Bike Park Basics Pt 1

Listen to our chat on youtube or on our podcast. Also, read a break down below on what to expect on your first day at the park!

• Tickets/lift passes – You have to order your tickets and lift passes ahead of time, don’t wait until the day of! Lift passes are often required to order online and can’t be done in-person. Be sure to check the website of the park you want to attend, so you are prepared to ride when you arrive. 
• Sign the liability waiver – Waivers are often available on bike park websites ahead of time. If possible, fill and sign the waiver before you go. It will give you time to read all the legalese and save you time!   
• Different format for lift passes – There are several different types of lift passes such as wrist bands, individual printed tickets, re-loadable cards, hanging ticket from bike. Each park is different.  
• Bike park rentals – Different parks offer a ton of options when it comes to renting bikes. Parks also rent out downhill helmets, pads/body protection. Be sure to check in advance online if a reservation is required and to review costs.
• Bike specifics – Make sure the bike you are planning to ride at a bike park is safe to use and in alignment with your riding goals at the bike park. Ensure that your brakes are in safe working order! Many variations in front and rear suspension & travel offer many different rebound and lock out options. Your local bike shop can offer insight and feedback on how your bike is running or what you need to fix prior to heading to the park. Bike parks also often have a bike shop with certified bike mechanics that are available to answer questions and give more information. 
• Pads/protection – Know your bike park intentions and goals! Long pants and long sleeve shirts are recommended to minimize skin injury. Knee pads are very useful and encouraged. Avoid short sleeves/tank tops/bare skin to minimize risk of injury. Be sure to check if there are specific bike or helmet requirements (ie, full suspension bikes only, full face helmet requirements, etc)
• Evaluate your bike park goals to determine if a half-lid or full face helmet would be appropriate. 
• How do you get UP the mountain? – Different parks have different ways to get you up the mountain! Shuttle, ski lift, enduro/pedal only.  Lift-assist bike parks often have different variations of loading your bike onto the lift (gondola, tray, etc).
• Trail ratings – Be aware of the color ratings assigned to the trails (green, blue, black, red). Make sure to learn what trails are marked as beginner/intro, intermediate, advanced, pro, etc. Different bike parks have different color-coding trails, so every bike park is different! The trail ranking/color coding is specific to that bike park only – there is no universal trail rating between bike parks, so you have to be sure you review what is within your goals and skill level before you ride. Also, sometimes flow vs tech trails are marked differently.
• Emergency numbers – Be sure to have the phone number for the emergency line at the bike park – program it into your phone ahead of time just in case. If it’s not listed online/in public view at the park, ask when checking in for the emergency/EMS trail rescue phone number. Better safe than sorry! 

   Most importantly, have fun! You are just as entitled to be there as anyone else! Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek out feedback or advice