The first ever unicyclist joined 200-plus riders and attended the Sixth Annual Loon Echo Land Trust Bike Trek several Saturdays ago, cycling over scenic and challenging Maine roads to raise money to help protect land for future generations.
No unicyclist has ever attempted the trek before until Raymond resident, Corrie Van Hasterren, decided to give it a try. A significant accomplishment in itself, this feat is more special because Corrie is only 13 years old!
What led a 13-year-old to pedal 25 miles on a unicycle? Apparently, I was a factor in his decision. During a camping trip this summer, a group of Raymond families were sitting around the campfire. My friends, who realize I love cycling and pedal thousands of miles each year, were asking questions about my upcoming attempt at the Mt. Washington bike race.
Because I knew Corrie had a unicycle, I mentioned that a handful of unicyclists raced Mt. Washington in 2005. Although he did not comment much at the time, a few days later I received an email from his mom who wanted me to know that “Corrie had become obsessed with riding and was hoping to race up Mt. Washington some day.” She claimed I inspired him!
For the remainder of the summer, Corrie could be seen logging miles up and down the hills of Raymond as he perfected his riding. Corrie is extremely talented with his unicycle and can perform jumps, tricks and even climb stairs. Distance riding was somewhat new to him but before long, he was riding several miles at a time with ease.
How does a 13 year old begin unicycling? According to his mother, Ellen, she was searching for a Christmas gift a few years ago and saw a unicycle hanging in the window of a bicycle shop. Having always had a secret desire to try one herself, she purchased it on a whim. Over the course of the next several months, Corrie practiced and became quite good. He has since upgraded to a better unicycle and is well versed in unicycling technology.
Although the weather forecast for Saturday assured me it would not rain until early afternoon, I was soaked within moments after I began riding at 8 a.m. Of the three treks offered by Loon Echo, 25, 50 and 100 miles, I had chosen to do the century. Many of those who pre-registered did not ride at all, and several turned back or quit altogether due to the rain. Despite the discomfort I experienced, I did not quit. I thought of Corrie on his unicycle. As I shifted through the multiple gears my bicycle offers to make pedaling easier, I thought of Corrie. His unicycle has only one gear. As I used my handlebars to shift my weight, change positions and use my upper body to help relieve stiffness and soreness, I thought of Corrie. He was pedaling without the comfort and security of handlebars.
I was not at all surprised to see Corrie at the end of the day. He successfully completed the trek and accomplished his goal. He did not quit. In fact, he was talking about saving his money for a unicycle with gears and a larger wheel. He was also talking about doing the 50-mile trek next year!
In an era when our children are more overweight than ever and in a culture which nurtures electronic toys, iPods, cell phones and excessive television viewing, this boy was riding his unicycle 25 miles in the pouring rain on a Saturday morning in September. He claims I inspired him. Maybe I did, but I feel he is the true inspiration.
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