NEW TRACK HAS RIDERS PUMPED
Largest pumptrack in county features smooth, fast asphalt surface
The Ramsay Park Pumptrack — the largest and the first paved pumptrack in Santa Cruz County — was buzzing on its grand opening on a sunny and windy afternoon earlier this week. Helmeted riders were speeding every which way, looking like ants in a maze. A smooth flowing operation, surprisingly, no one collided.
Some of the younger riders were unable to refrain from showcasing their Kool-Aid stained smiles as they whizzed around the 20,000-square-foot facility, while others wore a steely determined look as they attempted to get through their chosen line as fast as possible and injury-free.
The pumptrack, which features rollers, banked turns and multiple opportunities to catch air, appears to be as much a joy for the kids as it is for the parents chaperoning. Some parents watched from their cars in a nearby parking lot while others joined in on the action or shot photos.
“It’s thrilling for all ages,” said parent Kori Calubaquib, who watched her 8-year-old
OTHER PUMPTRACKS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Chanticleer Park, Santa Cruz Depot Park BMX Park, Santa Cruz Grant Park, Santa Cruz Harvey West, Santa Cruz McGregor Pump Track and Skateboard Park, Capitola Polo Grounds dirt jumps, Aptos Ramsay Park, Watsonville Pinto Lake, Corralitos Skypark, Scotts Valley Westside, Santa Cruz Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz daughter, Korina, race around the track. “It’s just so neat to have this in our community, because it’s new and different.”
An ice cream truck, with its melodic chimes blaring though its speakers, rolled through Ramsay Park at a snail’s pace
and barely turned a head. To say the county’s latest and greatest pumptrack is a smashing success would be a drastic understatement. It’s open from sunrise to 8 p.m. daily and providing thrills to cyclists.
“I enjoyed the big ring over there,” said E.P., a 7-year-old from Soquel. “I call it ‘The Big Puppy,’ and I really like this pumptrack because there’s more area to bike around and get some speed. And I really like these hills where you can go vroom, vroom, vroom.’ “
E.P., wearing a smile like it’s Christmas morning, wasn’t the only one oozing joy, excitement and enthusiasm.
He describes a recent path he chose, where he pinballs around the track — turn here, spin there, cutback. “I just got dizzy, like ohh, wah, ohhh, and I thought I would faint on my bike,” E.P. said.
E.P. hasn’t yet been to Disneyland, but he said the pumptrack is more fun than Legoland. “Oh, yeesssss!” he said, noting he found his happiest place on earth.
Even better than the beach? “Well, my mom might not think that, but I definitely think that. This whole pumptrack is just my favorite. Every time I want to go to the pumptrack, I literally just go to this one. It’s super fun how you just get some speed, like that guy,” E.P. pauses momentarily as he watches in amazement. “I’ve dreamed of doing that, but I can’t do it.”
Not yet, anyway. But you can be sure he’ll be back soon to try.
This project was fully funded by Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, thanks to a generous donation from a private donor, and received support from key sponsors Bell Helmets, Shelton Inc, Sierra Azul Nursery and Delta Bluegrass Co.
The pumptrack, at 1301 Main St. in Watsonville, officially opened earlier this week, but many riders had already ridden it, some multiple times. Some have friends who are part of MBOSC, who got them out for a trial run, and others slipped through the fencing that was previously in place. Word of mouth is spreading quickly.
“So far, it’s absolutely amazing,” said Santa Cruz’s Alexis Moreno, 17. “It’s night and day compared to what’s in Santa Cruz. I’m just excited to ride it.”
The track features a drop-in area where riders start and stop their runs. Some choose a line to ride while standing on the slightly elevated deck, while others show off road rash sustained from a recent fall.
Though prohibited, some skateboarders and scooter riders dropped in on the action.
“I like it because there are big jumps that you can jump over,” Korina said.
“Honestly, what I think makes a really good pumptrack is how well groomed it is,” said Monterey’s Anthony Quiroz, 33, a Soquel High alum, “because usually they’re all dirt, right? This one is nice because it’s like perfect all the time. You don’t have to worry about ruts or being too dusty, muddy, or anything like that. You can probably ride this thing whenever. That’s the nice thing about this.”
Well, almost whenever. The pumptrack closes at 8 p.m., after all. Four light fixtures allow riders to keep riding once the sun sets. The fixtures are surrounded by hay bales at their bases, a safety feature for out-ofcontrol riders.
The pumptrack was included in the city’s 2020 park master plan as the result of community feedback. It’s virtually maintenance-free and features underground storm drainage.
“It’s a really fun pumptrack,” said Jaxon Quiroz, 8, Anthony’s son. “I like jumping on the rollers sometimes, but mostly I like the berm shots because you can go super fast on them. I give it a 10 out of 10.”
The north side of the track features larger technical rollers, berms and jumps, while the south side of the track hosts smaller features that are more accessible to younger riders and pumptrack novices.
“This is an amazing park,” Moreno said. “The city really did do a superb job on this.”