From my 16 mile epic MUni ride at “Backbone” trail today, starting from Will Rogers State park. About 2,200 feet of elevation gain, and some very steep and technical sections, but almost totally exposed! Dang I could have really used some SHADE on this ride, but still fun and rewarding.
On a side note, it used to cost $7 per car to park in their lot for the whole day. Also, the last time I was there, and for many years people could just park for free just a couple blocks away, but they put a stop to that. And today I also was SHOCKED-especially in this economy- that they have almost DOUBLED the parking fee to $12!!! That’s for a SINGLE vehicle, car or motorcycle. Wow. I was wondering why there were so few cars in the lot! Unfortunately, parking fees won’t be the only things that will be going up, up UP, while interest rates on your savings are going down, down DOWN!
I visited a few State Parks since the price increased. It bugs me because I stopped getting pay increases. It doesn’t bug me because I want the parks to continue to exist. It makes me mad when they remove nearby free parking that’s been around forever. Your ride sounds like a blast. Most of our parks up here offer only fire roads for biking. Single tracks are usually off limits unless you use them illegally. I want to be bad but I’d be spending all my time looking over my shoulder.
Looks like you guys had some fun. But why only once a month?
I went on another great muni ride on the geared 26 today. The brakes are amazing for going downhill in high gear. I also dared to tackle some very rooty and bumpy downills in high gear with success. It was quite challenging but rewarding as well. Also the high speed is so awesome on narrow and interesting downhills. And the fat tire gives great suspension in bumpy high speed trails. It’s a rush:D.
So I can only recommend this setup to anyone who can afford it. Satisfaction guaranteed.
I met some mtb riders who were very impressed about my skill and the geared muni. It felt very good. Strangely I was faster than them on the downhills while some of them passed me on the uphill. But maybe that was because I began the uphill in high gear, and being pretty tired that slowed me down a lot. Anyways, it was great fun and I somehow discovered some new trails once again. I also accidentally landed right in the middle of some outdoor theater performance:D. Pretty good performance by the way…
Pic 1: Heading into Llandudno with the Little Orme in the background
Pic 2: Well you have to be civilised don’t you! One of my many stops en route.
Pic 3: A seagull admiring the uni.
it’s not a local group of riders, guys travel from all over the state
it takes time and effort each month to find a suitable ride, not just for a wide range of skill levels, but travel considerations etc.
the monthly ride gives the local kids learning to uni something to aim for, their first monthly muni ride is like a graduation ceremony!
most guys ride often in their own area anyway
there is life outside of unicycling
etc etc
Anyone interested knows there’s a regular social, informal muni ride once a month, within reasonable traveling distance from Melbourne and Central Victoria, and can plan around that.
Anyways, good excuse to post a couple of my favorite pics from yesterday.
The best part of the rides for me personally (and the motivation for organizing the rides) is seeing local young kids get into unicycling and really enjoy it. Have been some pics of this guy before in this thread - Joell started riding in May/June, he’s really got a natural groove for it. On a group rides these days he’ll be somewhere up the front mixing it with the much bigger guys, giving anything go.
