Because this is picture of an indoor mountain bike park opening up in Portland called Lumberyard. By Kent Dahlgren knows a guy who built it. I’m sure he had help, but kent helped himself to a session and some photos. In some ways so similar to what you expect to see, but in others definitely skewed. Very interesting. I’d love to see some of these interactions between planes in a concrete skatepark.
17 comments
corncobcock
looks kill. put some squirrels in there and its the shit!
skaterdave
Isn’t the ceiling a little low?
The Buddha Known as The Fitzer
That’s what I’m wondering. I’m a pretty casual rider–mostly prefer skating-and I don’t boost it too much. It won’t bug me any…
Some people, however, freaking kill it! I’ve seen kids upside down 20 feet in the air, and some dudes go much, much bigger than that. Bikes will break you in a hurry!
DickCancer
Can we skate the phuckin thing and why don’t biker’s make city bike parks?
The Buddha Known as The Fitzer
They do. Beaverton, Clackamette, Riverside (R.I.P.), Grotto, and further out, Sandy Ridge, Rocky Point, Black Rock. Seattle has Colonnade, and Vancouver B.C. has… Everything!
All the above are sanctioned by one local government or another. Aside from Portland (who are strangely anti-BMX/Mtn. Bike), a lot of big cities allow building of jumps, berms, obstacles, tables, logs, ladders, etc., in and around city greenspaces.
Portland will probably allow something soon–perhaps Kelly Butte–and the skateparks will be even less crowded with bikes.
The Buddha Known as The Fitzer
I’m going to beg to differ with the sentiments that it won’t last. Portland has a massive bike community, and in my experience, MTB riders tend to occupy a somewhat higher income bracket than other recreationalists. Fuck, you damn well have to, given the price of bike stuff. I don’t ride much, and I ride a very minimalistic bik when I do–mainly because of the outlandish prices of components. And also, since skateboarding is just really a lot more fun.
Anyway, that aside, people are on-fire about the new spot. Consider this place: http://www.raysmtb.com/
Two locations (Cleveland and Milwaukee), and doing a roaring trade, being as it’s one of only a few in the nation.
And to answer the question about material construction, people ride dirt, wood, and rock in the natural environment, so why not mirror it indoors?
Here’s to hoping that The Lumberyard does well, and the biker leave Glenhaven to skateboarders.
brian
is this place open yet???
K.C.
It’s about time! Glad for you guy’s, but I’m scratching my head wondering why you didn’t use dirt if it’s only for bikes.
scummer
hmm…arent these the guys that screwed up Forest Park?
scummer
great idea..put a bike park across from Kookhaven because maybe they will all come here when the weathers bad. Pay to play will only last so long.I agree with backside…wont last. Maybe it will keep Kookhaven clear of bikes for a little bit.
backside
wont last
The Buddha Known as The Fitzer
I’m an out-and-proud bike-skateual. I swing both ways, so I’m fired up for The Lumberyard opening. When the weather is shit, and skating indoors is getting stale, I go out and rip around on a 26″ BMX. It’s basically just a hard-tail dirt-jumper mountain bike with huge mud-tires and a single-speed conversion, and it takes me right back to the good ol’ days when BMX and skateboards were the only thing I liked more than Iron Maiden, cheap-weed, and getting to second base with my girlfriend.
I’d love to skate The Lumberyard, but I’ll enjoy it on a bicycle just as much.
Les
Awesome its great that bikes are making there own parks!That way they will stay out of the skate parks.haha maybe someone needs to build more scooter parks!
Billy Bones
Kinda makes me wanna get a bmx bike…
billy coulon
i wanna go
Kent Dahlgren
For real: Whitesel rules. We’d known about the DOS bowl, but it was Mike who facilitated a meeting of just the right people.
I’ve known Mike for 20+ years; used to work with him at Tektronix, and we’ve known each other since. The guy kicks ass.
So it was super cool of him to let me carve and ride that place. It was the best session I’ve had in a long time.
Across the street from Glenhaven, just south down the hill in an old bowling alley.
craigspdx
You didn’t post the video of Kent skating it.
I want folks to know the same individual (Michael W.)should be credited for saving DOSBowl.
Michael emailed Kent & I the Thursday before it was going to be turn into “wood pulp”. The building owners approached Michael to see if the Lumberyard wanted it. Michael passed on our contact information and shared an email.
So, not only did Lumberyard build this amazing place for MTB and BMX guys, they helped save a famous skate spot.
Now I’m trying to figure out if I’m getting back on a 20″ bmx bike, or moving on to a bike more suited for a 44 year old. I can’t wait to ride this place.