The 2010 New York Unicycle Festival is to be the first annual NYC unicycle event of  it’s kind. It is to take place in places around New York City September 3rd – 5th, 2010.  This three day event is being produced by Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc.  It will feature a distance ride on September 3 from Manhattan to Coney Island; a grand gathering on Governors Island on September 4; finishing up on Sunday September 5  with a gathering of unicyclist at the New York Unicycle Club’s meeting at Grant’s Tomb.

Friday, September 3, 2010  Coney Island Ride 2:00pm until after the 9:30 pm fireworks:

This day has been proclaimed by the Brooklyn borough President, Marty Markwitz as Brooklyn Unicycle Day. If you are experienced in riding in traffic and have a 26 inch or larger wheel and a recommended helmet. Meet on the east side of City Hall in Manhattan at 2:00 by the Brooklyn Bridge #4, 5 & 6 train station entrance. The 13 mile route begins at 3:00 pm traveling over the Brooklyn bridge, and then continuing through Brooklyn to Coney Island. You can join the ride from the beginning or along the route to Coney Island.  You can also just meet the group at Coney Island where we will gather after the ride. Hopefully many of you will stay for the Friday night fireworks at 9:30pm.  Coney Island also features the beach & boardwalk, Luna Park amusement rides and the New York Aquarium that closes at 6pm.

Brooklyn Unicycle Day schedule:  This ride is sponsored by Dino’s Wonder Wheel. The first 40 participants get to ride the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island for free.

• 2 pm  Meet Up on Manhattan side of Brooklyn Bridge.  Meet the group on the East side of City Hall Park (on Park Row) in front of the subway entrance for the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Station 4,5,6, (across the street from the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian entrance).
• 3 pm Cross Brooklyn Bridge (all wheel sizes are encouraged to join in on the Brooklyn Bridge crossing)
• 4 pm  Pass through Grand Army Plaza into Prospect Park.  We need to be through the park no later than 5 pm because the roadways open to automobile traffic at 5 pm.
• 5 pm  Enter the Ocean Parkway Bicycle Path
• 6 pm  Arrive at Coney Island Boardwalk in the vicinity of the stadium
• 7 pm  Coney Island Activities TBA
• 9:30 pm  Fireworks

Saturday, September 4, 2010 Main Event on Governors Island, Noon – 5:00pm:

• Organized games such as unicycle basketball and unicycle hockey. Rules will be based on the International Unicycling Federation’s guidelines.
• Workshops, ranging from learn-to-ride sessions to advanced skills instruction.
• Races and competitions. Rules will be based mostly on the International Unicycling Federation.
• A unicycle trials course. As in skateboarding and BMX, there is a community of unicyclists who will attempt to run obstacle courses on one wheel.
• A unicycle-vending area that invites dealers and vendors from across the country.
• Demonstration by the world renowned King Charles Troupe.
• International unicycle film series.

Governors Island Event Schedule:

• Noon Welcome to UniFest
• 12:10 pm Mass ride around Governors Island
• 12:30 pm Free Style Demonstrations
• 1:00 pm Unicycle Hockey
• 1:30 pm Trials Demonstrations
• 2:00 pm Unicycle Basketball: King Charles Troop Demonstration / pick up uni basket ball game
• 3:30 pm Unicycle Games and Relays
• 5:00 pm Group Photo

Sunday, September 5, 2010 New York Unicycle Club meeting at Grant’s Tomb, 1:00pm – 5:00pm:

Unicyclist will gather to ride, talk, learn and demonstrate unicycle skills.

Additional considerations:

For all of these events it is advisable to bring your own food and refreshments or funds to buy food locally. There are food vendors and vending machines throughout Govenors Island and bicycle rentals for those who have not mastered single wheel riding.  The ferry rides to and from the island load fairly quickly and are very brief.  In the area around Grant’s tomb there are a couple of local delicatessens and also a couple of fast food restaurants that are within close proximity.

Helpful event links:

Additional detailed information can be found at the following websites.

NYC 2010 Unicycle Festival  website for event details and Coney Island ride route map. You can follow some of the latest event developments on the Festival’s Facebook page. You are encouraged to invite your facebook friends via the 2010 Facebook event page.

The Trust for Governors Island website for island information including ferry service schedules from Manhattan and Brooklyn.

National Park Service Governors Island web page for additional information about island events and directions.

Governors Island Map. There will be venues throughout the island.

This posting will continue to be updated with relevant information and additional links as they become available.

NYUC encourages every unicyclist to attend, participate and, show your support for this event.