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View Full Version : Climbing a grade of 5.7%.........on one wheel


William
07-29-2010, 02:37 PM
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_atrK-jBKJKY/S5Wv6oOtTHI/AAAAAAAALG0/eyY8KePr9RU/s1600/st2.bmp


Simone Temperato, from Bassano del Grappa (VI), writes in with his most recent challenge which took place at the Giro di Sardegna (Sardinia) on February, 24th.

On the second stage of the race, Marcomer to Nuoro with the finish at Monte Ortobene, he was undertaking riding the last 7 km, at 5.7%, just on his rear wheel. Very strong wind gusts peaking 90 km/h were causing the front wheel to act as a sail so he decided to do the climb without one. This increased the danger in case of a fall.

"I never thought I would do it. I made one last effort to counter the sudden gusts of wind coming from all directions. It was a real ordeal. More than once I managed to do acrobatic maneuvers that saved my balance but eventually I made it. A great deal of credit belongs to my Sardinian friends that followed and accompanied me on the climb. They saw with their own eyes what has long become my motto 'The impossible does not exist yet!' "

Last we heard from Simone he was riding up Madonna del Ghisallo.

Simone's website is http://www.magicotempe.com/








Crazy!!! :cool:



William

eddief
07-29-2010, 03:01 PM
I was out doing my normal 20 mile loop the other day and cycled along side a woman on unicycle. This cycle had a big wheel that looked a 29er and this woman was extremely fit and fast...while climbing a significant grade. I was puffing on my two wheeled steed and she was spinning the uni like crazy.

think it was one of these:

http://www.ecovelo.info/2008/08/17/gallery-marks-nimbus-29er-commuting-unicycle/

bironi
07-29-2010, 06:45 PM
William,

I don't know if you caught this one, but might want to mute the music depending on your taste. Looks like the same dude to me.

http://www.wendmag.com/blog/2009/06/24/italian-wheelie-wonder/

Byron

William
07-30-2010, 07:28 AM
William,

I don't know if you caught this one, but might want to mute the music depending on your taste. Looks like the same dude to me.

http://www.wendmag.com/blog/2009/06/24/italian-wheelie-wonder/

Byron


I didn't see that one but I believe it is the same guy. I wonder how he locked out the bars/fork to keep it from swaying or flopping over? I couldn't see anything.....unless he's just so well balanced that he can keep it centered.




William

MarcusPless
07-30-2010, 08:57 AM
People ride RAGBRAI on unicycles every year. ~500 miles on one wheel, hills and all. Not sure which is crazier, the unicyclists or the (not particularly maneuverable) sail cyclists.

I suspect if you offered the bet you'd find a taker somewhere who would 'wheelie' across Iowa. Some of those guys will do anything to spice up the "river to river" ride. ;-)

--Marcus