HELP! Too many Muni events - How to choose?

General
1

Just kidding, there will never be too many Muni events. At first I was going
to hit the last three days of Muni at Unicon. Then I heard about North shore.
Now the September weekend is looking juicy. If time and money were not
issues, I’d do it all, obviously. I have commmitments that I “should” stick
to for Aug 3, 4, and 5. But…

My question is this. If airfares to Santa Cruz from NY are comparable to
Seatle ($200 round trip). I would burn fewer bridges at home/work by skipping
Unicon/North shore altogether and instead come out for the Santa Cruz gig.

In either case I’m looking to spend a few days with serious Muni’ists and ride
challenging stuff - basically get the biggest Muni bang for the buck. I’ve
been riding hitting up all the best MTB spots near NYC this summer, but it’s
lonely!!

Can anyone help me here?

How far is the drive from Seattle to North Shore?
Does it look like I would be able to bum a ride to North Shore from someone?
Would it be worth the effort to go to Unicon for the 31st, 1st and 2nd, ride
North Shore for Saturday only, find a ride back to Seatle Saturday night, and
hump it back to NY before my wife divorces me at about noon on Sunday. Is
this feasible or insane?

Or will I get as many Muni jollies at the September weekend? How many riders
are expected in September?

I know these questions are subjective, but any input is greatly appreciated.

Joe Merrill

2

Re: HELP! Too many Muni events - How to choose?

Hi Joe,

> Just kidding, there will never be too many Muni events. At first I was
going
> to hit the last three days of Muni at Unicon. Then I heard about North
shore.
> Now the September weekend is looking juicy. If time and money were not
> issues, I’d do it all, obviously. I have commmitments that I “should”
stick
> to for Aug 3, 4, and 5. But…

Yes you should. The “but…” sounds promising though.

> My question is this. If airfares to Santa Cruz from NY are comparable to
> Seatle ($200 round trip). I would burn fewer bridges at home/work by
skipping
> Unicon/North shore altogether and instead come out for the Santa Cruz gig.
>
> In either case I’m looking to spend a few days with serious Muni’ists and
ride
> challenging stuff - basically get the biggest Muni bang for the buck.
I’ve
> been riding hitting up all the best MTB spots near NYC this summer, but
it’s
> lonely!!
>
> Can anyone help me here?

I can’t speak about Santa Cruz but the NS will offer plenty bangs for you
bucks. Crunches, crashes and near misses too.

> How far is the drive from Seattle to North Shore?

From what I know it’s a 2 or 3 hours drive.

> Does it look like I would be able to bum a ride to North Shore from
someone?
> Would it be worth the effort to go to Unicon for the 31st, 1st and 2nd,
ride
> North Shore for Saturday only, find a ride back to Seatle Saturday night,
and
> hump it back to NY before my wife divorces me at about noon on Sunday. Is
> this feasible or insane?

Hands up who thinks Mrs. Merril is the most caring, compasionate and
beautiful wife any man could hope for. That’s at least 1000 forum members
plus however many news group posters out there that all agree just how
truley wonderful she is. How can she complain about you going now :wink:

The only insane thing to do is not go to any of them. <evil_powers>What if
something comes up and you can’t go to Santa Cruz?</evil_powers>

> Or will I get as many Muni jollies at the September weekend? How many
riders
> are expected in September?
>
> I know these questions are subjective, but any input is greatly
appreciated.

There will be stacks of muni riders at UNICON and plenty going up to
Vancouver afterwards. Are the muni comps not being held on the 1st or there
abouts? <supremely_evil_powers>Just think about what you’ll be
missing…</supremely_evil_powers>

Neil

3

Re: HELP! Too many Muni events - How to choose?

Joe, if you want the best bang for your buck, fly directly to Vancouver and
just ride the North Shore. If you can also squeeze in the end of Unicon,
you’ll love that too. Santa Cruz will have 50-75 people and be an utter
blast, but we don’t have trails that are as amazing as the North Shore which
is in a class by itself.

I would certainly love to have you at Santa Cruz and show you our great
trails etc, but if you can only do one, you owe it to yourself to get up to
Vancouver (and Snoqualamie if possible).

See you there, whichever you decide!

—Nathan

“Joe Merrill” <nycjoe@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:mailman.1026926978.32427.rsu@unicycling.org…
> Just kidding, there will never be too many Muni events. At first I was
going
> to hit the last three days of Muni at Unicon. Then I heard about North
shore.
> Now the September weekend is looking juicy. If time and money were not
> issues, I’d do it all, obviously. I have commmitments that I “should”
stick
> to for Aug 3, 4, and 5. But…
>
> My question is this. If airfares to Santa Cruz from NY are comparable to
> Seatle ($200 round trip). I would burn fewer bridges at home/work by
skipping
> Unicon/North shore altogether and instead come out for the Santa Cruz gig.
>
> In either case I’m looking to spend a few days with serious Muni’ists and
ride
> challenging stuff - basically get the biggest Muni bang for the buck.
I’ve
> been riding hitting up all the best MTB spots near NYC this summer, but
it’s
> lonely!!
>
> Can anyone help me here?
>
> How far is the drive from Seattle to North Shore?
> Does it look like I would be able to bum a ride to North Shore from
someone?
> Would it be worth the effort to go to Unicon for the 31st, 1st and 2nd,
ride
> North Shore for Saturday only, find a ride back to Seatle Saturday night,
and
> hump it back to NY before my wife divorces me at about noon on Sunday. Is
> this feasible or insane?
>
> Or will I get as many Muni jollies at the September weekend? How many
riders
> are expected in September?
>
> I know these questions are subjective, but any input is greatly
appreciated.
>
> Joe Merrill

4

I vote for the North Shore. There are a variety of trails with different skill levels. Urban trials in Vancouver is awesome as well. Go to a bike store and buy a trail map for Cypress, Seymour, or Grouse and pick a trail.
From the list it sounds like lots o’ people will be there. (Not me :frowning: )