The paved pump track is visible from the highway as you drive through the town of Redmond, Oregon. Representing a $300,000 investment by the city of Redmond, the track is the largest of its kind in the state of Oregon. Built on what was formerly a dirt jump area, the asphalt track doesn’t require the maintenance typically required of dirt bike parks, utilizing artificial turn to border the hard surface track.
The layout is expansive, providing a good amount of variety. Two of the bermed corner turns even includes wood wall ride extensions.
Design to accommodate riders of all skill levels and ages, the track was in heavy use during our visit. There are a lot of possible lines. If you’re able to carry momentum, the pump lines are rideable like a BMX rhythm section.
The challenge is finding a way to get up to speed. During our brief visit, it was hard to get a full lap in without having to dodge or slow down for other users.
There are a few downsides to the layout of the track. I’m usually all for an inclusive track design, as parks with smaller “beginner” tracks usually find the beginner track unused by the younger riders they’re intended for. In this case, I wished there was one, as we became frustrated with a young, unsupervised rider that rode lap after lap on the track non-stop, without pausing to let other riders take a turn.
There’s a notable lack of signage explaining proper park etiquette. With many users riding the track at the same time, that green turf gets a lot of use as riders are often forced to veer off to avoid collisions.
I wish my experience riding the track was a bit more positive, but I became a bit frustrated with the situation and elected to cut our session short, and decided to head home instead of letting it get to me. According to regular park riders, it’s a struggle for older riders who want to go out there’, with gatherings as early as 7am in order to get time in on the track without young kids filling the park.
Still, it’s definitely worth a visit, as the track currently represents the best of its kind in the area. We’ll definitely give it another shot on our next drive through, and try to see if we can hit the park at a different time. One thing is for sure: if Portland was able to fund and construct a paved pump track in our local bike park, it would be sure to receive heavy use.
Find it:
124 NE Hemlock Ave., Redmond, Oregon