Happy Birthday, Westside Pump Track!
The Westside Pump Track is officially one year old! After a whirlwind nine weeks of trail work, the all-new pump track opened to the public on August 8, 2021.
The Westside Pump Track’s always been a mainstay in the Santa Cruz riding scene. From its first construction in 2013, it was an instant hit with young and experienced riders alike. Cyclists of all ages used the dirt pump track every single day, and after nearly ten years of use, our team was ready to make a few upgrades to the track layout and surface.
Following years of design and permitting work, the SCMTS team took on the challenge of raising $150,000 for the track in the spring of 2021. With custom art from Sketchy Trails and the entire Westside business community rallying behind the project, the campaign was a success. We brought together hundreds of donors to fund the pump track’s rebuild, including the community champions listed below.
With the money in the bank, we set out diggin’. Our professional SCMTS Trail Crew brought the blueprints to life as the all-new track took shape. 36 volunteers would join for afternoon and weekend sessions in the dirt to install the underground drainage system or build and shape track features, completing 125 hours of work at the track.
After setting in a final shape for the track with dirt, our entire staff came together to lend a hand laying asphalt. Because of the curves of the track, all the asphalt surfacing had to be transported by hand, then quickly shaped into a flat, even layer before it cooled and hardened. This required an intricate assembly line, with about a dozen of us working to unload enormous truckloads of hot asphalt and get everything in place while it was still malleable.
After all the asphalt was laid, our team handled all the final touches: stripes were painted on the track to showcase the berm edges, and redwood railings were added to the entryway.
The track officially opened on Sunday, August 8. We brought together over 500 community members for an afternoon of celebration in the Wrigley Building parking lot. Food trucks, live music, a killer raffle, and delicious beer fueled spectators as riders took first laps on the pump track.
Since its opening, the Westside Pump Track has only gotten more popular. In the first six months, the track saw over 34,000(!) trips.
Thank you to all the community members and businesses who helped bring the new Westside Pump Track to life. We couldn’t have done it without you! Special thanks to title sponsors Graniterock, FOX Factory, Another Bike Shop, Pay Dirt, and the Wrigley Building.
