Sweet new pump tracks at Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel in Sagres, Portugal
Check out this pair of pump tracks I designed for a 5-star resort on the coast of Portugal.
These tracks were built by the resort’s construction crew — and they look fun!
The beach view isn’t bad either.
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Lee,
I had the pleasure of spending 10 days there with my family back in June; we made sure we packed our riding kit, needless to say we were excited on the way there!
My 4 yr old boy and I rented bikes (16′ and 20′) and had two sessions on the tracks. My overall impression was good:
Positives:
• two tracks, one for beginners and one for more experienced riders
• I really enjoyed pumping, working on the sequence of rollers, turns etc and getting a proper workout
• the location, the weather, the view!
• the bike hire station just round the corner
Less positives:
• I thought the rollers were pretty steep and high on both tracks. Is it just me? On the beginner’s track I wonder if it places the bar a bit too high? My boy got the hang of it eventually but not without getting really frustrated (you know what they’re like!)
• on the longer track I found it really hard to get through the last berm (the one closest to the other track) and carry some speed – it kinda slows you right down even if you come into it with a bit of speed
• although I’m aware of the limitations of hire bikes the world over, the bikes were really quite heavy – my boy missed his usual 16′ Islabike (he could barely lift the hire bike) and I missed my 20′ GT big time!
I’d be interested to hear what you think given you designed the tracks. Thanks!
Keep it up!
Régis
Régis,
Thanks for writing. I’m glad you had fun. Some thoughts:
• The specs I sent to Martinhal used proven spacing and shapes. It’s very common for builders to make rollers steeper than desired (it’s much harder to make them round). Whenever I hire builders to help me create a track, I spend a lot of time urging them to make things rounder. Even rounder!
• These tracks are very new. As they pack in, settle down and wear, the shapes will get rounder.
• I think you’re talking about the big 180° berm. I can’t see the precise shape of that turn, but to build speed through a 180 requires some pretty advanced cornering and pumping technique. Especially when you’re not on your own sweet bike.
I hope to try these tracks some day!
Lee