The sweetest trails and riding spots

Lyons pump track is ready for action!


This weekend is the Lyons Outdoor Games pump track race. Last weekend we gave the pump track two days of much needed love.

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Dig/ride at Lyons Bike Park this weekend

In preparation for next weekend’s Lyons Outdoor Games dirt jump and pump track comps, we’re going to give Lyons Bike Park some love.

Keep reading for details.

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Pump track world championships at Lyons Outdoor Games

Bring your Striders, 20s, 24s, 26s and 29s. It’s gonna be on like Donkey Kong.

Date: Sunday, June 12

Time: Open practice 10-12, registration closes before 12, start seeding runs as soon as we can.

Format: Everyone gets a seeding run, then we run everyone — fastest last — for the final results. The top two from each class face off in a pursuit; you start at opposite ends of the track and ride until someone gets caught. It should be tons of fun to do (and watch).

Cost: $10 for amateurs, $20 for pros (pros will be racing for money)

Classes: I’ll create the classes based on who shows up, but I want to see a Strider class, classes for boys and girls of all ages, plus a pro open class. Everyone gets to ride!

After: Stick around for the Lyons Outdoor Games dirt jump comp. That’s always a great show. Did I mention the beer tent?

Sponsors: Valley Subaru and leelikesbikes.com

Event info and registration at www.lyonsoutdoorgames.com

Rumor has it another large bike park will be opening nearby that weekend. Don’t get distracted. Stay on target!


Temporary pump track for event in Finland

I sent a ready-to-build design spec to our man Tapio in Finland, and he’s built a temporary track for the Stadibike event. After the event, he’s gonna move the dirt and build a permanent version of the track nearby. Pump Track Nation!

Check out the videos:

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Where should we build our Deutsch pump track?

Hey Lee,

Thanks to Welcome to Pump Track Nation, I am working on my pumptrack project and things look good, Germany) will support the project. They will even allow us to use a piece of public property to build the track on. Right now I’m thinking about the exact location and this is where I have one or two questions.

• The track could be close to some trees which would mean shade from around noon in summer, but also leaves in fall. Alternatively it could be built in some distance to those trees (no shade at all).

• In your book you write that water is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately a connection to the water main is rather difficult at the site. For the building process we could use water from a tank truck. As for the maintenance of the track – is water really necessary for this? Dust is not a factor. Generally, I think we have much more rain (let’s call it precipitation to sound smarter 😉 – you see, I also enjoy the linguistic finesse of your books) in Germany than you do in the Midwest.

Thanks for your advice!

Ralf

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Speaking of pump tracks at schools …

In comments for Save the pump track at Clayton Middle School in Salt Lake City, Teacher Jeff Zook hinted a campus pump track might interfere with class time — but imagine the teaching opportunities.

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Save the pump track at Clayton Middle School in Salt Lake City

This just in from the Pump Track Nation. If you live in SLC (or even, I suppose, if you don’t), please consider passing this note along to the mayor.

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Building the 2011 Sea Otter pro pump track

Check out these photos from our man James Hall, jmhalldesign — solid digger, rider and dude.

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Video: 2011 Sea Otter Speed and Style finals

Here’s the final event on the pro pump track I built for the 2011 Sea Otter Classic. Video courtesy of Pinkbike.

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Video from 2011 Sea Otter pro pump track

It’s officially called Speed and Style. Head to head racing with a time bonus for best style on the big booters.

I’ve been too pinned to shoot and post, but our friends at PinkBike have it covered.

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Sea Otter pro pump track build update

The all-star crew is killing it. On Thursday we placed dirt. Friday we shaped. Today (Saturday) we shaped and rode. The track could be raced now, but we’ll spend the next few days getting it super dialed.

For photos and updates, check out the Facebook box at the upper left of this page. While you’re at it, feel free to “like” the Lee Likes Bikes FB page.

Early test lap on the 2011 Sea Otter pro pump track.

Help: I want to sit and pedal in berms


Hi Lee, I have recently completed my own pump track based on your great Pump Track Nation handbook!

Anyway, to my question: I seem to be able to carry reasonable speed on the roller straights but struggle to carry speed through the corners. Once in the corner I have a desire to sit down on my saddle and find that I need to pedal to help keep momentum.

How much of this is my poor technique vs. my poor trail building skills…

Appreciate any help!

Cheers, Russell (from New Zealand)

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