Riding in sand

[Beirne Konarski]

Reading John's UNICON description, I noticed that UMX can include riding through
sand. Now, I understand how to deal with rough terrain, even if I can't do it
very well, but sand always gives me trouble. It's my second least favorite
terrain, next to sheet ice. Whenever I hit sand the wheel spins, the uni stops,
and I fall off. What is the trick for sand?

Thanks, Beirne

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[Ruizb@aol.com]

At Unicon IV, in Puerto Rico, the UMX was parallel to the sea, thru sand. It was
hard, compacted sand most of the way. Just before the finish line, close enough
that the riders were staring at the large overhead sign that marked the finish
line, and when they wanted to start their final sprint, we had a sand trap.
There we had soft sand. So it was fun seeing (and videotaping) some of the
world's best riders unintentionally dismounting one after the other.

Also, in Isabela, we have some large soft sand dunes. The kids used to fool
around a lot on those dunes with their unis. But I remember them sliding down. I
can't recall seeing any of them going all the way up the dunes when the sand was
soft. These guys, Jose Roman & Company, are pretty good riders, so my guess is
that you better keep on compacted sand.

Alberto Ruiz UNICON IV Chairman Ruizb@aol.com

[Unicycle@aol.com]

>Whenever I hit sand the wheel spins, the uni stops, and I fall off. What is the
>trick for sand? Thanks, Beirne

Alberto Ruiz wrote:
>Just before the finish line, close enough that the riders were staring at the
>large overhead sign that marked the finish line, and when they wanted to start
>their final sprint, we had a sand trap. There we had soft sand. So it was fun
>seeing (and videotaping) some of the world's best riders unintentionally
>dismounting one after the other.

This was the first UMX race at a UNICON, in 1988. Yes, the commentators on the
video tape sure were laughing at the riders going down in the sand trap! By the
way, I did NOT hit the tree, it just LOOKED like I did. I actually went behind
it as I tried not to stumble onto my face!

To ride on the soft sand you describe just requires a fatter tire, or going
around. In fact, the cover picture on the very first issue of UNICYCLING
MAGAZINE by the IUF in 1985 shows Ken Fuchs riding his fat tire (2.125") 24"
uni. on the wet sand at Jones Beach.

Ride on, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone unicycle@aol.com