Mountain unicycling, a relatively new sport involves riding a unicycle on the same terrain one would take a mountain bike. The unicycle is built with a big, knobby tire and made for rough terrain. Kris Holm is perhaps the most famous mountain unicyclist, responsible for the development of off road specific unicycles. A unicycle has a fixed gear, so you pedal forward it goes forward. You slow down by pushing back on the cranks. Although many use a brake on their unicycles, they generally are not needed unless the terrain is very steep or continuous. |
I’ve been riding since December of 2005, with no prior unicycle experience. I average 10-20 miles per week of unicycling, I ride at Bent Creek Experimental forest and at Richmond Hill park. I also have been checking out all the trails in Pisgah. The best terrain for offroad unicycling, in my opinion, is steep technical downhills. Having one tire allows for precise control of your line. Going uphill is the hardest part of unicycling, since the combination of power and balance needed to climb is very challenging.
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LEARNING TO RIDE...
The only way to learn is by doing it. It helps to have your own unicycle to practice on. I started with an offroad unicycle from www.unicycle.com which cost about $350. You can get a good unicycle for learning for much cheaper. The trick is to practice every day. The early phases are frustrating and awkward as your muscles learn to maintain balance.
Once you can go fifty feet unassisted, the learning really speeds up.
What I ride
24” Kris Holm Freeride with Thomson seat post, carbon seat frame.
24” Qu-Ax Mountain unicycle with a fireball tire, for street riding, shopping, etc |
