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View Full Version : So excited, dreams to reality



Irulan
08-01-2008, 08:28 AM
Some of you know I am big into advocacy. In fact I started a local mtb club (IMBA affiliate) with the idea of both local advocacy, and specifically I wanted a skills park. Our local ad hoc free ride area has a lot of stuff of the "Holy Crap Mother of God" variety, but not much to learn on. Fast foward from 2005 to 2008....

Not only have we gotten numerous grants ( National Park Service, REI, KONA, local Parks Foundation) to help get this trail system from ad-hoc to legitimate but the portion of the area that is a city park ( about 260 acres) is well on it's way to a legitimate bike park.

The guys have been out building phase 1 of the novice area. The cedar was donated by the local utility; retired poles.

The only bummer for me is I am off the bike with a bum shoulder and can't test ride yet.

Cedar bridges linking outcrops:
http://fttrc.org//photos/beaconpix/SkillsPark/IMG-003.jpg

graduated drops, 1',2',3'

http://fttrc.org//photos/beaconpix/SkillsPark/IMG-004.jpg

mixed ladder lines to play on.
http://fttrc.org/photos/beaconpix/SkillsPark/IMG-014.jpg

I got this email from our main builder yesterday,


While I was working in the skills park today some kids were trying out all the stuff we've built. They worked up to the 3 ft drop after first doing the 1ft and 2ft drops. They were really excited about the park and wanted to know when I would have the circular log-ride done.

bouncybouncy
08-01-2008, 08:45 AM
NICE!!!!! You rock...speedy recovery so you can try out the results of you hard work (I personally know the local advocate here in WNC...and I must say the paper pushing and complaint dealing is harder than the dirt/rock moving!!!)

hubby & I still have Idaho on our "places to go" list...I can't wait to spin around on your trails and stunts!!!

now go heal up.....

sundial
08-01-2008, 09:42 AM
Excellent!! I'm so proud of you!! Thank you for helping your community create a haven for present and future mtb'ers. :D

SadieKate
08-01-2008, 09:45 AM
Oh, wow. That's incredible. Most excellent work.

Now, could you add a sign prohibiting stupid husband tricks? :rolleyes:

limewave
08-01-2008, 12:30 PM
Wow! That's amazing. What a great place to have for local mountain bikers. I wish we had something like that.

Irulan
08-01-2008, 12:44 PM
Wow! That's amazing. What a great place to have for local mountain bikers. I wish we had something like that.

There are lots of examples of great little LEGAL bike parks all over the country.
http://www.imba.com/resources/freeriding/freeriding_locations.html

It's been a lot of work to get going, but it can be done.