FUN FOR EVERYONE – A sketch rendering of a mountain bike skills pump track designed by San Miguel Bicycle Alliance, planned for Telluride’s Town Park. SMBA hopes to have the park built by mid-spring. (Courtesy image)
SMBA Vice President Trevor Martin described the project on Tuesday as a miniature BMX track that offers bumps, berms and small hills, where riders of all ages and abilities can ride for fun or practice their skills.
“This all started when we sent out a survey to the community asking what kinds of things they would like from SMBA,” Martin said. “By far the most popular idea was to get a pump track. Ever since then, we’ve been working with the town and searching for a good location.”
Last summer was spent finalizing the location and three conceptual plans for a skills park were drafted. Finally, at the end of the summer, space located on the south side of Town Park adjacent to the skate park was deemed to be the best site for the bike track.
Once the snow thaws, designers of the park, along with town staff, will do a site walk to further discuss the general plan SMBA presented last fall.
“They had a few comments on the design, so we are going to go out and repaint the plans and walk it with the fire department, town staff and festival directors to make sure everything is fine with its location,” Martin said. “Once we get the go-ahead, we are going to start hauling dirt in.”
Volunteers, he said, will be needed for one weekend, and for a few days during the offseason to shape and pack the track. After the completion of some landscaping and re-vegetation, Martin hopes the track will be open by mid-spring. The project is mostly funded by volunteer efforts, with some town funding being dedicated through the Parks and Recreation budget for maintenance costs and tools.
“We have the whole community behind us, ready to come out and move some dirt,” he said. “The beauty of this track is that it is acceptable for any level of rider with any skill level. Beginners and kids will have fun going over the rollers – anybody can hop in there and have fun.”
Martin added that the organization has had great enthusiasm from local groups, which will organize free skill-building clinics and introductory riding sessions at the pump track through the riding season. As soon as more details on the clinics are available, SMBA will post them on its website at telluridesmba.org.
gjarvis@watchnewspapers.com or @gusgusj
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