Dr Looi is not only the current unicycling world champion for the 42 kilometre road race, but he once held the world record for the most unicycling in 24 hours.

In 2005 Dr Looi rode his customised Coker unicycle 814 times around the Basin Reserve in Wellington, New Zealand.

The whopping 378 kilometre ride saw him entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, but five months ago a unicyclist from the US, Sam Wakeling bettered Looi’s ride, snatching the title.

Despite the setback, Dr Looi says he aims to break the record again in 2009.

Aside from the titles and the victories, Dr Looi’s unicycling adventures have also seen him raise much-needed money for the community-based aid and development organisation, Oxfam.

“I like what the organisation stands for and when a guy I knew was organising a cycling trip to raise money for the charity, I asked if I could tag along on my unicycle,” he said.

Dr Looi said he had been road cycling for years, but took up unicycling in 2000 for more of a challenge.

“It’s something different,” he said.

“I still do road cycling, but I find that I meet more people on the unicycle, and people stop you and want to have a go.”

For the past four months, Dr Looi has been living and working in Dubbo and has been using his unicycle as a form of transport the whole time.

“I didn’t bring my car with me from New Zealand and I don’t like to walk,” he said.

“I find it much easier to carry my groceries on my unicycle rather than my bike because my hands are free.”

His love for the unicycle hasn’t always been pleasant though, as he has sustained many broken bones, cuts and bruises.

“I have broken my leg, ankle and wrist and I have had many scratches, and sprained ankles,” he said.

Although Dr Looi won’t be remaining in Dubbo for much longer, he said Dubbo Base Hospital had been one of the best hospitals he had worked in.

“Before I came to Dubbo I worked in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, but I have found Dubbo to be the best to both work and live.”

anna.yeo@ruralpress.com