Like traveling on a bike, traveling on a unicycle is a feat of skill and stamina. Unlike traveling on a bike, traveling on a unicycle will require different skills along with a sense of where you are.
You’ll also turn few to no heads traveling on a bike, but the same can’t be said going by one-wheeler.
With that said, here are some special notes for preparing to take a long unicycle trip. With this insight, you’ll be better prepared.
The most important fundamental rule of taking a long trip by unicycle. You positively must learn how to ride and be proficient.
Believe us, this is not a situation where you want to bite off more than you can chew. You should be completely comfortable in the saddle - riding in varying conditions and on different surfaces and terrain - before you take the plunge into a long trip.
After learning to ride, you need to determine what unicycle you want to make the trip. There are a few ways to break this down.
As a general rule, larger tires - like models with 36 or 32 inch tires - are faster and better for traveling long distances than those with smaller tires. You’ll cover more distance more efficiently, but the drawback is that cranking the pedals with a lot of gear on your back - or trying to climb hills - will tire you out.
Downsizing a little bit (keyword, little) to a 29 inch unicycle will give you a bit of a break in terms of cranking power when carrying gear or traveling uphill, but the downside is you won’t be able to travel as fast.
Then there are smaller unicycles, which as a general rule, are not suitable for distance riding. The smaller the wheel, the less rotational momentum it carries, and the more tiring it will be when riding for prolonged periods of time.
As a general rule, unicycles with 36 and 32 inch tires are best, with 29 inch models being a close second if you’ll be traveling hilly country or carrying a lot of gear.
Don’t go for anything smaller than a unicycle with 29 or 32 inch tires; it’ll be too tiring to ride, too slow, and will not handle well if you go off road.
(One note, though it has nothing to do with unicycle sizing: get a unicycle with a steel hub, not an alloy hub, as steel is stronger and lasts longer.)
A (relatively) easy way to get into unicycling for the long haul is to take a supported tour. During a supported tour, you’ll have a friend follow you in a vehicle to provide you with support if anything goes wrong.
Taking a supported tour is a good idea for beginners, or just for your first trip, as you’ll have a safety, an out, if you will, if you ever need to take it.
Another option is to take what you need in a backpack. This is a great option if you want to get into the trip right away and you already have a backpack (along with basic unicycle tools and lightweight camping gear). Just pack what you need and hit the road (more or less, don’t forget to plan!).
You can also rig your unicycle to carry most of your gear so you can take a load off your back, which will make riding less tiring and thereby more enjoyable.
Now you need to plan where you intend to go. You need to plan your stops around where you’ll be able to eat and rest, as well as where you’ll be able to refill your water stores.
Plan the trip out, and underestimate how far you’ll be able to get in a day. That way, it’ll be harder for you to fall behind. It’s far better to end the day ahead of schedule, than to be on the road, with the sun going down, with 10 more miles ahead of you before you intend to stop.
Finally, you need to make sure you bring along what you need. Obviously, you need appropriate clothes, unicycle tools, and safety gear. But we’ve already published on this topic at length. Rather than rehashing it here, please consult our previous post, What Do You Need to Take on a Long-Distance Unicycle Trip?
At the end of the day, whatever you need to bring on your long-distance trip, we’re here to help with it. Shop our assortment of touring unicycles, tools, safety gear, and other essentials, and get in touch with us directly if you have any questions before setting out.
