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General
Unicycles
Parades
Practices
Classes
Unicycling Skill
Levels
ShowGroup
Conventions
General
- How old should a person be to ride a
unicycle?
-
It all depends on your attitude. The ages of
people learning to unicycle range from 18
months to over 70 years. It’s a fun sport for
young and old alike.
- How long does it take to learn?
-
Again, it all depends on your attitude! Most
people can ride across a gym without
assistance after 5 hours.
- Should I wear safety equipment?
-
Unicycling is generally an extremely safe
sport with a very low rate of injury. Safety
equipment is always recommended when
there is even a remote possibility of getting
hurt. However, the use of such equipment is
up to each individual (and their parents if the
unicyclist is a minor). While TCUC does not
require the use of helmets, kneepads, gloves,
or elbow pads, some unicycling events, such
as racing at the national convention, do
require this equipment.
- What are my responsibilities as a TCUC
member?
-
Your biggest responsibility is to enjoy
yourself while unicycling. We do not require
our members to participate in any events, so
each person’s participation is up to the
individual. However, the parades in the
summer are our means of making money for
the club, so we do like a high participation in
the parades. And we ask members to always
portray TCUC and unicycling in a positive
light, so we can share unicycling with more
people!
- How is the club run?
-
TCUC has volunteer officers and junior
officers (members from ages 13 to 18) who
are elected at the meeting/banquet in the fall
each year. The officers are listed on the back
cover of this FAQ and in the club
newsletter that comes out about once a
month. The officers meet monthly,
except in the summer. The club meeting/
banquet in the fall is the only regularly
scheduled club membership meeting.
TCUC is incorporated and follows the
bylaws set up by the club.
- What are the advantages of joining
TCUC?
-
There are a bunch! First, you have
access to practice sites (usually free)
several times each week located in
different areas around the Twin Cities.
Second, you automatically become a
member of the Unicycling Society of
America (USA) when you join TCUC.
The USA sponsors the National
Unicycle Convention each year and
publishes a quarterly magazine, On One
Wheel for all members. Third, you have
the chance to learn from other accomplished
unicyclists in the club and pass
skill levels (described below). Also,
you’ll receive the club newsletter, and
you can receive up-to-the-minute club
news updates by e-mail. (Club members
can send their e-mail address to
info@tcuc.org)
- Can I buy a TCUC T-shirt/
sweatshirt/jacket?
-
We have TCUC t-shirts in many sizes
and sometimes have limited quantities
of the sweatshirts. T-shirts are $10
each; the sweatshirts are $20. The shirts
have the TCUC logo on the front and
back, are of a high quality material, and
are used as our parade uniform. Club
members can also order a personalized
black club jacket with the logo on the
back for about $70, or a white windbreaker
with the logo for $30.
Unicycles
- Do I have to buy my own unicycle when
I join?
-
No. TCUC owns several unicycles that you
may use for learning. But the newest
members always have priority on the use of
the unicycles, so after a while, members will
probably want to purchase their own. Also,
you will find that learning is easier on your
own unicycle.
- Can I borrow TCUC unicycles?
-
Yes, the standard unicycles (16-inch and 20-
inch wheels) are occasionally loaned out
after the member demonstrates certain
proficiency. But, if a class is being taught or
there are many new members who need the
club unicycles, the availability of the
unicycles may decrease.
- Who can use the TCUC-owned
unicycles?
-
Any club member. If we are running a class,
the class members have the highest priority
for the club unicycles. If it is a regular
practice, the newest member or potential
member typically has the highest priority for
using the club-owned unicycles.
- Where can I buy a unicycle? How much
does one cost?
-
There are no
local shops that TCUC currently recommends.
TCUC does recommend a mail-order
service: 1-800-unicycle or www.unicycle.com.
- Do you know of any second-hand
unicycles?
-
No. We have found that once people learn to
unicycle, they hardly ever sell their unicycles.
But you can always try the Internet
and especially check e-bay.
What wheel size should I buy?
Sometimes it depends on the size of the
rider—for a small child, a 16-inch wheel is
recommended. Although, if the child may be
doing a lot of growing soon, and there aren’t
any younger siblings in line to use the small
unicycle, it may be wise to wait to purchase a
20-inch unicycle and borrow the TCUC 16-
inch unicycles. For a larger child, a teenager,
or an adult, we usually recommend a 20-inch
wheel. A 20-inch wheel is suitable for indoor
practices and is the unicycle most of the
members use for trick riding. If the unicycle
will be used for mostly distance riding and
outdoor exercise, a 24-inch wheel is better.
- What is a giraffe?
-
Strictly speaking, a “giraffe” unicycle is the
term used for Schwinn 6-feet tall unicycles.
The name is commonly used to describe all
tall unicycles, between 4 to 20 feet tall.
When can I ride a TCUC-owned giraffe?
You should have passed USA Skill Level 3 to
ride a tall unicycle. This is for safety
reasons—the rider must have a certain
stability and skill. To ride a giraffe in a
parade, riders also must pass the Giraffe
Test, which includes idling 10 times with the
left foot and 10 times with the right foot, still
standing with a partner, dismounting in all
four directions, and riding backwards 10
meters.
- Can I borrow a TCUC-owned tall
unicycle?
-
Yes, the club owns several tall unicycles, and
these are sometimes loaned out to riders who
are eligible to ride them.
- Can I ride any and all of the tall
unicycles or the zig-zag unicycle?
-
Some of these are owned by members of the
club and not by the club itself, so it is up to
the owners of those unicycles. You need
their permission to use those unicycles.
Parades
- Why does TCUC do so many parades?
-
TCUC is paid for most of the parades in
which we perform—this is our largest fund
raiser for the club. It is also a great way for
the general public to see unicycling. TCUC
performs in about 20-30 parades each year;
most are in June and July.
- How long are the parades?
-
As short as six blocks and as long as two
miles. Most parade routes are just over one
mile.
- How many people do you need at each
parade?
-
As many as possible! The more unicyclists
at each parade, the better TCUC looks.
When we have a large number of people
performing in the parade routines, it makes
the group look more impressive to the
audience and increases the likelihood that
we will get asked to come back the next year.
We would like to have a minimum of 30
people at each parade.
- Should I ride in parades?
-
Absolutely, yes! It is best to have both
beginners and advanced riders at every
parade. Beginning riders add to the group by
waving and greeting people in the crowd.
- How good do I have to be to ride in the
parade?
-
You should be able to ride at least a few
meters alone. If you cannot freemount the
unicycle, you should arrange for someone to
assist you. You will ride in the front with the
other beginners until you have enough skill
for the parade routine.
- How good do I have to be to ride in the
parade routine?
-
You should be a Level 2 rider and able to idle
at least 10 times.
- When can I ride in the back of the
parade routine?
-
Level 5 and above riders have the option to
ride in the back of the parade routine, showcasing
their advanced skills. We should not have
more than four riders in back of the routine for
each parade, and riders should take turns
riding in back. The Junior Officers are in charge
of determining where each person rides in the
parade.
- Can I juggle in the parade?
-
Yes. You must first demonstrate that you can
juggle for 30 seconds while riding. If you are
riding in the routine, you must participate in
the routine, and juggle only while riding
forward.
- Can I ride my tall unicycle in the
parade?
-
Yes, provided you have passed the test for
chain-driven unicycles: idle 10 times left foot,
idle 10 times right foot, still stand with a
partner, dismount in all four directions, and
ride backwards 10 meters.
- Can I ride a TCUC tall unicycle in the
parade?
-
Yes, but people must take turns riding these
unicycles. Do not assume that you will be
riding a TCUC giraffe, so bring your standard
unicycle.
- What’s the tallest unicycle that TCUC
has in the parades?
-
Some TCUC members own unicycles 8 feet
tall, and these are usually ridden in each
parade. Occasionally, a 12-foot unicycle is
ridden in a parade where the parade route is
smooth.
- How much advance notice do I get
about a parade?
-
The parade organizers often don’t send us
the information very early; sometimes we
receive it just days before the parade. This
does not allow us to photocopy the information
and mail it to the members. We try to
keep everyone informed about the times and
locations of parades through the newsletter.
But sometimes information is only available
through last-minute e-mails or on TCUC’s
hotline: 763-788-9137.
- How come we have to walk/ride from the
end of a parade back to the beginning?
-
The parade organizers route their parade for
their best interests, and often do not loop
the parade. So we usually have to walk back
to our cars, or ask parents to help out by
giving us a ride back to the start.
- Should I bring a water bottle?
-
It’s always a good idea to provide your own
water whenever you are exercising. However,
TCUC usually provides a large jug of water
and water bottles at each parade.
- What do you wear?
-
The TCUC parade outfit is plain black shorts,
the TCUC t-shirt, white socks, and all-black
shoes. For winter parades and some spring
or fall parades we wear long black pants and
the TCUC sweatshirt or white jacket.
- Why do I have to be at the line-up so
early, and then wait around?
-
Parade officials set the line-up time so parade
units can get into position well before the
parade starts. This helps them organize the
parade. Often traffic and parking can be a
real problem if you do not arrive at the lineup
time. The time spent waiting for the
parade to start can be spent socializing with
other TCUC members, learning new
unicycling skills, or juggling.
- Is there a penalty if I arrive late to a
parade line-up?
-
No, TCUC doesn’t penalize you for arriving
late to a parade. Arriving late to a parade is
being rude to the officers who are trying to
organize the routine for that day and to your
fellow club members who were on time. You
also run the risk of completely missing the
parade. If you know you may be late due to
outside influences, please try to call someone
who is at the parade line-up so the
officers can be notified.
- Do you need people to walk the
parade?
-
Yes, we usually need people (parents,
friends, siblings) to hand out water bottles,
assist riders, hand out TCUC business cards
and brochures to the crowd, and answer
questions from the audience. Plus, walkers
receive credit for parades as long as they are
members of TCUC.
- What is a parade incentive?
-
If you are in a certain number of parades
during the parade season, you will receive a
gift from TCUC. For example, after five
parades, you may receive a gift certificate or
other small gift. The parade incentives
change each year and are published in the
club newsletter. Usually the incentives are
for participating in 5, 10, 15, or more parades.
- What happens if TCUC wins a trophy/
plaque in a parade?
-
We give out the trophies to the members and
do not keep any trophies that TCUC wins.
The trophies are handed out to families (not
individuals) based on seniority. To receive a
trophy, you must have the highest seniority
at that parade, you must have unicycled at
that parade, and you must have participated
in 10 parades in that calendar year. Once you
have received a trophy, your seniority drops
to the bottom of the list so that other families
have a chance to receive a trophy.
Practices
- What do you do at practices?
-
Most practices are dedicated to letting riders
improve their unicycling skills at their own
pace. Sometimes there are organized games,
relays, or other group activities. We also try
to spend time teaching beginners and
teaching new skills to advanced riders.
- What do people practice?
-
Many of the members are learning new skills
and preparing for unicycling competitions.
Others may be riding for exercise or to
develop their skills.
- I want to learn a new skill — who do I
ask to teach me?
-
Most of the officers can either teach you an
advanced skill, or will help you find another
person who knows that particular skill.
- Can I bring my friend/brother/sister/
parent to practice?
-
Yes, bring a guest if you like! We welcome
visitors, but please be sure children are
accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Do you have to be a member to
practice?
-
No. We welcome new people and will teach
them how to unicycle. Typically, if you are
attending practice regularly (two or three
times in a row), you should join TCUC.
- How much help will a beginner get at
each practice?
-
Beginners learn at different rates and need
different amounts of help. We have found
that alternating between helping beginners
and letting them work on their own is the
best method. If there are many beginners,
each person may not get very much attention.
The teachers are also at practice to
improve their own skills and to teach
advanced skills to each other. Beginners will
usually not get the undivided attention of a
teacher for an unlimited time.
- Are the TCUC-owned unicycles at each
practice?
-
While we try to bring the club-owned
unicycles to each practice, occasionally it is
not possible. At least one day in advance,
check by calling 763-788-9137 or e-mailing
info@tcuc.org and ask if the club-owned
unicycles will be at the practice you are
planning on attending.
- Do I have to go to all the practices for
the full time?
-
No. You choose the amount of time you want
to spend at each practice and how many
times you want to practice each week.
- Can I juggle at practice?
-
Yes. TCUC owns several juggling clubs to
help teach beginners, and many members
bring juggling balls that you can borrow to
learn the basic juggling patterns.
- When are practices?
-
TCUC practices at various locations and at
various times. We publish a calendar with
our newsletter that lists practice dates/times/
locations. For the most up-to-date information,
call the TCUC hotline (763-788-9137) or
check on-line at tcuc.org/members/calendar.
We also send out frequent club updates
through e-mail. If you would like to receive
the e-mail updates, send your e-mail address
to info@tcuc.org.
- If a practice is canceled, how will I know
about it?
-
We try to let people know if a practice has been
suddenly canceled for one night. We are very
sorry if you drive to a practice only to find that
it has been canceled, but with TCUC’s size, it is
often difficult to contact everyone. Please
check your e-mail or the TCUC hotline for the
most accurate information.
Classes
- Why does TCUC teach the unicycling
classes?
-
We teach the classes for several reasons: We
trade teaching unicycling for gym time, we
perform a community service, and we get
new members from these classes.
- What do I have to do for the classes?
-
During the class time, the TCUC members are
responsible for helping teach the new
unicyclists. If you are not interested in
teaching, you should either not attend
practice during a class time, or you should
sit on the side until a class is over.
- Should I let a class member use my
unicycle?
-
Usually, no. TCUC owns enough unicycles
for teaching, so we shouldn’t need yours. A
new person may bend/break some part of
your unicycle, so we do not recommend that
members loan their unicycles for a class.
- Do I have to be a TCUC member to be in
a class?
-
No. Classes are offered so the general
community can learn to unicycle. On the
other hand, members are generally encouraged
to attend the classes so they can help
teach the class members.
Unicycling Skill
Levels
- What are the IUF/USA Skill Levels?
-
The International Unicycling Federation/
Unicycling Society of America (IUF/USA)
Skill Levels are the combinations of skills at
ten levels of difficulty. Level 1 is the easiest,
with the rider demonstrating mounting,
riding 50 meters, and dismounting gracefully.
As of January 2004, Level 10 has been
achieved by only eight people in the world—
all members of TCUC. Level cards that
describe what skills you need to do to pass a
level are available from the club officers. The
officers are also willing to coach the riders in
the skills needed to pass levels.
- How can I test to pass a Skill Level?
-
To try to pass a level, you may have one
opportunity during each practice. We
usually try to clear the practice area to
eliminate any interference. The TCUC
Officers are responsible for level testing.
When you pass a level, you receive a card
and a level patch.
- At what level are most of the members
of TCUC?
-
The skill levels of TCUC members range from
beginner (pre-Level 1) all the way to Level
10. TCUC has the largest group of highly
skilled unicyclists in the world, with over 30
riders who are Level 7 or higher.
ShowGroup
- What is ShowGroup?
-
TCUC’s ShowGroup is the advanced group
of about 20 unicyclists whose mission is to
perform in high-quality, exciting shows.
ShowGroup also represents TCUC in the
Club Routine competitions at national and
international competitions.
- How can I join ShowGroup?
-
Riders who are Level 5 and above may join
ShowGroup, depending on the number of
members already in the group and the time of
year. It is difficult to bring in new members
when ShowGroup is working on specific
routines for competitions. Please check with
the ShowGroup Coordinator any time if you
have questions.
- What are some of the shows that have
been done?
-
TCUC’s ShowGroup has performed at the
Mall of America, half-time shows for major
athletic events, Boy Scout Blue & Gold
banquets, school shows, and for many other
occasions.
- Has ShowGroup ever won a
competition?
-
TCUC’s ShowGroup holds the 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and
2004 National Club Champion titles, and the
1996, 1998, and 2002 World Group Championship
titles. In addition, many members of
ShowGroup are national and world champions
in a variety of unicycling events.
- Can I go to ShowGroup practices if I’m
not in ShowGroup?
-
Generally, no. We do allow the family
members of ShowGroup unicyclists to
practice, provided they make an effort to be
inconspicuous.
Conventions
- Are there any local unicycling
conventions?
-
Yes. TCUC typically sponsors a regional
event in the spring, This is a day filled with
unicycling activities, workshops, and fun
events. The regional event gives everyone a
chance to compete at the local level and to
practice for competing at national and
international levels. All club members are
welcome and encouraged to attend the
regional event.
- Should I attend the North American
Unicycling Championships and
Convention (NAUCC)?
-
Yes! The NAUCC is a lot of fun for unicyclists
of all ages and skills. This annual event
is usually held in late July with races, artistic
competitions, workshops, and a public show.
The 2005 NAUCC will be held in Bowling
Green, Ohio.
- What is Unicon?
-
Unicon is the International Unicycle
Convention, held every two years. TCUC
members have been a strong force at
Unicons, often taking home world champion
unicycling titles. The site for Unicon 2006 is
Switzerland. Previous Unicons have been
held in Beijing, China (2000), Seattle,
Washington (2002), and Tokyo, Japan (2004).
You can learn more about Unicon by visiting
the website: http://www.unicycling.org/iuf
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