RAGBRAI FAQ

DO YOU HAVE GEARS?

Yes! I have a Schlumpf internal geared unicycle hub, which allows me to obtain a 1.55:1 gear ratio when I am in gear. The Schlumpf hub is made by Florian Schlumpf, a Swiss artisian & engineer. I change gears by clicking a small button with my heel while I am riding; the button is located where my crank bolt is at.

• Schlumpf hub specs: https://krisholm.com/en/gear/component/kh-schlumpf

• How to shift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yC4_X8-G9I&t=80s...

• How It’s Made TV segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aviAcrvfXo0...

• Florian’s website: https://www.florianschlumpf.swiss/index.php/en/

DO YOU HAVE A BRAKE?

Yes, I have a disc brake that I engage via a lever near my handlebars. The disc is attached to my crank. I never completely slam on the brakes, and instead I feather it, providing a small, light adjustment for small balancing needs.

CAN YOU FREEWHEEL?

No. I have to pedal 100% of the time. I cannot coast. (There exist freewheeling unicycle hubs, but I didn’t bring that one on RAGBRAI.)

WHAT IS HARDER, UPHILLS OR DOWNHILLS?

Downhills are harder for a few reasons.

1. The wheel wants to quickly and strongly go ‘out in front’ of me and down the hill, due to gravity. Keeping the wheel under me is a lot of work. The brake comes in quite handy here. I feather the brake in order to counteract gravity, and I’d find a nice easy cadence that’s a function of the downhill pull and braking. I then would ‘throw’ my feet in time with the wheel, but I wasn’t ‘doing’ much work.

2. Downhills are where the bicyclists (obviously) would go the fastest, and the difference between my speed and their speed was the greatest. I couldn’t see behind me so it was nerve wracking to have countless people passing me at 40 MPH.

3. On the uphills, I’m able to control the wheel much better.  I can stand up off the saddle, and go into an ellipitical type of motion.  The downhill pull is more naturally counteracted by my forward momentum (compared to when going downhill, they’re additive).

WHAT SPECS DO YOU RUN?

• Wheel size: 36”

• PSI: 55-60 psi

• Top Speed: 27.3 mph (!! New Record)

• Comfortable cruising speed: 13-14 mph

• Average speed for the entire day: 11 mph

• In gear, I cover 175 inches (14.6 feet) per one pedal rotation.

• Not in gear, I cover 113 inches (9.4 feet) per one pedal rotation.

• Kris Holm Unicycling frame, disc brake, and KH Spirit cranks

• Off-the-shelf mountain bike pedals

• Five10 mountain biking shoes

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN UNICYCLING?

Almost 9 years. I wanted to join a unicycle basketball team with my friends, so I learned to unicycle to join the team. I’ve participated in a few unicycle basketball world championships, earning a silver and bronze medal. Article and video about my former team. https://www.newtimesslo.com/.../a-balancing.../Content...

ARE YOU DOING THIS FOR A PUBLICITY STUNT / CHARITY / DARE?

No. I have not ridden my bicycle in eight years. I just prefer riding unicycles instead of bicycles. I own 11 unicycles and ride for my workouts. I ride in some parades on my 7 ft tall giraffe as well!  I’ve been on the front pages of the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times for riding the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parades.