New Years Eve session @ Draper Bike Park

[sixstringsteve]

awesome! See if they'll let you on the pump track a chula. As I understand it, they've got a SX course, a smaller bmx track, and one of the most amazing pump tracks out there. I've been dying for some more info about that track.

[Momof3crazyboyz]

We are in! See ya there!

[ogr13]

Chris I'm having a hard time feeling bad for you "trapped" in So Cal...
At least the hi temp for today is supposed to be above freezing!
Enjoy the weather & time with the family!!
Let's go play bikes in the snow!

[mackdaddy]

I am heading to the bike park about 1

[sixstringsteve]

Edit: it is not the corner canyon equestrian centre, its the one on highland drive. It's a mile or two east of where the map points

[J Gallo]

Good times!!

[Momof3crazyboyz]

YES! Thanks Steve, my boys had so much fun! What a fun place to ride, OK mama had fun too ! Thanks to everyone there, letting us try your bikes and being so gracious! Great group of peeps!

[sixstringsteve]

Mindy, it was awesome to see you on a bike! I'm excited to see that GoPro footage. Let me know if you have any issues editing or posting them to youtube.

I don't think there could have been a better way to end the new year, that was a blast. I wish I had some footage of the little groms hitting that wall-ride.

[joker75]

I had a blast too. It was great seeing so many members of the BMX family. Dave, B2, Jason, Steve, and all of the groms. One of these days I'm going to either have to flatten Kota's tires and force him to teach me how to jump so I don't look like such an old sissy trying to keep up with him.I look forward to seeing all of you next weekend at the nice warm indoor track for some more fun racing and riding bikes with great friends.

Steve let us know when you get some of the video posted on youtube.I would really like to see if you caught any video of my mad jumping skills on the intermediate trail. LOL. At least then I can get a good laugh and hopefully see what I need to work on.

[bnd]

Can on any of you guys break down the park area for me? I'm seriously on the fence about buying as new DJ. Does it look like this area has area to expand?

b.

[sixstringsteve]

I'll try to describe it in words. The video will show it a bit better. It's called a "pocket park", where they try to cram a lot of different stuff into a tiny space. I don't foresee this growing much more.

There's a pump track up above. Small little pump track, but pretty well designed.

Then there are 3 small jump runs/trails
beginner, intermediate, expert

beginner has about 5 berms and a couple rollers
intermediate has 2 berms and 4 table-tops
expert has 8 or so berms and 7-8 jumps and a wall-ride

Here's the only info I could find:
http://www.draper.ut.us/vertical/Sites/ ... chureWEB(1).pdf

I'm totally taking a shot in the dark, but I don't think they're planning on expanding the jumps more. It's kind of an all-around mountain bike park: some ladders/teeter totters, pump track, jumps, and singletrack. They'll also be putting a velodrome in there as well.

To answer your question; YES you should definitely get a dirt jumper. All the cool kids are doing it. But seriously, I had a few close calls today that would have been endos on my 20" that I was able to safely pull off because I had suspension up front. Come out with us next time, I think there were 4 or 5 dirt jumpers that everyone let anyone ride, so you could get a feel for which bikes you like and which bikes you don't. But beware, once you ride Dave's bike, you'll have to have one.
Now, should you get a dirt jumper? absolutely!

[bnd]

Just wondering if the park has room to grow. I already knew about the Velodrome. I have a Staats DJ loaned out to someone out there but to be honest with you, I don't now where it is. If I like how Jonas's GT 12'' Ruckas rides I might get one of those.
From my experiance, the park will be watched over by a handfull of trailbosses who will keep the jumps groomed & new stuff built.


b.

[joker75]

Bruce, I think the problem with expansion is that there isn't really a ton of space to expand without interfering with the multi-use trails. The trails are crammed into a small valley area that is pretty much filled with the obstacles that are there. Someone would need to remove some serious vegetation to make more room for anything else. It is a fun little area to work on your skills, but there is not a ton of stuff so you will probably get burned out, as there are only so many ways to take the jumps that are there.

[ogr13]

What a great way to end the year! Had a blast riding and hanging out with all that showed up.
Bruce, I see this area as a fun way for me to learn, and improve, the skills needed to explore all of the other "dirt parks" we have access to. None of the runs are very long but they each require some skills to navigate.
The Novice run makes you work on looking through the turns as they are tight, particularly on 26" wheels.
The Intermediate run rewards that same behavior with enough speed to easily jump the 4 tables. The ability to "whip" the last table makes the landing much more enjoyable (still makes me pucker).
The Expert run requires you to pump a small roller and rail the short turn in order to clear the first gap. The rest of the run, including a cool wall ride, requires the same abaility to gain & maintain speed in the corners (My goal is to enjoy this run this summer). The boys were making it look easy on their 20's.
The fact that it's 3 miles from my house helps too!
I wouldn't buy a dj just to ride this area but I do see it as a good place to get comfortable on a new dj.
Hope that helps, let me know if you want to visit & I'll let ya ride my bike.

[joker75]

Don't fall for it Bruce. It's a trap. He's already got you thinking about buying one. Next he'll let you throw a leg over his and you'll be powerless to resist "The Force". J/K

Like Dave said, it's a great place to work on skills, but definitely not the biggest or best that Utah has to offer. The trails are actually groomed pretty well and I had very little problems taking them on my 20". If I could remember to focus on the basics, I doubt I would have any problems taking the beginner and intermediate trails. I absolutely need to do some work on my jumping before trying the advanced trail.