Being Prepared to Travel to a Unicycle Event

Every year, there are a number of events hosted around the country that are dedicated to adherents of the single wheel cycle. Just a few of these are S.T.O.M.P. Muni fest, Moab Munifest, UNICON (generally held every two years) and NAUCC, or the North American Unicycling Convention and Competition, at which various unicycling sports, disciplines and competitions are showcased. 

These events bring together a diverse array of people from various backgrounds who are all united in one thing: their pursuit of mastery over the unicycle. The cool thing is that you will get a chance to meet some like-minded people. The catch is that you should be prepared, and properly, for these events. 

Often it’s the case that participants don’t prepare for what they need to bring to these events, assuming they’ll just be able to buy what they need when they get there. That is not always the case and often it is expressly not the case. 

That being said, here are some high-level notes for being better prepared for a unicycling event in your future. 

Be Ready with Your Single-Wheel Cycles 

First, and the most straightforward piece of advice we can offer, is to make sure you bring the single wheel cycles that you know you will need for whatever events you will be participating in. Not only should you want to bring your own ride but you won’t be able to get one where you’re going, despite the fact that it is some sort of unicycle convention. 

So, if that means you need a 20” for freestyle or trick riding, and a 27.5 or 29 inch model for mountain riding, then make sure you pack each appropriately and bring them with you. 

Also, do yourself a favor and pack them responsibly. You don’t want your single wheel cycles to be damaged in transit, especially if you won’t just be driving yourself and you’ll be flying with them or otherwise taking some form of public transit. 

Everyone has their own advice on how to properly pack and travel with a unicycle, so do what works for you. You don’t necessarily need to take the thing apart (as you’d do with a penny farthing to save space) but you will want to make sure it is properly covered and cushioned so as to avoid damage.

With that being said, and while you should bring along the single wheel cycles you know you will need for whatever events you plan on participating in, it is also true that you should plan on traveling with as few as you can. Traveling with one unicycle is hard enough, once you plan to pack two or three, it gets even harder. 

Bring What You Need (Unicycle Parts and Tools)

This is the second most important piece of advice we can offer. There will be other participants at these events that will likely have any tools you might need, but there’s no guarantee of that, and there’s a very low chance that if you need spare parts, you’ll be able to get them from other participants. And, even if you could, those participants brought their spare parts for them, not to save you from your own lack of foresight. Relying on the charity of strangers is not very neighborly.

More importantly, do not assume that, despite the fact that you’re planning on going to a unicycle convention of sorts, that you will be able to get any spare unicycle parts or hardware that you need there. In fact, you almost definitely will not be able to. 

So the first thing to keep in mind is to bring the tools you need to make repairs, should you need to. This includes a set of wrenches and a tire pump as definite must-haves. You should also bring tire levers in case you need to replace a tire or tube to repair a flat. The truth is you’ll probably be able to find someone else at the event that has tools you need, should you need to make repairs, but that’s no way to prepare, and still, you don’t want to put yourself in a position where you are at the mercy of chance. 

As for the parts themselves, you do not want to travel without these because if you get to the event and find you need them, you almost definitely will not be able to get the parts there. And, while other participants might have tools like a pump or a wrench that they’ll let you borrow, they’re not going to be ready with a replacement tube for your unicycle. 

So, you should bring along a spare tube or a couple. You might also want to bring along some spare cranks just in case. Otherwise, you should be more or less prepared for the event. 

Lean on Participants for Know-How

One of the main pieces of information we hope you take away from this article is that you’re not going to be able to get replacement parts for your unicycle wherever you’re going, despite the fact that it is a unicycle convention. 

But, one big bonus of going to a unicycle convention, which will have a bunch of unicycle riders at it, is that there will be people around who will likely not only be able to help you make repairs, if they are needed, they will be more than likely thrilled to do so. 

One of the great things about our sport is that the community is very supportive. Unicyclists tend to be enthusiastic about unicycling and very welcoming of other unicyclists. So, even if you won’t be able to get a tube where you’re going, you will probably be able to find more than one person who will be more than happy to help you replace your tube when you get there. 

Make sure you’re ready with the tools and parts, but don’t be shy about asking for help when you’re at the convention, if you need it.

Shop Single Wheel Cycle Parts and Tools Here 

Fortunately, we can help you stock up on parts and tools for single wheel cycles before you travel for an event. Shop our online collection and if you have questions, get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to help.