Looking for a Good Pump Track? Here is What Makes One

Pump tracks are probably the best places to learn bike racing skills. The bottom the track is just a continuous circuit of banks and hills usually made of dirt and soil. The reason behind this is to pump the bike around the track using your body.  Sloping berms, gentle hills and low rollers are, therefore, some of the things that can help any beginner get started. As your experience and skills improve, you can generate momentum and high speeds.

However, this does not mean that all pump tracks are equal. There are some that can be quite demanding such that they test even the techniques and skills of some of the best riders. Much of this relies on the expertise and imagination that pump track designers used. When race organizers realized that they needed smaller runs where young people could practice, they came up with the idea of pump tracks.

Mostly built from mounds of dirt, these tracks are just a string of berms and rolling hills laid down out in the loop. These tracks all have rhythmic sections of jumps and rollers that can be tackled in a number of ways. Since the rider spends a lot of time in the air, this is where they reap the maximum amount of benefits. It’s actually where those who are more experienced can gain speed and momentum without pumping.

What makes a good pump?

The main goal of any pump track is to provide free riding without pedaling. Since they are used by riders with all abilities and ages, they should not be too difficult to ride for beginners. But this does not mean they are not testing enough. In terms of building a good track, variety is the key. There should be plenty of variations in the height, shape and spacing of progressive bike ramps. The radius and the steepness of the berm can also determine whether you have a free-flowing track or not.

What brings riders back for more action is a track with sections that can be ridden in different ways. Variations in approach and line not only give riders a chance to hone their skills but also provide them with a variety to choose from. Regularly spaced rollers and over tight berms may soon feel boring to the novice and provide very little challenge to the more experienced. The best-built pump tracks should be comfortable for beginners and be able to provide enough challenge to those who wish to progress.

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Report this Page

Created on Mar 25th 2019 03:53. Viewed 292 times.

Share on APSense

Comments