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One-of-a-kind, natural surface bike park to open June 11 in Boulder
Jun 6th
Media interview opportunities available in advance of Valmont Bike Park grand opening
What do you call 40 acres of twisting trails, mild to wild dirt, structural jumps, strategically-placed sand pits, logs, boulders and staircases? While off-road cyclists may soon call it, “Shangri La,” we call it, “Valmont Bike Park.”
Opening for the first time at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 11, the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department’s latest park development has already been hailed as an outstanding bike park by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).
“Cyclists from around the nation will be totally floored by what they see,” said IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. “Based on its many options for riding natural-surface trails, the diversity of both technical and non-technical features and the outstanding quality of the build, Valmont will be among the top venues in the country for this style of biking.”
The City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department will open the newly-developed park with a grand opening event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. The event will feature an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. with comments from council members, including Deputy Mayor Ken Wilson and Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon. Food and bicycle gear vendors, a cycling demonstration (on the park’s slopestyle features) and public riding in the park will round out the day’s activities. The event is free and open to the community.
The park contains a pump track, dual slalom and slopestyle riding loop as well as elements for a competition cyclo-cross course. The park also includes training and skill building trails, a toddler playground, event plaza, restrooms, parking and outstanding city and Flatiron views. Developed with the support and partnership of the local cycling community, Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA) and organizations such as the PLAY Boulder Parks Foundation and Great Outdoors Colorado, the 40-acre Valmont Bike Park encompasses natural-surface amenities for multiple riding styles and skill levels.
“We are very excited to open this flagship park,” Kincannon said. “We invested in a collaborative partnership with BMA and the off-road cycling community to design and build this portion of Valmont City Park. The result is a park worthy of our internationally-recognized athletic community—one that will be a daily asset to local kids, families, riders and businesses and also attract events and riders from all over the country and the world.”
Note to Media: Media interviews with Parks and Recreation Department Director Kirk W. Kincannon will be available on a scheduled basis on June 7 and 8. The media is encouraged to attend the grand opening event on June 11. Please contact Shelly Ruspakka by June 7 at RuspakkaS@BoulderColorado.gov or 303-413-7214 to set up a media interview or to discuss plans for the opening event.
The bike park is currently closed due to allow completion of construction. The park will open to cycling on June 11. No footage of park use or demonstrations will be available until June 11.
Volunteers sought for Valmont Bike Park opening day June 11
Jun 6th
Valmont Bike Park officially opens on Saturday, June 11, and the City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department and Boulder Mountainbike Alliance are seeking volunteer bike park hosts for two-hour shifts that day between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Shifts and skills needed include:
Event, stage and booth setup – 7 to 9 a.m.
Empty Eco-Cycle stations – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Course marshals for trail crossings – noon to 5 p.m.
Bouncy castle supervisors – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Traffic control and parking (both bike and car) – 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Post-event cleanup – 5 to 7 p.m.
Volunteers will be trained at a mandatory park host training session held at Valmont Bike Park from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7. Volunteers must register and attend the training. Volunteers should be 16 years of age or older and comfortable interacting with the public. Bicycle riders of all levels are encouraged to respond but riding is not required. Sign up at www.BoulderMountainBike.org or by emailing valmont@bouldermountainbike.org.
Reminder: Valmont Bike Park remains CLOSED to unauthorized visitors and riders until opening day (June 11) to allow for completion of construction.
Long-term volunteers are needed through the summer months as well. For more information, call Shelly Ruspakka, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7214.
Fourteenth Annual Circle Boulder by Bicycle to be held June 5
Jun 1st
The City of Boulder Utilities Division’s will host its 14th Annual Circle Boulder by Bicycle, B-360 or B-180 self-guided ride, on Sunday, June 5, rain or shine. This leisurely, non-competitive ride follows the city’s bikeways beginning and ending at Scott Carpenter Park, 30th Street and Arapahoe Avenue, and is open to all ages and abilities. The fun, community ride showcases Boulder’s world-class bike path system.
Riders can register for free and start the ride for the 25-mile B-360 between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Those who want to participate in the shorter, 18-mile B-180 can register for free and begin the ride between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Participants who may need extra time for either ride can register at 2:30 p.m.
This year’s route will highlight the newly-completed underpass at 30th Street and two new path connections: on the west side of Foothills Parkway, connecting to the Goose Creek Path, and from 48th Street, connecting to the Boulder Creek Path. Participants will loop around Boulder using a linking network of paths, neighborhood streets and unpaved trails.
A free, post-ride party will take place at Scott Carpenter Park, where the ride began. The free party starts at 5 p.m.
Riders are reminded to carry water and wear appropriate gear, including a helmet. Participants must stay on trails and yield to other users. No dogs are allowed.
For more information, visit www.boulderwater.net and select “Projects & Programs,” then “Greenways,” or contact Annie Noble at 303-441-3242.
