Has anyone ever ridden a Pump Track?

[BigFatGuy]

I was reading in MBA (ooops, I mentioned that other magazine) last summer about a guy who built a pump track and I thought it was really cool. I've never even seen one. Have any of you ever ridden, or built, one?

[Cyclenaut]

Yup. I've ridden one. My friend Judd builds dirt jump parks and pump tracks for IMBA on occassion (he was one of the people that built the one in Florida). He and his wife have one on their property and I had a go last summer. They are a lot harder than they look, and it's a hell of a workout. Doing something like 50 laps a day will get you fit in a serious way.

[poison idea]

i was building one last summer in 40 acres. it was beautifull. much sweat went into it. then it got bulldozed to make yuppie townhomes. guess it was necessary-the world is crucially low on yuppie townhomes are there is far too much open green space. the moral- dont build pumptracks on other peoples property

[BigFatGuy]

Cyclenaut,
I don't remember if the MBA article specified riding a single-speed on a pump track. It would seem easier and simpler with a single-speed dirt jump frame configuration.
-BigFatGuy

[DirtRagArt]

It doesn't matter how many gears you have on a pump track, the point is to pump, not pedal. They say when you get good enough at it, you can do it without a chain.

[Phillium]

I've been wanting to build one since the Rag ran that article a few months ago. It seems like a great way to get out for a ride when you dont feel like going far.

[VRX200]

pump track???

[Cyclenaut]

BFG, as Jeff said gears aren't important. You get going really quick, and momentum picks up faster than you expect it to. Before you know it you are pushing your comfort zone of speed. Pedaling becomes completely unecessary.

[3zzz]

got inspired by the last issue of dirtrag, i have a space about 30' X 60', on about a 5-10% grade but even buying leelikesbikes book, i realize i still don't know what i'm doing. I tried packing my first berm but my mud is sticky like fudge, sticks to everything i try to pack with! I tried riding it once and the berm was soft and slow - ugh. Hopefully with today's rain it will compress & harden up So i think it's gonna take me a while but i hope to ride it for real some day this year, after much more digging.

[BigFatGuy]

3zzz,
I used to live in Burbank. If I was still in L.A., I'd help you build your pump track. Check out Mountain Bike Action, last June, July or August issue, for a great article about how to build, ride and maintain a pump track. Good luck with yours!

[ttvrdik]

I do not know anyone with a pump track, but I have ridden a local BMX track and pump thru the woops.

[OTBSkinloss]

Not for 20 years. Might be a fun day for a change, if I knew wher to find one.

[rockhound]

I rode a BMX track every chance I got as a kid.

[ironspoke]

I'm actually thinking about putting one in my backyard. The missus is ok with it as we have more than enough space. I purchased the plans from Lee's site and after reading it, just like someone else posted, it still seems like an amazingly overwhelming project. I have an area about 25 feet across and probably 60 feet long I can use and those are short estimates. If anyone living in pittsburgh wants to give me a push to get going and offer some shovel time I'll put one in.

[MrTB]

I do not know anyone with a pump track, but I have ridden a local BMX track and pump thru the woops.


I use to take the kid to the BMX races back in the late 90s and alot of the older kids would have "slow races" whereas the rider who could actually cross the finish line last by pumping wins.