The McLaughlin Unicyclists

Sioux Falls Bike to Work’s afternoon festivities will feature the McLaughlin Unicyclists—five brothers and sisters from Sioux Falls who began their immersion in unicycles in 1999. On the afternoon of May 18, the McLaughlin Unicyclists will showcase their skills and visit with those at Fawick Park.

The McLaughlin Unicyclists are Ann (17), Michael (15), Jennifer (14), Mark (10), and Marie (7). The McLaughlins began riding unicycles in 1999 when they bought a red, 12” unicycle ordered from the J.C. Penny catalog. The three older children learned to ride and, over time, taught the younger two. With help from books, videos, and an encouraging aunt the McLaughlins progressed from simple riding to more advanced activities. In time, they discovered the world of competitive unicycling and have aligned with the Twin Cities Unicycle Club.

Beginning in 2005, the McLaughlins began to compete in the North American Unicycling Championship in both individual and pair freestyle events. Freestyle unicycling is like figure skating where competitors perform routines to music demonstrating various turns, spins, jumps, and artistry before a panel of judges. Michael is the current national junior champion and will move up to the senior division this summer at the North American Championship in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The McLaughlins have participated in area parades, the Sioux Empire Fair, and basketball halftimes. They have formed the Sioux Falls Unicycle Club. This low-key club has no official place to practice and no regular meeting schedule. To find out more about the club be sure to visit with the McLaughlins on the afternoon at Bike to Work Day at Fawick Park.

For those who want to learn to ride a unicycle, the key ingredient needed is persistence. Find a safe, flat place to ride, and focus on making a partial revolution of the pedals. Grow on that to a full revolution, two revolutions, three, and then you’re off and pedaling! There is no coasting on a unicycle so riding a unicycle is a great work out. It develops your sense of balance and strengthens your abdomen. For those who want to advance in their unicycling, there are 10 skill levels identified by the United States Unicycling Association. Level 1 is simple riding and Level 10 is reserved for the most dedicated of riders. There are only nine Level 10 riders in the world.