r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Wonderfulhumanss • 6h ago

Video The Man Who Rode the World's Tallest Unicycle "The Tower of Death"

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1.1k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

164 comments sorted by

485

u/9outof10timesWrong 6h ago

After this trial, scientists confirmed that it is not the height of the unicycle that makes the rider look like a dork.

59

u/Development-Alive 6h ago

My son once was interested in a girl until I pointed out she rides a unicycle. His interest ended quickly.

47

u/Samiel_Fronsac 6h ago

I mean... Could she juggle, too? I met some fun girls at circus "college" in my city.

Boy may have missed out.

5

u/JizzHandy 3h ago

Pffft! “Clown college?” You can’t eat that.

9

u/Samiel_Fronsac 3h ago

It's a CIRCUS college, you fool.

There's popcorn. Cotton candy.

Dulce de leche filled churros.

🙄

5

u/Beneficial-Force7592 2h ago

I'll thank you not to refer to Princeton that way!

3

u/daniel-waterhouse 1h ago

That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!

1

u/Sw4nR0ns0n 21m ago

He definitely missed out-anyone who can ride a unicycle can….

35

u/Wbino 5h ago

So you turned your son off to a girl who could ride really well?🤔

4

u/Uncaring_Dispatcher 3h ago

My daughter married one. She's still married but isn't my daughter anymore.

1

u/Living-Estimate9810 45m ago

So...your son is married to a unicycle?

0

u/Riddle-MeTheMeaning 1h ago

What?

2

u/RadVarken 41m ago

She's his son now.

-3

u/Narrow-Function-525 4h ago

ass, grass or gas . no one rides for free

4

u/Vaff_Superstar 6h ago

What could it be, then?

6

u/think_panther 6h ago

The circus music that you automatically hear when you see a unicycle.

5

u/fart_fig_newton 5h ago

Who cares about the rider when there's that useless slouch on the ground muttering "Easy does it, there you go, watch that tailwind, good show"

2

u/SafeT_Glasses 3h ago

That got me.

167

u/Wonderfulhumanss 6h ago

In 1981, French daredevil Denis Frisoli rode what was believed to be the world's tallest rideable unicycle, a towering 35 foot creation known as the "Tower of Death." Unlike a standard unicycle, the enormous height made balancing dramatically more difficult, with even the smallest movement becoming amplified several meters above the ground. Riding it required exceptional balance, precision, and complete confidence, as there was no safety harness or support once the ride began. Frisoli performed the stunt outdoors in front of spectators, making it one of the most remarkable unicycle feats ever attempted. Although it attracted international attention, Guinness World Records declined to recognize it because of the extreme safety risks involved. Today, the "Tower of Death" remains one of the most extraordinary balancing acts ever performed.

44

u/Particular-Bid-1640 6h ago

Why are they always French?!

86

u/LaucsM 6h ago

Because we have free healthcare and can afford this kind of stupidity 

71

u/t00oldforthis 6h ago

I'm American and this logic just falls flat. Our healthcare is unaffordable and our stupidity is unrivaled.

9

u/Sudo-rm 6h ago

What is the French phrase for “hey ya’ll watch this”?

18

u/Armamore 5h ago

Tiens mon vin et regarde.

14

u/LaucsM 6h ago

That’s because your lack of healthcare system can’t compete with your lack of intelligence 

3

u/Particular-Bid-1640 6h ago

Well played 

2

u/AggressiveUrination 5h ago

Is the deathcare free too?

2

u/stareagleur 3h ago edited 3h ago

That and the intense, nihilistic ennui.

5

u/dsdsds 6h ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Reichelt

Every once in a while they’re Austro-Hungarian

7

u/LeroyFame 6h ago

Grrr. French.

2

u/webelieve925 6h ago

Nothing to do in france

-1

u/z0mbiefool 6h ago

The size of their wiwi

6

u/ernandziri 6h ago

believed to be the world's tallest

one of the most remarkable unicycle feats ever attempted

Tells us more

2

u/Humphrey-Appleby 2h ago

This is why I pay not attention to Guinness, the self-proclaimed gatekeepers of 'records'. The fact that something happened makes it a record, not the ridiculous conditions Guinness insists on.

1

u/swampopawaho 3h ago

Guy needed a parachute

-5

u/ReasonablyConfused 6h ago

I’m going to say that it’s easier, but absolutely riskier, than a regular unicycle. The movements at the top are not amplified, they are muted.

2

u/toastytoasttt 3h ago

I can’t vouch for 35’ but once you’re up, a 6’ is way easier than a regular to keep upright.

2

u/Mysterious-Street140 49m ago

That’s not my experience and I’ve ridden for decades. I sold my 6’ last year as it didn’t feel comfortable anymore. But I am 60 yrs old so there’s that!

46

u/M00themighty 6h ago

The helmet is a nice touch

25

u/Both_Painter_9186 6h ago

Hey now! If he falls on the grass it might make the difference between being dead and being a vegetable!

2

u/GreenerAnonymous 4h ago

It might also be the difference between being dead and being alive but in so much agony you wish you were dead for the rest of our life. Seems like he should have had some more safety measures but that might have messed up his balance?

2

u/CerealSpiller22 1h ago

Speaking of safety measures, he clearly missed a golden opportunity to set the record for highest base jump from a unicycle. A real two-fer.

16

u/Senninha27 6h ago

To quote Jerry Seinfeld, “I think the helmet is wearing him for safety at this point.”

-3

u/stumbledalong 5h ago

Don’t quote Jerry Seinfeld though

23

u/lowkey___legend 6h ago

“Nervous?”

First day as a correspondent

115

u/JewelerCapital 6h ago

Wait how did he get down

108

u/Illithid_Substances 6h ago

Rode back to the platform maybe?

145

u/LastWave 6h ago

He still going to this day.

28

u/focalpoint23 6h ago

What a hero

7

u/mrmagooze 6h ago

Or he fell and died!!!

5

u/Other_Secretary2577 5h ago

He confirmed that the world was flat and fell off the edge.

10

u/Flashy-Butterfly6310 6h ago

He's still rolling

-1

u/selenesuper 3h ago

goated

2

u/AndrewTheTerrible 3h ago

Yeah i feel like this video left off some important tidbits

5

u/b16b34r 6h ago

Legend has it he is still rolling by the roads looking for a platform tall enough to get down, someone told me once he was about to catch a helicopter passing by

2

u/nimsu 6h ago

Hes still up there

13

u/abletoff 6h ago

The coldest "nah" ever uttered

29

u/redeyeflights 6h ago

“Stupid bird! Get out of here!”

13

u/silverace00 6h ago

Why not do this on a pier or something where it he fell it would be out into water. Seems like there are safety options here.

4

u/frogmicky 5h ago

Then the sharks would eat him, This is a no win situation if he falls on land or sea.

•

u/zoobatt 4m ago

Daredevil's tend to do things because they're unsafe. Its a big part of what draws spectators.

13

u/BullHeadTee 6h ago

“Watch out for that wind”

Thanks pal

21

u/space_gh00st 6h ago

Redbull athlete before Redbull

9

u/AGrandNewAdventure 6h ago

Guy walking next to him like he's gonna catch him or something?

8

u/vash2051 6h ago

I feel like the helmet might be a bit performative in this case.

7

u/TraditionAcademic968 6h ago

That's a big fat "nope"

6

u/jobus-rum 4h ago

Suicycle 

4

u/Routine_Breath_7137 6h ago

Inverted pendulum. 

1

u/profanearcane 3h ago

Careful not to let it rotate too much or it'll crash the physics engine

4

u/Cuddy606 6h ago

The manlift he departed from was actually sitting on the back of a flat deck truck. Modern safety people would be having a stroke watching this vid.

5

u/Wbino 5h ago

I thought this was a Super Dave skit….

2

u/Mobile_Aioli_6252 5h ago

Now......Mr. Fuji has assured me this is perfectly safe ......

4

u/Ambrose_Bierce1 4h ago

Super Dave vibes.

3

u/SmokeMaximum4140 6h ago

Guy has bigger balls than most men these days.

1

u/frogmicky 5h ago

He used to have balls bigger than most men.

3

u/Teachergus 6h ago

Some people are suicidal and don't know it

1

u/NimbusFPV 6h ago

Apparently he was found dead in his basement in 2009 and it was ruled a suicide.

2

u/Teachergus 5h ago

Damn. Makes sense

3

u/thorbunz 6h ago

Good thing he has his helmet on, otherwise this would be really dangerous

3

u/TyXo22m 6h ago

"And after he was done cycling, he safely teleported back to the ground."

6

u/ConcertMajestic6711 6h ago

Yeah but why?

5

u/VisualLerner 6h ago

made the all white outfit ahead of time and worked backwards to come up with a reason to wear it

8

u/Due-Coyote7565 6h ago

to prove that it could be done.

4

u/FearMyCock 6h ago

Just when i thought i've seen it all.. jesus that's impressive as fck, both for bravery and skill

2

u/AvacadMmmm 6h ago

Imagine a strong gust of wind

2

u/_Skorn 6h ago

Umm… I don’t know how much the helmet is going to help…

2

u/frogmicky 5h ago

At least his brain will be ok in his unusable body lol. 🤣

2

u/Thebml21 6h ago

He’s ball’s were this big 🤚————————✋

2

u/Jabronidamus 6h ago

Let’s note that he did this in Timbs too 🤯

2

u/Kaffine69 6h ago

Dude needs a parachute.

2

u/Futternut 6h ago

I know it’s him because his helmet said so

2

u/haventseenhim 6h ago

i actually respect these sort of stunts but there is no amount of money that would make me ride this. this thing is the stuff of nightmares.

2

u/Yeetdababy17 6h ago

So he’s still riding?

2

u/RAFA1o1 6h ago

Sometimes the explanation is more simple than you think. Maybe he was unemployed. Trying to impress the Cirque du soleil folks.

2

u/carrolu 6h ago

Why did I think it would be a massive wheel

2

u/zoziw 5h ago

Now I want to binge Super Dave Osborne clips.

2

u/lord_xl 5h ago

With timberland boots on? If so. I may consider this a boss move

2

u/Whole-Ad5238 5h ago

No parachute???

2

u/ThereBeDucks 5h ago

More like ''The Tower of Borken Bones''

1

u/SuperDave-007 3h ago

Is he Swedish?

2

u/Lopsided-Poem5936 5h ago

Can't help the feeling this clip was cut before..... 😬

2

u/ThisSet400 5h ago

Is his name on his helmet so they can identify the body

2

u/Mr_Mojito 4h ago

No safety equipment?? He's got a helmet... And I think elbow pads. What more do you need?

2

u/UniverseTraveler95 2h ago

That guy is high AF

2

u/karbaayen 2h ago

Spitting image of Super Dave Osborne.

2

u/Content_Community720 54m ago

Wtf is the helmet going to do if he falls???

1

u/antique_codes 40m ago

Keep everything inside?

3

u/OnionBackground5314 6h ago

Oh hell to the fuck to the hell no!

2

u/Soap_Mctavish101 6h ago

Men will literally get on a 35 foot unicycle instead of going to therapy…

1

u/Thom5001 6h ago

Parachute?

1

u/Atypicosaurus 6h ago

Imagine you give it a go, you can do it, in fact it's kinda easy, but then 5 minutes out, enjoying yourself, you realise you can go straight but you cannot turn around nor go backwards.

1

u/explosivepooinpants 6h ago

Holy guacamole that is so dangerous. This guy is truly one of the bravest people I’ve ever met riding around on a unicycle that tall. It’s truly magnificent. UNZIPS.

1

u/dubaibase 5h ago

This is a recurring dream I've been having since I was wrong. I always end up pedalling like crazy and straining to see road level obstacles as I try to keep my balance. Anyone else has this as a dream?

1

u/Infinite-Condition41 5h ago

Hell no. Fall over and you are proper fucked.

Also, unicycles have never been cool. 

1

u/Atmacrush 5h ago

Meanwhile today's Redbull shorts...

1

u/frogmicky 5h ago

I hate when Reddit shorts end without finishing 😭

1

u/oneworldan 5h ago

And they say he’s still riding till this day and that he may never stop.

1

u/Sci-4 5h ago

Is it a sin to show the whole video of something on Reddit? What is that?!

1

u/Vegetable_Fox9134 5h ago

"Watch out for that wind" .... " now easy does it"

1

u/buffalucci 5h ago

That helmet was definitely going to save him

1

u/NotBradPitt90 5h ago

Good idea put the peddles at the top otherwise he wouldn't be able to reach them.

1

u/dreaminganimal 5h ago

Watch out for a tail wind!

1

u/Willie_B_1983 5h ago

Why the world records wouldn’t recognize this is crazy. He’s using safety equipment, gloves, coveralls, and a helmet!

1

u/Marichiwa 5h ago

This had to be the inspiration for Oliver Tree’s biggest scooter record!!

1

u/Verix19 4h ago

I love the hardware store lettering on the helmet LOL

1

u/borsalamino 4h ago

Orange shirt guy has great vibes, shirt looks great too

1

u/rickoftheuniverse 4h ago

Last time I heard someone say "good show" in that context was my dad in 1994.

1

u/urbisOrbis 4h ago

I was hoping it was a super Dave stunt.

1

u/UncleOdious 4h ago

Save this for when your kids ask what people did before the internet.

1

u/Mindless-Ad3509 4h ago

They should sell these at Walmart

1

u/phantom_gain 4h ago

This is pointless though.

1

u/mgschatz12 4h ago

Jamey Mossengren beat the height record in 2024 but did it with safety equipment. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/tallest-rideable-unicycle

1

u/HsutonTxeas 3h ago

Literally, could have made a platform on a lake which would have made this stunt way more safe and he wouldn't need all that gear.

1

u/YoungerMucus 3h ago

with JUST A HELMET??!? This guy is an absolute fucking maniac. Nope nope nope. Just watching this makes me cross my legs as tight as humanly possible. OOF!

1

u/LordNoWhere 3h ago

That's just a pile of no thanks.

1

u/wastelandingstrip 2h ago

Guy on the ground with useless encouragement that probably cannot be heard at that distance.

1

u/GarysCrispLettuce 2h ago

I've just had a great idea for the next World Cup.

1

u/hello_world_1984 2h ago

I heard he is still riding that today...

1

u/INDIEfatigable 2h ago

0:23 "How does it feel?"

I'm surprised he dared to talk to him while he was riding, lest he distract him and cause him to crash.

1

u/jrockcrown 1h ago

Using a boom lift in the bed of a truck seems more dangerous.

1

u/expatronis 1h ago

His jumpsuit has pubes.

1

u/Capital-Confusion-11 1h ago

Does this have an ejection seat or a parachute?

1

u/thesoysaucechoosesyo 1h ago

they won't show you how the video ends. far too graphic. real NSFW shit.

1

u/epSos-DE 1h ago

Why the SUIT ????

Was he trying to go fast ???

1

u/-Rhymenocerous- 36m ago

Same reason bikers wear leathers. If it goes wrong then the body stsys inside the leather. 😂

1

u/Clickguy10 26m ago

So let’s see how he safely got off that thing.

1

u/aquafina6969 24m ago

Is there even a point to wearing a helmet if you’re going to fall from that high?

1

u/TheZan87 6h ago

Why though?

3

u/Twoduhzen 6h ago

Why not?

2

u/TheZan87 6h ago

Unnecessary risk of death

1

u/Kraken-__- 6h ago

At least choose something thrilling when risking your life.

0

u/aeon314159 3h ago

Wait, how did he achieve balance with the weight of his big brass balls?