Unicycling Eugene
The story of the elusive unicyclist
Most people consider the young man they see riding a unicycle around campus an anomaly.
Finally, the story behind “Unicycle Eugene” is revealed.
Andrew Oliver, aka “Unicycle Eugene” is an animal and range sciences freshman who finds himself surprised that he has received so much attention for riding a unicycle.
So much attention in fact, that there was a Facebook group created about him. Oliver said he had no idea there was a group dedicated to him until one of his friends came across it.
When asked about his reaction to it Oliver said, “I know people notice, but I didn’t know they noticed that much.”
This group, which currently has 69 members (Oliver included), is titled “Unicycle Eugene Entertains Me,” and was created by Lucas Vangsness, an agriculture business freshman.
Vangsness said he created the group because he thinks Oliver is one of the coolest people on campus and said, “You don’t see many people riding around on unicycles.”
When asked where the name Eugene came from, Vangsness said that while creating the group he was watching “Grease” and decided to name Oliver after the character Eugene since he didn’t know Oliver’s real name. Thus, “Unicycle Eugene” was born.
The exact story behind the unicycle began almost exactly four years ago, when Oliver’s father brought two unicycles to their Pelican Rapids home, and Oliver and one of his brothers started practicing.
Oliver said they started out by clearing away the living room furniture and wheeling back and forth until they got the hang of it.
Soon this practice developed into family unicycle competitions, including contests to see who could circle around the kitchen the most times without touching anything, with Oliver completing 70 circles.
Now almost every one of his siblings — which includes seven sisters and two brothers — ride unicycles, Oliver said.
He said it took almost the entire winter to perfect his skill on the unicycle, and when the season changed he and his family took their unicycles outside and learned how to ride them over every sort of terrain.
Now, Oliver said, he and his brother hardly walk anywhere at all; they just ride.
Over the years, Oliver has developed several skills on the unicycle, some of which include juggling, jumping up in the air and carrying hay bales.
Oliver said there are many benefits to riding a unicycle as opposed to walking. He said it greatly improves balance and the rider can get to the destination quicker and with a lot less energy.
Oliver says that he will continue to unicycle his whole life, and one of his ambitions is to start a unicycle collection.
When asked if he would teach his children to unicycle he said, “Yes, my family will definitely ride.”