The How We Live section of today’s Oregonian features an article about Portland’s growing unicycling scene. In, It’s a whole new UNI-verse, reporter Melissa Navas introduces us to all manner of one-wheeled bike lovers and even gives it a go herself.
Navas calls unicycling “an emerging sport” and she includes a quote from the sport’s big superstar Kris Holm (of Vancouver B.C.) who says that Portland is perfect for unicycling because, “the area’s rugged landscapes and the weird image it likes to cultivate.”
race last year.
(Photo © J. Maus)
But beyond the sport (unicycles have been showing up at cyclocross events in ever-increasing numbers) and weirdness of it (Portland is home to the Unicycle Bastards and they’ve even been known to partake in unicycle jousting), did you know that some folks are even starting to commute by unicycle?
Navas profiles one such commuter in her article, and Yvette Beaumont, co-owner of local unicycle shop Serious Juggling (I profiled them in January 2007), says they’ve started carrying a commuter-specific unicycle model.
Yvette tells me they’ve also helped set up a Yahoo! Group for Portland unicyclists.
For another look at Portland’s unicycle scene, catch some unicycle polo action at Alberta Park compliments of this Oregonian video from back in June:
| Unicycle polo rides around Alberta Park |
Unicyclists unite!
Thanks for reading.
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Small World…
Met Madison yesterday, we were talking while riding on the MAX.
(and yes, I did the typical \”what happened to the rest of your bike\”)
Rubberside Down!
I am begining to despise the bike polo people at Alberta park. I go to this park often. While I think it\’s great that the city has made this space available for bike polo, they are ruining it. I watch these guys drink beer constantly and have now worn a path to the bush on the side of the building where they go to piss. The public restrooms are 200 feet away AND YOU HAVE A BIKE!!!! Please, have some respect for the park and the neighborhood.
Thanks for having the courage to actually mention the unicyclebastards. It seems the Oregonian is frightened by such words and will not publish the word \”bastard\”. Oddly, the O is happy to include the word \”juggling\” (ugh) in this story. go figure.
Sockeye,
While you may be starting to despise the Bike Polo people, you must be informed, as we have been, that many of the neighbors, and also the Friends Of Alberta Park LOVE US!
I have been at their FOAP meetings and neighborhood picnics, and the main question they ask is \”What can we do to make your polo experience better?\” And the statement \”We love having you in the park\” is heard often. The FOAP have ideas for Bike Polo that are way beyond even what we want or need.
They have tried encouraging progression of the sport actually more than those who play it.
Oh, and the Police?
They like and appreciate our presence too. This much I have been told. A number of times.
Beverages? We have an agreement on the issue with those who matter. We do it right. Just how we were instructed to, actually.
And ironically not a single person there to \”play polo\” has gotten in trouble for abuse of these privileges. In 5 + years.
Since polo began happening regularly in the park, twice a week for, as I said, about 5 years now, the area in and around the tennis courts has not been more maintained and cleaned.
We pick up other peoples garbage when we get there, and our own when we leave.
The gangsters who hung out there, playing dice and causing problems? Shooting at each other regularly?
Gone.
I have heard comments from neighbors about the noise though. They tend to say something like \”Oh, we like the noise. It is the sound of fun. Much better than what would be happening there otherwise.\”
So, Sockeye, while you may not enjoy or understand the dynamic of Bike Polo, you can now sleep easily knowing that many others do.
We are there to stay.
What a way to build a bridge, Icarus. Way to build a bridge…