What goes into building a pump track? No better people to answer that question than Velosolutions own Claudio Caluori (SUI) and Tim Smit (NED). In this interview they'll take you through the process that will send you straight to your city council to demand one for your own scene. Read on.
Where did you grow up and how did you get into biking?
CLAUDIO CALUORI: I grew up in Zurich, Switzerland and got into mountain biking when I was training as a hockey player in Kloten.
TIM SMIT: I was born close to Rotterdam and was always trying out different sports. I cycled 30 km to and from school and loved going as fast as possible. My first time on a mountain bike was in the Ardennes and I have loved it since.
How did you get into the pump track business?
CLAUDIO CALUORI: Velosolutions started as a trail building company. We were led to pump tracks by the Universe and were the first ones to then build one from concrete and later on, the first ones to build them with asphalt, which initiated the world wide pump track boom.
TIM SMIT: I had started a mountain bike training company and after a while we started to build some dirt PumpTracks. Back then pump tracks didn’t really exist outside of the bikeparks. We completely fell in love with the whole concept of pump tracks as a way to inspire kids to go outside and have fun, and we figured that every city would benefit from having one.
Velosolutions Pump Tracks are popping up everywhere and for good reason. The quality facilities are good fun for anyone who rides BMX bikes (and other contraptions with wheels). The grippy, yet smooth surface lets you carve the well shaped turns and challenges everyone to manual and jump sections without pedaling once. Don't underestimate the fitness you need to keep going. Doing 3 laps at full speed and you'll be searching for fresh air. Please find below a couple of pump tracks that you should pay a visit to when you have the chance.
Aigle
With 16 new pump tracks in Switzerland built in 2020 alone, the total tally in the country now soars above 40 - an immense figure for a country that could easily fit 16 times into the state of Texas. Notably, the UCI World Training Center in Aigle is now home to a brand new pump track to complement its world-class training facility. Velosolutions also paved vital parts of their BMX track to minimize maintenance needs and ensure predictable speeds for the athletes lucky enough to train there.
The world's best 67 riders from BMX and MTB took to the Velosolutions Pump Track at the Jones Center, Arkansas, to battle it out for the first ever Red Bull Pump Track World Championship Title.
From waste land to a world class pump track facility...This is the story of the Wishaw community project in Glasgow and how riding bikes is helping to change lives.
The first qualifier of the 2018 Red Bull Pump Track World Championship took place on the Indonesian island of Bali. An international field of riders took to the Velosolutions Pump Track at the Amplitude Skate and Bike Park to try and secure their spot at the World Final.
First ever Velosolutions Asphalt Pumptrack in Austria! Located in Neunkirchen, it was built in September 2016.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.