forCycling.com - One Wheel-Many Spokes: USA by Unicycle by Lars Clausen

Product Description:


This unlikely story of a man riding a unicycle across America reveals an adventurous soul in search of his country and himself. Lars Clausen tells of his record-breaking 50-state unicycle trip from the West Coast to the Statue of Liberty and back again. He describes his spoke-by-spoke trek through a Mojave dust storm, past breathtaking, snow-capped Montana mountains, and close to a raging hurricane. Color photographs and watercolor illustrations of each state enhance his revelations about encounters with bikers, cops, and curious folk. This inspiring journey into the heart of America celebrates the hospitality of everyday people, reveals the splendor of out-of-the-way places, and explores Native American lands from coast to coast.

Customers' Reviews:

UNI, May 31, 2009

a classic story of energy and adventure on the fringe. a must read for all UNI riders and lovers.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful



Fun to read., November 3, 2006

This book is great, especialy fi you ride a unicycle. The trip makes each day a new story.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful



A Soulful Journey through the United States, August 1, 2004

You can't reach old age by another man's road. ~Mark Twain The One Wheel Many Spokes story helped to publicize the needs of the Inupiat Eskimos of the Seward Peninsula. Through this journey, Lars Clausen helped to earn money for an Endowment Fund to help a struggling tribe of Eskimos. The unicycle route starts on April 22, 2002 and ends on November 12, 2002. Riding across the country on a regular bike sounds pretty incredible, but to ride on a unicycle seems almost unbelievable. Yet this journey is recorded by Lars Clausen in glowing detail. He records his experiences in each state, conversations, special events he happens upon and explains how difficult it is to ride a bike in some states. Lars Clausen has a love for the writings of Mark Twain and many of them were familiar quotes that have probably inspired us all in various moments of our lives. I like the one about how disappointed we will be by the things we didn't do than by the ones we did do. In the process of traveling across America, Clausen also establishes the longest distance traveled by unicycle in a 24-hour period. He tells stories of caterpillars crossing roads, conversations with people he meets at convenience stores, traveling with his family, and the generosity of people he meets along the way. While on the road he also takes pictures of shampooing the Husky dogs after the skunk, pictures by state signs and his kids riding mini unicycles. He journeys through a Mojave Desert storm, cycles past snow-capped mountains and rides close to a raging hurricane in Louisiana. He also encounters Times Square Traffic! Clausen and his family are now volunteering at Holden Village, a retreat center in the heart of Washington's Cascade Mountains. His life is the perfect example of how you can set good into motion through loving decisions. ~The Rebecca Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful



Virtual Travel, June 19, 2004

I am at the Statue of Liberty with the One Wheel Crew! I literally cried when I read this part of the book. I could feel what it was like to accomplish this ride, and I could feel what it was like to be on the support crew too!! I am not traveling from Alaska this summer, so this has been a wonderful experience from my armchair or sittng on my deck. Beautiful writing and deep meaning are all part of this book. Congrats to those who made it possible! I am headed to the Pacific now, as Lars rides back!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful



Not just for cyclists, June 5, 2004

I wanted to take the trip again as soon as I put "One Wheel, Many Spokes" down.? Like other books on distance cycling ("Pedaling the Ends of the Earth", "Miles From Nowhere" and, of course, "It's Not About the Bike"), One Wheel is less about the bike and more about life and living.?? Lars is a remarkable person and his straightforward storytelling managed to capture me completely.? I had tears in my eyes for much of the book and was touched by what he saw and reflected on throughout his journey.? His connection with "the human experience" and that connection with the land resonated powerfully with me and I am lucky to have participated with him and his wonderful (extended) family in his journey.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

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