After Tragedy, 'Unicycling Unicorn' Conquers 1,000 Miles of Continental Divide Trail

The Unicycling Adventures of Jamey Mossengren

Jamey Mossengren, a 46-year-old Minnesotan, has always been known for his unique and whimsical approach to unicycling. His performances as the "Unicycling Unicorn" have captivated audiences with his colorful unicorn costume and impressive juggling skills on a 12-foot-tall unicycle. Beyond the stage, Mossengren has also gained recognition for his endurance feats, such as unicycling the entire 500-mile Colorado Trail.

This year, however, brought a significant challenge. On January 1, Mossengren’s sister passed away, leaving him deeply affected. He described the loss as a "hole in my heart that felt impossible to fill." This grief led him to cancel several of his summer gigs, as he struggled to find joy in his work.

Determined to heal, Mossengren turned to the mountains. This summer, he embarked on an ambitious journey: unicycling over 1,000 miles of the rugged Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Adorned with his signature rainbow mohawk-and-unicorn-horn helmet, he faced the challenges of the trail head-on.

Navigating the Challenges of the CDT

The CDT spans approximately 3,100 miles through the Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico to Glacier National Park. Mossengren had previously hiked about half of the trail with friends in 2023, but the route was not continuous. They avoided sections with snow or impassable terrain by driving to their next entry point.

Mossengren's idea was to return and complete those missed sections using his unicycle. However, this posed several logistical challenges. Many parts of the CDT are in wilderness areas where vehicles are not allowed. When possible, Mossengren had to carry all his gear on his single wheel or in a small backpack.

To manage these challenges, Mossengren developed what he called a "seven-wheel strategy," involving his Sprinter van, moped, and unicycle. He would park the van at a trailhead, use the moped to move north with the unicycle strapped to it, then ride the unicycle south back to the van. This repetitive process was both exhausting and exhilarating.

Off-Road Unicycling: A Unique Sport

Mountain unicycling is a niche sport with roots in the late 1990s. Canadian athlete Kris Holm is often credited with starting the sport. Holm, inspired by a street performer, attempted to ride mountain biking trails on a unicycle. When his unicycle broke during filming, he had a custom off-road unicycle built. Today, Kris Holm Unicycles are a popular choice among enthusiasts.

Mossengren used a Kris Holm Unicycle for most of his journey, which weighs about 15 pounds with a 27.5 x 2.4-inch tire. However, the bearings wore out near the end of his trip, forcing him to switch to a backup model that weighed about 10 pounds more. Despite the challenges, he managed to finish the journey.

Memories and Trail Magic

As Mossengren navigated the steep and rocky trails, he often drew curious glances from hikers. When faced with long uphill climbs, he would push his loaded unicycle ahead before hopping back on for the descent. Many asked why he chose to unicycle the trail, to which he replied, “Why would you hike from Mexico to Canada when you could drive it?”

While some days were tough, others were beautiful, with 4,000 feet of downhill. Mossengren also used his Sprinter van to offer "trail magic," serving meals to hikers in need. These moments provided a welcome break from his grief.

Looking to the Future

Mossengren did not set out to make his journey a fundraiser, but he eventually donated $1,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Throughout his trip, he shared updates on social media and encouraged others to contribute. He also urged anyone in need to reach out for help.

After completing his journey, Mossengren feels the power of nature in processing grief. He previously unicycled the Colorado Trail in 2015 after a divorce, finding healing in the experience. This year’s journey on the CDT, which he completed in August, offered similar solace.

Now back performing as the "Unicycling Unicorn" in Boston, Mossengren continues to share his unique talents. While he acknowledges that spending two months in nature doesn’t fix everything, he believes it’s a start.

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