BOLD UNICYCLIST TAKES
Lacey Burley lacey.burley @thechronicle.com.au
355 words
14 November 2008
The Chronicle (Toowoomba)

THOUSANDS of people have climbed Toowoomba’s Table Top Mountain, but
only Kevin Wharton has ridden down it on a unicycle.

Kevin, 16, is an extreme unicycling enthusiast and made the jump from
Toowoomba’s picnic tables, railings and bridges to scale the mountain
two weeks ago.

“Since it was a small mountain close to Toowoomba, I thought I’d ride
down it,” he said.

“That was actually my first time climbing it.”

Kevin’s plan had a rough start as he and his friend Patrick Mallon
began their hike up the mountain at midnight, thinking it would take
numerous hours to climb.

They realised they had miscalculated the climb when they arrived at the
top at just after 1am.

“We planned to film me riding down the mountain at sunrise so we had to
sleep up the top,” Kevin said.

They woke at 5am where Patrick filmed Kevin manoeuvring his unicycle
down the steep terrain.

Kevin said he couldn’t ride over three sections of the mountain where
the drop was too steep, but estimated that he rode down 90 per cent of
the way.

Patrick’s job was just as tricky, running down the mountainside filming
while carrying their bags and spare unicycle.

Kevin said the biggest problem he faced was the loose rocks.

Table Top is a 1.9km return hike and has the same elevation as
Toowoomba, about 700 metres above sea level.

Kevin has been riding for two years and flew down to Sydney on Sunday
to perform a riding demonstration for a festival.

He has posted a number of videos on the video-sharing website YouTube
which showcases his skills.

Kevin has also posted his Table Top ride which can viewed at

Since it was a small mountain close to Toowoomba, I thought I’d ride
down it. That was actually my first time climbing it.

We planned to film me riding down the mountain at sunrise so we had to
sleep up the top.


--
JJuggle

Raphael Lasar - Matawan, NJ

Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate
prejudices - just recognize them. - Edward R. Murrow
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JJuggle's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/24
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/22148


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com