Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Loving thine sister, big wheel style
Actor
Samuel Johnson is a charismatic man on a mission; to raise as much money as
possible for breast cancer research, in support of his sister who was diagnosed
with the terminal variety 2 years ago. The
way in which he is doing it is somewhat unique – to break the world record for
the longest journey travelled on a unicycle.
He has about 12000 km under the belt at present, and another ~4000 to
go. He started in Melbourne in Feb of
this year, crossing into South Australia, then north to Darwin via the endless
corrugations of the Oodanadatta track (which the mudge and I drove last year
and dreaded the thought of cycling), before traversing west to Broome, then
down to Perth. Then from Brisbane south
to Sydney, where he dropped in this morning for tea at the Garvan (aka work), and
to whom proceeds (already 1.1 mil) will be donated. Tassie and the Nullabor await! Quite a feat!
I once had a unicycle but could barely traverse the back yard without
being spat. Already Samuel must have a
bevy of amazing stories to tell. I’m
hoping a book will follow.
The
bike. 29 inches is so 2 wheels. A single 36 inch wheel does the trick,
whereby almost 3m is covered by a single revolution. Running 60 psi on the tarmac and a bit less
on the rough stuff. He is already onto the
15th inner tube, second tyre, second set of flat peddles, and about
the 5th hub, which is now custom built and over-engineered to prevent
the flanges from cracking (he cracked a few on the Ood, as well as the frame
itself) He rotates between 3 different
saddles to prevent things getting too uncomfortable. A disc rotor brake keeps things sane on the
downs.
Don’t
know if he was just donning his actors face but he seems to be really enjoying
it – I’m guessing both the extended periods of solitude interrupted by crazy
moments, such as the reception he got this morning, mixed in with the
satisfaction of prevailing for the greater purpose. It was truly inspiring to see him roll up to
the entrance, skillfully ease through the front door and weave through the
crowded lower level to the presentation area amidst raucous applause. It’s already one hell of a journey and I wish
him safe travels and good luck for the remainder.
Check
out “www.loveyoursister.org”, if you want to know more or throw a few clams in
his direction.
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