Climbing the Mt Washington Auto Road on a bike with two wheels is a very challenging feat, climbing it with one wheel might be borderline crazy. But that’s what I will be doing next weekend for Alton Weagle Day! If, well, when I make it to the summit, I will be the first female to unicycle up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. I decided I would try the climb only a few weeks ago, now I am wishing this idea popped into my head a few months ago, but I know I’m not racing so I’ve accepted the fact that I’m not going to break any records. I don’t consider myself a unicyclist by any means, I learned when I was in 8th grade, literally overnight. My friends and I stayed up all night in my basement playing pool, ping ping and hanging out. I picked up my bike and went from pole to pole for most of the night. That morning I rode the entire 1/4 mile of our dirt road! From there I would just pick it up every so often. The last time I unicycled was last summer trying to teach my mom, which didn’t go so well, but we had a great time. Flash forward to today, and I’m attempting the Toughest Hillclimb in the World! Don’t worry I’ve been training, well not the way I should, but the way I have to. I’m a Triathlete so I know how the training cycle works, build, peak, taper. Being this close I should be tapering not building, but I figure it’s better to see what I’m in for, than to use the little time I have getting miles in on the saddle. My first attempt was with my own unicycle, which was very difficult because it was way too small. Thanks to Dave Harkless at Littleton Bike and Fitness, the climb is much easier now on my new unicycle. Today was my 4th training ride, all of which have been on the hill, which again is not the best way to build, but we’ve established I’m skipping the first phases of training. I should mention I’m not going to be the only staff member attempting a first on Alton Weagle Day, co-worker and good friend Sue Wemyss is going to roller ski, classic style to the summit as well. Never heard of roller skiing? Check it out here. Sue and I drove up to 2 mile park this morning and started our climb to the 5 Mile grade, which is gravel to see how our equipment would fair.
Hopefully by next Saturday the gravel will be a bit more firm and I won’t come off the bike. I met up with Sue and we walked back down to the car, which is harder on your body than going up. I’m feeling more and more confident each time I ride the road. I know it’s going to be a slow process but knowing in the end what I will have accomplished will be so worth it. Pray for a clear day on May 28! -Meg
Yay Meg and Sue! Good luck and have fun!
Thanks Amy!
I am finding the rollerskiing fun. (Unicycling looks very tricky!) I think making it to the top on rollerskis is going to be pretty much of a tenacity thing. There are some really nice sections of road that were repaved recently, and there I get some glide. I was relieved to discover that where the gravel has firmed up, the rollerskis do fine–they weren’t slipping, nor was the fine gravel underfoot shearing like new snow on packed snow can do. But, it certainly will be a challenge for me, not having done all that much rollerskiing in the past 20 years!?! (Where does time fly off to?)
I am afeared Meg’s photo catches me with the dreaded “late kick”! Looks like I’d better keep working on my classic technique!
Thanks for the well wishes. And thanks to Alton for inspiration!
Good luck uni’ing Mt Washington from another female unicycler.
Enjoy the views!
Riding up’s tough. Trail riding down (muni’ing mountain unicycling/trail riding), even more fun (ok, maybe not Mt Washington…but other places a mt bike can go, a uni can as well)!
Cheers!
Meg, you’ll never in your life EVER be bored! More power to ya! Now, we just have to figure out a way for you to get rich w/your adventures!!
Wow! Way to go Meg. Jump on the bike and enjoy the challenge! The photos and blog are great. Thanks! I look forward to hearing more .We are far away but still connected! (Roller-skiing looks like fun.) Wishing you both the best next weekend and great weather too. Happy training!
Good Luck Meg and Sue! Meg you really need to get yourself a BIG wheel Unicycle, like a 29 or 36″! A 24″ wheel will be a large large task, on a wheel too small for the task. Happy to give you a tutorial! FaceBook: Mountainuni.com
Thanks for the advice!
There are some larger sized wheels that may get you going faster, but the torque of a 24″ and what you have been training with probably should be maintained. the gravel issue sucks, a wider tire will fix that. I think I have a smooth fat tire that will work well for both road and gravel it’s a “Maxxis Hookworm 2.5″ running about 45psi it should roll very efficiently and still hook up in the gravel nicely . I learned and have since broken my first unicycle, a Sun 24″! I will be following your endeavor with great interest!
Good luck w/ the training and race!
36″ is a bit big for a hill like that , maybee if you had looong cranks. Also riding a 36 is different than a regular UNIcycle (not aBIcycle) or uni for short.
Since you aren’t concerned about time I’d focus on finishing w/o being totally wiped out, so I think the size wheel you have is fine. You could go med length on the cranks (150 mm) or relatively short (125 mm). I’d prob go w/ the longer cranks. It would make it easier to remount when you get tired and on the gravel, and you will have to exert less force each revolution saving energy for the top.
Make sure to practice mounting on a hill to increase your consistency. On a hill the static mount is best.
If you had a lot more training time, and wanted to get a fast time, I’d get a 26 or 29″ w/ 150′s.
First: Good luck, Meg and Sue!
Meg, I was the first uni (you gotta stop saying “bike”) to climb Whiteface and Equinox. Your 24″ wheel will work fine. For the road part, pump up the tire good and hard, then maybe let a little air out when you get to the gravel. Also, you know there’s never been a female uni ascent on Equinox…just sayin’.
As you’re pedaling, just remember the hillclimbers’ mantra – “pain is a good thing”! Since you’re a triathlete, I reckon your already knew that, though.