It takes poles, a helping hand and skill to ride this unusual two-person unicycle. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
UNICON 21, THE INTERNATIONAL UNICYCLING competition and convention held recently in Bemidji, is history. But the memories wheel on for attendees and competitors. That I attended as an observer, if only for a day, proved an incredible experience. I had no idea so many types of unicycles existed or the level of talent among unicyclists.
The museum featured assorted unicycles (many available to check out and ride), plus unicycling merch. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
Among the most unusual unicycle wheels. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
As if riding on one wheel isn’t difficult enough… (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
I shot hundreds of photos and have shared many with you. It is my hope that, via my photography, you, too, have learned more about the international unicycling world. Today I bring you an assortment of images, most from the pop-up Unicycle Museum inside the Sanford Center and the unicycling happening outside. Others are simply pix I took throughout the day.
Trying out unicycling outside the Sanford Center. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
An experienced unicyclist rides with confidence and speed. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
A fat tire unicycle and one with two basketballs below the wheel intrigued me. The woman to the left attempted to unicycle, supported by bars on two sides and helping hands. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
Enjoy this collection, which I hope grows your appreciation for the ordinary people who choose to ride unicycles. Some ride simply for leisure while others excel as athletes and entertainers. No matter their skill level, anyone who can ride a unicycle impresses me.
One of the more unusual unicycles, with four wheels. How do you even ride that? (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
This unicyclist, from Bemidji, received a medal for the closest attendee at Unicon 21. A unicyclist from Australia traveled the greatest distance. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
An entire group of attendees painted their arms. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
I saw how focused they were, how much fun they were having, how connected they seemed as a unicycling community. And perhaps that is the biggest take-away—this coming together of people from around the world to share their passion for unicycling. No politics. No conflict. No differences. Just people on unicycles enjoying Unicon 21 in northern Minnesota.
Unicon 21 participants got Paul Bunyan-themed swag bags promoting Bemidji. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
A fitting bumper sticker displayed in the Unicycle Museum. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
Among the items shown in the museum. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
Competitive events included marathons. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
A collection of tees from past Unicon gatherings was displayed in the museum. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
If you couldn’t attend in person, live streaming was an option. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
It took a lot of dedicated volunteers to make Unicon 21 happen in Bemidji. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo July 2024)
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Recent Comments