PELHAM – The off-road unicycling festival S.T.O.M.P. Muni Fest will return to Oak Mountain State Park for the sixth year Oct. 12-14.

With no brakes, shocks or a steering wheel, and just a handle in the front to hold on to, the one-wheeled riders will traverse nearly 25 miles of trails at OMSP and camp each night in the 9,940-acre park.

“It’s very unique,” said event organizer and Magic City Muni Club co-founder Wendell Rotenberry. “We get a lot of stares, and some people don’t even believe that you can ride a unicycle on a trail.”

On average, 25-30 unicyclists from throughout the Southeast travel to OMSP to attend the event. The goal is to help grow mountain unicycling into a legitimate sport. Riders wear shin guards, a helmet and wrist guards. Cyclists typically reach a speed of 5-7 miles per hour.

Rotenberry and Geoff Wymer, event organizer and Magic City Muni Club co-founder, said at last year’s event that they chose Oak Mountain State Park as the location because of the high quality of its trails.

“The trails are unicycle-friendly and very well-maintained,” Rotenberry said. “They’re smooth trails where you don’t have to get off of your unicycle a lot. With steep or rough trails, you’ll end up having to walk most of the time.”

According to Rotenberry, mountain unicycling is unlike regular unicycling, and is its own unique hobby.

“A regular unicycle would fall apart on the trail,” Rotenberry said. “With mountain unicycles, the fork is wider to support a fatter tire, like those on mountain bikes. The mountain unicycle is built to withstand the bumps.”

The cost to attend STOMP Muni Fest is free but donations are appreciated to help cover costs. Those planning to camp at the South Trail Head will have to pay a tent fee of $25 per night for up to four people. Payments must be made at the front gate or campground office upon arrival.

For more information about the event, go to Stompmunifest.blogspot.com.