I just returned to Memphis, Tennessee after a 7-day unicycle trip from Memphis
to Russellville, Arkansas, USA. My girlfriend kept everyone posted as to my
progress. I would have had her update this newsgroup but I couldn’t figure out
how she could access this newsgroup from her computer. I will compile her
updates into one posting for y’all to peruse later on tonight.
My total distance was 235 miles. My mileage varied from 22 to 47 miles per day.
I used my 36-inch Coker. Had I had more initiative, I could have easily done 70
miles per day on that large wheeled beast. The terrain ranged from flat delta
land to rolling foothills. I stayed in motels every night. It was the distance
between motels which determined that day’s mileage. Actual “pedalling” time was
between 2.5 hours and 4 4.5 hours per day. It was advantageous to walk about
1/4-1/2 miles after pedalling 2 miles in order to protect my knees and my
prostate. That is one advantage that Sarah Miller has over members of the
opposite sex. Total time spent riding and walking was between 6 and 8 hours per
day. Ten years ago I would bicycle 150 miles per day going across the
country–but no more!
The Hermann Munster Fanny Pack made by Jandd worked great! Last year I had
lugged along a back pack and a sleeping bag, and the resulting wind resistance
pretty much killed my efficiency. This year, I just washed my shorts and shirt
every night in the motel room sink and they were dry by morning.
The coker rode like a dream. No problem at all. Not even one flat (which
indicates the tire is high quality given the fact that I rode over
unavoidable glass). It did especially well going up hills. I told every one
that it was an industrial sized unicycle. It pretty much knocked off
everyone’s socks (except mine which had not been washed over a 7-day period
and therefore couldn’t come off).
Unicyle Touring is definitely an enriching experience. I would recommend that
one use the coker as well as a large fanny pack. In addition, one should pick a
route with suitable lodging at 30-50 mile intervals. Best of luck to those of
you who are unicycling across Minnesota, USA later this year!
Don from Memphis, Tennessee, USA