Mountain Unicycling

Head for the mountains, or wherever

Known as MUni, Rough Terrain Unicycling, All Terrain Unicycling, and UMX, mountain unicycling has been a boon to the unicycle industry, sparking better unicycles, more interest, and more participation. The name, however, can be a little misleading. Most people consider mountain unicycling simply the act of riding a unicycle off-road. No need to put yourself at high altitudes, that's for sure; riding off-road is tough enough!

The very thought of mountain unicycling may come across as absurd to the uninitiated. Opinions change as soon as a skeptic witnesses a skilled unicyclist skillfully traversing narrow passages and tight turns that a bicycle cannot physically handle. Indeed, it would be hard to argue that mountain unicycling does not demand balance and athleticism on par with or greater than traditional mountain biking. Advances in unicycle design Even a standard unicycle requires a surprisingly strong frame; but when put through the rigor of off-road riding, the common level of strength is not going to cut it. Because of this, unicycle manufacturers have designed single hubs that can support the weight and impact normally considered only necessary in a bicycle. The new models are fitted with standard, knobby mountain bike tires and feature longer crank arms to give the rider leverage on difficult slopes.

MUnis Unite

Stateside, mountain unicycling can be found mainly in California, Utah and Colorado. California has been celebrating its Mountain Unicycle Weekend for 14 years now, with events and participation increasing consistently. Locations include Lake Tahoe, Downieville, San Diego, Santa Cruz, and plenty more. The first California Mountain Unicycle Weekend occurred in 1994 and attracted about 35 unicyclists from all over the country and as far as England.

Since the inception of the mountain unicycling craze, riders across the nation have got on board. In 2007, the first Colorado MUnifest was held, two years later Arizona hosted their first. Activities at these events are tiered to encourage all competent riders to participate, but you'd best be on your best performance if you want to compete with the best.