HOLM The Essential Guide to The Essential Guide to Mountain and Trials Unicycling The How-To Book for the Remarkable Sports of Mountain and Trials Unicycling kris HOLM Mountain and Trials Unicycling The Essential Guide to Mountain and Trials Unicycling is the complete instructional book for riding off-road on one wheel. This landmark guide provides tips and techniques for beginners venturing off-road for the first time and more advanced riders honing their skills over rougher terrain. With over 250 photographs and easy to understand instructions, this book introduces the basics of trail riding and describes advanced techniques for climbing Inside you’ll find tips for: and descending more difficult terrain. For unicycle • Getting started trials, it describes the full range of techniques for riding • Choosing the best equipment both urban and natural obstacles. A full chapter is devoted to equipment and choosing the best unicycle • Riding over obstacles for different styles of riding. • Climbing and descents • Using geared unicycles and Kris Holm is a world trials champion and legendary brakes mountain unicyclist. As the best-known and one of the • Conserving energy on long sport’s most experienced riders, he helped shape the rides Gradient Press fundamentals of muni and trials as they exist today. • Pushing limits while keeping In this book Kris shares entertaining stories, photos and knowledge gained from riding adventures around safe the world. $19.9 5 ISBN 978-0-9868418-0-4 978-0-9868418-0-4 First Edition 9 0 0 0 0 First Edition Gradient Press 9 780986 841804 “A wheel, a trail, legs and lungs–what could be “This book should be on the top of the reading simpler or more beautiful? With straightforward list for any Muni or Trials unicyclist. It not only prose and clear, helpful photos, Kris Holm illu- gives you the background and development of the sport but also offers advice and help from minates the techniques, pitfalls, joys and terrors Grandmaster himself…” of mountain unicycling for the beginner and — Roger Davies aficionado alike. The Essential Guide to Moun- Mountain Unicycling Pioneer and Founder of tain and Trials Unicycling reveals a sport far Unicycle.com in the UK. more diverse and accessible than is immediately apparent, and celebrates the adventurous spirit “This book offers a rare gift–the direct trans- mission of experiential wisdom from a master. shared by climbers, skiers, hikers and all who The fundamental intention…to expedite your love being in the mountains.” learning curve, maximize your enjoyment, and — Michael Kennedy encourage creative flow...ingredients to create Long-time climber and Editor-in-Chief, your own unique uni adventures.” Alpinist Magazine — Ryan Leech Professional Bike Trials Rider and “Kris' unique ability to break down some of the Integral Coach most subtle aspects of unicycling left me continu- “Kris demonstrates through fantastic photos and ously agreeing on things that I've done for years, easy to follow instructions that mountain unicy- yet never committed into conscious thought.” cling can be fun for just about anyone…In the — Ryan Atkins sharing of his own stories, Kris’s passion and 2006 Unicycle Trials World Champion depth of knowledge shine through. Victory on one wheel!” “A superb book by a superb rider who has — Catharine Pendrel helped take the sport from its beginnings to Olympian and 2010 Cross Country Mountain Bike World Cup Overall Champion where it is today.” — George Peck “This book is another triumph...the best-looking Mountain and Trials Unicycling Pioneer unicycling book ever made! It’s worth the price for the pictures alone, but there’s so much more “I've had the pleasure of knowing Kris for many beyond that.” years, first meeting him in the early "Freeride — John Foss Mountain Bike" filming days in the '90's…I give Multiple Unicycle Track and Freestyle World Champion and Mountain Unicycling Pioneer him praise for sharing his knowledge with other uni-enthusiasts!” “Kris' book inspires me to get out and ride!” — Wade Simmons — Irene Genelin Godfather of Freeride Mountain Biking 2010 XC Muni World Champion “In this book Kris shows that you don't have to “Kris Holm is a kindred spirit who has great be an elite athlete to have fun. It reminds me of respect for the natural world, building commu- the early days of mountain biking, when people nity while helping redefine his sport. His book were intimidated before they realized that there is intriguing whether you're a serious unicyclist are many ways to experience this beautiful sport.” or simply want a fun diversion alongside your — Hans Rey major sport.” Former Bike Trials World Champion and — Lynn Hill Mountain Biking Pioneer Climber “From slacklining to World Cup ski racing, “It's exciting to finally see a technical book mountain unicycling is one of the best ways to published about our activity, and with such cross train for both physical balance and mental quality. This guide is what was missing to estab- control. Finally we have a book that explains lish mountain and trials unicycling as fun but how to do it.” serious sports.” — David Hobbs — Anne Sophie Rodet Former U.S. National Telemark Ski Team Member 2010 Technical Muni North American Champion “When I first met Kris in 1991, I would never “From learning newcomers to even the most have guessed that muni would turn into the experienced riders…this book provides both diverse and established sport that it is today. Kris visual instruction and showcases the amazing shows us that unicycles have as much a place in progression of the sport.” the cycling world as any two wheeled bike.” — Max Schulze — Andreas Hestler 2010 Unicycle Trials World Champion Olympian and 2-time Cross Country Mountain Bike Canadian Champion “This book does more than teach unicycling - it expresses the feeling of mountain unicycling. “Kris’ book offers entertaining insight into our Kris…shares his life long experience and sport’s history and his personal experiences as a makes world class unicycling skills understand- extreme unicyclist. It is a valuable handbook for able for beginners.” every rider who wants to improve and enlarge his — David Weichenberger or her repertoire of unicycle skills…” DH Muni Multiple World Champion — Lutz Eichholz Mountain Unicyclist and Guinness Record Holder RIGHT Dennis D'Alfonso rides at Donner Summit, California. HANS VAN KOPPEN T he Essential Guide to Mountain and Trials Unicycling KRIS HOLM First Edition Gradient Press TSHE ES ENTIAL GUIDE TO MOUNTAIN AND TRIALS UNICYCLING Copyright © 2012 by Kris Holm ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by WARNING any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be Unicycling is a potentially dangerous sport. expressly permitted in writing by the publisher. You can be seriously injured or die. Read the following before you use this book: Published by Gradient Press. This is an instruction book about unicycling, a sport with inherent risk. Do not www.gradientpress.com depend solely on information in this book for your personal safety. Your safety when riding depends on your own judgment, based on competent instruction, Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication experience, and a realistic assessment of your riding ability. Holm, Kris, 1973- The advice given in this book is the author’s opinion. Consult your physician Mountain and trials unicycling / Kris Holm. -- 1st ed. before engaging in any practices described by the author. Do not ride your unicycle in places where it is prohibited by law. PBK ISBN 978-0-9868418-0-4 EBK ISBN 978-0-9868418-1-1 There are no warranties, either expressed or implied, that this instruction book contains accurate and reliable information. There are no warranties as 1. Mountain biking. 2. Unicycles. I. Title. to fitness for a particular purpose or that this book is merchantable. Your use GV1059.H64 2011 796.6 C2011-900627-8 of this book indicates your assumption of the risk of death or serious injury as a result of unicycling’s risks and is an acknowledgement of your own sole Cover and book design: Kim Groebner responsibility for your safety in unicycling or in training for unicycling. Instructional photos: Sean White The author assumes no liability for accidents happening to, injuries sustained Author photo: Melissa Mewdell by, or property damage incurred by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book. Printed in Hong Kong by Prolong Press, FSC # SGS-COC-008778 C106160 P4 AGE David Weston and friends ride through the endless steppes of west-central Mongolia. THE AUTHOR P8 AGE Max Schulz finds a bouldery line in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. ROLAND SCHULZE For Mom and Dad S T N Foreword. 13 T C hapter 1 – The Game of Muni and Trials 17 C hapter 2 – Equipment 29 SADDLES ........................................................ 32 CONE SEATPOSTS ...................................................... 33 SEATPOST CLAMPS ............................................... 34 FRAMES ........................................................ 36 BRAKES ......................................................... 38 TIRES .......................................................... 40 RIMS AND WHEELS ............................................... 41 T he author descends slickrock on Amasa Back Trail in Moab, Utah. NATHAN HOOVER HUBS ........................................................... 42 CRANKS .......................................................