Approaching an Obstacle on Your Mountain Unicycle: Three Techniques
The sport of mountain unicycling is like a whole new dimension of mountain bike riding, and so much more challenging. If you want to feel the proverbial burn, just take your mountain unicycle up on a local trail.
Speaking of which, sooner or later, if you do devote yourself to the die-hard pursuit of muni riding, you’re going to come up against a particular obstacle at some point.
An obstacle, that is, like a log laying across the trail, which is a forgone inevitability. It’s not if, but when - you know the old adage.
On that note, when you do come up against an obstacle laying across the track, how do you get over to the other side?
There are three main techniques, which we will cover in detail here (just don’t ever try them in your minibike!).
Technique One: Ride Over It
The first and most obvious response to coming up against a log laying smack dab in the middle of the track is to ride over it.
It is, however, more challenging, and much more tiring than it sounds on paper. It also requires you to do a little mental math.
First, approach the log laying across the trail, come to a standstill for a pause, and size it up. You need to make sure this is a log you can ride over before you attempt such, and there are four main things that will determine if that is a possibility. These are:
- The height of the log
- The size of your tire
- Your skill level (are you comfortable with riding over this log?)
- And how tired you are (maybe you can ride over it, but is it worth it? How much of the trail is left?)
All in all, the smaller the log, and the larger your wheel, the more easily you’ll be able to ride over it.
Assuming you’re comfortable with riding over this thing, come out of your standstill and pedal slowly toward the log. Right before your wheel contacts it, lean slightly backward to put your center of gravity just behind the wheel to anticipate the bump force of the wheel hitting the log (if you don’t, you’ll pitch forward on impact).
On contact, you’ll bump forward, use your momentum now to lean into the wheel, to put your center of gravity in front of the wheel so you can pedal into the log, grip it, and bring the wheel up and forward.
Once your wheel is at the apex of the log, you actually want to lean slightly backwards once again, so that you’ll be able to keep your center of gravity over the wheel as you do a controlled roll down the other side.
That’s it, you rode over the log!
Although, maybe instead you want to try…
Technique Two: Clear It
The other option is for you to clear the log - that is, for you to hop over it.
Nonetheless, some of the same conditions apply. First, you will want to approach the log, pause and come to a standstill, and assess it.
Whether or not you should hop it depends on a few things:
- How high the log is
- Whether or not you are comfortable even attempting to hop it (don’t try if you aren’t comfortable)
- And how tired you are
The latter consideration is an important one. You should look at the log and think to yourself “I could hop this four times or more without really getting tired” before you consider hopping it once. Don’t underestimate the exertion required to do so.
Also, consider how much of the trail is left. If you’re approaching the end of the trail, then maybe it’s alright for you to push yourself a little bit.
There’s more than one way to hop a log, too. If you decide to hop it, you’ll need to hop it one of the following ways:
- Forward, facing the log
- Sideways, facing parallel to the direction the ends of the log are facing
- Standing, with the crank arms level; this may give you a little more leverage to clear a slightly higher impediment
- Or pulling the saddle out in front of you so that you have even more power to jump higher; this technique is generally best for taller obstacles
Once you’ve approached, assessed, and cleared the log, continue on your way.
Unless of course, you think that the following technique might be best.
Technique Three: Walk It Off (So to Speak)
The last technique is also the most straightforward, but the preparation for it is the same as in the latter two cases.
Roll up to the log, pause, stand still, and assess it.
In this instance, maybe the log is too high. Maybe you’re not comfortable riding over it or with your abilities to hop it.
Maybe, also, you’re too tired, or perhaps it’s right at the head of the trail and you have 16 more miles to clear before the dust settles.
Maybe you’re just thinking about how fresh you need to be at the end of the trail. You might have to work in a day or two, and need to be composed to do so.
Either way, there’s no need for you to be a hero. If you don’t think you can comfortably ride over it or hop it, gracefully dismount, walk over it, get back in the saddle, and finish the trail.
No shame in that!
Mountain Unicycles, Minibikes, Tools and More
These are the three main techniques you’ll be able to apply to an obstacle - like a log - laying across a mountain unicycle trail.
And, while you can read about them, it’s practice, not study, that makes you better. So heed our words and translate them into action the next time you tackle a muni trail.
Meanwhile, we have what you need to succeed, including unicycle parts, safety gear, unicycle and bike tools, and of course mountain unicycles (the average one-wheeler has three unicycles!) and even odd bikes and minibikes.
Check out our collection and gear up before your next excursion.