Author: Kris Holm <danger_uni@yahoo.com
 

The object of unicycle trials is to ride over obstacles.  A Unicycle Trials competition takes place on a "course" containing 15-30 different obstacles called "sections".  Each section has a score value corresponding to the difficulty of the problem, with higher point values corresponding to a higher difficulty level.  Riders earn points by successfully riding ("cleaning") a section from start to finish.  The objective is to earn as many points as possible by cleaning as many sections as possible.  At the end of a specified time period, the rider with the highest overall number of points is the winner.
 

The competition takes place within a specified time period (2+ hours depending on the number of obstacles), on a collection of 15- 30 independent, numbered sections of any length (typically 3 m to 20 m long).  Sections may include narrow beams, steep climbs, hopping rocks etc.  At each section are posted instructions that identify the section number, its score value, and details about the section.  Sections are defined by flagging tape and/or instructions that designate a start line, section boundaries, and a finish line.
 

Riders may attempt any section they wish, in any order, and the objective is to score points by successfully riding ("cleaning") as many sections as possible within the specified time period.  Cleaning a section is defined as follows:

1. Riding into a section.  This is defined as the moment a rider's unicycle axle crosses over the start line.
2. Riding through the section without "dabbing".  Dabbing is defined as follows:

1. Allowing any part of the rider's body to touch the ground or obstacle.  If loose clothing brushes against the ground or obstacle but does not influence the rider's balance, then this is acceptable (does not constitute a dab).  Also, it is acceptable for a rider's heel and/or toe to initially contact the ground when doing a pedal grab, as long as most of the riders foot is still on the pedal.  However, after a rider is established in a pedal grab, weighting the heel or toe on the ground constitutes a dab.
2. Allowing any part of the unicycle except the tire, rim, spokes, crank arms, pedals, or bearing housing to touch the ground.
3. Riding or hopping outside the boundaries of the defined section.  The axle of the unicycle must be within the boundaries of the section at all times, even if the rider is in the air (e.g., a rider cannot hop over a section boundary that turns a corner, even if they land back inside the section).
4. Breaking the flagging tape or other markers that are delineating a section boundary.  Touching or stretching the tape does not constitute a dab, as long as the unicycle axle remains inside the section boundary.
5. Riding a section in any way that is not consistent with the instructions outlined for that problem.

1. Exiting the section.  A rider exits a section when their unicycle axle crosses over the finish line, or when it is within a defined finish area (such as a taped circle on top of a boulder).   Note that there is no requirement to exit while in control the unicycle:  if a rider falls across the finish line but manages to exit without dabbing, they have cleaned the section.

Riders may attempt any problem multiple times until they succeed or decide to abandon the section.  However, it is not possible to earn additional points by cleaning a section more than once, and no points are awarded if the rider does not clean the entire section.

If there is a lineup for a section, the rider must go to the end of the line after each attempt.  Near the end of the competition time period, priority must be given to riders attempting a section for the first time.
 

Observers are responsible for judging whether a rider has successfully cleaned a section.  There are several possible ways for an Event Director to organize Observers at an event:

1. One Observer can be assigned to judge at each obstacle. This is the best option but may not be possible if there are not enough Observers
2. Each Observer can be assigned to judge several sections in the nearby vicinity. In this case, it is the responsibility of the rider to ensure that an Observer is watching when they attempt a section.
3. Riders can be split into groups, and one Observer is assigned to each group. This Observer would then follow the group around as they go from section to section.
4. At small events,  there may not be a need for Observers. Riders waiting to attempt a section may serve as Observers for the rider who is currently attempting the section. This is termed "self-judging", and it is up to the riders to self-police and ensure that scores are honestly recorded.

Each rider is issued a scorecard (see example) at the beginning of the competition, and must give their card to an Observer prior to attempting a section.  If they clean the section, the observer indicates that they have completed the section by initialing the box corresponding to that section.  In the case of self-judging, at least two riders that witnessed the clean must initial this box.  At the end of the competition, riders hand in their cards to the Event Director or to a designated person for tallying of scores:

Example scorecard:

The minimum competition time duration is 2 hours. If there are more than 30 sections and there are a large number of competitors, 3 hours is recommended.  The time duration should be sufficient to allow each rider to attempt each obstacle multiple times, if necessary. 

All riders must stop riding at the end of the time limit. If a rider is mid-way through an attempt when the time limit is reached, they are allowed to finish that attempt.
 

All riders attempt the same course; however, competitors are divided up into different categories for the purpose of awarding prizes.  Rider categories should include beginner, sport and expert classes.  For larger competitions, rider categories should conform to the relevant sections of the International Unicycle Federation (I.U.F.) competition rulebook.

8.    PARTICIPATION BY THE COURSE SETTER

Due to the grassroots nature of many events, the course setter is allowed to compete.  Although the course setter may initially be more familiar with course sections than the other riders, this should not result in an advantage because everyone is allowed multiple attempts to complete sections.  However, if the course setter wishes to also compete, they must conform to Rider Responsibility No. 6, and refrain from riding on the course prior to the competition, including while they are designing and building the sections. 

Any unicycle may be used as long as it meets the basic definition of a unicycle: that it has one wheel driven by crank arms directly attached to the axle.  There is no restriction on changing unicycles during the competition.
 

All riders must  wear helmets, shin and knee protection and gloves or wristguards.  There shall be NO exceptions to this rule. Dangerous sections must not be constructed, and in particular, there should be no dangerous objects to land on if a rider falls off a high object. Artificial sections should be constructed so that do not collapse or fall over under normal riding conditions.  If an Observer or the Event Director feels that safety is compromised by a rider attempting an obstacle that is beyond his/her ability, they may prohibit the rider from attempting that obstacle.

11.    RIDER RESPONSIBILITIES
 

1. The rider must know the rules.
2. The rider must gauge their time. No allowance will be made for riders who spend too much time at one obstacle and cannot complete the course before the end of the competition time period.
3. The rider is responsible for knowing where a section starts and ends, and which route he or she is supposed to take.
4. If two or more sections overlap, it is strongly recommended but not required that only one rider at a time attempt any of the overlapping sections. If two or more riders are on overlapping sections at one time, the rider who started first has the right-of-way.
5. The rider is responsible for his or her scorecard. If it becomes damaged, the rider can ask the Event Director for a new one. If it becomes lost, the rider will be issued a new card but their score will return to zero.
6. No rider may attempt any obstacle prior to the start of the competition.  Ideally there should always be a separate practice area set up outside the competition area.
7. Intentional modification of a section by riders or spectators is prohibited. Note that kicking objects to test stability does not constitute intentional modification if an object moves.   If a section is unintentionally modified or broken by a rider, they should inform the Event Director or Course Setter who will return the obstacle to its original form if possible.

A protest can be lodged by anyone against an Observer's ruling. Protests typically arise when a bystander (another rider, or a spectator) observes a rider make an infraction that is not recorded by the Observer, or when an Observer gives the wrong penalty. Protests must be lodged with the event director within fifteen minutes of the official results being posted. Protests must be in writing, and must note the rider, and section number and a description of the protest.

For small-scale events, the event director can act as the sole jury member.  For larger events there should be at Jury consisting of at least three members, and they should be appointed in advance of the event. The Jury should be composed of the Event Director, the head Observer or Event Commissar if applicable, and a riders' representative. If there is no head Observer, the Event Director can appoint any person with experience in unicycle trials. Care should be taken to avoid conflict of interest and, in the event that a protest involves someone close to a Jury member, that person should be replaced for evaluation of the protest in question.

The jury will base its ruling on the input from the relevant parties, including the rider, the Observer, and the person who lodged the protest. In the evaluation of protests the benefit of the doubt must go to the Observer. The Jury is not obliged to overrule the Observer based on testimony from witnesses. Only if all parties present at the incident agree on the facts, and the Observer accepts that he or she made an error in assigning penalties, can an Observer's decision be overturned.
 

1. Each section must be clearly numbered and designated with written instructions and/or flagging tape, and have clearly marked start and finish locations
2. Each section must have a sign indicating the section number, point value, and a description of the section.  A good format is to post a sheet of paper inside a Ziploc bag at the start area of a section, with the following information:

• Section Number: Each section is given a number that corresponds to its number on the scorecard.
• Section Points: Point value awarded for cleaning the section
• Start:  Description of the start location
• Section: Description of the section and section boundaries
• Finish: Description of the finish location

1. Multiple sections on the same obstacle (e.g. different ways to ride over a car) are fine as long as there is no confusion. In fact, designing multiple sections on large obstacles can be an efficient way to increase the number of sections without requiring significantly more work.
2. It is extremely important to design sections that are durable enough that they do not break or change during the competition time period.
3. Section difficulty should correspond to the range in ability levels of the participants.   The easiest sections should be cleanable by all participants after one or two attempts, and the harder sections should require multiple attempts by the best riders. 
4. It is highly recommended to include one or two sections that are so difficult that they may only be cleaned by one rider, or not at all.  This will help prevent ties for first place, and may also help to increase the technical standards of the sport if a rider succeeds in doing something that has never been done before.
5. Sections should differ substantially from each other and test a variety of unicycle trials techniques, such as hopping, rolling along narrow beams, and pedal grabs.  Often, it is best to make a list of the different techniques in unicycle trials, and design sections that test each one of them separately or in combination.
6. Overall, a course should not favour left or right handed riders, or riders with right- or left-foot-forward hopping stances.  For example, the course setter should include sections requiring pedal grabs or hops to both the right and to the left.
7. It is best to design sections that provide challenge without undue risk.  Typically the best-designed sections include moves that test balance and precision, rather than moves that are difficult only because they are big.  For example, rather than constructing a big, basic drop or gap between easy terrain, increase the difficulty of the takeoff or landing areas by making them smaller or off-angle.
8. Section Instructions should not require or prohibit a rider from using certain techniques to complete a section. For example, the instructions must not prohibit a technique such as pedal grabs in order to increase the challenge.
9. There is no requirement that riders exit a section while in full control of their unicycle. Consequently, a well-designed section should force riders to be in control in order to finish- it should not be common for riders to fall across the finish line.  The easiest way to do this is to include a section of easy ground between the last hard obstacle and the finish line.
10. A practice area must be set up outside of the competition area.  It can be very basic, but it is important for warmup, and because otherwise it will be hard to stop riders from riding on the competition course prior to the event.

The Course Setter must assign score values to each section that correspond to the level of difficulty of the section. Higher score values are given to more difficult sections. The Course Setter may consult with other participants when assigning scores, but has the final authority on score values. 

This is done as follows: First, the Course Setter assigns a U-system rating to each obstacle. The U-System is an open-ended system used to rate the technical difficulty of trials obstacles for both competitive and recreational riding. See Appendix 1 for more information on this system.

Second, the Course Setter assigns a score value to each section, based on its U-system difficulty rating. This is done according to Table 13.1 below. This point value must be clearly indicated on the instructions for the section, and is the value used to tabulate the rider’s scores.

Note that there is not a linear relationship between difficulty ratings and Section Scores.  The reason is that there is a greater difference in difficulty between, for example, U5 and U6 ratings compared to U1 and U2 ratings.  This is similar to the 10 skill levels in freestyle unicycling, where the difficulty difference between, for example, Level 1 and Level 3 is much less than between Level 8 and Level 10 (where a Level 1 rider would typically take much less time to achieve Level 3 than a Level 8 rider would take to achieve Level 10).

The most important responsibility for Course Setters when assigning score values is to be consistent. For this reason it is best to assign score values to sections after all sections have been built. Course setters should try not to let their own strengths and limitations at different techniques bias their judgment of score values.  This is especially important for rating sections that have similar difficulty levels but which require different skills (e.g., hopping, riding narrow beams, pedal grabs)
 

Table 13.1. U-Ratings and Corresponding Section Scores.

Ties are allowed. However, the riders may choose to conduct a tiebreaker. Note that this should be a decision made by the riders that have tied, not the Event Director. If one of the tied riders wants to have a tiebreaker, then a tiebreaker must be held.

The method of tie-breaking can be chosen by the tied riders. Here are some suggested options:

• The tied-riders attempt to collect as many points as possible by cleaning as many sections as possible, without dismounting between sections. One rider rides at a time, and once a rider dabs, they must stop riding. The rider who scores the highest combined number of points is the winner.
• The tied riders may pick sections to attempt, one at a time. If a rider dabs, they must stop riding. The rider who accumulates the most number of points in a row without dabbing is the winner.
• If the event is small, grassroots and non-serious, riders may just play a game of rock-paper-scissors or equivalent to solve a tie.

Final rankings are calculated after the tiebreaker has been conducted. For example, if two riders tied for 1^st place, the rider who loses the tiebreaker will receive 2^nd place, and the former 2^nd place rider will be bumped to 3^rd place, and the 3^rd- place rider to 4^th place, and so on.

Overview and comments

This open-ended rating system is a relative measure of the difficulty of trials obstacles, and is based on the difficulty rating systems used for rock climbing. Please note that the U-system is a rating system, not a "set of rules", and is included here as reference material.

The U-system is different than the "Unicycling Skill Levels" defined for artistic unicycling because it does not consider riding techniques; it rates the difficulty of an obstacle itself.  However, familiar obstacles and situations are listed as references so that users can get a feeling for the difficulty level of each grade.  With experience, a rider will get a "feeling" for the difficulty of other trials problems by comparing them to the difficulty of the reference problems. In this way, an unlimited number of problems can be graded for difficulty without having to describe all conceivable problems (which would not be possible).

In addition, different riders have different strengths and weaknesses for different types of problems (e.g., hopping oriented versus riding narrow beams), and consequently may find some reference problems harder or easier within a given grade.   However, an attempt has been made to include problems at each level that a "well-rounded" trials rider would find equally difficult.

* Please note: All of the above-listed reference obstacles are subject to revision. For comments or suggestions about any of these examples, please contact Kris Holm at danger_uni@yahoo.com.