Bicycle pump track

[teskow]

A park about 1/2 mile from me is building a bicycle pump track. I have never ridden on one and am looking for some words of wisdom before I try it.

 

[Taylor57]

A park about 1/2 mile from me is building a bicycle pump track. I have never ridden on one and am looking for some words of wisdom before I try it.

I had no idea what a pump track was...

 

[DaveMatthews]

There's one close to me as well. No good for my bike, totally the wrong machine for the job.

 

[AguassissiM]

O wow just learned something new...
Looks like a lot of fun for someone skilful enough, myself just lucky enough to be able to stay upright on the bike without falling over makes for a good ride and a fun day.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Looks like tons of fun. All you need is the right bike and bones that bend instead of break. Wonder what the track owner (city government?) pays for liability insurance?

 

[teskow]

Looks like tons of fun. All you need is the right bike and bones that bend instead of break. Wonder what the track owner (city government?) pays for liability insurance?

I've wondered about that too. This new sports park is in Oro valley, AZ and it is city owned.
I am an old duffer with brittle bones but will try riding the track while it gets done. I will be slow and careful to be sure.
It will be interesting to watch the young and brave ride.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Watch out for kids and flying shoes.

 

[fooferdoggie]

we just got one here in Portland. I asked my wife when we rode by if she wants to try it on the tandem.

 

[teskow]

So how did that work out?

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Here's our tech's setup to get his pump track bike out to ours in Hood River:

Full face helmet, knee and elbow pads, good gloves too. It's a great way to build bike handling skills and the pump track bikes aren't too pricey to get into!

 

[fooferdoggie]

So how did that work out?

it was a hard NO.

 

[rob feature]

A park about 1/2 mile from me is building a bicycle pump track. I have never ridden on one and am looking for some words of wisdom before I try it.

Pump tracks are a hoot. They're usually designed for bikes with smaller tires and shorter wheelbases. Maybe see if you can rent/demo/borrow a DJ bike or similar. The whoops are generally spaced too close together for mountain bikes, but not always.

 

[PDoz]

My daughter was involved in getting a pump track at our local park - part of a year 9 student leadership project. I can't believe that was 3 years ago!!!

Anyway, we realized the long travel dual suspension mtb's were HARD work on them, and the emtb was even harder. So I built up a dedicated bike -26" wheels, marin alcatrazframe, etc. It's half way between a bmx and a mtb and an absolute blast. It looks ridiculous having this middle aged fat guy aboard....but it's a great work out and has vastly improved my flow on the real mountain bikes.

Great fun!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My daughter was involved in getting a pump track at our local park - part of a year 9 student leadership project. I can't believe that was 3 years ago!!!

Anyway, we realized the long travel dual suspension mtb's were HARD work on them, and the emtb was even harder. So I built up a dedicated bike -26" wheels, marin alcatrazframe, etc. It's half way between a bmx and a mtb and an absolute blast. It looks ridiculous having this middle aged fat guy aboard....but it's a great work out and has vastly improved my flow on the real mountain bikes.

Great fun!

Pic or it didn't happen