Posts tagged cyclists
Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park to get BIG race
Mar 1st
Valmont Bike Park selected as host of 2014 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships
Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park has been selected to host the 2014 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships. The Cyclo-Cross National Championships is held in January and is expected to bring at least 1,500 athletes and even more spectators to Boulder. According to an Economic Impact Study from the 2009 Cyclo-Cross National Championships, the host that year, Bend, OR, reaped an economic benefit of $1 million from hosting the championships.
USA Cycling made site visits to the three finalist cities of Boulder; Austin, Texas; and Asheville, N.C. earlier this year. The committee visited Valmont Bike Park on Feb. 1. Austin was selected as the host of the 2015 Cyclo-Cross National Championships, and Asheville was selected as the host of the 2016 Cyclo-Cross National Championships.
Defying gravity
“We had three outstanding bids, making the only logical choice to award all three communities,” said USA Cycling Managing Director of National Events Micah Rice. “The decision to award one-year contracts for the championships will also help foster cyclo-cross racing in three distinctively different parts of the country.”
“We are so proud that Valmont Bike Park was chosen to host the 2014 United States Cyclo-Cross National Championships,” said Kirk Kincannon, director of the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. “This reiterates that we have a world-class park in our community, and we’re thrilled that this investment is paying off so quickly in terms of daily users, programming, events, and now as the host of a USA Cycling event. The Cyclo-Cross Championships should bring an estimated $1 million economic benefit to Boulder.”
“It is a real honor for Parks and Recreation to host this national event,” said Mike Eubank, Valmont Bike Park manager. “The Cyclo-Cross National Championships is like the Super Bowl of cycling. This is tremendous news for Boulder, and especially for all the local cyclists and bike organizations who have been involved in creating this one-of-a-kind bike park.”
“I’m incredibly proud of what our community has created at Valmont Bike Park, and hosting these championships is the next step in affirming the benefits of a dedicated bike park,” said Pete Webber, Valmont course designer and recent Masters World Champion.
For more information, visit www.usacycling.org or call Mike Eubank, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7226. Valmont Bike Park website: http://bouldermountainbike.org/valmontbikepark.
Boulder traffic nightmares to continue
Nov 14th
Pearl Parkway closed for railroad crossing rehabilitation
From 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, Pearl Parkway, between 30th Street and Frontier Avenue, will be closed in both directions for work on the railroad crossing. This closure will include the multi-use path along the south side of Pearl Parkway. Access to local businesses will be maintained throughout the project.
During construction, motorists will be detoured to Arapahoe and Valmont roads, and cyclists and pedestrians will be detoured north to the Goose Creek path. Detours will be posted, and alternate routes are advised. The RTD route 206 will be detoured onto Valmont Road between 30th Street and Foothills Parkway. Transit stops in the area will be closed and bus passengers on the 206 will encounter delays.
Crews from BNSF Railway will be working to restore the entire railroad crossing on Pearl Parkway. The project will include the complete replacement of rails and ties, installation of new concrete crossing panels, and restoration of the roadway and multi-use path approaches. The work schedule is weather-dependent and closure dates and times are subject to change.
Questions about the closure may be directed to David Neubauer of BNSF Railway at 307-432-7363. For more information, contact Alex May, Transportation Project Manager at 303-441-3266 or visit www.boulderconezones.net.
Boulder bike park a winner!
Oct 12th
Parks and Recreation Department wins 2011 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association award for Valmont Bike Park
The City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department was awarded the 2011 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Columbine Award for Recreation Facility Design at Valmont Bike Park. The award was presented to Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon and Recreation Superintendent Alice Guthrie on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the CPRA Annual Conference in Grand Junction.
“This is a great honor for the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department,” said Kincannon. “Valmont Bike Park was designed and constructed with the community in mind. Through our extensive public input process, we were able to create a park that appeals to all levels of cyclists and provides a great recreation facility for families. We are thrilled to have this community treasure recognized by the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association.”
The opening of Valmont Bike Park in June 2011 was the culmination of a multi-year collaboration between the community and Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. A 40-acre, natural-surface bike park, Valmont was designed and developed in partnership with the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA), a group representing the area’s active, off-road cycling community. BMA brought volunteers, funding and sport-specific expertise to this ambitious project. BMA also agreed to help with fundraising and long-term stewardship of the bike facility and formed a partnership with the PLAY Boulder Parks Foundation as a mechanism to receive tax-deductible donations.
The park offers trails and features for all ages, riding abilities and styles. It also incorporates the latest sustainable design features including water conservation systems; LEEDTM certified building design, solar photovoltaic power and wildlife-proof recycling and trash containers.
The addition of the park and completion of multi-use trails leading to it elevated Boulder’s League of American Bicyclists’ status from gold to one of only three, Platinum-level bike friendly communities in the U.S. Valmont Bike Park provides new recreation opportunities for the community and competitive venues for local, national and international events.
