Unicon XIII in Switzerland, July 22-Aug 6, 2006

Arriving in Langenthal, Switzlerand on Saturday, July 22, 2006, this storefront window was a good sign that we were in the right place.

2009-02-17T16:40:18Z

Nathan Hoover
Arriving in Langenthal, Switzlerand on Saturday, July 22, 2006, this storefront window was a good sign that we were in the right place.

Roger drove from England and stopped in France to shop for massive amounts of beer and wine where it's cheap. He generously shared with many people.

2009-02-17T16:39:55Z

Nathan Hoover
Roger drove from England and stopped in France to shop for massive amounts of beer and wine where it's cheap. He generously shared with many people.

Sunday: Huge parade through Langenthal as part of the opening ceremony

2009-02-17T16:38:52Z

Nathan Hoover
Sunday: Huge parade through Langenthal as part of the opening ceremony

[Video] Short clip shot while riding a Coker in the parade. 0:08.

2009-08-02T16:50:34Z

Nathan Hoover
[Video] Short clip shot while riding a Coker in the parade. 0:08.

All the locals came out to see us ride through their town

2009-08-02T14:46:53Z

Nathan Hoover
All the locals came out to see us ride through their town

Opening Ceremony in Markthalle

2009-08-02T15:21:12Z

Nathan Hoover
Opening Ceremony in Markthalle

Some of the people there

2009-02-17T16:39:53Z

Nathan Hoover
Some of the people there

Monday morning, it's time for a Muni ride! This is from the town of Beatenburg where we started riding up the Niederhorn. The lake is called the Thunersee and we had a fantastic swim in it a ...

2009-02-17T16:39:47Z

Nathan Hoover
Monday morning, it's time for a Muni ride! This is from the town of Beatenburg where we started riding up the Niederhorn. The lake is called the Thunersee and we had a fantastic swim in it a ...

Starting the ride - 800m to go.

2009-08-02T15:55:35Z

Nathan Hoover
Starting the ride - 800m to go.

Along the steep trail, 800m up the Niederhorn

2009-08-02T16:32:20Z

Nathan Hoover
Along the steep trail, 800m up the Niederhorn

Rest stop on the climb

2009-07-09T02:41:16Z

Nathan Hoover
Rest stop on the climb

Half-way up - in the background, the 3 famous peaks, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau - WOW!

2009-08-02T14:59:50Z

Nathan Hoover
Half-way up - in the background, the 3 famous peaks, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau - WOW!

Everyone having a great time

2009-08-02T14:56:41Z

Nathan Hoover
Everyone having a great time

On the summit of the Niederhorn

2009-08-02T17:10:01Z

Nathan Hoover
On the summit of the Niederhorn

Starting down a very steep hiking trail

2009-08-02T14:59:32Z

Nathan Hoover
Starting down a very steep hiking trail

On the descent

2009-02-17T16:41:57Z

Nathan Hoover
On the descent

Late afternoon at the train station in Thun, about to head back though Bern to Langenthal. There might be some sore legs in this photo from 800m of climbing and 1600m of descending!

2009-02-17T16:42:26Z

Nathan Hoover
Late afternoon at the train station in Thun, about to head back though Bern to Langenthal. There might be some sore legs in this photo from 800m of climbing and 1600m of descending!

Tuesday it's another Muni ride. Due to sore legs from the 1600m descent the day before, we had a small turnout for the second Muni ride. Only 3 of us did both rides. Heading up from Olten to ...

2009-08-02T14:34:48Z

Nathan Hoover
Tuesday it's another Muni ride. Due to sore legs from the 1600m descent the day before, we had a small turnout for the second Muni ride. Only 3 of us did both rides. Heading up from Olten to ...

These raspberries taste as good as any I've ever had - incredible.

2009-07-09T03:14:10Z

Nathan Hoover
These raspberries taste as good as any I've ever had - incredible.

Picking wild raspberries and strawberries

2009-08-02T16:01:59Z

Nathan Hoover
Picking wild raspberries and strawberries

After several hours of HOT climbing we are within a half hour of the summit. 3 of the Unis staysed here as the trail above is super steep.

2009-02-17T16:42:06Z

Nathan Hoover
After several hours of HOT climbing we are within a half hour of the summit. 3 of the Unis staysed here as the trail above is super steep.

Hiking up

2009-08-02T16:06:10Z

Nathan Hoover
Hiking up

On the rocky summit - great 360 degree view

2009-08-02T14:36:25Z

Nathan Hoover
On the rocky summit - great 360 degree view

[Video] Panorama from the summit of the Belchenfluh - 0:30.

2009-08-02T17:25:13Z

Nathan Hoover
[Video] Panorama from the summit of the Belchenfluh - 0:30.

Jamey riding down

2009-08-02T15:14:18Z

Nathan Hoover
Jamey riding down

We discovered a great trail for the descent - but this part looks steep

2009-02-17T16:39:56Z

Nathan Hoover
We discovered a great trail for the descent - but this part looks steep

Better walk this part

2009-08-02T14:46:54Z

Nathan Hoover
Better walk this part

Tuesday evening: Expert Pairs Freestyle: 3rd place winners Eri Toyosawa and Ryohei Matsuda.

2009-02-17T16:41:53Z

Nathan Hoover
Tuesday evening: Expert Pairs Freestyle: 3rd place winners Eri Toyosawa and Ryohei Matsuda.

Costume change! These are second place winners Sayaka Kan and Rina Tachibana.

2009-07-09T03:25:43Z

Nathan Hoover
Costume change! These are second place winners Sayaka Kan and Rina Tachibana.

This is not mountain unicycling

2009-08-02T14:33:22Z

Nathan Hoover
This is not mountain unicycling

Amazing position to ride in

2009-08-02T15:08:34Z

Nathan Hoover
Amazing position to ride in

Wednesday hanging out in our apartment with David Poznanter who dropped in from Salzburg for a couple of days

2009-08-02T15:17:19Z

Nathan Hoover
Wednesday hanging out in our apartment with David Poznanter who dropped in from Salzburg for a couple of days

We are well stocked

2009-08-02T14:48:18Z

Nathan Hoover
We are well stocked

Jess was selling copies of Defect

2009-08-02T15:13:21Z

Nathan Hoover
Jess was selling copies of Defect

The guestbook early on

2009-08-02T15:13:29Z

Nathan Hoover
The guestbook early on

Wednesday having a budget dinner: canned ravioli. It was amazing how much of this we went through durning the convention. Here, Jesper discovers a new use for Kris Holm wrist guards: pot-hol ...

2009-02-17T16:41:08Z

Nathan Hoover
Wednesday having a budget dinner: canned ravioli. It was amazing how much of this we went through durning the convention. Here, Jesper discovers a new use for Kris Holm wrist guards: pot-hol ...

Jeff Groves and David wearing his "Pro Rider" shirt

2009-08-02T15:59:49Z

Nathan Hoover
Jeff Groves and David wearing his "Pro Rider" shirt

Trials course

2009-08-02T15:13:59Z

Nathan Hoover
Trials course

Someone was always playing around on the course

2009-02-17T16:39:52Z

Nathan Hoover
Someone was always playing around on the course

Ryan Atkins gives a trials workshop

2009-08-02T15:54:32Z

Nathan Hoover
Ryan Atkins gives a trials workshop

Kevin McMullen and Beau with Kevin's Pro Rider shirt

2009-08-02T15:48:20Z

Nathan Hoover
Kevin McMullen and Beau with Kevin's Pro Rider shirt

The trials workshop moves downtown

2009-08-02T15:36:31Z

Nathan Hoover
The trials workshop moves downtown

Yoggi

2009-08-02T15:23:10Z

Nathan Hoover
Yoggi

David Poznanter

2009-08-02T15:27:12Z

Nathan Hoover
David Poznanter

What are they all watching?

2009-08-02T14:59:05Z

Nathan Hoover
What are they all watching?

Ryan inventing a great line

2009-02-17T16:43:13Z

Nathan Hoover
Ryan inventing a great line

Joe flies!

2009-02-17T16:41:13Z

Nathan Hoover
Joe flies!

Ben Plotkin-Swing

2009-08-02T14:38:18Z

Nathan Hoover
Ben Plotkin-Swing

Ryan

2009-02-17T16:39:54Z

Nathan Hoover
Ryan

David

2009-08-02T15:17:32Z

Nathan Hoover
David

Wednesday night is Expert Individual freestyle. Amy Shields looks great and wins 3rd place.

2009-02-17T16:40:49Z

Nathan Hoover
Wednesday night is Expert Individual freestyle. Amy Shields looks great and wins 3rd place.

Midnight snacks after the freestyle competition

2009-02-17T16:42:04Z

Nathan Hoover
Midnight snacks after the freestyle competition

Thursday Street Competition - Kevin McMullen took 2nd place

2009-08-02T14:59:14Z

Nathan Hoover
Thursday Street Competition - Kevin McMullen took 2nd place

Xavier Collos was the clear winner

2009-02-17T16:41:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Xavier Collos was the clear winner

He rides with such style!

2009-02-17T16:42:23Z

Nathan Hoover
He rides with such style!

Roger's uni-mobile

2009-08-02T14:53:27Z

Nathan Hoover
Roger's uni-mobile

Friday morning the Danish team gave 26 people a ride to Grindlewald for the Muni ride for a small payment. Everyone was happy since the train would've cost so much more. Also, instead of wor ...

2009-02-17T16:40:42Z

Nathan Hoover
Friday morning the Danish team gave 26 people a ride to Grindlewald for the Muni ride for a small payment. Everyone was happy since the train would've cost so much more. Also, instead of wor ...

The private railway from Grindlewald to Kleine Scheidegg wouldn't let us ride with our unicycles so we had an 1100m climb. Beau and Ben rode every foot of the way. This shot looks back towar ...

2009-08-02T15:37:27Z

Nathan Hoover
The private railway from Grindlewald to Kleine Scheidegg wouldn't let us ride with our unicycles so we had an 1100m climb. Beau and Ben rode every foot of the way. This shot looks back towar ...

Megumi walked all the way up and encountered this cow along the way

2009-08-02T15:05:45Z

Nathan Hoover
Megumi walked all the way up and encountered this cow along the way

The last kilometer was VERY steep. I gave up riding at this point, but Ben and Beau powered on

2009-02-17T16:40:11Z

Nathan Hoover
The last kilometer was VERY steep. I gave up riding at this point, but Ben and Beau powered on

[Video] Ben and Beau climbing the steep part up to Kleine Scheidegg. It was an 1100m climb from Grindlewald. 0:25.

2009-08-02T17:00:00Z

Nathan Hoover
[Video] Ben and Beau climbing the steep part up to Kleine Scheidegg. It was an 1100m climb from Grindlewald. 0:25.

Ben at the top of the steep part

2009-08-02T14:56:03Z

Nathan Hoover
Ben at the top of the steep part

Thomas from Poland at Kleine Scheidegg. An unexpected rainstorm came up so he improvised a jacket.

2009-08-02T15:44:13Z

Nathan Hoover
Thomas from Poland at Kleine Scheidegg. An unexpected rainstorm came up so he improvised a jacket.

Waiting for the last riders, staying dry under the eaves

2009-08-02T15:38:49Z

Nathan Hoover
Waiting for the last riders, staying dry under the eaves

The Eiger North face

2009-08-02T16:13:45Z

Nathan Hoover
The Eiger North face

Saturday, the 10km race! Riders getting psyched

2009-08-02T15:20:11Z

Nathan Hoover
Saturday, the 10km race! Riders getting psyched

The first group is off!!

2009-02-17T16:40:36Z

Nathan Hoover
The first group is off!!

Ryan, Daiki-san

2009-08-02T15:26:11Z

Nathan Hoover
Ryan, Daiki-san

There they go.

2009-02-17T16:40:57Z

Nathan Hoover
There they go.

Go Irene - she won ended up winning the women's race in 25:56

2009-08-02T16:19:09Z

Nathan Hoover
Go Irene - she won ended up winning the women's race in 25:56

Patrick Schmid of Switzerland, the winner, sets a new world record of 22:16

2009-08-02T15:36:49Z

Nathan Hoover
Patrick Schmid of Switzerland, the winner, sets a new world record of 22:16

Roger Davies and Ryan Atkins, dueling it out for 3rd and 4th place. Unfortunately Ryan crashed just before the finish. Roger 22:56, Ryan 24:08

2009-06-10T09:55:11Z

Nathan Hoover
Roger Davies and Ryan Atkins, dueling it out for 3rd and 4th place. Unfortunately Ryan crashed just before the finish. Roger 22:56, Ryan 24:08

Dustin Schaap from Holland takes 5th place in 23:20 Daiki-san takes 7th in 23:35

2009-02-17T16:39:15Z

Nathan Hoover
Dustin Schaap from Holland takes 5th place in 23:20 Daiki-san takes 7th in 23:35

Gilby takes 11th place in 24:57

2009-08-02T16:14:17Z

Nathan Hoover
Gilby takes 11th place in 24:57

Beau finishes in 25:13 for 12th place

2009-08-02T14:40:41Z

Nathan Hoover
Beau finishes in 25:13 for 12th place

Nathan takes 13th place in 25:28

2009-08-02T14:47:17Z

Nathan Hoover
Nathan takes 13th place in 25:28

Patrick Schmid 22:16, Ken Looi 22:51, Roger Davies 22:56

2009-08-02T15:55:14Z

Nathan Hoover
Patrick Schmid 22:16, Ken Looi 22:51, Roger Davies 22:56

Team Yellow: Nathan, Beau and Rob

2009-08-02T15:02:47Z

Nathan Hoover
Team Yellow: Nathan, Beau and Rob

7 riders from the Laos tour who competed in the 10km race: Jesper, Thomas, Tony, Ken, Nathan, Beau and Gilby.

2009-02-17T16:39:22Z

Nathan Hoover
7 riders from the Laos tour who competed in the 10km race: Jesper, Thomas, Tony, Ken, Nathan, Beau and Gilby.

It's possible to race 10km on any cycle, even a trials!

2009-02-17T16:42:44Z

Nathan Hoover
It's possible to race 10km on any cycle, even a trials!

Monday on a 65km ride inspecting the marathon course. Geoff went with us on roller blades

2009-02-17T16:40:30Z

Nathan Hoover
Monday on a 65km ride inspecting the marathon course. Geoff went with us on roller blades

My shadow

2009-06-10T10:07:53Z

Nathan Hoover
My shadow

My face

2009-06-10T09:59:48Z

Nathan Hoover
My face

The tallest 36" cycle you're likely to see. Jesper's new Hunter36.

2009-08-02T14:53:04Z

Nathan Hoover
The tallest 36" cycle you're likely to see. Jesper's new Hunter36.

Monday afternoon: the much-anticipated Basketball final. The Puerto Rico All-Stars (shown here) vs the Swiss Power Team

2009-02-17T16:43:26Z

Nathan Hoover
Monday afternoon: the much-anticipated Basketball final. The Puerto Rico All-Stars (shown here) vs the Swiss Power Team

Jose and Adrian both look pretty serious at the start of the game

2009-07-09T02:44:43Z

Nathan Hoover
Jose and Adrian both look pretty serious at the start of the game

Let's play ball!

2009-08-02T15:05:44Z

Nathan Hoover
Let's play ball!

Nathan Hoover's photo

2009-08-02T15:13:57Z

Nathan Hoover

At half time, Puerto Rico leads by one point - what a game!

2009-08-02T14:53:50Z

Nathan Hoover
At half time, Puerto Rico leads by one point - what a game!

Down by 4 with 31 seconds to play

2009-08-02T15:20:57Z

Nathan Hoover
Down by 4 with 31 seconds to play

The Swiss Power Team wins by one point! The All-stars are defeated for the second time in surely the most exciting game of Unicycle Basketball ever played.

2009-08-02T17:20:09Z

Nathan Hoover
The Swiss Power Team wins by one point! The All-stars are defeated for the second time in surely the most exciting game of Unicycle Basketball ever played.

Monday afternoon, Jess competing in the Schlumpf race. Florian Schlumpf donated a total of 5 geared unis at Unicon: one to the male and female winners of the 10km and 43km races plus one to ...

2009-02-17T16:40:07Z

Nathan Hoover
Monday afternoon, Jess competing in the Schlumpf race. Florian Schlumpf donated a total of 5 geared unis at Unicon: one to the male and female winners of the 10km and 43km races plus one to ...

Thread through the cones in low gear, shift, speed down to the end and return, downshift, thread the cones and cross the line. Beau at the start

2009-02-17T16:41:47Z

Nathan Hoover
Thread through the cones in low gear, shift, speed down to the end and return, downshift, thread the cones and cross the line. Beau at the start

Beau heading back

2009-02-17T16:40:24Z

Nathan Hoover
Beau heading back

Daiki cranking

2009-08-02T14:58:14Z

Nathan Hoover
Daiki cranking

Tuesday August 1 is Muni race day. We all ride the bus to a nearby cablecar and it takes a while for the hundreds and hundreds of people to get on the little chairs

2009-08-02T14:54:54Z

Nathan Hoover
Tuesday August 1 is Muni race day. We all ride the bus to a nearby cablecar and it takes a while for the hundreds and hundreds of people to get on the little chairs

We ended up bailing on the Expert race since it was so slippery from the rain. After doing the Easy race (Beau won his age group and took 2nd overall), we rode back down to the bottom on a f ...

2009-08-02T15:24:35Z

Nathan Hoover
We ended up bailing on the Expert race since it was so slippery from the rain. After doing the Easy race (Beau won his age group and took 2nd overall), we rode back down to the bottom on a f ...

Fun stuff!

2009-08-02T15:12:16Z

Nathan Hoover
Fun stuff!

Going down!

2009-08-02T15:06:13Z

Nathan Hoover
Going down!

The last event of Unicon was the 43km Marathon - my favorite race. The lead pack on the first of two loops, followed by the pace cars. Nice paceline!

2009-06-10T10:04:02Z

Nathan Hoover
The last event of Unicon was the 43km Marathon - my favorite race. The lead pack on the first of two loops, followed by the pace cars. Nice paceline!