Hi, I work for a local authority in the NE and we are looking at the feasibility of developing a new Pump Track and Cycle Trails at one of our Country Park sites. I’d be interested in peoples thoughts on how far they are willing to ride to a Pump Track. We are currently looking at a number of locations within the Park and this may also include the development of some new singletrack and family friendly skills areas. I’d like to know how far people are willing to ride to a pump track from the car park on site, this includes families with young children and the more experienced users.
500 meters
1 kilometer
1.5 Kilometers
3 Kilometers
The routes are currently linear routes, but the proposal is to develop routes that loop and connect to each other and the existing network of paths.
Thanks
If you want to encourage younger riders I would have the pump track/skills area as close to the car park as possible. Also thinking ahead to any events that may be held there, its makes the logistics easier.
Interesting...
When the Velosolutions track is open at Chopwell village, it'll be a 40 minute ride for me from Prudhoe, but that's no different to riding to the actual wood to dick about on the full sus bike.
From the car park to the site of the pump track will be about 2-3k I think.
For kids, and for non-cycling parents, I reluctantly agree that it needs to be visible from the parking (<1km, a few minutes stroll). Having said that, my boy (11) and I occasionally ride 6 flat easy miles to our local pump track as a day out, and we're not athletes.
You probably want vehicular access (as opposed to parking) as close to the pump track as possible for the ambulance when someone inevitably takes a tumble hard enough to need medical attention.
my kids and i are happy to ride quite a long way for a decent pump track. I dont know of any where you can park really close to one. Eastbourne is out of the way, Newhaven is at hte back of the park, burgess hill is the furthest (probably 1-2k?) but still gets really good use. FOD one is not close to th parking either
3k is not that far for anyone providing its not up a steep hill!
I've ridden 5 miles from my house to get to a pump track
My local one is 6 miles away but it's so small I would happily extend that to 10 miles if it was any decent.
Worth noting that the closer it is, the more often I would feel inclined to go.
teethgrinder "When the Velosolutions track is open at Chopwell village" ??????????????? Can't find anything online, do you have more info please!
As for the question. Couple of miles for a pump track. Close to a car park for others as been mentioned.
Do you have a cafe? I'd put it near there so the kids can endlessly go round the pumptrack while mum and dad relax with a beverage whilst still keeping an eye on them. 3km isn't that far if it's fairly flat, people need encouraged to get more exercise, not less.
The one on Paddick Drive in Reading (actually a half width BMX track) doesn't have any parking other than a lay-by for ambulances, IIRC it was a condition of the planning because residents objected. Which is doubly weird as it was also well hidden (trees, grassy embankment) for similar reasons so even though it's signposted and I know it's there I still end up needing a few wrong turns to find it from the cycle route!
I think if you asked people "would you ride 3km to a pump track" they would say no, if you phrased it "would you cycle 12 minutes" they would say yes.
The only user group that I could see being affected is parents walking behind kids on balance bikes.
So if you want it to be popular, I'd put it somewhere central and visible and be less concerned by absolute distances. Most people object to riding distances on the road, not traffic free park paths.
Me and the kids (10 and 11) would happily ride 3km from the parking to the pump track, as long as it was a decent enough ride to get to it.
We use Thetford quite a lot, we would tend to a loop of either the red or the blue in the morning. Back for a coffee and a cake and then head out to the pump track, going in a non direct route and taking in a couple of the trail sections on the way.
Hope the below works. There is a direct path to the pump track, probably about 800 metres at the most. But its more interesting to take in the red route and then cut over.
If it was 3km on a road/gravel path then we may be more inclined to not bother and just do another trail.
My closest pump track that I know is decent is about 14km away over a bloody great hill. I have ridden there, but only when there's other stuff (MTB festival) going on at the same time 🙂
I reckon I'd ride 3km to get to one for an hour lunchtime blast without needing to clean the bike when I got back.
Huh, interesting. Are you riding BMX style bikes or just what you have? Mine is just over 5 miles away but I'm never been there (but I live in London and there are lots of places 5 miles away!)
Are we allowed to know where the potential sites are? I'm from the northeast and probably familiar with the options.
From personal experience when I used to ride BMX with a huge squad, we would cover serious miles. We'd ride all day to find a nice ledge or wallride or crappy dirt jumps. Skateparks didn't start popping up until I'd quit riding.
No idea what modern day kids are up for but I regularly travel up massive hills to get to either Bolehills or Charnock.
I live 4 miles from my local one, rode it a few times when it first opened, as did all my mates, not been near it in years. It's pretty overgrown now, sadly.
Bearing in mind that Pumptracks will be used by bicycles without gears then I would put it as close as possible. up to 1km.
Yes people can use geared bikes on them but that's not what they are designed for.
No idea what modern day kids are up for but I regularly travel up massive hills to get to either Bolehills or Charnock.
I think Bolehills shows people will ride fairly horrible routes to get to a decent facility, not only is it at the very top of a fairly horrible hill for most people, with plenty of 1in4 hills and no cycle lanes. From the Crooks side at least it's down a steep bank on the other side!
Yes people can use geared bikes on them but that’s not what they are designed for.
I think you're underestimating the range of single speeds a fair bit!
Unless you meant chainless, in which case you're probably talking about 0.1% of people that actually use a pump track.
I think Bolehills shows people will ride fairly horrible routes to get to a decent facility, not only is it at the very top of a fairly horrible hill for most people, with plenty of 1in4 hills and no cycle lanes
Not to mention, coming down the hill on small bike with just a 160mm rear disc brake can be pretty terrifying. Coming home from Charnock through Gleadless is great fun.
@dlr
https://m.facebook.com/friendsofchopwellpark/photos/a.600704773396983/1690604361073680/?type=3&source=57
I'd want a pumptrack to be within sight of the car parking, or a mile away at most. I would draw the line at riding more than a few miles, on flattish paths.
I dont know of any where you can park really close to one.
Cathkin Braes is right at the car park.
I live 4 miles from my local one, rode it a few times when it first opened, as did all my mates, not been near it in years. It’s pretty overgrown now, sadly.
Where's that then?
Kyle academy in Ayr SK.
Leeds Urban Bike park has car park, Cafe and pump and BMX tracks all next to each other then trails heading off from that area. Works really well.
I'll ride the few miles to get there if I'm just riding trails but if it's kids on bmx's then we take them in the car. Having it next to the cafe is handy as well.
Ah I see, was wondering if this was another mention of the jumps in Fullarton Woods (was brought up the other day by someone else)
A buddy and I rode from Birmingham to Leammington Spa to ride around a BMX track..... Which was a stupid thing to do but it was during a Foot and Mouth outbreak (or something like that).
If you want traction with kids and those new to the sport...you really need a car park on site.
It's got to be an epic pump track to have kids ride very far particularly if they are riding single speed dj/BMX bikes. Teens and adults less of an issue but dedicated pumptrack visitors would presumably be there for the pumptrack and trails between may constitute an inconvenience.
That said, we rode our bikes onto the 1.5hr ferry from the mainland to Vancouver Island and rode 4km to Stevie Smith bike park with 6 under 9 year olds. Party food and drinks all loaded in backpacks.. it was awesome and I'd totally do it again!
It would definitely be best next to a car park. Also a bakery a la Ingleton pump track!
If you want to make it appealing for kids (and dads) on BMX I'd say 500 metres would be plenty. The best attended ones I go too have parking in easy walking distance. They are Ingleton, Barrowford and Leeds bike park.
I'd say within 500m if you want to encourage new people to ride it or even find it.
Near the toilets, playground and picnic area too if you can manage it.
On here you are preaching to the converted, your target audience is probably elsewhere.
Yes people can use geared bikes on them but that’s not what they are designed for.
I think you’re underestimating the range of single speeds a fair bit!
http://markusstitz.com/
/blockquote>The single speed bikes I am referring to are not geared for pedaling just for the 2-3 cranks you need to get off the launch ramp
for example my pump track/skatepark/jump bike
SK I'm not sure the fully woods jumps are still there, I'll have a look.
Oh they're long gone, must have been 15 years since anyone laid a hand on them. Totally overgrown the last time I saw them.
Would probably have more success attacking the Beach Park BMX track in Irvine.
Our local one is in the corner of the park, next to the skatepark and a kids play park. No carpark but plenty of space in the roads around.
My 40 year old knees and back really appreciate it on a silly DJ bike where the useless seat is right by the back tyre and the gearing barely gets you over jogging pace. I bought it thinking "it's only a mile and a half to the park" but god it's hard work riding the thing there.
The single speed bikes I am referring to are not geared for pedaling just for the 2-3 cranks you need to get off the launch ramp
for example my pump track/skatepark/jump bike
My point was at the average pump track the number of people on dedicated 'Park' BMX's or similar is dwarfed by any of the following:
Kids on BMX's from Sports Direct
Kids on Ballance bikes
Kids on Carrera hardtails
Kids on Scooters
My bik haz moar gears
cool.
You can ride there on any bike. the OP asked for opinions.
As a park bike rider then 1km would be the max really.
Ideally not over ground that gets muddy as the tyre choice would be affected. I run Ikon's for a little grip but DTH users etc would struggle or have to walk them.
Build the pump track in a populated area where people can cycle a couple of miles to reach it rather than encouraging car use by building it next the car park in your country park.
Build the pump track in a populated area where people can cycle a couple of miles to reach it rather than encouraging car use by building it next the car park in your country park.
I agree but from the replies above it seems like most people want to park their car on the start ramp.
I'd ride a few miles to a decent one.
Build the pump track in a populated area where people can cycle a couple of miles to reach it rather than encouraging car use by building it next the car park in your country park.
This is all well and good but what if you live 5 or 6 miles away, and it's all up hill to the pump track or BMX track.* You try and get a 6 year old to ride a race BMX there....
* Leeds bike park is on top of a hill, if you don't live in Middleton or Beeston you're not getting kids there without a car or a lot of moaning....
What's the best SUV for driving to a pump track?
I would certainly ride up to 5km for a pump track - no issue.
This is all well and good but what if you live 5 or 6 miles away, and it’s all up hill to the pump track or BMX track.* You try and get a 6 year old to ride a race BMX there….
Yes, but if you build it near a large group of people then you end up with more local kids using it every day.
If you build it in the middle of nowhere then you've only got those who can (or can be bothered to) drive there.
Oh they’re long gone, must have been 15 years since anyone laid a hand on them. Totally overgrown the last time I saw them.
Definitely not, mate of mine is only in his early twenties, and used to build and ride in there, I Reckon mibbe 5 years ago.
Ps - was up fairlie moor last night, was rather challenging, manky and zero visibility! When we getting a ride in up there?
Yes, but if you build it near a large group of people then you end up with more local kids using it every day.
If you build it in the middle of nowhere then you’ve only got those who can (or can be bothered to) drive there.
Oh I agree completely, but that doesn't mean you can't also have a car park.
Ah well, the first iteration that Jamie built was around the time I'm thinking of.
I'm up for a ride whenever [life allows], there's a local group that heads out on a Tuesday night I've been along with as well.
While it's a bit far for most. When coming to the tweed valley be sure to visit ours (after June when it's built). 7years of work.
Hi, thanks for everyone’s comments, some real good info there for us, please keep adding your comments if you already haven’t done that. The more info we have the better informed we will be, when it comes to the design and build stages
Thanks
500m max.
The only pump tracks I've used are ones that I've come across on a ride. One was at the bottom of the bike park, in between the cafe and chairlift. The other was half way down at a confluence of the DH trails.
If you want new users to try the pump track, it'll have to be where they would otherwise already be going. Near the car park (the one with the cafe toilets, not the field further down the Forest Drive), next to the skills area, just at the beginning of the blue trail, etc.
All IMO of course, and this is at odds with some others!
New pump track at Chopwell Village? Great, but I'll not be bothered to go there. I have to drive to Choppers so unless it links in well to the trails there....
dino246 - I have dropped you a PM
@dino246 have you approached any of the bmx clubs in the NE for support? The track in Summerhill Country Park is a fair old plod from the car park, probably about a kilometre, but it's a blast, have to say when I've been outside of club events it's been quiet which can be worrying when riding solo, binning it and having no help isn't fun.
I would definitely try and get a club involved in running it just so you've got an active party maintaining it and chasing you up for resurfacing materials. Too many get built and left to fall apart with no maintenance.
I'd say vehicle access is important, you will get kids riding with no protection on shonky bikes crashing (not the end of the world if it's a minor crash and they get into the sport, but some parents will then sue the local authority) an ambulance as close as possible is important.
Lastly our local bmx track is about a mile away. When the weather is good we'll ride up, when its winter we drive up, bmx race tyres aren't good on wet leaves.
Lots of older kids ride from a wide area to get to our track, the younger ones tend to stumble across it when parking up at the park so it feeds into the clubs membership nicely.