Mountain biking enthusiasts practice their skills in downtown Prescott.
The Prescott Chamber of Commerce hosted the ceremony. About 200 people attended the ribbon cutting and party, while more than 20 bikers used the pump track behind them. Music was playing and food was available while people found shade and a breeze under the trees in the near 100-degree heat.
A pump track is a closed-loop practice track consisting of berms, jumps and rollers connected by bank turns. Riders “pump” their way through in a continuous loop for as long as they wish, without having to pedal. Riding a pump track helps people learn, practice and improve their bike skills while gaining confidence and having fun. It’s a place all ages and skill levels can enjoy.
Ximena Florez, board president of PMBA, said they thank the City of Prescott for assisting them throughout the process and providing the land and materials.
Florez said they began working on the planning for the pump track two months ago. She said not all roads are kid-friendly, so it is good to have a pump track in the park. After the city agreed to be a partner, Florez started a GoFundMe page and raised $56,000, surpassing the group’s fundraising goal of $50,000. The additional funding will go toward the track’s maintenance.
Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center was the largest sponsor of the project, with a donation of $10,000. There were many other donors, including bike supporters who sent in $10 or $25.
“Those donations show how the community supports us,” said Florez.
Prescott Recreation Services Director Joe Baynes praised the effort and teamwork that went into the project. “Prescott has a growing reputation as a mountain biking destination and this new amenity adds to that. I want to thank PMBA and the entire community for the fundraiser that helped get this done. This is a great example of a partnership. PMBA had the idea and we had the property. That’s how we build partnerships and the community.”
Florez also thanked Josh Crothers from Prescott Landscape Professionals and the volunteers who gave their time to help.
“This is the best thing to happen since I moved here two years ago,” said Mike Suit, the ride pro at Archer’s Bikes in Prescott Valley. “A pump trail teaches so much about how to use the bikes. I used to be a downhill racer. This is big kid stuff. Now that I’m older I like to let the kids set the pace.”
Suit, a retired police officer, lived in California before moving to Mesa to help the owner of Archer’s Bikes open his first shop in Mesa and then in Prescott. While in California, he would lead bikers out on trails for rides. In Mesa, he said the trails weren’t close enough, but in Prescott, there are plenty of trails – and the pump station gives bikers another option.
Suit plans to lead bike outings in Prescott in a couple months. He said those outings will be announced on the Archer’s Bikes Facebook page.
Zvika and Ruth Ashkenazi are passionate mountain bike riders who moved here two years ago because of the mountain bike riding opportunities. They came to the ceremony to show their support for the pump station. They were married 24 years ago and went mountain biking for their honeymoon.
“This is a great addition to the community,” said Zvika.
Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, protect and promote mountain biking, trail access and diverse riding opportunities on Prescott-area public lands through community education, advocacy, tourism and unified action. QCBN
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
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