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Unicycle world record bid

Sam Wakeling

Last updated: 01 October 2007

Sam Wakeling from Aberystwyth smashed the World Record for the greatest distance covered on a unicycle in 24 hours on 30 September 2007. Read Sam's take on his passion for unicycling and his world record attempt.

  • Sam Wakeling's world record bid...


  • "I am a final year Computer Science undergraduate student at Aberystwyth University and plan to raise this world record distance to between 250 and 300 miles.

    The current record stands at 235.3 miles (378.7km), set in 2005 by Ken Looi in New Zealand.

    This will involve riding my giant 36-inch-wheeled unicycle with customised handlebars around a 400m track at Aberystwyth University over 1000 times between 10am Saturday to 10am Sunday 30 September 2007.

    It will probably be the most exhausting thing I have ever done, but I wouldn't plan an attempt at this record if there wasn't a chance of breaking it.

    This unicycle has become my main form of transport, and my longest distance is 150 miles in a day when I rode to Manchester recently so I have a fairly good idea of what it may feel like.

    It means getting into a good, steady rhythm at 14-15mph, and then sticking at it for several hours at a time between short breaks. I'll be trying to take off no more than about ten minutes at a time until the finish. I use a customised air-cushioned saddle for maximum possible comfort.

    I hope to have lots of my friends come along to help me get through the endless hours because I'll need all the support I can get to help me get through it, and to give it everything that I can.

    If anyone wants to come along, it will be great to have as many people as possible. Long distance unicycling is also still such a young sport that the boundaries haven't really been pushed far yet, so that's what I hope to do a bit more of.

    I can remember only a few years ago when I was holding onto walls and counting the number of pedal strokes that I could wobble along before falling off.

    It would have seemed crazy to think that I would be trying something like this now, counting in hundreds of miles not a few meters. But anyone can learn to unicycle - just get hold of one, and keep practicing."

    I also wants to use this feat to raise money for the charity Christian Aid, who work with partner organisations of all faiths and none around the world to tackle both the causes and effects of poverty.

    I learnt to unicycle four years ago, starting out as just something fun to try. I then learned on the internet about bigger-wheeled unicycles and people riding them on and off-road, and I have now become a regular unicycle off-road racer at 24-hour team endurance events such as Mountain Mayhem (the largest mountain bike 24hr race in Europe) and Sleepless In The Saddle.

    In 2005 I completed a 1000 mile, three week journey by unicycle from Land's End to John O'Groats with three other Aberystwyth students to raise money for the Christian International Development charity Tearfund, and I also completed the UK Three Peaks Challenge by unicycle with a group of the UK's top mountain unicyclists.

    In June 2008 I plan to compete with 60 of the world's top distance unicyclists at the first international 'Tour de France' style unicycle road-race, covering 800km in five days, to be held in Nova Scotia, Canada."

    Article written by Sam Wakeling

  • Junior Cycle Tour of Wales

  • your comments

    Phil Wharton New York City
    Sam, I am planning a 100 mile unicycle trip in Western US this summer. Do you know where I could get seats and handlebars that would be suitable for long distance? Thanks and congratulations.
    Wed Jan 7 15:46:59 2009

    Samuel Farmer, sussex
    You are amazing! I am hoping to unicycle john o groats to land end next year, just need a coker now! well done on your amazing acheivement!!
    Mon May 26 22:20:45 2008

    Rabi from Kano
    Well done Sam! I am a distance learning student of Aberystwyth. Had I been on campus I would have been on the track physically cheering you on. Amazing feat (where did you find the strength)? Sending cheers from Africa. Best wishes.
    Thu Oct 4 17:22:08 2007

    Dave Ackroyd, Transformers
    Well done - wondered what you'd been upto recently - just found out about this from Mr Packer being at a pub quiz last night - I must say you are an insane guy to unicycle that distance when there is the invention of the car that will do the hard work for you!
    Wed Oct 3 13:44:11 2007

    Steve Coleman-Williams, Aberystwyth
    Was there for the most of it. Sam you're a trooper and did bloody well to thrash it by almost 50 miles! Glad to be a witness for you, have a well earnt rest, can't believe you were at church tonight!
    Mon Oct 1 08:49:50 2007

    Semach, from Nottingham
    Hey, Sam, good going there. I wished I could have been with you in person, but I was there in spirit. Very proud of what you've achieved.I look forward to seeing you in Nova Scotia!
    Sun Sep 30 11:58:10 2007

    Naomi, Manchester
    Yes, and I can manage short distances, but still do not find it at all easy. This is a huge and probably extremely painful project, and I wish Mr Wakeling every success, and a good recovery.
    Sun Sep 30 10:59:05 2007

    Unicus
    Well done Sam. 282 miles in 24hr is amazing.
    Sun Sep 30 10:54:23 2007

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