Introduction
Comments about this discussion:
Started
Hello everyone
I look on the names of the member of this subcommittee and I can recognize almost everyone. :)
I have been involved in Rulebook Committee 2019 and little in 2022/2023 which unfortunately did not succeed from organizational reasons. Because it already failed once, I will put all efforts to make the work of current committee effective.
Currently I am heeling broken leg, therefore I have more free time than usual. I expect to be pretty active for the next 3 weeks at least. Things may change if I resume regular work or travel.
I didn't participate at the Unicon 21 in Bemidji, therefore I will strive to not comment on that particular convention.
My biggest concern is that for many years we were lacking of well organized Muni disciplines. For many Unicon editions things often went utterly wrong. Most of the problems were the result of irresponsible organization or lack of proper timing system. Thus, no matter how good the rulebook would be, there must be a better understanding of the past problems and how not to repeat them.
Comment
I wish you a good recovery and hope you can get back to riding soon.
From my experience at Unicon 21 in Bemidji, the muni organization was extremely good with almost all muni events on schedule and in time, (someone feel free to correct me if my memory was wrong), and I was not aware of any timing problems. I think about the only complaints I heard from Muni in Bemidji were individual complaints related to the cut-off times for the elite cross-country (which I think were pretty reasonable and fair: I missed it by a few minutes). So a major improvement with far fewer delays or complaints than in Grenoble.
But yes, I think these factors are mostly due to the implementation of the specific organization and can't be fixed just by adding rules.
Comment
Hello to everyone in this group! Thank you for volunteering to help us tweak our rules to make things better, and keep up with the current state of Muni Racing. We have 15 members! I invite everyone to introduce themselves to we know a little bit (more) about each other.
I've been involved in the crafting of unicycle competition rules since 1981. At that time I was a new member of the Redford Township Unicycle Club in Michigan, and learned they were going to host the National Unicycle Meet in 1981. I had been to the previous one, in Kokomo, Indiana, and it changed my life. I won a 3rd place medal in "The Mile" and I thought it was the coolest thing ever!
Afterward, I was all over wanting to learn and be involved. Before 1981 there wasn't a formal rulebook to my knowledge. It was a simple list of the basics, with not a lot of detail. The competitions at that time were also more basics; "Racing" (24" and 20" only) and Trick Riding: Indiviual, Pairs and Clubs (Groups). The 1981 group spelled things out better, and created the document on which todays IUF rules are based. Many things were added over the years, especially details!
Today I'm an aging (aka slow) rider but still enjoy getting out on the track and trails to do the best I can. I will try to offer my experience in a helpful way without overdoing it.
Credentials:
- Lots of experience with the development of uni competition rules
- Some world champion titles in Track and Freestyle
- Came in second in the first Unicon offroad race (1988, Puerto Rico). I campaigned for that and some other events to be added that year
- Past President of Unicycling Society of America and IUF
- Haven't missed a Unicon yet
- Tends to be too wordy in written communications
Note to the Administrators here:
I requested to be on three committees, but I had some problems with login at the beginning so I don't know of those did not get communicated. My other requests were for Track Racing and Main Committee. If I can be added I promise to be attentive and not be a pain. :-)
Comment
Hi everyone, Ben here. As for my credentials: 3x XC world champion, former Muni Director at Unicon, and regular participant in the rulebook committee.
Regarding quality of muni events: I agree with Nathan that the organization at Unicon 21 was excellent and I hope this can become a new standard for future muni competitions at Unicon.
Comment
Hello everyone,
So I missed the introduction part :-)
Nathan here: Looking at the members, I also know the majority and have ridden with a lot of you.
Although I didn't start unicycling until I was almost 40, I've been pretty active for the last 10 years, first in Muni and the last few years also in freestyle, hockey, basketball, trials, road, and track (although not particularly competitive in the last few).
I was at the last 2 Unicons, the last 2 CFMs (France), Villanders Muni (Italy) the last 5+ years and the German Muni events the last few years and organized the unofficial German Muni Downhill in Fall 2022 and have had decent results in the 40+ and 50+ categories of XC, DH and uphill.
Like John, I also tend to be wordy in written communication and sometimes overly picky about language usage details, but I think this is mostly positive concerning the rulebook.