GET A PUMP TRACK BUILT IN YOUR TOWN
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- In this video, "Get a pump track built in your town" I let you in all what I've learned trying to get a pump track built in my town. I've been involved in getting a pump track built in varying ways with three different pump tracks. Finally this one at Valmont is actually being built in my town. I've made a lot of mistakes along the way but as of today two out of three are built.
Pump tracks have become a true passion for me. Sure I love to ride them but I'm actually most passionate about the track as a community asset. Being a small part of these tracks has been a highlight of my life.
If you can afford to help with time please do that and if you can afford to donate please do that.
www-static.bouldercolorado.go...
To help fund the completion of the Valmont Pumptrack in Boulder, CO click this link to the Play Boulder Foundation. You can direct where you'd like the funds to go as well.
www.playboulder.org/
The legendary Elliot Jackson and his Grow Cycling Foundation is raising for a pump track in Los Angeles. Please give what you can. growcyclingfoundation.org/pag...
Get a track in your town: velosolutions.com/contact-ove...
I was that teenager, back in the 90s, that had to talk to city council to keep the BMX track. They wanted to turn it into a golf course. I remember the feeling of intensity, in my young self, trying to tell these adults how important this track was to me. Today, the track still remains, and it is thriving.
Glad to hear your track is still up and running. My town was not so fortunate. Around 2001 we spruced up an abandoned BMX track and had one of the best summers of my life. Hanging out with all your friends with that sense of community was great. Then a local company who must have bought the land that the track was on caught wind of it and thought that we were a liability so they tore the whole track down. They claimed they were "putting up a parking lot," but 22 years later it's just an overgrown field. To this day the town still doesn't have anything for bikes for its youth. Several kids who rode the track that summer have passed away due to drug problems. I always wonder if things would have been different if those kids had had a positive outlet to consistently go to such as that BMX track.
@Wi11yumm wow. That actually brings some sad memories back of some of our community that lost their battle too. It's been a long time since I've remembered those friends. Hard to say if things would've been different if your crew had an outlet, because mine did....and it still went dark in that way. The track is still up and running. Nationals every other year. But it will never be the same as it was in those days. I feel you. They were good kids. Gone too soon.
@Wi11yumm maybe this could be your chance to honor them. Take back the field, and turn it back into what it was in 2001. Bring the kids back. Give them something to do other than the drugs that destroyed our friends. It's a big deal...I know....but if you build it.....
I live in Western Australia and there are heaps of tarmac pump tracks being installed around the state. They are brilliant. My 10 year old son loves the local one. It’s always covered at all hours with riders from toddlers on balance bikes on the green line, kids and teens riding the blue line and getting modest air, all the way up to adults doing massive jumps. New riders who’ve never ridden more than a footpath, to the local BMX club doing manuals and tail whips etc. And the best part, so far I’ve seen, is how the big kids make room for the little ones. Everyone just lines up, nobody pushes in, and if you hit the deck there’s always someone who’ll ask if you’re okay. They are awesome for the community and every area should have one!
I own a couple of acres of land in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the UK. The whole of the village is designated in green belt which means there is small chance if any development.
I will try to do this, but the neighbouring houses go for about £4million, and this country has way more red tape than sense so it'll be the biggest struggle!
I used to ride boards before I broke my back, now I ride bikes more casually. I'm doi g this for my kids and my community!
Wish me luck!
Duuuude! For the last week I’ve been attempting to figure out how to start this conversation with my local government. Thank you!
I love it when we make the right thing at the right time.
@@JoyOfBike I just went to a meeting last wed and started trying to get one built.
It took our club 3 years to get through all the meetings and paperwork just to get the city to let us build one with no funding. Keep at it it might be a struggle.
Also brings economic benefit to the local community too along with your other points. Family and I travel long distances to go to communities with pump tracks and buy lunch and visit bike stores.
IMPORTANT: The US lags Europe in asphalt pump tracks 40 to 1. How do we catch up? Parents getting involved.
HOW MUCH LAND? Depends on the track size but it has been done on as little as a 1/4 acre. That obviously does not include parking and facilities.
HOW MUCH MONEY? I've seen projects with budgets from 150k - 700k depending on the builders, the land, donated materials, zoning, drainage, etc.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE: Not much. Sweep off dust. Shovel off snow. Longevity of the surface depends on the company, the land and the environment, but the original tracks in Switzerland still haven't needed resurfacing after 10 years.
Feel free to use this space as a forum.
Alex, please pray for me brother. I am starting Day 1 of sobriety.
@@irishncreb24 I will. One day at a time. Do you have a sponsor?
@@JoyOfBike i have one in a co worker. I spoke with him this morning
@@irishncreb24 Are they a former addict? You need somebody that you can’t bullshit.
@@JoyOfBike yes he is, he was drinking around a fifth a day for years. He went to rehab and has been sober for 6.5 years as of June 1st. I see him routinely at work, I also have a brother who is in recovery, and my niece (his daughter) is checking in on me.
Hey Alex, you seem to really have aligned your "why" with your content subject matter. I think a collaboration with Kyle Warner is in order for a compelling story of why pump track is so important and life saving. You and he are perfectly aligned on this. A third video on costs might good but it's better to stoke the WHY super hard and get people excited and motivated.
I just started to ride again and I'm coming to Boulder to ride this track next week.
I'm happy/thankful/inspired that Joy of Bike is here on UA-cam for everyone to learn and get stoked. I'm a huge fan of everything you've accomplished so far, and endeavors around the next turn. Kudos
I used some of these reasons in getting approval for a new track going in one of my local parks. I actually went the route of getting appointed to Parks and Rec in my city, and built a good case, coming to City Council with a recommendation from the board which carried a lot of weight. I got money approved from the City in addition to a state grant. Phase 1 of a 3 part plan I have in my head. I was recently appointed the single Term Exempt member, so I have the time I need to get things done. Took 1.5 years to get to signing ceremony tonight!
The pump track you got us at Valmont has added so much to the park, and to my experience (and the experiences of many others). Thank you so much, Alex! I want to get one in LOCO.
Thanks to Boulder Parks, too
This guy for president, man!
Hahaha. The pumptrack party!!!
Not kidding, my town won a pump track just 3 days ago from a company's competition. :)
Neat
My local council have got one planned for this year apparently. They said should be done in November 👍
We need a pump track in our community. School district changes brought more kids to our local middle school and it would be awesome to have one for all the kids and families here. Thanks for posting this!
The new pump track at Valmont is so fun!!!
Pumptracks and skateparks are essential to any city, bike wise
An amazing BMX rider/advocate in Akron, OH (where I now live) was able to help convince Medina County to let him add a pump track (plus a kiddie pump track) dual slalom with starting gate, and two jump lines at a local mtb trail converted from an old golf course (Austin Badger Bike Park). Because access was over a wooden bridge we were not able to make it out of asphalt (bridge wouldn't hold the weight of the trucks), so we used a slurry mix like they do in Europe on many BMX tracks. Now, that park is a literal destination bringing in ALL AGES, drawing in runners, walkers, hikers, bikers, and introducing so many youth to higher level bike riding. While I'm obviously very partial to biking, objectively speaking there really isn't an better bang for the buck of regional parks and recs. We've had several Ohio counties add pump tracks in the last couple years. Cleveland is adding one this summer. It's very exciting. I predict biking finds new growth in the coming years.
Great work Alex.
I love this. We need more of these, and we need one in Littleton, CO.
It's crazy that i came across ur channel then this video because I've been thinking of heading to my city hall and requesting a pump track and or some dirt jumps. The city took over an old golf course and they use part of it but there's so much real estate for both. Thanks for the tips
This is the first time I’ve heard you mention your son. It would be cool if you and your son did a pump track tutorial together.
When looking for a place to live proximity to the pump track was a consideration. I'm about a 5 minute peddle away and it is great!
This is exactly what we’re doing now here. The city is all aboard and now we’re ready to design it, to be built this fall.
Wonderful!!!
Good on ya mate i think its a great facility to have in a town. Great for any age , boy ,girls to grans and grandads!❤
Something else to add as far as telling cities, while most people who will use the track will be locals, there's going to be people who will travel to a pump track. We don't necessary make a trip to ride one, but our choice of destination is definitely swayed if there's a pump track or trail system in the mix. We have 4 asphalt pump tracks in Oregon that I know of, and we have visited all of them. That means we ate there and in some cases paid for lodging there. Add some good trails so that kids can safely bike to and from their houses, and maybe a little food truck area for people to fuel up and keep their day running, and you'll bring in people from further away that will come spend money in your community.
We also visited Leavenworth WA and while the touristy German theme was fun, we really went there to check out their MTB trail system and their pump track. Stayed three days, ate out, rode, bought a couple of things at the bike shop...
Great point!!!!
My son and I specifically plan trips to visit pump tracks here in the UK. We have our favourite contractors, and part of the fun is trying to track down (pun intended) venues that they've constructed, and ride them. We've ridden around forty tracks, of which over half have been full-asphalt modern tracks. When we plan a journey cross-country for anything (visiting relatives, going surfing, holiday etc), we will always look up local pumptrack and maintained BMX track opportunities. We'll include them in our travel plans, and often break a long journey with a pumptrack visit.
Even though we're pretty frugal , a pumptrack "safari" will always include doing other things (and spending money) locally. We meet people regularly who do a similar thing whenever they travel with their families.
I just saw a story that Yakima WA is building a nice asphalt track. It's on the way to Leavenworth from our town but Yakima is not really a tourist destination for many people.
Somehow I have a feeling we'll end up spending a day there regardless, LOL.
Great video. I am in Ontario, Canada and have a bike park about a 10 minute ride from my house. It is 3 years old now and all of the concerns that were voiced from the public and city have never materialized. A lot of good people stepped up and fought hard for this to happen and many of us made phone calls and wrote emails that were from the heart and I think that definitely helped the decision to build a park. Maybe it would be a good time to ask for an asphalt pumptrack since Covid is starting to subside and a ton of new people are now riding bikes. Thanks for the video and information Alex.
ALEX, you friggin' ROCK BRO!!! Keep it going and keep that rubber side down for ALL OF US!!
Let’s do this brother!!!
Good on ya, brother. Fully inspiring. 🤙🏼
Thank you Alex!
I'm going to try this here in Australia. I think the process should be similar, so can't hurt to try.
Australia has lots of amazing skateparks and pump tracks. My brother in Perth is always sending me teaser photo!
Mate, which council are you? I’ll join if we are in the same area.
Heaps going in all over WA, it’s awesome!
@@Mububban23 I'm in the wrong state then (NSW). We have plenty of trails but hardly any usable pump tracks outside the Sydney district. Do you have any pointers for getting the ball rolling over here?
@@Ph17ip I'm in the Lake Mac/Newcastle area. I'm thinking of going to Lac Mac, Newcastle and Maitland if I can work out how to get this moving.
This video got us started!!
Dude
you must be the most wholesome person on all of youtube!
Unfortunately those tips don’t apply for my Country and City but I’ll get some friends involved and see how we can get a pump track to our home town.
Keep those Videos coming and ride on!
🤙
I’ve been biking past the Boulder pump track almost everyday, stoked! See you out there!
We put in a pump track here in Erie co within the last couple of years. I'm just getting back into biking after a few years off and looking forward to ripping the track. Also asking new friends and sharing good times. I'd love to see you and the Joyriders out here sometime.
Yes!!! That track is so dang fun, hope to catch some laps out there with you this spring/summer. Cheers!
Thank you for this inspirational video ! 👌 This is of great value for the mtb community !
We already have a small bike park with a dirt pump track up in Cheyenne, but are trying to get it expanded with some more trails and features. The current mayor of Cheyenne owns one of the local bike shops, which helps a lot in that area. There is also some unused or barely used open space property west of the city that is owned by the city that we are trying to get some trails built on.
Freakin Awesome! Best community service vid I have ever seen!!
Let’s make some tracks America!
Had no idea you were so involved in getting the tracks going in your area. Sharing this vid with our local MTB club as well as an agency owner/former pro skateboarder who helped get a skatepark put in years ago.
Either there's some heavy editing or you're becoming more comfortable talking about your friend. No shaking in your voice. Talking and opening up about internal issues is always good. Great video by the way. The one argument I've heard about stuff like this is 'what happens when someone gets hurt and sues the city' it takes one jackass to ruin it for everybody.
For sure. A lot of healing happening. The suit thing must vary by state and maybe city. Florida and Miami had so few skateparks. In Colorado EVERY small down has a skatepark. There must be 7 or 8 within a half hour of me. I think it's because of the ski industry here is protected so laws put the responsibility on the user. People sue but they have to prove negligence.
Just what i needed
Las Cruces, NM is cooking up something that has the potential to be awesome. There's talk about turning an old accidental man-made "lake" into a skills park for all ages. They actually are using a photo from Valmont BP on the title page of the current survey they sent out.
I love that you put this video out, and it is hopefully just a matter of time before me, my kids, and my bros are posting videos of our sweet new facility.
Until next week
Namastoke!
Again with the mind-reading, Bogusky. I’ve been talking to South Suburban (southern Denver Metro) for the last two months trying to get something going and have been really struggling. Thanks for the tips! I’ll keep you updated.
Lol. Go make it happen man. There are like 10 times the pumptracks in Europe. Our kids need these to compete!!!
Great job making this video! This will probably help with more pump tracks in the future. We are looking at getting our town to make some trails, but this might be a better way to introduce biking to them.👍
It’s the best teacher of fundamental skills. I don’t think it’s possible to be good at a pump track and anything other than excellent on trail.
I live in Hawaii and we don’t even have a MTB trail. You’re pretty much just riding on roads or hiking trails. Only the other island like Maui, Oahu and Kauai have trails. I’d be nice to be able to get a pump track. Our little town just got a skate park a few years ago and that took years to make.
That would be a great. I know Kauai is working on something. What island are you on?
@@JoyOfBike I’m on the big island. I have a friend that build a small track for his 6 year old. Maybe this is up his alley. I’m gonna share this with him.
Trying to this right now!! Thank you for making this video!
Good timing!
I was juuuust thinking the other day "How could I get Central City to build a pump track?". Between Maryland Mountain in Black Hawk and Virginia Canyon in Idaho Springs, Central City could become the pump track link in the cycling chain. Great video!
Excellent topic. Earlier this year I was asking my buddies in Southern California if they knew of a pump track and we couldn’t find one in the LA area. I’m sure their out there but not enough of them. I really have to consider taking these steps for my kids and all their friends in the community.
Good on you. Pretty sure none exist in LA.
Alex, I want to be your friend... :) Seriously dude, nice work. I'm ecstatic to report our area has just completed one major track; the Jordie Lunn Memorial Bike Park a Velosolutions design and we have two more on the planning table!
I can always use another friend! So excited for your tracks!!
It’s cool to be able to put a face to all the sick pump tracks in this area. Plus I got a little Cameo
Thinking about it for North Orange County a couple of years now...
we just had the redbull pumptrack thing here at our track i see everyone on it even kids with razor scooters, and i use it to work on jumpin my mountain bike before doin the trails. we got lucky had a huge park built with 9 miles of interconnecting trails and a huge 2 sided pumptrack you can hold races on.
Excellent video! I've shared to reddit to help spread the word and hopefully we can get more tracks built!
Great idea. Thanks.
That's awesome. I'd like to try this in Hawai'i. Hopefully Big Island.
Planning Mode: Activated! Thanks, Alex! ;-)
Excellent video!
Great video as always! Keep up the great work! love your videos, definitely make me laugh and glad I am not the only one with that type of sense of humor. Any mtb video that can weave in Ron Swanson into it is automatically an A+ in my book! haha.
Just had an idea for a video with Lee. People talk about shifting your weight forward and back on a bike especially while turning in tight berms to get more weight over the front tire. Does that mean you just move your body position forward or do you put more downwards pressure on your handlebars to increase front-wheel traction? Basically it comes back to the sequel of your turning guide.
Lee is gonna say don’t do that. I’d agree unless you want to unweight your rear tire to make it slide. The weight bias that you get just pushing into the pedals is pretty spot on. 40/60 front to rear. Still could be a fun episode.
im going to the Broomfield pump track tomorrow cant wait
San Diego just got one finished last year , so fun . We need more !!! 🤙
Yeah we do. America is losing the pump track war.
I had hit some road blocks trying to get a pump track / bike park even discussed in Longmont... I gave up a while ago, but seeing this I have a renewed interest. Thanks mate!
I’m with you. Maybe they’ll listen now with these others going in the area. I expect they do need some education and directions from bikers though. Our “dirt jump” features at parks are atrocious and our skateparks leave a lot to be desired.
@@williamellison3382 are you talking about Longmont? If so, sounds about right. There are a handful of skateparks and they are pretty bad, one was even voted the worst in America. Anyhow, I could not agree more. Hit me up if you want to talk. I have been skating for like 40 years and still do, I mostly just hit Frederick now.
@@radchad666 wow, I hadn't seen the Frederick park. It looks great. I'll check that out soon.
Hey Alex
That was absolutely spot on...our track took around that time too. And what was the first thing the local Council said..."what's a pump track"?
Our track is made of clay...which we love...obviously, we love to dig! We persisted with the track because we love to ride, but now, over 4 years later, we realise that the riding is merely a means of facilitating all the true magic that pump tracks bring (new friendships/breaking down prejudices/saving lives/ending addictions etc etc). And with dirt, there is an added dimension where we are able to mentor young (mainly) lads into the dark arts of shaping clay...and that in turn has created some wonderful and positive relationships. Frankly, it is never ending...
I never imagined that all my "professional" working life would be but crumbs compared to the impact we have had with our track...it is truly the best thing I have ever created (ok, I'd better say my kids come first!).
And putting your video out into the ether is an inspiration...most people are completely daunted by the "process" of getting stuff done with "City Hall"...frankly, I struggled and I am a lawyer...it was HARD. Hopefully your video will cause a chain reaction of pump track developments world wide.
Keep it going Alex...you are doing great work!
Best
Tim
Brighton Pump Track, Adelaide, Australia
PS check out Troy Brosnan (a local, who also trains at our track) on our facebook page...two epic videos...facebook.com/BrightonPumpTrack/
Hi mate, I want to get a track or 2 build over here in NSW. If possible can you please give me some advise on where to start. I haven't talked to anybody yet other than comments in this chat. Should I first get some signatures or write a plan for the track (or both)? Or maybe just define what a pump track is for a community? Should I also have some locations in mind?
@@redbomberr4594 Happy to pass on what I have learned...here are a few ideas that spring to mind:
1. Decide what you want...dirt or bitumen...there is a huge price difference (and obviously, the higher the cost, the more difficult it is to get funding).
2. If you decide on dirt (clay!), you will need to know you have a reliable and experienced team that will maintain the track (it takes a lot of work!). Without maintenance, the track will be dust in a matter of months...
3. The "group" that started our track was just me and my (then) 14 year old son. However, it would be better to get more of a group behind you, but not essential (and to begin with, you don't want too many as it makes making decisions too hard). Best of all is to get young people involved - the Councillors love seeing young people being motivated to do something for the community.
4. The key to success is to talk to the Councillors and hopefully convince at least one to be your "champion" to help pave the way with the Council.
5. To convince a (almost certainly non-biking) Councillor, you need to have a reasonable idea of the concept. Scout around for the locations and scratch out some ideas on paper. The land we used is alongside a railway line and was unused. If you can find areas that make use of "dead zones" then it makes it easier to get through the various hurdles (well, at least have fewer people objecting).
6. Locals will inevitably object...fundamentally because no-one seems to want change, and you will hear concerns about bringing undesirables/drug taking/noise/vandalism etc. In our experience, once the track was built it transformed the site from a slightly dodgy space to an accessible and safe space, and all previous antisocial behaviour disappeared. The locals now are happy with track (but it took time).
7. We went through a community consultation process through the Council. That is a critical stage where the naysayers can quite easily scare the Councillors to inaction. The fundamental principle of the way Councils work is that it is always far far easier to say no, than yes. With "yes", comes risk - political risk for the Councillors and career risk for the Council administrators. You have to work hard to make it easier for them to feel safe saying yes.
8. To win the day in any consultation you need to engage with young people (or their - voting - parents). We contacted all the local schools and got great support (particularly from PE teachers etc who helped with petitions in support). Obviously MTB social media makes things a lot easier too...
9. As part of the process there will be formal presentations to be made to the Council. They can be a bit intimidating, but your secret weapon is to use enthusiastic (but articulate and presentable) young people. I was also always part of the presentation, but a good deal was done by my son and another young lad (the Councillors loved it). I doubt we would have succeeded without them.
10. Before any significant vote by the Councillors, you need to get on the phone and lobby them individually about the project. Personal contact makes a huge difference. Always be respectful and courteous.
11. The whole process is immensely frustrating, laborious and slow. My advice is to remain calm and polite throughout - if relations break down with either the administration or the Councillors generally, the project is a dead duck. I always tried to keep things light hearted and fun...but it was a bloody strain to do so and frankly sometimes I completely failed. I learned a lot through the adventure and at the end of it all I had a lot more sympathy for them - it is actually pretty tough being the meat in the sandwich between the promoters of another brilliant idea and the local naysayers.
12. We designed our own track. You may have those skills...but there really is a lot to getting a really great design (with no dead spots)...if you don't feel confident then getting someone in to design it would be an additional expense.
And I have to say that Alex nailed it in his video...and the benefits of the track really are unquantifiable (and massively improved riding skills is just a fraction of what it is all about).
Good luck!!
Tim
@@timvoss612 Thx Tim, that's gold. I have a couple of young guys and girls that fit the bill
Thanks Tim. It is hard. But we're mountain bikers. We're supposed to be good at doing the impossible. I hope we come together and build more so we can compete with these young European riders that are going to be coming up. : )
@@JoyOfBike Ha Alex! Too right...having witnessed young riders barely able to balance on a bike progress in no time to absolute shredders has been mind blowing. My prediction is that the "pump track generation" will take MTB to a whole new level...so yes, we want make sure the EWS remains interesting...so we'd better keep getting these tracks built around the world. Mind you Jack Moir seemed to do ok yesterday!!
Awesome Vid
So our city approved getting a bike park built in a local park back in 2014. To this day, nothing's happened. Prior to that, the community built our own bike park/pump track. It wasn't sanctioned, of course, but the city new it existed for years. This month, after 5 years, the city leveled it. We can all speculate on the reasons. Could be new covid riders thinking they are enduro champs and getting hurt. Could be environmentalist. Could be a lot of reasons. But this video is hard because we just lost our spot while sitting on their hands about the project that was promised and never done.
So nice!
I'd love to know more about planning them, the technologies (or secrets on how to build a good one that will last ages), building and maintenance cost.
the site must be well drained and be very deeply compacted, The dug a massive hole to build the one near me and spent days packing the base material before they even started shaping the track
American ramp company, who contract for velosolutions in the US, can be a great resource for that.
@@rcranes2227
Knowledge and experience are the key. Tracks have to be designed and built by experts to suit planned usage, and local conditions.
Velosolutions are a smart operator. They know what they're looking for in local operators. They also build in the UK, and it's no surprise that they've already engaged experienced builders that have already shown years of capability in building tracks very similar to the signature VS style.
Some of our favourite tracks in the UK are built by the company that built the London 2020 BMX track, and UCI BMX World Champs track in Switzerland (C&K Contractors). We don't have the number of BMX tracks here that we presume the US does, so they're probably building many more asphalt pumptracks these days than BMX tracks.
@@garyvallance2017 it's amazing to me, having now ridden four separate velosolutions tracks, how different of a feel they can have. You can tell which ones were made with an eye towards hosting competitions and which ones were made with an eye towards introducing more beginners to the sport. Our local track is the latter and it suits us pretty well. But yes, regardless of the intended use, they seem to really be set up nicely by people who obviously ride at high levels.
I wonder if they drag in beginners to ride when they're setting up a friendlier track.
This is rad! Thanks for the tips. Forwarded this to my MTB crew to see if we can garnish some interest here 🤘🏻 I know there are a few in progress here in the CA bay area, but nothing close to me on the peninsula that I know of.
Go for it!
Stoked to see this! The track in Broomfield is epic. Let's do Arvada next!
Maybe that land near the skatepark is city property?
@@JoyOfBike That was the first spot I thought of, for totally selfish reasons since I can ride there from my house 😅 Thanks for the video, it might be the motivation I needed to get involved
Your video just got me to thinking in getting involved and go for it here in Puerto Rico
A track on PR would be amazing!
I live in small town in east Texas and we need something like that
You can get the conversation going. See what happens.
these things are a quarter million … good luck getting a small community to pony up to that shit…been trying for eons🤘
Thanks. We’ve had decent luck but we can always use more!!
I'm 30 and I'm excited to go to the new track in my town
Amazing!!! Where’s your local track?!
Wait...what?! You said in the US you have like 40 pump tracks at the time of filming is that correct? That sounds unreal. Im from Slovenia a small country with 2 million inhabitants and area with less than 8000 square miles and we have like 54 pump tracks. Feeling pretty lucky! 😁
We’re teamed up and working with town of Nederland to build one here. We have the land and some labor donated from a local excavation company for the bulk earthwork. We have volunteers lined up. I’d love to pick your brain on some additional guidance if possible.
At our community Sierra Vista Bike Park in Reno (NV), a Drop Zone (5 progressive drops) was installed last month and a Pump Track is in the future plans. Group behind these improvements is the Biggest Little Trail Stewardship group (fka "Poedunks") on Facebook.
Getting back to the community!
I'm already working on our city (UK)! We'll get there.
Nice work Gary. I feel like us silver backs need to clear the jungle for the next generation to shred!!
@@JoyOfBike Definitely. I'm hoping that if we do, they'll still feel ok about sharing it with us too!
@@JoyOfBike
We have a bit of a mixed legacy in the UK regarding bike facilities.
We have some MTB trail centres. We have some BMX tracks. We have some crit tracks and velodromes. They're not really in the same places. Bike parks aren't really a thing, and there's a shortage of space for public recreation.
On the pumptrack theme, however, with varied Local Authority support and off the back of BMX and MTB, many community groups built small dirt tracks (sometime called "play tracks") in sports fields and parks. Some areas had quite a few, others nothing at all. Usage often fizzled out as maintenance dried up, and most became misused and then neglected. However, as these pockets of land remain unallocated (and already paid for by the taxpayers), the path of least resistance in many places is to convince those Local Authorities that these assets can be modernised into the full asphalt equivalent, where investing in an experienced track builder will equate to high attendance by multiple user groups, which translates into long term low maintenance.
Fortunately, here in the West Midlands, we're in the backyard of some world class contractors (Clark & Kent Contractors), who are enjoying a run of this kind of modernisation work in our area. During the last twelve months alone, the three dirt tracks within a forty minute drive have all been reshaped, asphalted and landscaped. C&K had built each of those original dirt tracks ten years ago, so the modernisation costs averaged £40,000 per venue, which was covered by a combination of Local Authority (ie tax payer) money, and grant or charity schemes.
In the UK, proposals to Local Authorities to build pumptracks may need to include suggestions of funding streams. Setting up a community group, and registering it as a charity is a common way to accessing grants and unallocated funds. New housing developments also need to set aside investment for local community projects, as do local commercial waste recycling/landfill operations.
Fortunately, the number of successful case studies in the UK is growing almost exponentially, so the good news is spreading. Providing pumptrack projects continue to engage specialist track builders, the tide will continue to move in favour of more of these.
This is great work.
Pure clean lines of Tarmac no graffiti 🙆♂️
AGREED!! Too many drawings distracting you when trying to go mega fast
Texas could use more pump tracks , Killeen particularly
We have a brand new one at E47 near Québec city !!
Mike, do you have any additional documentation on how to lobby for a pump track outside of the video (which is great BTW)? I live in Seattle and we need a pump track.
Interesting. I can honestly say I've never even thought about having one of these tracks nearby but now I'm wondering where one could be put in?
I love graffiti/street art and pump tracks are a great place for it.
However, painting directly on the track isn't always great if it acts as camouflage and hides the transitions in certain lights.
Some paints could reduce grip as well I guess, I'm not sure that would be a problem with 'normal' graffiti paint though?
In general though pump tracks, skate parks etc are the perfect place for encouraging street art, 100% agree.
I could see that as a distraction. My favorite and similar distraction is surfing clear water over a reef. First time I experienced that I thought i was flying!
One of our local(ish) and oldest pumptrack venues is close to a public graffiti spot under a road bridge. Sometimes the berms get painted up, and although they can look amazing - some of the paint is REALLY slippery when wet!
Very cool. Thanks. I'm on my town's parks and rec committe and I've been hesitant to bring up the idea of a track because I feel like I can't answer some of the basics about cost, insurance and maintenance. Can you point me towards resources for that?
That’s proprietary info but I’m sure Velosolutions would be able to help.
Would be great if we had real numbers on area used, budget etc for what you guys have shown being built in Boulder.
Two years ago, the town next to us built a 450 square meter (we're in Germany) pump track and they said it cost 140k€ (about 167k$ at current rates).
Hey Alex, ok I’m sold.I’ll try to get a pump track built. Your video inspired me. So how about you make a video for what a pump track means to a community and how it affects those involved with information such as amount of acreage, cost to build and maintain. Louisiana politics is notorious for red tape and outdoor recreation for non stick and ball sports is almost impossible
Start by building your team. I added some details on land and cost above. Keep chipping away at it. It takes so long to do anything I thought I'd be too old to ride them by the time we got it done. Hahahaha.
Hey Alex, I sent a friend of mine the link to this video and asked for feedback, I told him I wanted to go to the parish city council with it. I didn’t know at the time but he knows personally a couple of the council members. One of them reviewed the video and told him that he would bring up the idea and thought it would be a good addition at on of our city parks. Stay tuned for more updates………..
@@trialsrob214 Wow, wow, wow. Well done!! See that people? Starting the conversation can be a HUGE step!!!
This is absolutely inspiring!
2022 new year resolution. Asphalt Pump Track for Garden Island of Kauai.
Any help or advice will be appreciated.
Two wheels on unpaved ground is illegal here...Help legalize Mountain Biking/Dirt Jumping!
I have a house in Kauai. Very enthusiastic to help. If you know Spencer hook up with him. He builds trail and is shreddy as hell and has some potential connections and land possibilities.
@@JoyOfBike Awesome!!! I'm pretty sure my buddy Josh at the bike shop knows Spencer or at least a Spencer that builds and shreds.
A couple question, how much space for an asphalt pump track, material required, and average cost estimates? Was gonna start with Kauai parks n recs then go to state and then to private land owners if necessary.
@@bmfarslow 1/4 acre is more plenty. Small tracks are less than big tracks. And the land and the condition of the land are key. I think the track might be 250k and up. Places to save are also in finding good fill and even asphalt. Getting these things cheaply and or even donated can have a huge impact on cost. John the bike doctor In Hanalei can also connect you with Spencer. There was a family with some land that i recall was interested in donating. That might have fallen apart. Not sure. Bless you and this work!!!
@@JoyOfBike
ALOHA Alex! recently got the Spencer seal of approval, We have been building trails here on Kauai and he likes the work we are doing. I would be proud to show you around if you make it back here.
Was getting ready to incorporate for nonprofit to get grant money and ideally subcontract Velosolutions to build our track.
The skate shop and Jason at Kauai cycle are up to support the project. Haven't had a chance to go north and see John at bike dr. yet.
Have you heard of The Saris Foundation?
Lake Arbor Park Westminster is begging to have a pump park
Can you build one in Arvada or golden
no way you're the reason we got a pump track in Broomfield?? thank you so much but is there a reason why it is closed down? i really want to go and it says it is closed?
there is a velosolutions pump track 200 meters from my house, i dont ever want to move. my daughte runbikes on it, and i ride a DJ like iam 20 years younger.
That’s like beachfront property!!
@@JoyOfBike I am also 15 minutes from the multi time world cup venue of Bromont...
I would like to build one but without the city involved. I don’t like city ordinances or rules. They suck.
I have a question. We (308 BMX in North Platte Nebraska) received permission to use about 5 acres of property to build a pump track and a USA BMX sanctioned race track. We will be dedicating about 1 full acre to a pump track only. We are ready to move forward, just fundraising now. What was to approximate cost to build your pump tracks?
I’ve seen them run between 100k and 400k depending on land, fill, size, layout, etc.
I have been wanting to do this for a long time, I live in Pueblo West Co . Would you be able to help us since you are local.
Hey Alex! when are you going to build one in Pakistan? :P
I take it that you are in Pakistan?
@@JoyOfBike Yes. We have the highest mountains in the world but no bike parks, pump tracks or even skateparks. Loving all the great info you are providing in your videos and applying it to natural trails. Thank you 👍🏼
@@mtbpotohar4431 Incredible. I bet Claudio at Velosolutions would love to build one there. Epic!!
HOW MUCH WOULD THIS COST OUT-OF-POCKET GRAND TOTAL ?
Hello I'm Jandré I love bikes BMX I life in Namibia in Otjiwarongo coode you help me out to build a pump track ,in my town were is know Pump trucks. Please help us build a pump track.
"He passed away that day" Wtf!!! the guy died doing down hill ???
Yes!! This is my question, no one is talking about It
@jcam
pump track in India, govt is cray but lets see :D
They built a fake velosolutions pumptrack in our city. It has the black tarmac and the red lines going, but it's just not well done. No doubles, no small/big rollers, it's just for kids on scooters and skateboards. Sad....
Wish it was that easy in my awesome town. They Built us this so called Pump Track, un maintained can’t dig or build on it, not to mention the micro blacktop pump track barely big enough for an RC car, complete joke and waste of our tax dollars.. now there finning and tearing down all out local build spots, telling us we build you a park. Total Joke. SCV Trek bike Park if anyone cares, come visit its worth your drive.. SMH.
these things are a quarter million … good luck getting a small community to pony up to that shit…been trying for eons🤘
these things are a quarter million … good luck getting a small community to pony up to that shit…been trying for eons🤘
Budgets vary in different areas of course, but for the cost vs community engagement it’s very good value. And as mentioned, because of the community engagement many different types of grants may be applied for.