I’v done a small bit of urban off road and county “trails” riding on my 1.75" stock United. The tread is gone and the slick narrow surface is realy good for finding the bottom of a patch of mud.
I picked up a 2.1" nobby tire at Toys-R-Us for $10. The rim holds it fine. I CAN’T BELIEVE THE DIFERENCE. 1/1 grade hills that I crept down can be tackled at a fun pace without constant threat of sliding.
So after work I raced out to the hills that I used to bike on, “Little Colorado” (anybodyneed a Cannondale, BTW?) and attacked the red clay of Mississippi. I was shocked at what I could do- things I would have thought twice about on a bike.
I faught my way to the top of the main hill on the ride, took in the view, and started the decent just as a group of MTB’s started the last leg of their assent up the other side. I could hear them hooting and chearing each other on as they struggled up. I think there were at leaset five of them. 2 of 'em pulled up to a stop in the trail in front of me, more or less blocking the way, waiting on their comrads, who could be heard, but not seen. These guys were pumped, totaly stoaked over what they had just done- then one of them saw me. His face transformed from exaltant joy to deapest dispair in a fraction of a second. “No…no,no,nononoon”, he started babeling, then as I picked my way past them, “where is my camera” (not happy sounding), followed by “no one will believe me.” I was just about past the other guy when the first started calling for him to look. A moment later, I was bombing down another trail, just another fish story without a fish. I would have stoped to chat, but I loved the image of this guy trying to convince his buddies what he saw. I was there, clear as day, my signature writen in the mud- if they looked.
The decent was one of the most wonderfull experiences I have ever had. Mudy, root crossed gullies with bits of screa, pine needles and fraty-pan. I had 2 controlled, fatigue-induced dismounts on the way down- which was the longest, best run of mogals you’ve ever skied. As a mater of fact, MUni encapsolates most of the best things found in sking and adds a good deal more. What excitement, bombing down the hill… and the best part is, I didn’t have to pay a dime. Park truck, get out of truck, comence outrageous amounts of fun.
I can’t wait for tomarrow.
At first, I thought the life of the United could be extended for many months with this new tire. The rim is like cast iron, and the weight wasn’t that big a deal- untill I loaded the tire with mud. Now I see a new Sun rim in my near future… if the siren call of the Double Wide with 3" Gazz can be resisted. Lo, look ye upon the ruined bank accounts of braver Unicyclists than thee, and despair!
Christopher