One wheel, no problem

Madison again hosts the North American Unicycling Convention and Championships

by

When school’s in session, Ian Beilfuss rides his unicycle to O’Keeffe Middle School every day, and he’s not the only one. Several kids in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood do the same thing.

“That’s getting to be the norm around here,” says Katie Beilfuss, Ian’s mother and vice president of Madison Unicyclists.

For real?

If you think unicycling is simply a circus act or something you see performed during Maxwell Street Days, you need to keep reading. In fact, the Unicycling Society of America calls it a sport and considers Madison Unicyclists (or MadUni) to be leaders in the unicycling movement, thanks to a strong focus on youth development via after-school programs and summer camps.

That’s why, for the second time since 2011, Madison will host the North American Unicycling Convention and Championships (NAUCC; uninationals2015.com). Between July 25 and Aug. 1, everything from one-wheeled floor hockey to a unicycle marathon will be held at venues throughout greater Madison.

Riders also will compete in freestyle, mountain, and track and field events, plus basketball and trick riding, at places such as the Goodman Community Center, Tenney Park, the UW Arboretum and Lake Kegonsa State Park. All told, an estimated 250 unicyclists are expected to participate.

“Top riders from Madison and across the country will show spectators that just about any sport there is can be done on one wheel and done at an amazingly competitive level,” says Jill Cohan, the youth development director for Madison Unicyclists and local co-organizer of NAUCC 2015. “It is truly awe-inspiring to see the level of athleticism in these competitors.”

One of those competitors is Madison’s Scott Wilton, a five-time world unicycling champion who last August set two world records at the Unicycling World Championships in Montreal, Canada. He completed the 26.2-mile marathon in less than one hour and 20 minutes, maintaining an average speed of 20 mph; his record-setting time in the 10-kilmeter race was 18:52.

Among the events Madison Unicyclists members recommend for first-time spectators are “street” (riders perform skateboarding-style tricks using urban obstacles such as boxes, stairs and rails), “freestyle” (choreographed routines showcasing technical skills, showmanship and costuming), “cyclocross” (riders traverse a challenging grass course featuring hills, bumps and obstacles) and “flatland” (a trick competition conducted on flat pavement).

Convention workshops will include a learn-to-ride session at which unicycles will be provided.

Admission to all events is free for spectators. Proceeds from participants’ entry fees will help expand unicycling programs at schools by funding equipment purchases, instruction and other opportunities in south central Wisconsin for interested kids and adults.

The nonprofit Madison Unicyclists, which Beilfuss says consists of about 80 families, already seems to be out in front in that area — supporting school programs at Sandburg Elementary, Marquette Elementary, O’Keeffe Middle School, Shorewood Elementary and the Lussier Center, with more planned soon. New riders are invited to join open practices on Sunday afternoons at the Goodman Community Center and Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School in Sun Prairie. (For details and schedule, see maduni.com.)

While a basic unicycle can be purchased for less than $150, different events require different frames and wheels — just like bicycles. A mountain unicycle, for example, requires a thicker tire with a beefier tread, and can retail for upwards of $850. Other unicycles sell for more than $1,000.

“The beautiful thing about unicycling is that you can involve yourself however much you want,” Beilfuss says, admitting that learning to ride is easier the younger you begin. “It’s all about how much your soul and body will allow. You don’t have to be serious about unicycling. You can do it just for fun.”