Valmont Bike Park (Boulder)

**Danno** · 07-30-2008, 11:16 AM

So it looks like it is all approved: http://bma-mtb.org/valmontbikepark/

Looks like it'll be sweet!

**HotCarl** · 07-30-2008, 11:24 AM

Of course they build something on Valmont after i leave. Looks interesting. Hopefully they got some nice stunts

**Alpine Dreams** · 07-30-2008, 11:28 AM

Pretty stoked!

**Pegleg** · 07-30-2008, 11:59 AM

Maybe King's Ridge real estate gets a bump. Sounds like a cool project - I'll buy my brick.

**Dangerous E** · 07-30-2008, 03:30 PM

Holy crap that's awesome. Stoked to see IMBA involved too. Bet yer ass I'll buy a brick...

**squatch** · 07-30-2008, 07:37 PM

Anyone know when the shovels hit the dirt? I'm not going to buy a brick but I'll donate some sweat.

**reidhresko** · 07-30-2008, 08:01 PM

aw shit!!!

**Danno** · 07-31-2008, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by squatch

Anyone know when the shovels hit the dirt? I'm not going to buy a brick but I'll donate some sweat.

according to the email I got: "The prairie dogs will be moved this fall, full blown construction is slated to begin in April 2009."

**smmokan** · 07-31-2008, 10:55 AM

"Epic singletrack"....

But either way, its pretty awesome.

**squatch** · 07-31-2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by smmokan

"Epic singletrack"....

But either way, its pretty awesome.

In the same vein, the illustration was funny. Perfectly flat bike path with a 40 foot high wall ride, 25 foot high ladder bridge to drop to flat, etc.

I think I'd have better luck riding my bike off my roof into a tree.

**Danno** · 08-07-2008, 04:25 PM

Just bought my brick.

**fish** · 08-07-2008, 06:04 PM

free? YES!!!!!

**Danno** · 08-08-2008, 08:49 AM

not free for me, I just spent $100.

**XtrPickels** · 06-18-2010, 04:11 PM

Looks like this is officially underway

**beast** · 06-19-2010, 07:26 PM

Sure is . . .

**XtrPickels** · 09-16-2010, 09:21 PM

Got shown around the whole of the park today.

Its going to be off the hook.

Everyone was giddy with excitement.

I'm super serial.

**Danno** · 09-17-2010, 09:36 AM

Nice! I'm not (yet) into a lot of the types of riding that this park will offer, but can't wait to check it out!

**XtrPickels** · 09-17-2010, 08:06 PM

Honestly one of the best aspects is that there is a wide variety of terrain. There are multiple pump tracks for different skills, same with the DJ's. The dual slalom looks uber-BA. The xc course is going to be incredibly fast and flow-y. Heck it even has some nice rockslab 1ft drops in it (with ride arounds). A 'cross course will be snaking through it all.

**SenorBlanco** · 09-17-2010, 08:34 PM

When is it ever going to open? I've asked many times directly to BMA and no one has even replied. I'd be fine if they just said "Maybe this winter" but no response is kinda pissing me off.

**XtrPickels** · 09-17-2010, 08:57 PM

I honestly don't think that they know.

Some sections could be open "soon". However, there is concern that being able to go some places may cause some people to go into closed areas.
Unfortunately the poaching that has been going on has delayed progress due to the need to repair sections that were not ready for traffic. This has taken additional time and money that was to be put toward building other features.

Additionally they do not have the "behind the scenes" work dialed in. Appropriate signage. A work force to maintain. Do they allow two way traffic on the xc course etc etc.

I didn't realize just how much there is to think about. Keep in mind this is a city park. As much as we want it to open soon, they really can't go about things haphazardly. They aren't looking to make something like the lyon's DJ's. This place will be truly epic.

I believe (kinda making this up): The original budget was something like $800,000. The park keeps getting bigger and better and the cost is now $1.8mil. They are raising money as fast as they can, but its a very expensive project.

I heard a funny anecdote (paraphrasing):
The builders approached the managers after the first few features were built. They were all excited to show off their new creations and looking for approval. The managers shook their head and said it wouldn't work.

The builders stood there dejected.

After a pause the managers exclaimed:

It has to be At Least TWICE that size!

So that's the mindset that they have. Go big or go home. Its unorthodox for city park and I commend them for taking on the liability and not dumbing things down.

**XtrPickels** · 09-17-2010, 09:05 PM

Looking at beasts' picture above. That's just one of the DJ lines.
There is a smaller pump track/ parking area / learning area behind the Camera man. The DS, 4x and Big pump + others track are all on the hill to the left (which has been made bigger).

The park extends all the way to the treeline you can see in the back of the picture. That farmhouse will be moved. Everything to the beyond the trees on the right (all the way to Valmont road, which is probably and additional 1.5-2x the area you can see in this picture) will be part of the xc / cx course.

**SenorBlanco** · 09-17-2010, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by XtrPickels

I honestly don't think that they know.

That's fine, why don't they just say that then? I just keep seeing / hearing these "I got a tour, its awesome" reports and thinking its typical Boulder where you have the racer cliques that are "in" with everyone else on the outside looking in.

I'd just like BMA to be a little more consistent or forthcoming with information. This is a big deal, why not give some information out to all of us who have supported them and donated time and / or money to make this happen.

**XtrPickels** · 09-18-2010, 12:35 AM

fair enough.
My info was not through BMA, FWIW, and I'm certainly not a racer-type.
I bet that if you/we/others voiced the concern regarding a lack of information in a rational manner it would be well received and perhaps could sway them to being more forthcoming. However, I will say that the BMA representative who was there with us was a spectator as well and learned quite a bit. I'm not sure of their involvement in a day to day matters and I feel like the "construction" company is divulging information in a "need to know" manner.

**SenorBlanco** · 09-18-2010, 07:29 AM

You may be right. Maybe I am over estimating BMA's involvement in the day to day. They may be spectators like the rest of us.

I've posed the question to BMA on their Facebook page, a very public and visible media, so we'll see if I get some sort of response out of that. I'd just like to have some expectation despite if its tomorrow or 2012.

**SenorBlanco** · 09-20-2010, 03:59 PM

Posed the when will it question to BMA's Facebook page on Friday. Lots of activity on their page, but no answer yet. All I want is some response, even if its "We have no clue"