Life is full of challenges, riding a unicycle definitely falls into this category. OddWheel took the plunge to put ourselves into the public's eye. For our sport to grow we need to create an awareness and a stronger presence. This opportunity came to us 6 months ago when a good friend put us in contact with the organiser of the AltX Sports Expo - an alternative and extreme sport expo which focused on giving Joe Public the chance to try the various sports that they've never had the opportunity to.

OddWheel started with preparations for the event, which was held on the same weekend as Heritage day. Since this was the first time we were going to be exhibiting we had a lot of work to do... designing artwork for banners, flags, business cards, flyers and t-shirts. Getting all of this printed to our specs, prepping stock for display, booking flights and accommodation, putting it out on the web and finding a kick-ass tent. AltX also required us to do a lot of head scratching stuff like operational plans (all sounds very grown up) and step up demo's for visitors. On an official basis we had Tansy, Zippy and Lisema doing this. On an unofficial basis it turned out just how we wanted - a group jam session on the trials course. We were pleasantly surprised by the Shaun's (Devenish and Engelbrecht). For simplicities sake I have given them nicknames - Engel and Devenish, you can do the math’s.
Besides having to deal with the above-mentioned load, OddWheel (who are also trustees of the CounterBalance Trust) had to arrange a 24 Hour Challenge. Zippy Benn sent CounterBalance a proposal about doing this challenge, bells rang and it was decided that it would take place at the expo with the nominated charity being the Starfish Greathearts Foundation. Preparations began for this... designing artwork for banners and t-shirts, setting up an online registration form on the OddWheel site (now that I think about it, it should've been done on the CounterBalance site, oh well, essentially it's the same incestuous circle), typing up waivers, donation forms and putting it out on the web. The Challenge followed the format of 48 1-hour slots, which would allow a minimum of 2 riders on the course at all times. Registration was slow but eventually the Jo'burg community pulled through, we even had Tansy from Cape Town and Martin from Durban fly up.
With everything in place the OddVan swallowed a lot of stock and hauled us up to Jo'burg. After 2 days of chilling in the van we arrived in Jo'burg for the next wave to hit us. Plotting the 24 Hour MUni course with 2 of AltX staff that were very familiar with the unicycle (they worked on Big Brother SA who hired some uni's from us), collecting additional stock from Ruan (OddWheel's PTA agent) and collecting the tent. Done, now to set up shop for the weekend. Now this tent was no easy task! The friend we hired it from was in Mozambique and hence a lack of knowledge on how to erect this organic monster. Fortunately Devenish and Engel offered up their time to tackle the tent with us. It went up, fell down, went up, fell down, went up, looked less than perfect and was once again intentionally taken down. The next attempt worked wonderfully - "hey kid, don't hang on that pole, please?"
Day 1 of the expo - according to BuyCycle (who arrived at 7:30) we arrived in true Cape style, at 10:30, ok maybe it was closer to 11. We knew that nobody would really come to the expo on the Friday, it's Joburg, EVERYONE'S working. We used the day to build unicycles, Alan was a unicycle building factory! A trials course was built with pieces from a set building company and some pallets. I put arrow's on the MUni course with Devenish, got food, did last minute printing and collected Tansy from the airport and had a cup of tea on Julian's very comfortable chair.

Day 2 was an early start, absolutely no time to pull a Cape stylie. We had so much stuff we had to use 2 cars. We setup the stand; it looked awesome for a first attempt! The CounterBalance chill tent was setup the day before so we were ready for the onslaught of visitors, which didn't really happen. From the organiser's POV the expo was a failure and a massive learning curve. Nonetheless we were kept very busy with whoever attended the expo because they had to try UNICYCLING. Every unicyclist pitched in to help with whatever was needed; it was a true show of community.
Twelve o'clock arrived for the start of the 24 Hour Challenge, headed by Zippy and Alan. It went off like clock work, everybody took responsibility for their slots. Slowly over the day the campsite was setup for our night session and interrupted sleep. Sunset was announced by a spectacular show of 4 Microlights flying in formation with industrial strength sparklers trailing behind them. Very pretty! Huddled around a fire for the evening we got to know each other. We shared stories, laughed, made a braai, and generally had a lekker kuier session. Lisema arrived after 8 on Saturday night, we tried to convince him to fill Engel's slot because Engel had done 4 already and was feeling pooped. I prepped Lisema's helmet with a MJ808 Magic Light. When it came to filling his / Engel's slot he was nowhere to be found. Lisema arrived back at camp 1 1/2 hours later; he somehow missed the part where we ride coupled. We couldn't resist ripping him off repeatedly.

Just before the hour someone would stir from his or her tent, have a loud conversation (not pointing any fingers, Lisema) and disappear into the dark. Then another tent would unzip and it would start all over again. Apparently the sunrise slot was beautiful! A communal breakfast was cooked and washed down with BOS Ice Tea. Thanks Jules for supplying most of the food and Ronald for bringing his camping trailer. We generally had a very comfortable setup, even though Julian insisted on sleeping under the night sky on a very cold eve (some hardcore army training according to Lisema). Before breaking down camp we rigorously rocked the Passion Wagon (Hannes’ owns a 40 year old baby blue VW Combi), but I don't think anything would have roused Hannes from his slumber. Time to move back to the OddWheel stand and CounterBalance chill tent.
We kinda setup the stand, partly lazy and partly a lack of attendance to the expo. Riders played on the trials course and continued with the 24 Hour ride. Lisema cracked an interview (with SuperSport or Inside Sport, there were a few interviews over the weekend) and had a spectacular bail on the trials course, nearly flattening the pretty presenter, giggle giggle giggle. Just to throw this in, I've decided that Tansy is the best female rider in the country!

12 Noon arrived and an anti-climatic cheer was made. By this point enough was enough, but everybody stayed behind to help OddWheel breakdown the stand and trials course. Goodbyes were said and we once again parted ways, until the next gathering. We had such fun!
All in all unicycling was very well received and the 24 Hour Challenge was successfully completed without any complications or injuries. A total of R2635 was raised for the Starfish Greathearts Foundation.
Injuries of the expo were a Microlight crashing into a scout’s tent, broken Parkour thumb and a broken leg for a MMA fighter, not bad.
The OddWheelers would like to say a heart felt THANK YOU to everyone involved! For your participation and contribution to the expo regardless of how big or small it was. The list of people to thank, and for what they did, is too long. You know what you did and we really appreciate it! You guys rock and continue to surprise us!!!
We also wish Gary (AltX Organiser) all the best for preparations for 2012; we absolutely loved being involved in the expo. It's a great concept and should definitely be pursued, the more they do, the more refined they will become.
BTW, 'Home' was our song for the trip performed by Ed Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's. If you don't know it then we highly recommend finding it on YouTube.
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