Two days ago Beau and I had the pleasure again of riding with the Santa Barbara Unicycle Club. They will be our hosts for the Calif Muni Weekend 2005. This time it was the San Ysidro trail, another one that descends 3000’ of steep and rocky canyon trails.
On hand at the start, we had locals Eyal and Hans and the newly transplanted Julien from Singapore. John Long has been driving up almost every weekend to ride and was there as well. He drove us all 45 minutes up to the start of the trail. It starts out easy, but with gorgeous views of the ocean. It was an amazingly clear, warm day - riding this time of year in Southern California sure beats summer! After a mile or so, the riding became steeper, rockier and much more technical. Most sections required at least a few tries and caused many wipeouts. Even though it’s almost all downhill, it’s really strenuous. It sounds like plans are afoot to do this or a similar trail next fall for Muni weekend - you guys are in for a treat.
Since they’ve been riding so much, all the locals are improving fast. So watch out by next fall.
Wow, do we even have the dates yet? Or are you just un-commiting in principle?
Great shots Nathan. That looks like some great vert, and if I start practicing right now, maybe I’ll have a shot at it next summer.
So–with dates unknown–I’m onboard for next year’s CAMW. At least in principle. Even if I can’t make it down those stairs w/o a face plant, the quality hang will compensate.
Only thing missing in that slideshow was Nathan’s epic run where he nearly “flashed” (first try) that nasty stair section–moderate at first, but the last stretch features three foot drops onto rain-eroded, slanting shale and choss rock. Nobody could link the whole thing in one go, and not for lack of trying.
No doubt, we’ll soon all be chasing Beau, who can do anything we can, and often more, and always faster. Quite a trip to see 4’ 8" Beau gliding on my freestyle uni, set up for me (6’ 1").
Hans rides those trails 3 to 4 times a week and is improving by the day. How he rolls some of that super rocky stuff on a 26 incher baffles me.
I just try and keep up with Eyal–which I can’t, but it’s fun trying.
As I mentioned before, with all that activity in SB and all those great trails, the area is going to produce a Muni prodigy some day soon, sure as Yosemite turned out some great big wall climbers and Jaws spawned some fantastic big wave surfers. By adventure sports standards, Muniing is brand new, and I trust that those trails in Santa Barbara will figure prominately into the evolving future of the sport. Those trails are really that good. And there’s about 200 of them.
All you guys in central Cal. should treat yourself to a weekend down in SB. Great folk, and some of those rides ar 3 or 4 hours long, with miles of steep, technical descents and a glorious view of the Pacific. Beat that!
Muni Weekend 05 is going to be one for the ages . . .
