Getting Air at Valmont Park

The city of Boulder recently opened Valmont Bike Park, located at the intersection of Valmont Road and Airport Road. It's a massive outdoor mountain/BMX/freeride complex with just enough variety to keep even the most experienced of riders happy.

Valmont opened in June 2011 and has seen attendance growth, thanks to the meticulous attention to detail from the staff, a huge selection of features to for every skill level out there, and a positive, lighthearted vibe emanating from fellow biking enthusiasts. While visiting, I came across about every possible age group and skill level imaginable spread throughout the complex. Not interested in hitting the dirt jumps? Head over to the slope-style course for nearly vertical wall rides, plenty of table tops, and narrow ascending bridges. Tired from lapping the dual slalom course? Jump into one of two pump parks for some more technical, tight riding. Although there's plenty of "XL" features for the most daring of riders, there are a whole host of areas and features for those not quite ready to step up to the big leagues yet.

Entry to Valmont Bike Park is free, and it's open from dawn to dusk, with Valmont Bike Park encouraging involvement from fellow bikers and residents of Boulder. Similar riding can be found in Denver too, at the volunteer-run Trestle Bike Skills Course in North Barnum Park at 6th at Federal.

Thanks to Nick Soloninka and Clayton Shank of PlusSizeBMX.com for showing me around Valmont Bike Park.

-- Words and photos by Chip Kalback.