Three oceans, one continent, one big wheel (Monash Memo, 13 May April 2009)

Three oceans, one continent, one big wheel

13 May 2009

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Unicycle tour video

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Monash honours student Sid Rajan is taking a unique approach to his research.

The education student is writing his thesis on the experience of long distance cycling, and as part of his data collection will ride from Perth to Sydney along the southern coast of Australia on a unicycle.

Stage one, from Perth to Adelaide, will see Sid cover 3977 kilometres. He will leave in June.

"As I have grown older and experienced more of the world, I have changed from being someone who is concerned with the destination and how long it's going to take to get there, to someone who believes it's about your experience and not the outcome," Sid said.

"This is something I wanted to explore in an attempt to add to the growing research on outdoor education not just being about action and doing, but about the quality of the experience."

Sid will kick off stage two of the ride, from Adelaide to Sydney from November, using the break in between stages to write his thesis and fundraise for the Art of Living Foundation.

When complete, Sid will be the first to unicycle across Australia and will experience three oceans - the Indian, Southern and Pacific.

Sid learned how to unicycle in 2004 and since has played unicycle hockey for Singapore, set distance records, and completed off-road rides and tours in nine countries, including Vietnam, Laos, India and Pakistan.

"The feeling I get when I unicycle is comparable to none," Sid said.

"When pedalling at top speed, it feels like you're flying or floating."

Sid hopes to one day work with underprivileged children in health and education projects.

"I also hope to develop my own non-profit organisation to fund various projects for underprivileged children around the world … and have a bit of one-wheeling fun in the process!"