Unicon XIV, Copenhagen, Denmark 2008

Day 0, Friday July 25 We drove down from Kalmar, Sweden, stopping to play disc golf in Malmö, then drove across the bridge and picked up Beau's friend Luc at the Copenhagen airport.

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Day 0, Friday July 25 We drove down from Kalmar, Sweden, stopping to play disc golf in Malmö, then drove across the bridge and picked up Beau's friend Luc at the Copenhagen airport.

Day 2, Sunday July 27 After a relaxing day of disc golf, many reunions, and the opening ceremony and parade (sorry no photos), Unicon XIV competitions started with the 10km race early Sunda ...

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Day 2, Sunday July 27 After a relaxing day of disc golf, many reunions, and the opening ceremony and parade (sorry no photos), Unicon XIV competitions started with the 10km race early Sunda ...

We got off the train at the Vestamager station and noticed this nice sign while we headed over to the race. Just like Swedish, Danish is sometimes so easy: Her kommer 850 nye parkeringsplad ...

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
We got off the train at the Vestamager station and noticed this nice sign while we headed over to the race. Just like Swedish, Danish is sometimes so easy: Her kommer 850 nye parkeringsplad ...

Beau says "Why ride when you can glide?" And check out that new uni: KH36 with a geared Schlumpf hub, powder coated the right color.

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Beau says "Why ride when you can glide?" And check out that new uni: KH36 with a geared Schlumpf hub, powder coated the right color.

Here's an interesting geared hub. It's a 1:2.5 ratio system that makes for a very nice slow cadence. Mounting is not that easy though...

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Here's an interesting geared hub. It's a 1:2.5 ratio system that makes for a very nice slow cadence. Mounting is not that easy though...

In all, there were 391 competitors in the 10km race! It broke down like this: Standard (24" wheel max, 5" crank min): 291 (15 DQ) Unlimited (Any size, no restrictions): 100 (5 DQ) This p ...

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
In all, there were 391 competitors in the 10km race! It broke down like this: Standard (24" wheel max, 5" crank min): 291 (15 DQ) Unlimited (Any size, no restrictions): 100 (5 DQ) This p ...

Check out this system: pedals adapted to interface perfectly with the bottom of the shoe! Like clip-ins, but 100% safer.

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Check out this system: pedals adapted to interface perfectly with the bottom of the shoe! Like clip-ins, but 100% safer.

Nathan and Beau before the race.

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Nathan and Beau before the race.

The racers started from slowest to fastest. Of course Chuck started in the last group (there were over 25 groups). Here he is calmly cruising along enroute to destroying the old world record ...

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
The racers started from slowest to fastest. Of course Chuck started in the last group (there were over 25 groups). Here he is calmly cruising along enroute to destroying the old world record ...

Ken Looi in second place, but he later tangled with a slower rider and lost many places.

2008-08-27T17:21:58Z

Nathan Hoover
Ken Looi in second place, but he later tangled with a slower rider and lost many places.

Beau (eventual second place) and Tony (eventual 4th place)

2008-08-27T04:23:35Z

Nathan Hoover
Beau (eventual second place) and Tony (eventual 4th place)

Sam, Dustin, Nathan and Kjetil, all ungeared. Dustin took 3rd overall and Sam 5th - both breaking the previous world record.

2008-08-27T04:25:08Z

Nathan Hoover
Sam, Dustin, Nathan and Kjetil, all ungeared. Dustin took 3rd overall and Sam 5th - both breaking the previous world record.

Making a sharp right turn onto the gravel section. Look at Dustin's handle system!

2008-08-27T16:13:19Z

Nathan Hoover
Making a sharp right turn onto the gravel section. Look at Dustin's handle system!

Jure of Slovenia followed by Thomas from Denmark lining up for the turn.

2008-08-27T04:27:02Z

Nathan Hoover
Jure of Slovenia followed by Thomas from Denmark lining up for the turn.

Irene

2008-08-27T04:27:17Z

Nathan Hoover
Irene

Chuck finished in 20:01.4 followed by Beau in 21:33.1 giving California a 1-2 victory! They both rode geared up KH36s. The old WR was 22:16.6 set by Patrick Schmid at Unicon XIII and was b ...

2008-08-27T16:14:42Z

Nathan Hoover
Chuck finished in 20:01.4 followed by Beau in 21:33.1 giving California a 1-2 victory! They both rode geared up KH36s. The old WR was 22:16.6 set by Patrick Schmid at Unicon XIII and was b ...

Lunch time back at the Søndermark School. Yum, ice-cream for dessert.

2008-08-27T16:19:42Z

Nathan Hoover
Lunch time back at the Søndermark School. Yum, ice-cream for dessert.

In the afternoon, we had a disc golf tournament at the nearby Valbyparken Disc Golf Park. This course is great in that each hole as 3 different tee positions (Beginner, Expert, Pro) and is r ...

2008-08-27T04:41:52Z

Nathan Hoover
In the afternoon, we had a disc golf tournament at the nearby Valbyparken Disc Golf Park. This course is great in that each hole as 3 different tee positions (Beginner, Expert, Pro) and is r ...

Petra putting on hole #11.

2008-08-27T04:42:11Z

Nathan Hoover
Petra putting on hole #11.

Jure was the surprise player. He had never played before (so he said) but was really good!

2008-08-27T04:42:35Z

Nathan Hoover
Jure was the surprise player. He had never played before (so he said) but was really good!

In the evening, we had the junior expert and expert pairs freestyle competitions. Here the expert pairs are warming up.

2008-08-27T16:21:30Z

Nathan Hoover
In the evening, we had the junior expert and expert pairs freestyle competitions. Here the expert pairs are warming up.

Yuka Sakaino and Mami Kawamura of Japan did a great routine and ended up with bronze medals.

2008-08-27T04:45:12Z

Nathan Hoover
Yuka Sakaino and Mami Kawamura of Japan did a great routine and ended up with bronze medals.

They're out there having fun.

2008-08-27T04:45:25Z

Nathan Hoover
They're out there having fun.

Till Wohlfarth and Juliane Auth did a bunch of great tricks like this. They ended up 4th.

2008-08-27T04:46:28Z

Nathan Hoover
Till Wohlfarth and Juliane Auth did a bunch of great tricks like this. They ended up 4th.

My personal favorites were Ryohei Matsuda and Karan Terata from Japan. Their routine was stunning, but they only won silver.

2008-08-27T04:47:33Z

Nathan Hoover
My personal favorites were Ryohei Matsuda and Karan Terata from Japan. Their routine was stunning, but they only won silver.

Great stuff, right in front of the judges.

2008-08-27T04:47:53Z

Nathan Hoover
Great stuff, right in front of the judges.

The audience loved them.

2008-08-27T04:48:13Z

Nathan Hoover
The audience loved them.

The Matsunaga sisters from Japan - they got 5th place

2008-08-27T04:48:48Z

Nathan Hoover
The Matsunaga sisters from Japan - they got 5th place

While Beau and Nathan aren't doing Muni or distance riding, they practice this trick all the time. Of course... we get our legs higher and straighter!

2008-09-01T07:33:02Z

Nathan Hoover
While Beau and Nathan aren't doing Muni or distance riding, they practice this trick all the time. Of course... we get our legs higher and straighter!

Another interesting position, no doubt much easier in a long flowing dress.

2008-08-27T16:23:00Z

Nathan Hoover
Another interesting position, no doubt much easier in a long flowing dress.

She must've had an itch on her head that needed scratching.

2008-08-27T16:22:39Z

Nathan Hoover
She must've had an itch on her head that needed scratching.

Gilles Saudan and David Maillard of Switzerland had many unique and crowd-pleasing tricks along with a fantastic presence. They won gold.

2008-08-27T13:34:39Z

Nathan Hoover
Gilles Saudan and David Maillard of Switzerland had many unique and crowd-pleasing tricks along with a fantastic presence. They won gold.

Try this one sometime. How hard can it be?

2008-08-27T04:51:35Z

Nathan Hoover
Try this one sometime. How hard can it be?

Look, it's a unicycle standing by itself.

2008-08-27T04:51:51Z

Nathan Hoover
Look, it's a unicycle standing by itself.

To say the crowd loved these guys is a real understatement.

2008-08-27T04:52:09Z

Nathan Hoover
To say the crowd loved these guys is a real understatement.

After the competition, a double-saddled (read: "trouble") unicycle came out. Here Jacinto is trying to figure out interesting tricks on it.

2008-09-01T07:36:44Z

Nathan Hoover
After the competition, a double-saddled (read: "trouble") unicycle came out. Here Jacinto is trying to figure out interesting tricks on it.

Of course David and Gilles want to ride it double. Not quite successful.

2008-09-01T07:37:25Z

Nathan Hoover
Of course David and Gilles want to ride it double. Not quite successful.

Let's try a uni-spin.

2008-08-27T04:53:26Z

Nathan Hoover
Let's try a uni-spin.

This might hurt...

2008-08-27T04:53:36Z

Nathan Hoover
This might hurt...

Day 3, Monday July 28th We take a trip downtown to do some sight-seeing.

2008-08-27T04:58:18Z

Nathan Hoover
Day 3, Monday July 28th We take a trip downtown to do some sight-seeing.

We crossed over into Christianshavn.

2008-08-27T05:00:36Z

Nathan Hoover
We crossed over into Christianshavn.

Grace loved this steeple made of dragon tails. The building is from the 17th century and currently houses the Stock Exchange. Copenhagen is full of great stuff like this.

2008-08-27T16:25:21Z

Nathan Hoover
Grace loved this steeple made of dragon tails. The building is from the 17th century and currently houses the Stock Exchange. Copenhagen is full of great stuff like this.

Having lunch at a nice outdoor restaurant.

2008-08-27T05:01:20Z

Nathan Hoover
Having lunch at a nice outdoor restaurant.

The view from the Rundetårn (Round Tower). You can see all of Copenhagen. The tower was completed in 1642 and is 35m high.

2008-08-27T05:03:36Z

Nathan Hoover
The view from the Rundetårn (Round Tower). You can see all of Copenhagen. The tower was completed in 1642 and is 35m high.

In the evening, we do a Long Distance Unicycling Workshop. Here Jure generously brings us necessary supplies.

2008-08-27T16:29:32Z

Nathan Hoover
In the evening, we do a Long Distance Unicycling Workshop. Here Jure generously brings us necessary supplies.

Day 4, Tuesday July 29 Today is the marathon day. We took a bunch of busses over to the venue at 7:30am. Chuck is ready to race.

2008-08-27T16:29:50Z

Nathan Hoover
Day 4, Tuesday July 29 Today is the marathon day. We took a bunch of busses over to the venue at 7:30am. Chuck is ready to race.

Connie always makes sure things work.

2008-08-27T05:06:18Z

Nathan Hoover
Connie always makes sure things work.

Arne having a good time warming up.

2008-08-27T05:06:32Z

Nathan Hoover
Arne having a good time warming up.

Like the 10km there were a lot of competitors this time, but unlike that race, 24" ungeared cycles are not allowed. So that reduces the number of racers to 105. There were 19 female (1 DQ) a ...

2008-08-27T05:09:18Z

Nathan Hoover
Like the 10km there were a lot of competitors this time, but unlike that race, 24" ungeared cycles are not allowed. So that reduces the number of racers to 105. There were 19 female (1 DQ) a ...

Timer

2008-08-27T05:09:29Z

Nathan Hoover
Timer

Signe, who won the women's race by over 6 minutes.

2008-08-27T05:10:06Z

Nathan Hoover
Signe, who won the women's race by over 6 minutes.

Nathan and Arne

2008-08-27T05:10:21Z

Nathan Hoover
Nathan and Arne

8:58am. Since we weren't using timing chips and had a different starting and finishing place, it was possible to do the logical thing and let the fastest riders go first. Group 1 lines up - ...

2008-08-27T16:32:30Z

Nathan Hoover
8:58am. Since we weren't using timing chips and had a different starting and finishing place, it was possible to do the logical thing and let the fastest riders go first. Group 1 lines up - ...

9:00am, Chuck wearing two gloves, let the race begin.

2008-08-27T16:32:24Z

Nathan Hoover
9:00am, Chuck wearing two gloves, let the race begin.

And they're off!

2008-08-27T05:14:13Z

Nathan Hoover
And they're off!

0.2 seconds later

2008-08-27T05:14:30Z

Nathan Hoover
0.2 seconds later

0.4 seconds into the race

2008-08-27T05:14:40Z

Nathan Hoover
0.4 seconds into the race

0.6 seconds

2008-08-27T16:33:02Z

Nathan Hoover
0.6 seconds

0.8 seconds

2008-08-27T16:33:08Z

Nathan Hoover
0.8 seconds

Chuck in the lead after 1 second

2008-08-27T05:15:13Z

Nathan Hoover
Chuck in the lead after 1 second

1.2 seconds

2008-08-27T05:15:25Z

Nathan Hoover
1.2 seconds

1.4 seconds

2008-08-27T05:15:37Z

Nathan Hoover
1.4 seconds

1.6 seconds

2008-08-27T05:15:44Z

Nathan Hoover
1.6 seconds

1.8 seconds

2008-08-27T05:15:55Z

Nathan Hoover
1.8 seconds

Group 2 starting exactly 2 minutes after the first group.

2008-08-27T05:16:22Z

Nathan Hoover
Group 2 starting exactly 2 minutes after the first group.

There we go. Nathan and Irene are both hitting the start buttons. Signe is just concentrating on speed.

2008-08-27T16:34:18Z

Nathan Hoover
There we go. Nathan and Irene are both hitting the start buttons. Signe is just concentrating on speed.

Group 3

2008-08-27T05:16:40Z

Nathan Hoover
Group 3

Group 3, Tim and his son Brent at right

2008-08-27T16:35:53Z

Nathan Hoover
Group 3, Tim and his son Brent at right

Group 4

2008-08-27T05:18:10Z

Nathan Hoover
Group 4

Group 5

2008-08-27T05:18:17Z

Nathan Hoover
Group 5

Group 7

2008-08-27T05:18:38Z

Nathan Hoover
Group 7

43 minutes into the race, Ken cruises. He ended up with 2nd place overall in 1:29:24.9, well under the old WR of 1:32:47.

2008-08-27T05:19:40Z

Nathan Hoover
43 minutes into the race, Ken cruises. He ended up with 2nd place overall in 1:29:24.9, well under the old WR of 1:32:47.

Tony ended up with 2nd place in the 26-42 age group in 1:34:21.

2008-08-27T16:37:27Z

Nathan Hoover
Tony ended up with 2nd place in the 26-42 age group in 1:34:21.

Martin (winner of male 0-17 1:35:24), Dustin (4th place 18-25 1:35:00) and Sam (3rd place 18-25 1:34:58.6). These guys dueled it out the whole way. Note the traditional thatched roof on the ...

2008-09-01T07:46:47Z

Nathan Hoover
Martin (winner of male 0-17 1:35:24), Dustin (4th place 18-25 1:35:00) and Sam (3rd place 18-25 1:34:58.6). These guys dueled it out the whole way. Note the traditional thatched roof on the ...

Tue (3rd place 26-42 in 1:38). Now you can see the peak of the thatched roof construction.

2008-09-01T07:47:42Z

Nathan Hoover
Tue (3rd place 26-42 in 1:38). Now you can see the peak of the thatched roof construction.

John (2nd place 43+ in 1:48). As red-faced and huffing had, he can gesture "Hi!"

2008-09-01T07:48:47Z

Nathan Hoover
John (2nd place 43+ in 1:48). As red-faced and huffing had, he can gesture "Hi!"

Chirstof (9th place 26-42 in 1:56) with a "I'm hanging on there" gesture.

2008-09-01T07:49:22Z

Nathan Hoover
Chirstof (9th place 26-42 in 1:56) with a "I'm hanging on there" gesture.

Irene and Sheila, 2nd and 3rd overall in 1:52:42 and 1:53:19, and Irene manages a beautiful smile! Kevin Gilbertson in the far right.

2008-09-01T07:51:02Z

Nathan Hoover
Irene and Sheila, 2nd and 3rd overall in 1:52:42 and 1:53:19, and Irene manages a beautiful smile! Kevin Gilbertson in the far right.

You can't tell from this photo, but Nathan is dying here and thinking of quitting. Luckily, this photo opportunity made him determined to keep riding for the moment. After that, Nathan says, ...

2008-09-01T07:52:35Z

Nathan Hoover
You can't tell from this photo, but Nathan is dying here and thinking of quitting. Luckily, this photo opportunity made him determined to keep riding for the moment. After that, Nathan says, ...

Jure who just beat 2 hours to take 13th place in 18-25 (1:59:48)

2008-08-27T05:28:02Z

Nathan Hoover
Jure who just beat 2 hours to take 13th place in 18-25 (1:59:48)

Hans took 5th place in 43+ with 1:58:02

2008-08-27T16:39:08Z

Nathan Hoover
Hans took 5th place in 43+ with 1:58:02

Tim took 8th place in 43+ with 2:03

2008-08-27T05:28:50Z

Nathan Hoover
Tim took 8th place in 43+ with 2:03

Chuck sure looks calm, but actually he's blasting along here. He ended up with a time of 1:27:08.74 beating the old WR by over 5 1/2 minutes. His "kneepads" look a little suspicious though.

2008-08-27T16:39:38Z

Nathan Hoover
Chuck sure looks calm, but actually he's blasting along here. He ended up with a time of 1:27:08.74 beating the old WR by over 5 1/2 minutes. His "kneepads" look a little suspicious though.

Sam and Martin, still dueling on lap 2.

2008-08-27T05:30:39Z

Nathan Hoover
Sam and Martin, still dueling on lap 2.

Dustin right behind

2008-08-27T05:30:57Z

Nathan Hoover
Dustin right behind

Beau looks happy. It must've been an act though as he had a really hard race and finished over 3 minutes behind Martin for 2nd place in 0-17 (1:38:42)

2008-08-27T16:40:16Z

Nathan Hoover
Beau looks happy. It must've been an act though as he had a really hard race and finished over 3 minutes behind Martin for 2nd place in 0-17 (1:38:42)

Scott took 3rd behind Beau in 0-17 in 1:46

2008-08-27T05:32:44Z

Nathan Hoover
Scott took 3rd behind Beau in 0-17 in 1:46

Look at Signe's style. It's just a walk in the park for her. She ended up (first place of course) at 1:46:34, beating her old time from Unicon XIII by 15 minutes. That's Dimitri next to her ...

2008-08-27T05:35:18Z

Nathan Hoover
Look at Signe's style. It's just a walk in the park for her. She ended up (first place of course) at 1:46:34, beating her old time from Unicon XIII by 15 minutes. That's Dimitri next to her ...

Here we have a stealth racer on an ungeared 29er with long cranks. Her eventual time was 3:29 - not the right cycle for this race.

2008-08-27T05:36:38Z

Nathan Hoover
Here we have a stealth racer on an ungeared 29er with long cranks. Her eventual time was 3:29 - not the right cycle for this race.

Jure on his second lap

2008-08-27T05:37:25Z

Nathan Hoover
Jure on his second lap

Nathan feeling much better.

2008-08-27T05:37:40Z

Nathan Hoover
Nathan feeling much better.

Pretty hammered at the end.

2008-08-27T05:37:51Z

Nathan Hoover
Pretty hammered at the end.

One of the trailers with a bunch of 36ers.

2008-08-27T05:38:12Z

Nathan Hoover
One of the trailers with a bunch of 36ers.

On the bus home, Beau eating pure honey.

2008-08-27T05:38:32Z

Nathan Hoover
On the bus home, Beau eating pure honey.

Dave eating pure Nutella. Purity is good. Luc looks on in wonder.

2008-08-27T05:38:59Z

Nathan Hoover
Dave eating pure Nutella. Purity is good. Luc looks on in wonder.

The Street Comp was in the afternoon at the Søndermark School

2008-08-27T05:40:09Z

Nathan Hoover
The Street Comp was in the afternoon at the Søndermark School

It was much nicer than at Unicon XIII which featured 40C temperatures the day of the Street Comp

2008-08-27T05:40:57Z

Nathan Hoover
It was much nicer than at Unicon XIII which featured 40C temperatures the day of the Street Comp

Looks a little scary.

2008-08-27T05:43:00Z

Nathan Hoover
Looks a little scary.

Crash coming up...

2008-08-27T08:25:54Z

Nathan Hoover
Crash coming up...

Another interesting uni-position

2008-08-27T08:26:13Z

Nathan Hoover
Another interesting uni-position