Spring Mountain Unicycle Program
Overview
The Send Town mountain unicycle (muni) program is for unicyclists interested in mountain unicycling. No previous muni experience is required. However, due to the nature of off-road unicycling, some specific skills are required (see Requirements, below).
Fort Collins is superbly suited to muni. Beginner to expert level singletrack is abundant and accessible within minutes of town. Additionally, the typical trail length is perfect for muni. Rides in this program will range between 3 and 8 miles as class progression allows.
Muni is one of the more popular unicycle disciplines in the western United States. Requiring both mental discipline and physical fitness, muni is an exhilarating “flow state” sport. Indeed, many of the mental skills honed by mountain unicycling transfer over to other sports like rock climbing, alpine skiing, and downhill mountain biking.
The skills covered in this program include, but are not limited to:
● Descending steep terrain
● Climbing steep terrain
● Line choice / navigating obstacles
● Trail etiquette
● Riding efficiency
● Mental concentration / attitude
Group size is capped at 10 students.
Instructors
Head Coach: Dylan Canfield
Dylan has 20+ years of unicycling experience. Dylan's favorite unicycling discipline is muni, but he also dabbles in road/distance riding and street riding (imagine doing tricks at the skatepark).
You may have seen Dylan riding his unicycle at the SendTown Cyclocross races or on the Lory/Horsetooth trail system. Dylan’s favorite local muni trails are Wathen, Upper Timber, and Blue Sky.
Requirements
Skills
● Ability to unicycle 100 yards (i.e. a football field) on flat ground, without dismounting
● Ability to freemount somewhat consistently, at least 75% of the time or more
● A desire to learn muni :)
Required Equipment
● 24” or larger mountain-specific unicycle.
● A limited number of 24” unicycles are available to borrow. Contact Dylan in advance of the program, if you need a unicycle.
● See the Resources section, below, for purchasing links or reach out if you have any questions.
● Bike helmet
● Gloves
○ Dylan recommends the Kris Holm Pulse gloves with built in wrist guards. These gloves have extra padding on the palm as well as a built in wrist protector that does not interfere with gripping a unicycle saddle or handlebar.
○ Alternatively, Dylan recommends “demolition gloves” from the hardware store. These gloves have reinforced palms and are very durable.
● Knee pads
● Backpack or hip pack
● Water storage
○ Approx. 1L is recommended
● A TeamApp account for practice announcements and changes
Schedule
Every Wednesday (5:00 PM - 6:30 PM) and Saturday (8:00 AM - 10:30 AM) from April 3, 2024 to May 4, 2024.
Locations
First program meeting (April 3 @ 5 PM) Meet at Cottonwood Glen Park (https://goo.gl/maps/w3amj3wJj1Dd6RDv9)
Additional practice locations will be selected and announced as the group progresses. Additional riding and drop-off locations may include:
● Maxwell Natural Area
● Reservoir Ridge
● Horsetooth Mountain Park
● Lory State Park
Resources
Unicycles
● Unicycle.com
● Unicycle.co.uk
○ Ships from the UK.
○ May have stock when unicycle.com is out of stock.
● Renegade Juggling
● Mad4One
○ Ships from Italy
○ Good unicycles but site can be confusing
○ Contact Dylan for help ordering
Gear
● https://www.unicycle.com/safety-gear (specifically, KH Pulse gloves)
Questions
Dylan Canfield
dylan@co-uni.org