So I'll be heading to Lake Owen for the first time ever this summer. I've wanted to go there ever since I was big into agressive inline but could never afford it. As I got into unicycling I still wanted to go there but they don't have any unicycling sessions! Fortunately they're allowing me to come up and visit with the unicycle.

I'm excited about this because this means a lot of fresh faces are going to be exposed to unicycling. Torker even hooked them up with a new 2011 Unistar DX. http://www.torkerusa.com/bikes/unicycles/2011-unistar-dx

I'll be bringing up two unicycles myself, so I hope to get the skaters really excited about unicycling and I hope to successfully teach some how to ride.

If you don't know what Lake Owen is, its the Woodward of the Midwest. They really are sister camps. It's located in Cable Wisconsin, which is only an hour and a half or so north of where I live. Being so close is difficult when I'm unable to go, so I'm extremely excited for this opportunity. You can check out the website here: http://lakeowencamp.com/

I also hope to return to the camp a few times throughout the summer. I'd be sad if I couldn't be up there for a bit of northoften week. http://northoften.net/blog/

Also, I made a wicked snowman yesterday. Don't get me wrong, I really need this snow to be gone, but I made the best of it.

Check it out.

Coasting Unicycle

Coasting Unicycle.

I'll post pictures and maybe some video some time.

I've had the idea as long as I've been unicycling. I'll take credit for recognizing the opportunity, but Grinders Sports Shop in Rice Lake Wisconsin is responsible for the fabrication and assembly.

If there's any chance that this thing could be available on the market, interest must be expressed. Please let me know if you'd be interested buying a coasting unicycle. shaidecody@yahoo.com

Coasting Unicycle.

& these are just some pictures of Grinders Sports Shop's Head Mechanic and Co-Owner Spencer McLin practicing some extreme Park Tool Shop Stooling.

Aquafest

I've decided that I'm not doing the Badger Brew Express Unicycle Demo for Aquafest this year because of lack of Club interest. Might not do the Readapalooza Demo at the Library either. But I'll definitely be doing the Bike Jam at the skate park. Should be the biggest skate comp/bike jam year yet because of what Bubba has planned.

Also looking forward to planning the Dirt Jam. Should do that shortly after Aquafest. Would like to get some larger bands in for the gig. Let me know if you're interested in playing.

Tradeshow Pics

I uploaded some of the photos I took at the tradeshows last week. They're on the Grinders facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=282582&id=62509694624&saved#!/grindersbikeshop

I also found this picture of me that I didnt know existed. I found it while browsing through some of the links on the north of ten site. http://northoften.net/blog/

It is a picture that was taken at the last Grinders Dirt Jam. Just thought it was interesting.

I'm pretty sick today and I'm not sure if I'll be going boarding or unicycling. But the next chance I get I want to do some self timer shots with the Nikon from the campus. Should be something to look forward to. That and not being sick.

Grindrs Dirt Jam 2011

After a brief hiatus, the Grinders Dirt Jam will be returning for the summer of 2011. NOTHING is official yet, but I'm thinking fourth of July weekend. I'll try to make it bigger and badder than last time if I can. But I hope I can test out the coasting unicycle on the jumps at that time to get in front of an audience. I'll have more details on the Jam as I start planning and colaborating.

Shows

Midwest Winter Sports Reps Association Inc show in Madison was awesome.
This weekend I'll be heading over to QBP's Frostbike show. I'll be posting pictures of both on the Grinders facebook page.

On top of seeing great equipment and great people, I hope to do some networking at Frostbike to promote my unicycling. But regardless how much swag and literature that I take home with me on Saturday, I'm sure I'll sit down to an awesome QBP style FREE lunch! Can't wait.

Been a little over a week since I got back from Ray's MKE, and sad to say, I haven't ridden since. However, 40 degree temperatures are forecast for this weekend, so I'll be expecting some motivational weather soon.

Rays was awesome though. Did some MTB as well as some Uni, and I got to talk to and meet new people and I had a blast. Saw some familliar faces as well. The whole weekend was very enjoyable. Did some flips into the foam pit and tried my best to get creative on the skinnys and ladder bridge lines on my unicycle.

I've yet to edit episode 3, but when its finished I'll post it up quick. Hopefully soon I'll have some filming opportunities, which will make it easier to post what I allready have filmed since I'll have a stockpile of footage.

I recently bought a Huffy Green Machine to experiment with the coasting hub. Ran into some issues as far as the bearing inside and outside diameter goes as well as the spacing in between on the axle but I've still got a couple of radical options involving either grinding and spacers, or choping and welding. Either way, I'm sure its possible, as I makeshift taped my unicycle seat to the end of the front frame peice and rode it accross my living room. I coasted for about three feet without falling. I'm not sure to what extent I can take the riding, but I'm determined to make it work and I'm sure it will be fun.

Thats all I've got today. Hopefully as winter comes to an end things will start speeding up.