Optimizing a pump track for kids


Hi lee – love the book (Welcome to Pump Track Nation), it has been a lifesaver. First mini pt was a disaster, v2.0 followed your spec. WAAAAY better. (I used the 17′ x 31′ design in your book)

Now my questions. We’re still adjusting the track… Do you have a recommendation for:

• Adapting the track to 20″ bmx vs 26″ DJ bike? I want to optimize it for my sons on their 20″ers.

• Related – how might I make it easier to ride for kids? They are 6 and 9. Lower bumps? Fewer bumps?

Any ideas or thoughts welcome. Thanks for doing what you do. We’re hooked. Boys are out there every day it isn’t raining, which in NorCal is most.

J



The mini pump track at Superior Bike Park is designed for little-little kids. It was incredibly quick and easy to build, and it’s surprisingly fast on an adult bike. Rollers and berms are 8 inches tall.

Hey John,

Thanks for buying Welcome to Pump Track Nation — and for writing. Quick ideas:

• Theoreticlally, you can make the spacing tighter for 20-inch wheels, but American BMX tracks are pretty wide open. The WTPTN “standard” is a great compromise for all rider types and levels.

• Lower bumps are good for kids, as are very round, very gradual shapes. Make sure their pedals don’t strike the tops of rollers, even at bottom dead center. When building a track, smooth shapes are a lot trickier than pointy ones. Be patient and test the track with your kids’ bikes.

• You can go to a shorter wavelength, as we did at the Superior Bike Park mini track, but that’s not necessary. Use the WTPTN standard measurements — and make sure everything is round.

• Berms can be as big and steep as you want, but make sure the banks transition smoothly from flat to steep. Kids tend to ride slow and low … until they don’t! Then you’ll be building dirt jumps!

• Go crazy with the tricky berm-to-berm sequences. Your kids can stay low until they learn to ride them. And you can hone your kung fu.

• If you can, build on level ground and avoid big changes in elevation. As you know, kids have a hard time scooting up steep hills.

• Make sure all conceivable routes are smooth and clear. As you know, kids are super creative. You never know where they’ll ride — and you don’t want them hitting ditches, rocks and such.

Measure twice, dig once!

Lee


My girls work the “beginner” pump track at Valmont Bike Park. This track is actually very hard for little people to ride; they get stuck in the low spot at the far left. The inside turn is too tight for most adults, but little kids are too slow for that to be an issue.

Know more. Have more fun!

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7 replies
  1. dynamodayak says:

    I’ve posted the link on our skate/bike/climb park facebook page. Hope they can follow everything. Its due for a revamp and I was told they have already gotten the budget to do it. I can’t imagine how much fun it’d be to see my 5 y.o daughter and 3 y.o son blasting thru the rollers on their bikes. I really can’t thank you enough Lee. All the time spent on the pump track did wonders to my riding. I had recently started riding our dh track again and all I can say was ‘wow…that didn’t feel scary at all’ and I was actually able to catch up with the faster guys. I could ride berms, turns, drops, jumps and whatever the track threw at me but when i reach the rhythm section at the end of the track…boy oh boy…that’s when I can hear myself say “Thank you Lee!”.

    Reply
  2. Jules says:

    I’m planning to build a pump track for me and my kids (4 and 6). Do you have a design that’s challenging and fun for all of us? Happy to buy the ebook – just tell me which one!

    Reply
  3. Jules says:

    Thanks Lee. Happily have plenty of space. Does the book include mechanical equipment needed and also dirt composition to buy?

    Reply
  4. leelikesbikes says:

    Jules,

    The Pumptopia plan and Welcome to Pump Track Nation ebook have all the information you need for $20 and $10 each.

    https://www.leelikesbikes.com/pump-tracks-and-bike-parks/llb-trailbuilding-designbuild-services/ready-to-build-pump-track-plan-pumptopia

    https://www.leelikesbikes.com/ebook-welcome-to-pump-track-nation

    This combo has built a whole lot of pump tracks worldwide!

    Lee

    PS: You’ll want a skid steer loader to place the dirt, hand tools to shape the dirt and a plate compactor to pack the track.

    Reply

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