Unicycle

Bicycles, tricycles and quadracycles share (with minor variations) several basic parts including wheels, pedals, cranks, forks, and the saddle with unicycles.

Many riders choose to use long cranks to increase power when riding up hills and over rough terrain.

They have a large wheel diameter, between 26 and 36 in (660 and 910 mm), so more distance is covered in less pedal rotation.

A 36″ unicycle made by the Coker Tire company started the big wheel trend.

Larger direct-drive wheels tend to have shorter cranks to allow for easier cadence and more speed.

Using props such as sticks or ski poles is generally discouraged as they hinder balance and create dependence.

Unicycling is arguably[weasel words] now as much a competitive sport and recreational pursuit as an entertainment activity.

In North America, regular unicycle basketball games are organized in Berkeley, San Luis Obispo, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Toronto.

The sport has active leagues in Germany, Switzerland, Australia and the UK and international tournaments held at least bi-annually.

Each tournament lasts a day and around 8 teams normally compete in a round-robin league with the winner being whoever has the most points.

If two teams have the same number of points the winner can be decided by goal difference or a penalty shoot-out.

APUC, the Asia Pacific Unicycle Championships, are held biannually, alternately with Unicon.

Winter EUC is usually held at Cologne, Germany, while locations of the summer edition vary.

[41] The world's first multi-stage unicycle race, Ride the Lobster, took place in Nova Scotia in June 2008.