It’s nonstop wheelie fun when you’re on a unicycle. Rachel Sindelar has been a one-wheel enthusiast for 18 years. Her parents found the family’s first unicycle at a garage sale for seven dollars. Sindelar was six at the time. Welcome to all-wheel drive! Soon Rachel, her two brothers, and her parents were hooked.
They started attending weekly night practices at their local Twin Cities Unicycle Club (TCUC) in Minnesota. Then the Sindelars joined TCUC’s Freestyle Team. They began competing at national and international levels.
Freestyle unicycling involves honing skills on a 20-inch wheel. Athletes compete in gyms where they defy gravity. They bounce, spin, ride on one side of the wheel, and much more. Some people pair off in dynamic dances.
“Riders are judged on both performance and skill level during their routine—similar to figure skating,” Sindelar says.
Sindelar says almost everything she learned about freestyle was taught to her by higher level riders in the community.
The Sindelars flew to Copenhagen, Denmark, for their first Unicycle World Championship (Unicon) in 2008. Different countries host the event every two years.
Sindelar says it was exciting to see fans of the sport on a global scale. Unicon attendees feel like one big family. “No matter age, skill level, or what type of unicycling one is interested in, the unicycle community is always excited to help each other grow and learn.”
This year marks Sindelar’s fifth time attending. She is now the Communications Director for Unicon 21. Bemidji, Minnesota, will host from July 14 to 26.
Unicon events include mountain unicycling (muni), road and track races, urban and freestyle contests, and team sports like basketball and hockey. Urban riders jump off handrails and ledges and bounce over stacks of crates.
Sindelar says acquiring unicycle skills took “lots of time and discipline.” Once she had mastery, she choreographed her own routines for competitions. She rehearsed for months to prepare for nationals and Unicon.
What is Sindelar most looking forward to at Unicon? Meeting old and new friends from across six continents! “Since joining the unicycling community, I have made lifelong friends who share the same interests and passions. Being able to travel around the world learning new skills has made me feel like I’m a part of something bigger.”
She also loves watching athletes pedal their skills. Riders amaze her with their talent. “The bar is raised every single time.”
Why? People find many activities that connect them to one another, but the strongest and best tie is being a part of the family of God through Jesus.
