Pump track

A pump track facility in Whaley Bridge Memorial Park in Whaley Bridge, England

A pump track is a type of off-road terrain for cycle sport consisting of a circuit of banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders "pumping" - creating momentum by up and down body movements.[1] They are relatively simple and cheap to construct, and cater to a wide variety of rider skill levels, so are popular in council owned parks and schools.[2]

History

The origins of the pump track are BMX trails of the 1970s and 1980s. Australian downhill racers began creating the new era pump tracks around 2002. The first new era pump track in the United States was built in 2004 at The Fix Bike Shop in Boulder, Colorado, by professional downhill bicyclist Steve Wentz.[3]

Track design

Most pump tracks link a series of rollers to steeply bermed corners that bring cyclists back around.[3] Tracks are commonly constructed from dirt, and can be as small as 10 x 30 feet, or to make them more durable may be paved.[3][4][5][6]

Paved pump tracks also have the advantage that they can be ridden by skateboarders, in-line skaters, and foot-powered scooters.[6]

Bikes

One of many bike types that can be used on a pump track.

Since momentum, or speed, is gained by the rider pumping, such as on the down-slope of each roller, the best bikes to use have no suspension, which would absorb useful energy.[7] Bikes usually have a rigid frame, such as BMX-style bikes, which most efficiently convert the rider's motions into forward thrust. Some bikes have been designed which are custom built for a pump track, with features such as an offset crank, which stabilizes the pedals, and lowers the rider's center of gravity.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Guide to Pump Tracks", bermside.com
  2. ↑ "The Ups of Pump Tracks", Jo, goride.co.nz
  3. 1 2 3 "Pumpin’: An Introduction to the World of Pump Tracks". California Adventure Sports Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  4. ↑ "What is a pump track?" (PDF). Team Town Cycle. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Haithco Park to open new bike track". WNEM. August 31, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  6. 1 2 https://www.youtube.com Leavenworth Pump Track (in Washington).
  7. 1 2 https://www.pinkbike.com Specialized Stumppumper Concept Bike - The Ultimate Pump Track Weapon.
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