Ok, I plan to attend one of the conventions, probably UniconXI. I am coming from New York, and I plan to bring a freestyle uni and a muni, but how do i get them on the plane along with my luggage? Also, will there be any transportation provided to get from one area to another (ie. from the track to the Muni site)? Do people carpool? Can I get to all the events using public transportation? Any information would be apreciated.
-David Kaplan
> Ok, I plan to attend one of the conventions, probably UniconXI. I am
> coming from New York, and I plan to bring a freestyle uni and a muni,
> but how do i get them on the plane along with my luggage?
I will go over my current methods for unicycle air transportation. These
days I am using wheeled expandable luggage. I wish I knew the name for the
type of bag. I’ve just spent a long time on Google trying to find a
picture of one. Suffice it to say I don’t think you’ll find one online! I
have to remember to take a picture of one sometime…
Description of bag: Flat, rectangular bottom with rounded corners. Wheels
underneath. The bottom is stiff, but the rest of the bag is soft. These
bags have two zippered expansions, with a zipper that goes all the way
around the sides of the bag to give 6-8" additional height with each
extension. Find the biggest bag of this type that you can. Mine stand over
40" tall when fully extended, though usually I only have to open one
extension when traveling. I get mine at my local flea market, which has
vendors specializing in inexpensive luggage. For around $30US I get a very
large bag that holds up decently, and will fit a 26" with a 24" and 20"
thrown in. these bags will not last forever though, so check them out
after each flight. After a few trips the bottom will start separating or
it will otherwise start falling apart. So buy a new one! If it fits a 24"
or 26" wheel, rest assured there will be a lot more space in there for
extra stuff as well.
The key dimension for any unicycle luggage is your wheel diameter. If the
wheel only just barely fits, you’re only going to get one wheel in there
and not much else. Look for a loose fit so there’s room for padding, as
well as other stuff.
Don’t underestimate the width of a unicycle wheel either. A 20" wheel will
mostly fill up a large suitcase by itself. I did this once, and was amazed
at how much space it took up. A 24" wheel will only fit in the hugest of
suitcases.
I’ll add a word about airlines who charge you money for a “bicycle” and
then make you sign a waiver that removes them from responsibility for
damage. I have signed waivers, but never paid an extra fee, even when
traveling with 5 unicycles and an artistic bike (I was lucky). I prefer
not to let it be known that I have wheels in there. If they ask, it’s
“circus equipment” or “show props.” Your bags will not be X-rayed until
after they’ve been checked, so you don’t have to worry about that anyway.
Note: Don’t forget to remove all tools and anything sharp from anything
you carry onto the plane! I forgot to take my Swiss army knife out
of my waist pack on the way back from Hawaii, and I would either
have had to toss it, or find another piece of luggage to put it in
and check it in (and then go through the security line again).
Fortunately we still had a backpack with us.
Luggage on planes is subject to quite a bit of abuse. Assume it will be
thrown, kicked, and buried under a large pile of smaller bags. Expect all
three of these things to occur at least once per leg of your air travel.
So pad your stuff. I have some old camping mats that I’ve cut up for
padding. This is like 1/4" thick hard foam, and weighs almost nothing. I
put squares of this between the wheels, and around the outsides to
protect the bags from shock, and from unicycle parts poking through the
sides of the bag.
Here’s a trick I only figured out in the last few years. Put each wheel in
a garbage bag. In the past, I would struggle and sweat, trying to stuff
things in and around a grippy tire (that might be dirty). With the garbage
bag they slide in and out easily, and if they’re dirty it doesn’t get all
over. Bring extra garbage bags and some tape.
While you’re at it, bring tools and a pump, unless you know they’ll be
easily found where you’re going. At unicycle conventions there are never
enough tools and pumps. Bring spare parts if you’re doing important riding
at your destination. Having a spare tube with you is much easier than
having to go out and find one.
Take apart the unicycles to fit them better. A “whole” unicycle is much
more susceptible to being bent or crushed, so I separate the wheel from
the frame most of the time. Protect the ends of tubing, especially your
fork legs. Not only can they get bent, a bigger problem is having them
poke out the sides of your luggage. Sometimes I’ve stuck mine in a shoe.
Use your handy tape to make sure the shoe stays on there.
That covers the basics for serious unicycle travel. If you can find a good
bag (look where the cheap luggage is, and bring your unicycle along for
size), you’re most of the way there. It’ll even roll! A far cry from the
giant duffel “body” bags I used to drag through airports…
Avoid cardboard boxes if possible. If they get damaged, parts may fall
out. A box is usually only good for a one way trip, so you’ll need a new
one on the way home (or a lot more tape).
Good luck, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com
“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.” - Kevin
“Gilby” Gilbertson
David,
On Tue, 27 Nov 2001 03:45:11 +0000 (UTC), UniDak
<forum.member@unicyclist.com> wrote:
>
>Ok, I plan to attend one of the conventions, probably UniconXI. I am
>coming from New York, and I plan to bring a freestyle uni and a muni, but
>how do i get them on the plane along with my luggage?
>
I will leave this question to some of the masters, such as the Cotters or
our Pez, Mr. Foss.
>
>Will there be any transportation provided to get from one area to another
>(ie. from the track to the Muni site)?
>
We plan to have buses running between the venues.
>
>Do people carpool?
>
Most people I observed at NUC in 1999 (here) and 2001 (Toronto) that had
vehicles were running full with families and / or team members.
>
>Can I get to all the events using public transportation?
>
No. Our venues are many miles (between 20 and 50 miles) east of downtown
Seattle and are not on major (read: convenient) transit routes.
Thomas A. Daniels Chairman and Communications Director Northwest Committee
for Unicycling Events, Incorporated Post Office Box 790 North Bend,
Washington USA +01.425.831.4906 fax +01.425.831.4907 mobile
+01.425.785.5661 tadaniels@centurytel.net http://www.nwcue.org