This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
MOAB - This southeastern Utah town may be known as a mountain biking mecca, but this weekend, MUnis ruled the slickrock.
"It's the new extreme sport," said Charles McKenzie of Phelan, Calif., as he watched his son, Chris, and dozens of other mountain unicyclists practice jumps and spins at the Moab city skate park on Friday. "Anything you can do on a skateboard, you can do on these things."
This weekend, more than 170 MUni riders rolled into Moab for the seventh annual Moab MUni Festival. Wherever they go, these one-wheel wonders attract attention. Drivers stopped their cars to gawk as the group set out down a Moab side street for a mid-morning ride. Mountain bikers looked on in awe as the riders negotiated the steep inclines and difficult ledges on the practice loop of the Slickrock Bike Trail Friday afternoon.
On Saturday morning, the group set out to ride sections of the 15-mile Porcupine Rim trail - a feat that would test even the strongest leg muscles throughout the day-long trip. Only the most seasoned group of riders - known at the festival as the "Machos" attempted to ride the trail's full length. Less experienced riders chose to experience shorter sections of the Porcupine Rim, then head back to camp for lunch.
"It's the challenge, really," said Chris McKenzie, when asked why he chose mountain unicycling over mountain biking or skateboarding. "Mountain bikes are a lot easier to ride. With a unicycle, there's a constant challenge to stay in your center of gravity. You have to work at it all the time."
"The essence of mountain unicycling is when you're riding stuff that's on the edge for you and you finally get it," said Tom Holub, a participant from Oakland, Calif. "So much of it is just trying. It's often not as difficult as you think it will be."
Customized with shock absorbers and large mountain bike tires, mountain unicycles are specifically designed to easily grip slickrock and rough mountain terrain.
But mastering a MUni requires balance, patience, and a touch of fearlessness. The cycles have no gears, and no brakes, forcing the rider to pedal continually, weaving and sometimes making the cycle "hop" to traverse short ledges and rocks.
Once considered an oddity, mountain unicycling has gained in popularity and prestige in recent years. Festivals have cropped up across the country, and competitive events now are held around the world.
When he launched the first Moab MUni Fest with 11 friends and family members seven years ago, organizer Rolf Thompson never imagined that the event would fast become the largest mountain unicycling festival in the world.
"It's been surprising. But you can't ever underestimate the draw of Moab," Thompson said. "This time of year, people want to get out, and they want to meet other people who are doing what they're doing. But it's really the land that draws people here. I just thought to invite people. Moab worked its magic on me. Now it's worked its magic on them, too."
More today
The Moab MUni Festival continues through today, when riders will try out sections of the new Sovereign trail - a narrow 16.5-mile single track trail that crosses slickrock, rock ledges, and dirt while revealing spectacular views of southeastern Utah redrock desert.