I still want to report the complete story about last weekend’s building adventure in Oak Creek, CO, but I’m pinned with software design plus coaching.
Rather than keep us all waiting, here’s a video of the build and break-in ride:
Last weekend James Hall and I built a sweet pump track in Oak Creek, CO near Steamboat Springs.
Pumptopia v1 is like Kidtopia, but with a camel on the main straight and jump options down the middle. The design is an evolution of the tracks I been building all year. So far, it’s the best all-around, public-use track I’ve designed. So far.
Full story and video coming soon.
… at today’s public clinic at Valmont Bike Park.
Free copy of Welcome to Pump Track Nation goes to the best 100-word essay explaining how these pedals found their way onto XTR cranks.
Forgive me. I know you must get besieged with questions. The area I would most like to build in, and that I believe the city would support because it is just across from the Sheriff Department and ambulance garage, and it is just behind the current skate park, is wooded. Is it possible to build a small track in a wooded area? Am I out of my mind for even thinking of doing that?
Jonathan
I’ve been coaching at Valmont Bike Park a lot, and I’m becoming compulsive about my pump-track warmup routine.
Lee
Not sure if you saw this video, but Danny Hart puts on a clinic at Val di Sole
heavy feet light hands supple on pedals corners like he’s on rails and check out the wild berm smashing madness at 1:38
Daniel
Lee!
I love your site and great advice you give! I recently bought an Ibis Tranny and love it! I switched from road to mountain biking about 4 years ago and have always used full suspension up until now. I wanted something that suits our trails that include short steep climbs, descents and tight twisty single track, thus the Tranny. So far I love it, however, I do not feel very secure on faster descents. The back end feels very twitchy. How do I get the back end to skip around less? More weight over the back? As well, with all the hype surrounding 29ers, can I get my Tranny to corner as well as a 29er with a proper technique or will the bigger wheels always have an advantage in this area?
Thanks,
Mike
Hi Lee,
I’ve been inspired by your comments about flat pedals and so just put some Eclat Surge alloy flatties on my singlespeed. I’ve ridden flats at dirt jumps & BMX tracks so I’m not coming to them cold, but riding them on trails brings a different set of questions! I’ve looked through your books and most of your comments on pedaling style are based around clipless pedals. So …
Do you have any suggestions on pedal stroke style for flat pedals? I’m mashing the pedals and spinning out on loose stuff more than with clipless, so I’m trying to wipe dog dirt from the sole of my shoe at the end of the stroke. Any other hints?
On Monday I was doing homework on Valmont Bike Park’s dual slalom course, and I re-learned a lesson I keep forgetting.
The track is fresh and the riders are not, but this first-ride video shows how the Kidtopia pump track fits and flows.
We built this last week in Boulder County.
Check out the video >>
I’m offering six public clinics at Valmont Bike Park in August. This is an awesome, cost effective way to dial in your skills.
Classes are limited to six riders each. Cost is $90 and includes the opportunity to purchase the book Mastering Mountain Bike Skills or Pro BMX Skills for a discounted $20.
We will cover the core skills, then we’ll focus on whatever the group wants (and is ready for). Expect to dial in position, braking, cornering and pumping. If all goes well, we’ll do some dropping and jumping too.
Valmont is an amazing place to ride and learn. Come on out. Let’s rip it!
ALL CLASSES ARE SOLD OUT.
I’ll post when September dates are set. Email me to get on the mailing list.
Mom calls it Kidtopia, Dad calls it Dadtopia. We are building a trampoline and pump track at a house in Longmont, CO. This track is the real deal: long and turny with lots of options.
Day 5 and the track is done. I say this every time, but this is the best track ever. Fast, flow and tricky, with lots of options.
More photos on Lee Likes Bikes @ Facebook (See Facebook box at upper left of this page.)
 I am beat, but I couldn’t sleep last night — obsessing about riding (and improving on) this track. |
