Floyd Beattie passes away

Sad news, indeed.

The 'Metz Bicycle Museum' (http://www.metzbicyclemuseum.com) in
Freehold, NJ has a couple of unicycles including a golfbag unicycle
ridden by Judge Edison Hedges of Atlantic City, NJ. Hedges was profiled
in 1974, the first year of the USA Newsletter. Perhaps his family would
prefer that his vintage unicycle stay closer to home, but if there is
interest the website includes contact information. I'd be willing to
assist if they desire.

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ

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JJuggle - Last of the Dogmato-Revisionists

Whenever we drive, the road feels longer than what we've cycled. - Lars
Clausen, -One Wheel - Many Spokes-, page 48
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Floyd Beattie was a former holder of the Guinness 100 mile record. It
was a battle, in the late 80s, between him and a handful of other
(younger riders). That battle ended a week after Unicon III in Japan,
with a 100 mile *race*. Yes the Takauiki Koike current 100 mile record
was set in an actual 100 mile unicycle race. I'm not sure how many other
riders participated, if any, but the 18 year old Takayuki set a mark
that was way beyond the training of the 30+ Floyd.

Befor that, he set some speed records for the adult age groups at some
USA conventions and at Unicons I and II. A picture of his aerodynamic
track unicycle (with spoke covers and full toeclips) is featured on my
Garage Page. I've attached it below.

If his family needs someone to write something up, I'm sure I could help
out. I have a stack of letters he sent me during my newsletter editor
days, and even some more recent emails from a few years ago.

Floyd owned more than one big wheel from Tom Miller. He did an hour
record attempt in 1988 or so, as well as setting a "top speed" record at
an IHPVA convention. This was done on brand new 45" wheel, I believe,
which might make it very similar to mine.

I don't remember what Floyd's speed was from the 200m speed trap.
Something like 22-23 mph. I think Cokers have exceeded that, but not
under such official conditions. I'm sure it's still the official IHPVA
top speed record for a unicycle.

In his hour record, he was trying to beat a mark of about 14.88 miles or
so that was set by a guy in the 1880s. He was shooting for 15 of course,
but didn't quite make it. He was being a purist on the ride, and
wouldn't accept any outside water. So after he used up what he'd carried
with him, he proceeded to dry out and have to "retire" a few laps before
the hour was up to relieve his stomach of its contents.

Goodbye Floyd. We will miss you with your giant beard and long hair,
juxtaposed under a skinsuit and aero racing helmet. You were one of a
kind.

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--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com"
www.unicycling.com

"That sucks." -- Ryan Atkins, at the bottom of a 10' cliff he just
jumped off at the 2003 California MUni Weekend, looking at his bent
seat.
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Here's a picture of Floyd, from one of his 100 mile record attempts.
Don't know which one, but pretty sure this was in Ohio, not the one in
Japan. This is not my photo, and not sure of the source. I think it may
be a press photo.

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johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com"
www.unicycling.com

"That sucks." -- Ryan Atkins, at the bottom of a 10' cliff he just
jumped off at the 2003 California MUni Weekend, looking at his bent
seat.
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Here is an AP report of one of Floyd's record breaking rides.

Raphael Lasar
Matawan, NJ
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNICYCLIST CLAIMS WORLD RECORD FOR 100 MILES

147 words
25 August 1985
The Associated Press
English
(Copyright 1985. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(AP) _ A man who once crossed Ireland on a unicycle pedaled through a
downpour to claim the world record for a 100-mile ride on a one-wheeler
by more than an hour.

Floyd Beattie, 32, did 22 laps on a 4.54-mile bike path in seven hours,
53 minutes and 55 seconds. The mark listed in the Guinness Book of World
Records is nine hours, 20 minutes and 53 seconds set in 1981 by Johnnie
Severin of Atwater, Calif.

The Athens resident used a 40-inch wheel instead of the standard 24-inch
wheel, saving him an estimated 30,000 pedals, he said.

During the ride, he ate bananas and a mix of apples, carob, dates and
coconut, drank from two water bottles attached to the cycle. He hopped
off the unicycle after each lap to turn around.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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JJuggle - Last of the Dogmato-Revisionists

Whenever we drive, the road feels longer than what we've cycled. - Lars
Clausen, -One Wheel - Many Spokes-, page 48
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Greg

Very sad news about Floyd...

He was a great guy and very helpful back when
I met him in the mid-1980's.
Fond memories will always be remembered.

I was on the track when Floyd rode that unicycle
John included a photo of in this thread. It was 1986 in Bowling Green
Ohio. He did 4 laps of the track passing and lapping other riders riding
with toe clips.

Please let your friend know that if they are looking for a permanent
place for Floyd's unicycle
to be displayed and cherished, I would be greatful
to have it on display in my unicycle shop.
I would reprint all the photos I have with/of Floyd, put them in a album
and make it available to everyone who visits.

I would drive down to Ohio and pick it up if I get to be the person who
gets to display the unicycle.

I have many vintage unicycles including old Schwinn's, Loyd and T.E.M.
unicycles. T.E.M. are unicycles made by Tom Miller beford 1985 when he
started The Unicycle Factory. I have many T.U.F. unicycles as well.

I'm into collecting and perserving the history of unicycles and
unicycling. I will have a show room dedicating to unicycles from years
past.

Do you have the date of his death ? I want to record it for historical
reasons.

Another unicyclist that will be missed dearly.

Please pass on my contact info.

Thanks for posting,
Darren

[email hidden]
416-729-9696

--
Darren - Bedford Unicycles
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johnfoss said:

*Floyd Beattie was a former holder of the Guinness 100 mile record. It
was a battle, in the late 80s, between him and a handful of other
(younger riders). That battle ended a week after Unicon III in Japan,
with a 100 mile *race*. Yes the Takauiki Koike current 100 mile record
was set in an actual 100 mile unicycle race. I'm not sure how many
other riders participated, if any, but the 18 year old Takayuki set a
mark that was way beyond the training of the 30+ Floyd.
*

Saddened to hear about the loss of a distance unicyclist...wish I could
have met Floyd. (And also some of those other guys when they were
racing in the 80's)

How about a 100mile race at UNICON 12 in honour of Floyd? 16 laps of
the 10km course?

--
GizmoDuck - New Zealands fastest unicyclist

o-kO

"Give a man dead fish, and he feed himself for lunch, teach man to catch
fish, and he feed himself for life. Teach man to wheel ride, and he
make friends everywhere, and even have lunch at their place."

Ancient Chinese saying
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Thanks for your comments and ideas. I will pass this information along
and see if we can get anything done. Raphael's and Darren's museum ideas
seem to be nice ones. I will try to somehow find out if the family wants
to contact John Foss for comments which would be the first thing
needed.

Again, thanks.

--
harper - Statuesque

-Greg Harper

B L U E S H I F T

"You go through life and you choose." - Greg Harper

"Find weak people and take stuff from them" - Greg Harper
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Museum:

I have an old Bill Jenack unicycle that's waiting for a museum to house
it. Right now that's the city of Davis (CA), who have a bicycle
collection but are still arranging for a permanent place to display
them. When this happens, I will fix up that old Oxford and put together
some info about Bill Jenack to go with it.

But this may take one year or ten. Closer to one at this point, I think,
but I've learned not to hold my breath. So I can't offer a museum place
for Floyd's wheel yet. Darren's offer sounds like a good one. I'm sure
he will take good care of that uni for years to come.

My own unicycle collection suffers from my garage environment. Constant
temperature ups and downs, but less moisture out here in CA than they
got in NY or Michigan. But still the years take their toll. If the house
had unlimited space, I'd keep them idoors where the temperature is
constant...

--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com"
www.unicycling.com

"That sucks." -- Ryan Atkins, at the bottom of a 10' cliff he just
jumped off at the 2003 California MUni Weekend, looking at his bent
seat.
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johnfoss said:

*When this happens, I will fix up that old Oxford and put together
some info about Bill Jenack to go with it.*

My second unicycle was an Oxford. I bought it when I was 12 years old. I
was surprised years later to find out that it was a Japanese make, not
English.

--
harper - Statuesque

-Greg Harper

B L U E S H I F T

"You go through life and you choose." - Greg Harper

"Find weak people and take stuff from them" - Greg Harper
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harper said:

*I was surprised years later to find out that it was a Japanese make,
not English. *

They fooled you! They have also worked to fool us with names like
Bridgestone, Panasonic, and Datsun. Others were less successful, like
Subaru (Fuji).

The significance of my Oxford is where I got it from, pieced together
from inventory in the Jenack garage and attic after he passed away in
1982. It's all original "Jenack" components. Plus it has a cardboard
wheel insert, like the ones you may have seen in old Jenack Cyclists
pictures from Jack Wiley's The Unicycle Book, the Complete Book of
Unicycling, or the Bicycle Builder's Bible.

It has been brought to my attention that Tom Miller might also be
interested in Floyd's unicycle. It may have been built for him by Tom
for his record attempts at no cost (or no attempt to collect, knowning
how Tom works), so rightful ownership might revert to him as well. Tom
has quite a collection himself. I hope he's able to keep them out of the
rain!

--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com"
www.unicycling.com

"That sucks." -- Ryan Atkins, at the bottom of a 10' cliff he just
jumped off at the 2003 California MUni Weekend, looking at his bent
seat.
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I have fond memories of being at Floyd's record breaking ride in Athens.
I attended the event along with my father and Sem in support of his
great achievement. We will miss you Floyd.

(I have video coverage of the record for the 'museum' that picks up the
cycle for display as well... if you could pass that along Greg)

Teresa

--
teresaabrahams - unicycling for 26 yrs
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Wow, sad news indeed. I knew Floyd but not very well and only at the
yearly meets in the mid-80's. He was always focused in warming up and
getting ready for the next race at the National Unicycle Meets. I
remember his toe clips and then he switched to "Power Bands" which were
straps around the pedals instead of toe clips. I asked, "Can you get out
of them any faster than toe clips? Floyd's answer, "No, but you think
you can. So they are less scary". Floyd ventured into new territory with
those types of speed enhancements as well as wind cheating enhancements
for unicycling which were unheard of at the time. Like a skin suit and
aero helmet and aero bladed spokes. Floyd was a turn pioneer. I was
hoping to meet him once again at a National meet. I guess now, I'll
think of him when I ride. I'll miss you Floyd.

--
Mike Rocks - Vancouver rider

Java Jacket
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