Kai Martin, sophomore in music, wasn’t the only person to do last-minute RAGBRAI training last year. He wasn’t the only rider whose daily trek left him tired and saddle-sore. There is one thing, however, that set his RAGBRAI experience apart from the thousands of other riders. Martin was the only rider last year, and the third ever, to complete the entire ride across Iowa on a unicycle.

“I got tendinitis in my right knee and Achilles. The chafing caused bleeding, but it was a good time,” Martin said, “I plan on doing it again this year.”

Martin, treasurer for the ISU Unicycle Club, has been rolling on one wheel for six years. He and his fellow club members gather at least twice a week to show off their skills and ride their wheels.

Martin straddled his first unicycle after seeing a former club member demonstrate the unlimited possibilities of the unicycle.

“I didn’t know you could jump things or any of the cool stuff,” Martin said.

Group members said unicycles are simple and versatile and come in variations made to fit any location. A tall unicycle is referred to as a “giraffe,” mountain unicycles are known as “MUnis” and touring unicycles with a 36″ wheel are called “Cokers.” Club functions go everywhere a unicycle can go: around campus, inside State Gym, cross-country, to the Ames skate park and even to the mountains of Moab, Utah.

“It’s doing anything that skaters or skateboarders can do, except slower,” said David Prater, sophomore in mechanical engineering and unicycle club member.

In the mountains, even hard-core thrill seekers are awed by the nerve of MUni riders daring the slopes on just one wheel.

“A lot of the things we [hear] are, ‘We thought this was hard on bike,'” Martin said.

On campus, unicyclists still turn heads, but rarely receive much confidence in their ability to handle their craft.

“When people see us, they always think we’re going to hit them,” said Michael Matula, junior in mechanical engineering and unicycle club member. “Even if we are way on the side of the pavement, they will move way over and get off of the sidewalk.”

Club members insist sharing the sidewalk with unicycles is nothing pedestrians should worry about.

“It’s the bikes that fly around without watching themselves,” Martin said. “On a unicycle you have to watch everything that you do.”

Besides others’ lack of confidence in their control, unicyclists quickly become familiar with one or two other stock reactions to their unorthodox choice of transport.

“We get the circus song a lot,” said Christopher Bouwman, freshman in mechanical engineering and unicycle club member.

The “circus song,” club members explain, is one of many variations on a stereotypical big-top beat observers seem to be compelled to hum or whistle whenever a unicycle comes near.

It is not the only circus association club members hear about on a regular basis. Some obnoxious observers have to point out that a wheel is missing.

Despite joking initial reactions, group members say most people they talk to are supportive and curious of their hobby.

For those curious enough to hazard a ride, group members aren’t shy with their encouragement.

“A lot of people think it is more dangerous than riding a bike,” said Prater.

Mastering a unicycle involves its own unique challenges.

As with a first bicycle ride, a few abortive attempts are sure to precede confident riding.

However, group members say beginning unicyclists often overestimate the danger and difficulty of taming the one-wheeled contraption.

“When you fall, the uni just flies away from you and you land on your feet,” said Martin, “There’s nothing in the way to keep you from catching yourself.”

Group members say a honed sense of balance is not a prerequisite for learning to unicycle. In fact, almost any persistent amateur can become proficient in approximately two weeks or less.

“It depends on the person,” Martin says. “I have had people who learned in 45 minutes well enough that they could go back and forth across State Gym.”

After mastering the unicycle, group members say there is one way it is just like riding a bike: Once you learn how, you never forget.

“Our adviser is a professor in music; he hadn’t ridden in 15 or 20 years,” Martin said. “I left my unicycle at Music Hall. He picked it up and just started riding it around.”

Some shy away from trying their hand at one-wheeled glory because of the idea the unicycle seat puts undue pressure on certain sensitive areas.

Club members say the risk of groin or other injuries is no higher than for any other active sport.

“You learn to arrange yourself pretty quick,” Martin said.