So I have an idea to unicycle from Michigan, where I live, to Florida, where my sister lives. I am not going to do this for another two years, but I am starting to plan it now. I still need to get 300 dollars for a coker, but I hope to order sometime after Christmas of this year. I will plan to train for this ride by going on my semi-local trail. It is 35 miles one way. When I actually do the trip I will try to go anywhere between 50-75 miles a day and hope to camp somewhere at night. I am thinking about carring a backpack, but am not sure as to how practical that would be because of the weight. I am also not sure on what roads I am allowed to take because your not allowed to take bikes on highways . So I wouldn’t think unicycles either. I am sorta looking to follow this route but not on those same roads. If you know of any place I could stop near you and camp you could add your city on there if you wanted to.
I am also going to email Gracie Sorbello and ask her what roads she is taking and how she planned her trip and for any suggestions she has.
If you have any suggestions that would help please add them.
Thank You.
A fine endeavor.
Read Lars Clausen’s book, One Wheel-Many Spokes: USA by Unicycle. Check out Pedal the Waves, the website of Patrick Thomas who unicycled cross country back in 2004, and check out UniTours which may have some information about training but certainly some contact information for people who have done tours.
sounds awesome. i’ve always wanted to go from LA to New york, but im too young. good luck!
Great! Keep us posted of your progress. I am planning a tour in the UP this summer. Check out the link in my signature. Come along for all or part of it!
Blake, I would love to go on your ride, but I do not have a coker.
Raphael thank you very much for those links, I am trying to plan it very well.
Ice_Cold_Uni thank you for the support.
To everyone, I will definitly keep you updated, I plan on taking out a blogger account or just editing it off of my website.
Depending on when NAUCC is next year I may actually go for it next year.
You should carry a laptop so you can stop in the local coffee shop and update us.
I expect one every day.
I await that laptop in the mail from you monkeyman.
Maybe I will see if my stepdad lets me borrow his old ibook.
your parents are okay with this? 
I am planning a uni trip using the transamerica bike trail, going coast to coast, then probably have to do it back again, so yeah, coast to coast to coast.
I have contacted Gracie and will get some advice from her, for what to bring and route decisions.
I was gonna do this next year, once i graduate, but cant now because I have about 4 friends who want to do it with me, and they wont be out of higschool for another couple of years. Just gives me more training time! =p
The only drawback I see is not seeing my girlfriend for such a long time, unless she drives along with me as like, a spotter, meeting me at the cities and whatnot. That would be better.
Either way, I will do this ride.
Damn you guys now I want a coker:D I gues I’m in Alberta maybe I’ll like MUni across the rockies into BC.
I am pretty much a pure trials rider, but theres no way i am doing distance on that tiny wheel. =p
Girlfriends will come and go, but your ride will last your lifetime.
how far of a ride is that?
edit: dont worry i found the distance. that seems like a decent ride, good luck and most of all, HAVE FUN
Your route will take you by a great many unicyclists. I’ve never met a unicyclist I didn’t like. Well ok, one. But I’ve now met hundreds. So, your chances of getting a warm welcome from the klan are extremely good. Keep us posted.
Yes, In fact my mom has been most supportive.
I just thought of a great place to stop, at the unicycle.com store!
So I have added there store to my mapquest route.
It seem that they are on the way, and will only add about 2 and a half hours to my trip!
Get an airseat. Make sure you can do small repairs if needed on the unicycle.
I’m guessing you’ll be going unsupported. Find out what gear you’ll need. Travel light. Practice unicycling with a backpack. Wear a helmet. Keep us posted. Good luck.
Consider taking 41. I think it goes from Copper harbor at the top of the UP to the keys.
Thank you podzol!!
I really needed something like this. For me and this trip, this piece of information is like a 3 goal lead with a minutes left in a soccer game.
Thank You so much, I will Definitly look into it.
Also, I may get some funds from a place I had not thought of before, so I may be able to do your Tour Da Yup(sp?).
A rudimentary set of tools at the minimum. Think of every repair you’d ever want to attempt on your own and make sure you have the tools to do it.
Better yet figure out how to not need a backpack. A backpack will be just that much more weight on your crotch. If you have a wide hub you might be able to store some stuff inside the wheel, but the weight would have to be evenly distributed. Or a trunk pack on a rack sticking out the back (search on unibago). You don’t want a backpack if you can help it.
For riding along with cars a helmet is essential. You’ll probably want gloves as well, and a handlebar system of some sort to give you choices of hand position. Having a place to put your hands will take some of the weight off your seat, like on a bike. I don’t usually wear knee protection when road riding on Coker.
You’ll also want (need) a mirror. I don’t feel comfortable riding on the side of the road any more without mine. Mine attaches to a pair of sunglasses, or you can get one that attaches to a helmet. A bit of tweaking around and practice, and soon you can see everything coming up from behind. Essential when the cars don’t need to pay attention and you do.
Don’t just buy an air seat, try as many seats as you possibly can. Put lots of miles in before you start your ride, to work out your most comfortable and efficient rig.
Enjoy!
Thank You, This will definitly help. I never thought about putting things in the wheel, I will look into it. Although, I do plan on carrying a tent, That will hopefully be the only extra weight on me as it is very heavy.
I never would have thought about a mirror, but it will prove usefull.
As for the handle, I have included a GB Handle into my udc cart.
I am also going to order the KH air seat with the coker, Is this a good idea?
Or would I be better going off with the cheaper KH seat and converting it as I see fit?
I also have a torker DX '05 seat, its seems pretty comfortable.
I will definitly put way more then the 1300 miles my trip is going to be, before I leave.
I hope to get the necessary funding for it by the end of this month, and have it ordered August 1st.
I will also train as much as I can, and hope to be riding in the Tour De Yup! But do not know if it is at all possible to train for in less then a month.