If you have signed up, then you have most likely gotten an email from KHU. If you have not signed up well get your ass over to the site.

Go enter your photos that truly “capture the moment” and win some cool stuff.

Photos by Clae “TImmy” Hobson.

Check them all out at Unicyclist.com

Really awesome photos.

Flatland is tricky.. right? Throwing some tape on those slipper cranks is how the pros do it, right? I’ve been talking to some of the best flatlanders, trying to get to the bottom of the pros and cons of using griptape on your cranks for flatland.

Lets hear what these guys have to say,

Spencer Hochberg: I like it, otherwise cranks are pretty slippery. It’s kinda like the difference between riding on plastic pedals that you grind on vs newer ones, you can still ride on completely smooth pedals but its nicer to have some grip. I think with griptape its the same, it is not totally necessary but if the option is there I’d rather have more control and not slide off all the time.
The only disadvantage is that it makes the bottoms of your shoes wear out faster

Pedro Tejada: No!

For flat atleast no!… I like some moves like 180 body varials after rolling wraps and varial rolls, and my foot kinda slide a bit on the crank…

I would consider it for a competition, where I’m used to do simple moves…. But for everyday riding no.

Elias Pöham: No.
Because griptape destroys my shoes.

Bobousse: I don’t use griptape on my cranks beacause I like to be able to move my feet if needed…. and with griptape it’s harder.

Elliot Hofman: I have no opinion. I have never used griptape, sorry I couldn’t help.

As for me: I’m gonna have to leave Spencer in his own category. I used to be a big fan of griptape, it adds a level of confidence knowing you wont slip. However, money is tight these days, and shoe sponsors are not just dropping out of the sky.
After deciding that the extra grip was not worth the damage to shoes, I found a new world of movement. Riding tapeless allows you to spin twist and slide your foot around giving a bit more flexibility in the the over all range of motion.
The biggest plus for using griptape, IMO, is wet, or dusty conditions…

Looks like we settled this one with a 5 against and 1 for griptape… I guess there is no magic sticky grippy potion that is gonna make flat any easier. We are all just gonna have to put in the long grueling hours of practice.

Back in May Brian Oley, Kevin McMullin and I got together for some unicycling in Boston. Here are some of the photos that Brian took during the day. Check them out..

First Photo: Kevin and I scoping the rail… the rail beat me that day.

Kevin owned it, tho.

So I decided to play by the fountain.
Unispin anyone?

Fun day of riding, did some filming got some photos, glad to share these memories with ya’ll.

If you would like any of these photos as prints be sure to check out Brian’s shop here.

If you don’t see the photo you want send a msg.

]]> http://www.unicyclelab.com/2009/09/new-pics-by-brian-oley/feed/ 2 http://www.unicyclelab.com/2009/05/brian-oley-photos-of-the-month/ http://www.unicyclelab.com/2009/05/brian-oley-photos-of-the-month/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 15:28:30 +0000 Sam Haber http://www.unicyclelab.com/?p=151

In a field where equipment can make or break someones career Brian Oley seems to be climbing his way to the top, as one of the “great unicycle photographers” and he is doing it with equipment he calls bottom of the line, and cheap…

Calling Boston home has brought many days of great riding, but it has also put me in the same city as possibly the best unicycle photographer, out there. To this, what do I owe? ..How about a permanent spot on Uni Lab with a monthly photo column.

Behind the scenes in every great action sport, there are great action photographers. It wont be long until sponsorships are afford to more than just great riders. Photographers and filmmakers are the guys that are gonna help push our sport at the professional level. Getting Unicycling in magazines and TV sets across the glob. So, keep at it Brian. The industry needs your creative vision.

It’s obvious that Brian should be at all of the events, national and international, out shooting with big names, capturing big moments. And when are we gonna see a cover shot? Whether it is buying a Print to help him out, or dropping a comment to keep him motivated, how about you show him some love.

Every month or so, I will post some of Brian’s photos. Action should be picking up this summer, and here is to Brian getting some good shots in 2009.

Interested in buying prints of any of Brian’s photos? You can purchase them in a variety of sizes, including poster at  Brian Oley’s Photo Shop.
*note, any of his photos can be made into prints. Please contact Brian if you would like a poster of one of his shots that you do not see for sale yet.

Stay up to date with Brian’s new photos on Flickr.

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Rider: Sam Haber