Rolf Sander <sander@turing.sci.yorku.ca> wrote:
>On Wed, 10 Jul -1, Jack Halpern wrote:
>
>> It’s nice to hear MUNI all over the place, but when you say MUNI do you
>> really mean MUNI or do you mean good old UMX? I thought they were supposed to
>> be different? I’m kind of confused. Few people have real MUNIs. If you mean
>> UMX, call it that way so as to avoid confusion.
>
>Jack, I’m surprised you support the incorrect term UMX. Doesn’t that stand for
>“unicycle moto® cross”? Where’s our motor? To me MUNI makes more sense 
Well let’s give this more thought. First of all, it worries me when our
lexicographer has problems with unicycling terminology
MUni = “Mountain Unicycling”. If compared to mountain biking, it’s supposedly
done in offroad situations, usually in rural areas with lots of altitude
changes. Tires are big and knobby, lots of gears, Gonzo attitudes, big bucks, TV
and product advertising, massive bicycle sales, dominating the bicycle market.
UMX = “Unicycle Motocross”. Excuse me Rolf, but we got this name from a sport
which is done on bicycles. A “moto” is a racing heat. Yes, BMX comes from
motorcycle racing, but bikes were invented before motorcycles, so there
Tires are small and knobby, bikes are very small and have only one
speed. BMX is racing on small closed circuits, all dirt, most riders aged 5-15,
heavy safety equipment (aren’t they smart?), not as popular as it once was but
enjoying a comeback, not big bucks, not as much TV (I’m not talking about X
Games ramp jumping or flatland freestyle) or product advertising.
What we usually do at our unicycle conventions doesn’t really match either of
those. Our courses are more like cross country or “Unicyclocross”, but without
the water. The event has also been called “Unicross.” We race on a lot of grass,
fitness trails and even pavement.
I hope I have thoroughly clouded the issue. )-0
Now for my opinion:
Back in 1981 when I coined the phrase “UMX”, bicycle motocross was extremely
popular. It seemed like a great way to relate our sport to one that had a huge
following of riders of the right age. Mountain bikes were just barely starting
to be called mountain bikes then.
Since that time, mountain bikes have grown huge in popularity, like nothing ever
before. They grew to about 70% of the bicycle market. Though that percentage is
now dropping back, mountain bicycling is very popular in this country because
the bikes are more comfortable, they can handle bumps, and they look “cool”.
There is even a trashy TV show now that features cops on mountain bikes (I don’t
have to watch it to be able to tell that it’s Baywatch on bikes). Mountain bikes
are REALLY popular!
The proper term that we should use, if we want to attract people to our sport,
is “MOUNTAIN UNICYCLING”, and nothing shorter. If you say “myoonee”, people
will think you have a speech impediment. That’s why my event is called the
“California Mountain Unicycle Weekend.” We can talk MUnis here on our newsgroup,
but for the real world we should use the long version. People are absolutely
fascinated at the concept that a unicycle can ride on mountain bike trails. They
want to know more! It might bring them into the sport.
I’m studying this concept out here, as I prepare for the Mountain Unicycle
Weekend, in my scientific laboratory of dirt and rocks.
BTW, Jack wasn’t sure what types of unicycles are involved. A 26" with knobby
tire and long cranks is nice, but most people don’t go to the trouble of making
their own unicycles. I’ll have one soon, but right now I’m riding a plain old
Miyata, using a 24" wheel and a tire with very smooth tread! Traction isn’t
great, but it works just fine. Wheel size doesn’t matter; it’s the attitude
that counts.
See you on the trails,
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone unifoss@calweb.com