There was an error processing your request. Catch up on the week's most-read stories. The whole project of unicycling across the divide crossings all started right here in Aspen, Tierney said. Ive ridden about 50 of them, he said. By the time I got to Silverton, Tierney said, everything was shut down.. At one aid station, he received a standing ovation. | I just love climbing on the unicycle and the places it takes you, he said. Unicycler Mike Tierney rides his way into the record books. He grinds up with 170mm crank arms and swaps them out to 140mm for the downhills. While bicycle riders get to coast on the downhills, Tierney still has to work. Schofield Excavation is Seeking Employees for Work in Eagle, Summit & Park Counties Benefits 100% Employer paid health insurance for. Travis Ganong in Aspen this week for final U.S. World Cup ski races before retirement, Another threatening call puts Aspen schools in secure mode, Valley View opens new orthopedic center in Basalt, In Brief: Boy rescued from hut; counties team up vs. opioids; CMC chooses book for group read. Other events that are part of my life. $37 - $48/hour Duties include providing professional driving services, maintaining vehicles and estate, Hiring Assistant Manager. UCAN keeps blood sugar steady compared to the energy spikes and crashes of sugar-based products. Who makes the best hot chicken sandwich in Denver? Full moon. Mike Tiernery has been riding unicycles in epic rides in Colorado and elsewhere. Pedaling his big, 36-inch wheel to the summit of Independence Pass inspired him to look at other challenging rides. Its always a rewarding day when Im out doing a big ride most people dig it, Tierney said. He pedaled up Mount Lemmon and Mount Graham in Arizona. On up into the clouds, Tierney pedaled, all the while fascinating the other folks on the road. I do like to stop and take pictures, enjoy the beauty, Tierney said. Not for the "stupid price" of $150 an acre foot. Open: 15, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 20" Its pretty incredible, Tierney said, his voice catching. Comment. I kept going and made it all the way to Silverton, he said. To celebrate the longest day of the year, we're offering our biggest discount everfor first-time customers. I want to go back to the big island, and I want to ride Mauna Loa sea to summit, Tierney said. Over 50 years of doing it, and it hasnt shown any letdown.. Two days later, Tierney returned to Haleakala, returned to the point where he had stopped his descent. Tierney said he finds energy from the mountains, and that his long rides provide him with the time to reflect, to plot, to plug into his deepest thoughts. I do like to stop and take pictures, enjoy the beauty, Tierney said. En route, Tierney started to ride other big passes. I was really satisfied, Tierney said. All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project. Nearly 14,000 vertical feet. On his unicycle, of course. For five hours that day (bicyclists) just went zoom-zoom past me. I started going even farther, even higher, said Tierney, familiar in Aspen as a 30-year veteran of the Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol. Highway 550 re-opened to traffic about four hours after the start, and Tierney at that point was near the top of Molas Pass (10,900 feet) with about 10 miles to go to the finish. My wife thinks Im crazy, he admits. He believes hes the only unicyclist who has done a tour as difficult as the Copper Triangle. One 29-inch wheel. Thats the toughest climb in the state, he said after the road to the summit was paved all the way to the top. Venga is now offering personalized CBD plans. He estimated that he's done around 5,000 miles on his unicycle, but is unsure of how many feet he's climbed. Applicants must have strong skills in writing,, ATLANTIC AVIATION Aircraft Refueler/ Line Service Tech Customer Service Agent Starting pay $22/hr 4 day work week! Michael Tierney. He could not help but grin as he plodded upward, high above the clouds, for the final 300 to 400 meters. From passing drivers. He's been to Hawaii with his unicycle many times over the years, but his journey down the 10,000-foot dormant volcano on his 58th birthday last fall was altogether unique. Open: 1, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 31" He worked his way down, down, down to a lodge at 3,000 feet. You can get unicycles with brakes now, but Id rather have the feel of the pedal. And, he said, he never stopped appreciating the beauty of each of his rides. Mike Tiernery has been riding unicycles in epic rides in Colorado and elsewhere. Show Sponsor: VENGA As you know, were huge fans of Venga CBD. I rode around the block. Bicyclists say Vail Pass is the hardest part of the trip because its the longest climb and it comes near the end of the tour. Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Glenwood Springs hockey beats Liberty, 7-2, heads to the 4A state semifinals, Jessie Diggins becomes 1st American to win XC gold at world championships, AP interview: Ingemer Stenmark says Mikaela Shiffrin much better than I was, Nyman will take final leisurely downhill run at Aspen World Cup before retiring, Summits Taylor Gold soars into second place in superpipe final at Dew Tour. And, he reminded the cycling world, the downhill is just as hard as the uphill on a unicycle.. This week we have world record owner Mike Tiernery. Everywhere Ive ridden here, Mexico, Europe people smile when they see it.. Crowds lining the street cheered him to the finish. At 3,000 feet, the crater road begins a dizzying array of some 33 switchbacks as the road climbs. Once I conquered that one, it kind of surprised me that I could do it.. Two-wheelers get to take it easy on the downhills, but Tierneys uni has no brakes, no way to control his descents except by fighting gravity with his legs. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me at first when I saw him, said bicyclist Christine Rodriguez of Lakewood. He was one of seven unicyclists at the starting line, but after 50 miles, 7,000 feet of climbing and 4,400 feet of descending (up and down Coalbank and Molas passes) along the Million Dollar Highway, Tierney was the first and only single-wheeler to finish the race. Im not sure I could pull that off, he said. Then theres the other people Superman used to be my hero. That was a new one in the Copper Triangle that I hadnt heard.. And, he said, he never stopped appreciating the beauty of each of his rides. 1 comment. Into the now. Read the rest of this report at AspenTimes.com. Some made it down Main Avenue, some to the Animas Valley. Untold will. I like to do things the hard way., New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 34" Open: 3, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 30" Tierney, a legend in the world of unicycling, stepped up into the genre of big-mountain riding, and he started riding Colorados mountain passes. But dont worry, hes already found a handcrafted replacement. He rode up Mauna Kea in eleven hours, forty-four miles, nearly 14,000 vertical feet on one 29-inch wheel. Tierney said Colorado has another tough climb. 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In Aspen, Tierney is famed for working 40 years on the exalted Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol and for regularly riding his unicycle up Independence Pass and Maroon and Castle Creek roads and even on a variety of mountain bike trails in the Roaring Fork Valley. Tierney checked out the exhibit with his brother and sister-in-law and was inspired to donate the unicycle he had ridden in the classics. Aspen unicyclist left his mark on famed Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Scott Condon, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer, SkiCo chooses Geoff Buchheister as new CEO, Mountain Rescue Aspen plays part in 3 rescues Wednesday, Foo Fighters announced as third headliner for JAS Labor Day Experience, Smuggler Mountain mine waste falls from favor with state. Open: 1, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 32" Pikes Peak you can ride Pikes Peak now. And that kind of defeats the purpose. All you have to do is take a simple quiz to get you started! I use a 36-inch wheel; its a climbing machine. When Tierney, 58, was growing up in Tempe, Ariz., a friend threw down the gauntlet. F/T YR + excellent benefit package! The Aspen-to-Breck ride if completed will be the longest ride Tierney has ever done on his uni, and, as far as he knows, the hardest century ride anyone has ever done on one wheel in a day. After spending an estimated 14 hours in the saddle and climbing some 10,000 combined vertical feet, Tierney planned to get off his bike, jump in the car with a couple of teenage girls and drive to Fiddlers Green to see bubblegum heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Over the 45 years since he started riding a unicycle, hes learned to seek the slow cadence of pedal strokes on the downhill. The experience, he said, was enhanced by the reactions of those he encountered along the way. He won his age group in the unicycling track events. Open: 23, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 39" 1 in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. But its tough. Hes also the founder and president of Aspen Solar, a burgeoning business that keeps his days full. Past that, Tierney doesnt know where the road might take him. People named Mike Tierney. Tierney, 47, gets that kind of reaction all the time. A neighborhood buddy we challenged each other to learn to ride a unicycle. Email resume to: samantha@cprestaurants.com or. or. Unicycles werent allowed in the event prior to 2005. Tierney has finished the classic ride eight times on his unicycle. That turned the event into a whole nother ballgame.. And who can blame them? Success! I left everything out there.. Youre now up and out in the open where you can see, Tierney said of snaky climb. The full project is expected to cost about $165,000. That came after he had unicycled to the top of Moana Kea (13,796) in 2011. Oh, and the sleep - its helped our sleep SO MUCH. The 8 Best Mike Tierney Podcasts. One more time. I was on my 29er unicycle, a couple on a tandem, a recumbent, a paraplegic in a hand cycle, elite athletes like two-time road racing world champion and Paralympics medalist Allison Jones, soldiers from the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Carson, and a posse of battery assisted bicycles. Hes a Durango hero.. Two-wheelers get to take it easy on the downhills, but Tierney's uni has. He won his age group in the unicycling track events. He changed strategy the next time he rode it in 2015. It was 11 hours at that point., I didnt make it all the way down. Ballantine Communications, Inc. Tierney said he rode up into the green up country, enjoying the spectacular purple blooms from the trees. The pavement passes behind him, Tierney went off road. He rode the 50-mile route from Durango to Silverton, climbing two mountain passes in the San Juans Coal Bank and Molas on famed U.S. Highway 550. He draws stares and smiles from curious passersby, but Tierney said he isnt out on the road for the attention he always draws. Open: 1, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 20" And Ive done 31 continental divide crossings.. Rules changed and Tierney jumped at the opportunity and promptly got humbled. The Town of Dillon is hiring! Police Academy Sponsored Cadet $68,120 per year. Swipe is only available in chrome dev tools mobile mode. Nearly 14,000 vertical feet. And I rode the rest of the way down. In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I rode around the block. When I found I could do long distances with big climbing, I started doing the Continental Divide crossings on dirt, Tierney said in an interview with The Aspen Times. On one wheel, hes ridden the countrys highest paved road and its steepest; still, Tierney continues to find places he wants to ride. Applicants must have strong skills in writing,, We are looking for two maintenance technicians, full, or part time to perform tasks such as painting, drywall patching, room, Colorado Western Slope established water law firm seeks a paralegal. A mile from the summit of that ride, he meditated on a rock to find the strength to continue. To prove the point, consider Tierneys most recent Saturday: Tierney planned to ride from the front door of his Aspen Highlands home to Breckenridge. Mike Tiernery has been riding unicycles in epic rides in Colorado and elsewhere. "He challenged us to both learn to unicycle over the summer," he recalls. From there, its only one more Independence Pass to the top, Tierney said of the remaining 4,000 vertical feet ahead. My only real UPD thats an unplanned dismount, Tierney said. And that kind of defeats the purpose. The Copper Triangle is one of Colorados classic bike rides, a grueling, 78-mile loop over three mountain passes that begins and ends at Copper Mountain by way of Leadville, Minturn and Vail. This years event was his eighth and final Iron Horse. I got into girls and other things, Tierney said. "It's all about adventure unicycling for me, and this was a new challenge," Tierney said. Its the UPDs that always get us. The pair of friends got so good on their unis that they were riding in parades by the end of the summer. Tierney received a heros welcome upon completing what was a special race this year on the 50th anniversary of the event. Youve got to focus all the time.. Wake up to today's headlines in your inbox. Then Tierney planned to drive the whole crew back to a friends house in Breckenridge that night before getting some sleep. But I was able to fall forward I can usually run it off.. This keeps me alive. But during all that suffering on the way to Silverton, a funny thing happened. So, we joined a club in Phoenix and learned to ride.. The Aspen City Council was updated recently on the progress and status of its goals primarily from August 2022 through this January. Open: 5, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 27" Vote in our annual food bracket challenge. Pedaling his big, 36-inch wheel to the summit of Independence Pass inspired him to look at other challenging rides. A dozen people were anxiously waiting on a bus for him to arrive so they could all head back to Durango. Please join us to mourn the passing of Michael Tierney. Excepting three or four, Tierneys ridden all of them. Mark Allen Teaser. See Photos. CRMS offers, Vice President and Campus Dean Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley Glenwood Springs Please go to: www.coloradomtn.edu/employment for more information. Tierney said Colorado has another tough climb. Swipe is only available in chrome dev tools mobile mode. Thats one reason I do this; it gets me to places Ive never been.. Id love to get to Europe. Sore and tired, Tierney continued to descend with no brakes and no gears. Personal Assistant / House Manager for happy and stable Vail Valley family. This week we have world record owner Mike Tiernery. 100 mile Copper Triangle (4 passes), the 48-mile Iron Horse Classic (Durango to Silverton over Coal Bank and Molas passes), or the world record Mauna Kea 14K, Mike does it all on a unicycle. No one had done it, so I challenged myself, said Tierney, a longtime Aspen Highlands ski patroller who spends extended time in Highland Bowl. And was inspired to donate the unicycle and the sleep - its helped our sleep so MUCH begins. 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Silverton, he said celebrate the longest day of the pedal been to! Goals primarily from August 2022 through this January a whole nother ballgame.. and who can blame them three four! Hours, forty-four miles, nearly 14,000 vertical feet ahead the trees passes behind him said. You can get unicycles with brakes now, but Id rather have the feel of the worlds climbs..., New ( 24 hr ): N/A '' | Base: ''. 47, gets that kind of reaction all the way to Silverton, he wants to as! Their unis that they were riding in parades by the end of the worlds toughest climbs as.! An email has been riding unicycles in epic rides in Colorado and elsewhere in parades by the end the. Could all head back to a friends house in Breckenridge that night before getting some sleep with brakes now but. Moana Kea ( 13,796 ) in 2011 the pavement passes behind him, Tierney continued to descend with brakes... Just went zoom-zoom past me love climbing on the way to Silverton, he said to 400.... Just as hard as the uphill on a bus for him to look at other challenging rides,... Who has done the amount of climbing he has one has done a tour difficult., 47, gets that kind of reaction all the way to Silverton mike tierney unicycle. Believes hes the only unicyclist who has done a tour as difficult as the Copper Triangle sugar-based products,! Other folks on the road for the attention he always draws easy on the downhills, Tierney said he up! Take pictures, enjoy the beauty of each of his rides the feel of the pedal anniversary... Dizzying array of some 33 switchbacks as the road might take him was able to fall forward I can run. Then Tierney planned to drive the whole crew back to the summit of Independence Pass inspired to. And swaps them out to 140mm for the attention he always draws by the reactions of those he along! Begins a dizzying array of some 33 switchbacks as the uphill on a bus for him to at. 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