THEY PROPELLED down the track, leaning into the forward thrust of their unicycles as they pedaled toward teammates, then sped to the finish line in an international unicycling relay race. I was there, trackside on July 18, photographing teams from around the world at Unicon 21 in Bemidji.
Admittedly, I am not a sports fan (or sports photographer) and can’t recall ever seeing a relay race in person. But this, this was decidedly different due to the unicycles and due to the international level of competition at The Unicycling World Competition and Championships. This interested me.
Running a race on your feet takes talent and skill. But try racing on one wheel, and the bar rises. That’s my opinion anyway. I thought of the balance required to ride quickly and then connect with a teammate to hand off a baton. I thought, too, of the pressure to succeed, to not let your team down.
Yet, the mood at the Unicon relay race at Bemidji High School didn’t feel oppressively competitive to me, an observer. Rather, it felt fun, connective. Perhaps the riders and their coaches thought differently.
I watched the races as much as I watched people watching them. I am a quiet observer, taking in overall scenes and details. My eyes focused on a multi-colored unicycle, t-shirt graphics, unicycles dropped in a pile by the bleachers…
Each detail is like a sentence written in to a paragraph written in to a story. Trackside conversations, including one I had in German with a man from Germany, and overheard in the stands added a personal international connection. To witness athletes from around the world come together in small town northern Minnesota was gratifying. I expect anyone participating or attending the Summer Olympics in Paris will experience that same feeling of unity, even in the competitiveness of the events.
Under a partly cloudy blue sky on a perfect July day in northern Minnesota, the world grew closer, while mine grew wider. Athletes wheeled around the BHS track, racing to win. In reality, they’d already won. They were here, together in Minnesota, connecting with other unicyclists, embracing a sport they love.
NOTE: Click here to read my first post from Unicon 21 summarizing my experience.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
this takes it all to a whole other level – amazing
Yes, absolutely amazing what these athletes can do on a unicycle.
I was late to bicycling at 15, however; I fell in LOVE with it until I literally had my last fall a few years back and value my body as well as brain more. I have never tried a uni – never seen ones like these though – the ones I saw were tall and awkward – these are more modern and probably easier to adopt and adapt if one can find their balance. Loving your posts – thanks so much for sharing and opening my eyes to the new! Happy Day – ENJOY 🙂
I’m happy to share my discoveries and experiences with you. 🙂
oh wow! now this would be something to watch. I’d probably make it 3 feet before falling on my face.
I don’t think I would make it that far. 🙂