (I just found this one using Google images - it’s not me!)
I’ll be there with my son Sam (17), his girlfriend Grace (16) and my two younger daughters Hannah (10) and Jessica (8). To assist in identification, I won’t be wearing a red carnation or carrying a copy of The Spectator.
There will probably be plenty of random uni’s available for learners, and many other riders will be willing to loan - I can’t imagine anyone will be riding 100% of the time they are there.
See you there s7ev0, Lego-man Phil, Keg and all others.
I’ll definitely be there! It will also be my first BUC…can’t wait! I’ll tattoo my name t my forehead for ease of recognition before I go…or actually perhaps not. See you all there.
My first BUC was last year, its in Billingham again this year.
I took my Wife and Children (3 and 1 years) but they weren’t that interested as they are non riders, but they did like the food and Saturday night show and there was other children to play with. If you do want to ride then you’ll get all the help and advice you could ever want.
This year I’m going by myself, so total self indulgence is the way for a change!
I find that the ages and backgrounds of people at events like this are interesting. Beginners, Mud slattered Muni riders, Battlescared trials riders even early mid-life crisis men (so the Mother-in-law says, but what does she know - bloomin cheek).
Recommendations:
-Be on time for meal times, otherwise long queues (but always enough food for late comers)
-Get there on Friday afternoon/evening, especially if you have traveled far to make the most of the weekend
-Don’t miss the Saturday night show
-The beginners/learners/new skills workshops are very good
-The small gym has wooden block flooring that creaks and groans as you ride over it (well it amused me anyway)
-Be careful not to fall over badly parked/abandoned Unicycles!
Not so good:
-Indoor camping in classrooms which is OK, but bring enough bedding to be comfortable
-Ice cold showers (perhaps I got the timing wrong?)
We got there too early last year so had a wander around Billingham’s pedestrianised Town Centre (depressing 60’s
concrete affair thats to be re-developed soon) anyway, it has this wide flat spiral access way to the upper level that would be cool to ride. Anyone up for a Town Centre raiding party?
Wallet Warning! Expect to buy/want another Unicycle after attending. I tried a 24"… and ordered one a week later from Unicycle.com
It’ll be my 1st BUC too.
I’ll be the short fat ‘middle’ aged lady spending hours trying to get to grips with my freemounting. It’s coming - slooooowly.
Am bringing non-rider hubby & 6 yr old. Don’t know how entertained they’ll be.
Can’t book tho. Will have to wait till the day, don’t get paid again until then.
See you there,
cathy
stevenbrandist wrote:
> My first BUC was last year, its in Billingham again this year.
>
> I took my Wife and Children (3 and 1 years) but they weren’t that
> interested as they are non riders, but they did like the food and
> Saturday night show and there was other children to play with. If you do
> want to ride then you’ll get all the help and advice you could ever
> want.
>
> This year I’m going by myself, so total self indulgence is the way for a
> change!
>
> I find that the ages and backgrounds of people at events like this are
> interesting. Beginners, Mud slattered Muni riders, Battlescared trials
> riders even early mid-life crisis men (so the Mother-in-law says, but
> what does she know - bloomin cheek).
>
> Recommendations:
> -Be on time for meal times, otherwise long queues (but always enough
> food for late comers)
> -Get there on Friday afternoon/evening, especially if you have traveled
> far to make the most of the weekend
> -Don’t miss the Saturday night show
> -The beginners/learners/new skills workshops are very good
> -The small gym has wooden block flooring that creaks and groans as you
> ride over it (well it amused me anyway)
> -Be careful not to fall over badly parked/abandoned Unicycles!
>
> Not so good:
> -Indoor camping in classrooms which is OK, but bring enough bedding to
> be comfortable
It’s a lot warmer than camping at this time of year.
> -Ice cold showers (perhaps I got the timing wrong?)
ooh thanks, I’ll have a word with the caretaker to make sure they’re always on.
>
> We got there too early last year so had a wander around Billingham’s
> pedestrianised Town Centre (depressing 60’s
>
> concrete affair thats to be re-developed soon) anyway, it has this wide
> flat spiral access way to the upper level that would be cool to ride.
> Anyone up for a Town Centre raiding party?
I like Billingham centre; it’s close enough to be convenient and far
enough away not to be a worry
>
> Wallet Warning! Expect to buy/want another Unicycle after attending. I
> tried a 24"… and ordered one a week later from Unicycle.com
>
That sounds like a good overall endorsement.
People can register online and pay by credit card / Cheque etc or print
out a pdf for their not so computer literate friends at
I’ll be there. I’ll be the coker rider with long blond hair looking very tired. I shall probably be throwing a few balls around as well as unicycling, although I’d like to point out right now that I’m not a juggler at all.
The good thing about the food and the indoor sleeping is it means I don’t need to bring more than a (large) camelbak’s worth of stuff.
I find the best way to meet people is to drink lots and make sure to go on the night ride to the pub. I always meet loads of people that way.
Not tired from riding all the way from Nottingham, surely Joe? or do you put it on the train?
Incidentally, how far is the night ride to the Pub? …I’ve never mixed Unicycling and achohol (I assume thats what you mean Joe). Reminder to self: pack 1st Aid Kit.
Not to be confused with my son Sam who also has long hair, but not as blond as Joe’s. Knowing Joe, I have no doubt he will be riding all the way from Nottingham.
As for how far the night ride to the pub is - depends which pub(s) - funny thing is it doesn’t seem as far on the way back. Perhaps this form of time-travel will compensate for missing Dr Who
I’ll be there too - 35yr old balding bloke. I’ll be the chief judge for
the freestyle comp. assuming we get some entries (why don’t you all think about entering? You don’t have to do anything particularly hard - just put a routine to music for 3 minutes and have a go!)
Looking forward to the event - we’ll see if we can get a South-West
hockey team together to try to defend our title
I too will be there, working the sound for the freestyle comp - If you can bring your music on CD thats ideal, otherwise Mini disc or at the start of a cassette please.
I’m the 30 something year old woman that hangs around with Paul Selwood* and also expects to play hockey in a South west team. I will probadly also be doing some levels tests and maybe involved with running some very silly games.
SArah
I’m allowed too, I married him;-)
Oh yeah, Unicycle - I have a 20 inch with black wheel disks and white tyre, also a red mini giraffe.
Does anybody on here understand trains? I want to travel up from Cardiff on the Friday afternoon and back Sunday afternoon but I can’t seem to get much joy out of the Rail Enquiries website. If anyone can help then a pint of whatever you drink will find its way into your hand
Cheers
Nick
PS. Sarah, does Cadiff count as ‘South West’ for the hockey
(perhaps I got the timing wrong?)