Three new pump tracks are coming to Kamloops Bike Ranch

The Kamloops All-Wheel Pump Track project is set to be completed by the first week of July, with the addition of three asphalt pump tracks for an all-inclusive facility.

Ted Morton, owner of the project’s manager All Mountain Productions and Consulting Inc., tells The Wren the tracks will accommodate “anything with wheels, really.” This includes skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, mountain bikes and BMX bikes.

Of the three tracks that are being built, the most advanced will be geared toward bikes. Each track will be aimed at a different skill level, with the second one being intermediate.

“The beginner track is the most inclusive track where off-road wheelchairs, adaptive mountain bikes, that kind of stuff are suitable,” he says.

Initially, the project started with Kamloops Sports Council, which received provincial grant funding for the three pump tracks.

“The Kamloops Performance Cycling Centre is essentially the maintenance and management partner for the Kamloops Bike Ranch,” Morton explains. “They contributed significantly to the project as well and brought some matched funding to help make the project a reality.”

Tourism Kamloops also came in with support and funding, he adds.

An update on the progress

After a site walk inspection, Morton observed the progress of the project from inside his work truck as the construction crew worked on landscaping. 

“The asphalt is now complete on the largest track, that’s the competition track, and there’s a jump line along the northwest corner.”

This track has been designed to World Cup pump track racing standards, with the goal of hosting a World Cup of pump track racing, he adds. 

The second track is being roughed in and moving on from that, the beginner track will be built. The next steps will be finishing up the parking lot and working on signage, painting, final landscaping and installing the fence.

Benefits for the community

Once finished Morton hopes the city will benefit from these tracks, especially with the draw of the high level track.

During talks with bike shops, Morton learned people have been asking what they need for a pump track and seeing what is in stock.

“I’ve been hearing so much positivity in the community about it,” he says. “We have a couple little dirt pump tracks in Kamloops but nothing to this scale or scope. This is a game changer.”

In addition to bringing new infrastructure for avid riders, Morton said the track will be a good way for people to progressively learn in a lower risk environment.

“I think it’s a really cool project in the sense that these types of facilities and outdoor recreation infrastructure really help build social fabric and community,” he says. “They’re great connection places and points of meeting to create a friend group.”