Mountain unicycling

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"MUni" redirects here. For other uses, see Muni (disambiguation).
Mountain unicycling
Mountain unicyclist in England (Roseberry Topping)
Disc braked mountain unicycle (/Kris Holm)
Mountain unicycling

Mountain unicycling is an adventure sport that consists of traversing rough terrain on a unicycle. Mountain unicycling (muni) is undertaken on similar terrain to mountain biking. However, muni requires much more attention to the microfeatures of the short distance in front of the wheel.[1] Unicycles' lack of a freewheel means that descents must be controlled all the way, and the typical lack of a gear system (though two-gear hubs are available) prevents the rider from reaching high speeds. Muni usually takes place on specially designed unicycles, which are equipped with strong hubs, large, knobbly tires, high-grip pedals and rugged frames.[2] Some are also equipped with rim or disc brakes, having the lever mounted under the nose of the saddle. The brake primarily helps to compensate the downhill-slope force, while more expert riders also use it to decelerate or stop.[3]

Muni riders also need a few additional skills than required for either mountain biking or regular unicycling, with core strength, endurance and balance being key.[4]

Skills[]

The ability to jump over gaps or to stop pedaling to keep the crank clear of the ground features is helpful.

Highspeed gliding is a technique to rush down a smooth path with the feet off the pedals and braking with one shoe on the top of the tire.

Equipment[]

The unicycle typically has broad tires with grippy profile, filled with medium air pressure. The grippy pedals may have a tilt front contour (viewed from the side). The cranks should not be too long – relative to the rim size – to maintain clearance from bigger stones on the ground. Rims are rather broad to be sturdy and may have bores between the spoke holes to save weight, as a typical trial bike wheel. The banana saddle is fixed (not spring suspended) on the fork and carries a front and back bumper made of stiff plastics. The front bumper is used by three fingers from underneath as a handle, when the rider jumps or dismounts – or falls.

The rider wears shoes with grip, uses a helmet and protectors at shins, knees and at least gloves on the hands.

A helmet camera needs a wide angle lens and picture stabilization, because the rider makes sudden and quick head movements to watch the trail.[citation needed]

Events[]

  • Muni events recognized by the International Unicycling Federation at Unicons are: cross-country, uphill and downhill with the possibility of North Shore downhill.
  • In the United States, the California Mountain Unicycle Weekend and the Moab, Utah Muni Fest (ended as of 2009).
  • In the UK, the British Muni Weekend (BMW).
  • The first Colorado Munifest took place in October 2007, organized by Colorado Muni.
  • The first Arizona Mountain Unicycle Weekend was held in February 2009, organized by the Arizona Unicycle Club.
  • In Australia, Cross County and Downhill are included in UniNats, held by the Australian Unicycle Society every 12–18 months.
  • In Liechtenstein and Switzerland, the Elsbet (abbreviation for Einzigartiges Liechtensteiner und Schweizer Berg-Einrad Treffen, English: Unique Mountain Unicycling Meeting of Liechtenstein and Switzerland)

Gallery[]

  • Relaxed mountain unicycling

  • Mountain unicycles (Surly)

Riders[]

Canada[]

  • Kris Holm – Mountain unicycling pioneer and founder of Kris Holm Unicycles
  • Ryan Kremsater[5]

Austria[]

  • Gerald Rosenkranz[6] – First finisher of Red Bull Dolomitenmann on a unicycle (2015)
  • Markus Pröglhöf[7]

Germany[]

  • Lutz Eichholz

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ The Essential Guide to Mountain and Trials Unicycling, Kris Holm, p128, ISBN 978-0-9868418-0-4
  2. ^ Gelles, David (2008-07-27). "Mountain Unicycling: Down the Mountain on a Wheel and a Prayer". The New York Times.
  3. ^ The Essential Guide to Mountain and Trials Unicycling, Kris Holm, p146, ISBN 978-0-9868418-0-4
  4. ^ http://cbs4denver.com/sports/local_story_229155140.html Archived September 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Extreme unicycling: North Vancouver a hot spot for one-wheel riders Vancouver Sun, 15 April 2019
  6. ^ Website of Gerald Rosenkranz (German)
  7. ^ Getting to know: Markus Pröglhöf Red Bull, 6 June 2016, retrieved 5 May 2018. (German)

External links[]

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