Wizards 50th Birthday

For my 50th birthday, which will be in May, it is my goal to ride a unicycle 50 miles. Maybe more. I already do up to about 15 miles at a time, so this shouldn't be terribly difficult.

The question for the poll is do you think I'll succeed?


This is me on my 29" wheel unicycle, the same one I would likely use for the challenge.

I wish you luck, but 10 hours on a unicycle is going to be a long one. The guy my brother knows (the one who got arrested for riding a unicycle in Europe) did I think 150 over two days.

Without getting off of it? Hell no..

Quote: AZDuffman

I wish you luck, but 10 hours on a unicycle is going to be a long one. The guy my brother knows (the one who got arrested for riding a unicycle in Europe) did I think 150 over two days.

It won't take ten hours. I think between 6 and 7. Maybe it is easy to say this now, but I'd like to push beyond 50 miles past my birthday. Maybe get to 100 by the end of 2015.

What was this guy specifically arrested for?

Quote: Wizard

It won't take ten hours. I think between 6 and 7. Maybe it is easy to say this now, but I'd like to push beyond 50 miles past my birthday. Maybe get to 100 by the end of 2015.

What was this guy specifically arrested for?

How fast can you go? I was figuring 5 mph which is a little faster than average walking speed for most people. I was always told riding a unicycle is about like walking.

He was arrested because they thought he was a Gypsy, which they do not want around so they roust and hassle them whenever they see any. He might not have been "arrested" in a technical sense but word was he was escorted back to the USAF base and told to keep the unicycle there to avoid issues.

He is an interesting guy, does that kind of stuff just to learn them and prove to himself he can do it. Guy spent most of his money trying to straighten his daughter out.

Quote: AZDuffman

How fast can you go? I was figuring 5 mph which is a little faster than average walking speed for most people. I was always told riding a unicycle is about like walking.

I haven't timed myself, but I can go much faster than walking speed, as I pass walkers all the time, often startling them. In fact, I pass joggers too, although the fastest ones go about the same speed as me. To do some rough calculations, a 2-hour half marathon is a speed of 6.55 miles per hour. At that pace it would take 7.63 hours to do 50 miles. I roughly calculate I can go 7 to 8 miles per hour. So, my estimate of 6 to 7 hours sounds about right.

Quote:

He was arrested because they thought he was a Gypsy, which they do not want around so they roust and hassle them whenever they see any. He might not have been "arrested" in a technical sense but word was he was escorted back to the USAF base and told to keep the unicycle there to avoid issues.

He is an interesting guy, does that kind of stuff just to learn them and prove to himself he can do it. Guy spent most of his money trying to straighten his daughter out.

Which country was this in? I still have never knowingly met a Gypsy.

If you get on and off a lot, isn't that like
starting over every time? Will Ahigh be
going with you, he accepted your last
challenge.

Quote: Wizard

Which country was this in? I still have never knowingly met a Gypsy.

IIRC Portugal or Spain but not totally sure.

If you want to learn about Gypsies there is a "Stuff You Should Know" podcast on it where they explain a lot of stuff about them. Like they used to trade horses to make a living but now some do automobiles.

A former co-worker of mine knew one well. I do not think they are or have to be as clannish in the USA as in Europe. The guy got picked up because Gypsies have a very, very bad reputation over there.

Quote: Wizard

I haven't timed myself, but I can go much faster than walking speed, as I pass walkers all the time, often startling them. In fact, I pass joggers too, although the fastest ones go about the same speed as me. To do some rough calculations, a 2-hour half marathon is a speed of 6.55 miles per hour. At that pace it would take 7.63 hours to do 50 miles. I roughly calculate I can go 7 to 8 miles per hour. So, my estimate of 6 to 7 hours sounds about right.

My friend who was an 50 mile ultra marathoner (he did one for his 50th birthday) used to say 12 minute miles. He could only do anerobic exercise, ot aerobic exercise. Otherwise the pain would be too great. It would take him 10 hours to do a 50 mile hilly run. He was a SEAL in the Vietnam war.

So I would think that given the fatigue and pain and running out of glucose for a 50 mile ride, you would have to be able to get up 10 mph for a 10 mile training run.


Gypsy that lives in Henderson
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/weekly-qa/2012/jul/11/growing-gypsy-oksana-marafiotis-new-memoir/

Quote: Pacomartin

So I would think that given the fatigue and pain and running out of glucose for a 50 mile ride, you would have to be able to get up 10 mph for a 10 mile training run.

I don't think I would feel safe doing 10 MPH on the unicycle pictured. If I get a 36" wheel, maybe, but I'm still getting used to the 29" one. This challenge shouldn't be that hard. I plan to carry stuff to eat.