An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Friday, November 2, 2007

Catching big air -- legally


Whitefish, Montana may be the first city in the nation to build a city-sponsored bike jumping facility.

About 850 cubic yards of dirt -- 70-plus dump truck loads -- was brought to the site of the new park. Dirt from the Old Towne subdivision with more clay and rock was used to build a 25-foot high running-ramp, complete with a pathway that spirals up the hill.


I've been noodling for a while on this idea that courage is all about context. If the biggest drop you ever huck is the curb, and even that makes your collar bone throb... well, you-- like me-- are a puss. But if you're running ladders on the North Coast, and the dude in front of you wheelie drops that 8-footer onto loam, what're ya gonna do, walk it down? It's all about the peer pressure, and when peer pressure launches off a ramp of cowardice and incompetence -- well, that pretty much explains the existence of YouTube.

Anyway, I assume this new facility is either built in the backyard of the Whitefish Orthopedic Clinic & Ambulance Chaser Legal offices, or the place will have more foam rubber than a Mattress King factory outlet.

No comments: