Uni-Trivia: Interesting and Amusing Bits
Rick Bissell certainly has the "unibug". His "YOU MIGHT BE A UNI FREAK IF" section is great, if you can get past seeing dots on his web page.
Rick Bissell's "New" IUF Skill Levels would certainly be more easily attained. Or would they?
John Foss' site: Personal stuff and nice photos
Tammy and Tanya's Uni Page: So their Web Site's first page needs to lose weight, and their choice of colours will send web usability experts to a mental assylum, but I like the site's content. There's lots of useful info on tricks. And the site is charming. They even have names for their Unis. You mean you don't? Lighten up, Bub, and you'll have more fun. And to top it all off, they've been to Winnipeg, they like Canadians, and they know how to ride in snow.
Norco Trials Factory Team: Bios of Kris Holm and Ryan Leech, who visited and rode with us in Toronto. Helmeted and shin padded at all times, once you see what they do you'll understand why. Kris' uni has a 3" tire mounted on a double width rim. Serious rubber with full knobbies. Both these guys are pretty cool.
Uni-Spend all your Money Here: Retailers
Braun's Online is a Canadian retailer that sells unicycles over the internet. They're based in Kitchener, Ontario. They sell a Braun house brand in 20", 24" and 5' giraffe, and the whole Miyata line.
Unicycle Source - USA, 1486 Murdock Road, Marietta, GA. This site has a lot of useful info for selecting the right Uni for you. If you type in www.unicycle.com you'll also get this company. This is Kris Holm's sponsor.
Semcycle: I don't know about your club, but most of the hotshots ride Sems, so what does that tell you? You can purchase online
Miyata Unicycles: Look and research. You can order online. There's puky green or, for a higher price and better taste, chrome.
Uni-Juggling: Retailers
No, I'm not recommending you try magic while on your Uni, because chopping someone in half while on one wheel would be pretty difficult. "Oh by the way, did you know my idle needs some work?, Whoops, what's all that red stuff spurting from your stomache?" But if you juggle, and some of us do, juggling and unis seem to go well together.
Browser's Den of Magic: They carry good quality stuff like clubs, diablos, devil sticks, balls, rings, and other stuff, but no unis. You could also pick up a talking mannequin to accompany you on your rides. They aren't heavy. If you can get the owner, Jeff, to do some magic and prevent me from falling off my Uni while doing MUni, please let us know. The owner is cool and I've returned defective stuff there with no difficulties. Anyway they're at Eglinton and Bathurst, near the Allen Expressway, Toronto
Morrissey Magic: They have some Jugglebug unis in the window in 16" and 20", but you need to custom order. I didn't see a whole lot of good juggling stuff at the shop. They're also thin on any juggling books. They're near Dufferin and Lawrence, very near the Allen Expressway in Toronto and also near their Browser's Den competitors.
True Canadian Balls: I've never bought their stuff, but some stores carry their goods. "At True Canadian Balls we carry an extensive line of juggling supplies - juggling kits - juggling balls - beanbags - clubs - diabolos - rings - stageballs - devil sticks - cigar boxes - spinning plates - torches - knives - books - videos - stress balls - and more". They're in Dundas, Ontario.
brian dubé, inc.: They have all the neat juggling stuff you'd want, but also carry Semcycle XL unis in 20" or 24" ($175US) and uni books. Because they're in new York City you'll have to get them to ship it to you, and then there's the GST to worry about. If you have a friend or relative who is coming to Canada, or if you're going to the US, then they can carry it in for you.
Uni-News and Information
rec.sport.unicycling usegroup
e-mail discussion threads from unicycling.org.
Calendar for John Foss, and Northern CA MUni riders
Uni-R&D: New Advances in Uni-Science
Roger Davies offers a carbon fibre frame for a MUni. From England
Uni-Serious Stuff, like Rules, Resources
Unicycling.org: Unicycling on the Internet starts here. If you're not sure where to find what you want, it'll be here. If you're new to unicycling, start here. Lots of great articles.
International Unicycling Federation 1998 International Competition Rules: All the rules from freestyle competition to hockey.
Uni Roster for Canada is a little out of date
Unicycling Society of America's Website: What's happening in the US for unicycling. Become a member.
Association de Monocycle de Quebec: Run by Normand Beaumont, this club is based in Quebec City.
Uni-Purchases Over the Internet
Life's not always free rolling once you get off your uni, so some precautions are in order when purchasing over the internet:
- If you're going to put in your credit card number to a web site, ensure that you know the company you're dealing with. Before you type in your credit card number, ensure that the little lock on the bottom of your screen looks "locked" and turns yellow. This says that the transaction will be encrypted when it is sent back to the retailer's site.
- If you're really concerned about credit card security over the internet, designate one of your credit cards for online purchases and do not use this card for anything else. You can also call the credit card company and reduce your credit limit to, say $400/month.
- Check how much shipping will cost. This may be quite expensive. Surface is cheaper than air.
- Check the tax. If you're purchasing from outside your province or state, there should be no tax. If you're purchasing within your province or state you'll pay the applicable sales tax. If you're going for a short trip to the US you could ship your stuff to your destination, and bring the stuff back over with you and claim it with your overseas purchases, duty free.
- Returns are difficult at best. You may have to pay shipping twice, which would be a real pain. And then you would need to reclaim your GST from the government. Check that the company has an excellent reputation and return policy first.
- Use the Internet to research the companies you want to purchase from. What have other unicyclists said about dealing with the company and their products?
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