By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Life is short, make the most of it. That's what North Carolina's Brandon Siong, 31, is doing on his Electric Unicycle (EUC) as he travels across the country. Beginning his journey in Virginia, Song made it to Great Bend Sunday night. After a day's rest, he will hit the road again Tuesday morning on his way to the West Coast.
"I hope this inspires people to go and do whatever they think is impossible for them," Song said. "It's possible as long as you put your mind into it. I'm not really financially stable, but I'm stable enough to be able to do this trip. I left my job. It's been in the planning for the past two years."
The original plan included a riding partner, but that fell apart near the border in Virginia when Siong's wheel broke and he had to wait for replacement parts. Since then, he's traveled the country along, sharing his journey on social media and enduring the nation's terrain and elements.
"Hills can be a little bit challenging because I'm trying to conserve battery," he said. "It's all dependent on my charge. Head winds, I hate those - going up and down gets tiring. Right now in Kansas, it just the headwinds. Other than that, it's perfect."
Siong is riding a Begode Master Pro, which weighs a little more than 120 pounds. The EUC has a small handle to help lift the wheel but otherwise lacks the handlebars associated with bicycles. It can typically travel 80-130 miles a day at speeds of 20-30 miles per hour.
"It really depends on how far I need to stretch my miles - how far each town is spread apart and whether I can charge there or not," said Song.
Many riders or walkers who embark on a nationwide journey bring a cause. For Siong, it's more about breaking out of his homebody shell. He's knocking out a goal and enjoying the views along the TransAmerica Trail in the process. After Great Bend, Song will head west toward Pueblo, Colo., then shoot north through Rawlins, Wyo. and Yellowstone National Park before deviating from the route to finish in California.
"Every day, once I'm done with my ride, I'll get in and get settled, charge my wheel, and do my edits for social," he said. "I plan for my next day. I just mark towns and try to find my stay in the cheapest town I can find. I try to do more than 100 miles a day."
Follow Brandon's journey on Instagram by CLICKING HERE.