OGDEN -- Extreme mountain bikers will pedal along winding trails, soar over dirt jumps and learn new skills when the city's first-ever freeride park opens in October.
The park will be built on 46 acres along the East Bench between 1350 South and 9th Street, said Josh Jones, the city's bicycle coordinator.
The city will lease the property for a nominal fee from the Fife Equipment & Investment Company, he said Thursday.
Officials with Fife could not be reached for comment.
Efforts to establish the park are being undertaken by the city and the Ogden chapter of the Wasatch Area Freeride Trails Association.
Freeride is a relatively new discipline of mountain biking, combining different aspects of the sport such as downhill, dirt jumping and big mountain climbs.
Several municipalities -- including Park City and Eagle Mountain in Utah; Eagle, Idaho; Boulder, Colo.; and Seattle -- already have freeride parks, according to a written proposal for the Ogden park provided by Jones.
The park would be an outstanding tourism draw, the proposal says.
"Ogden City is marketing itself as a high-adventure recreation destination, and this type of facility would be of great value not only to local riders and the city's recreation reputation but (also) a draw for travelers who visit Ogden," the document states.
Construction of the first section of the park is scheduled to be completed in October and will extend about a half-mile from the top of 9th Street downhill to Hislop Drive, Jones said.
"It will be a fun, flowy trail with a lot of berm turns and smooth bumps in the trail that will allow you to go up and over," he said.
"There will be tabletop jumps, step ups and step downs built with dirt and rock. The concept of the first phase is that it will be fast and have really good flow."
Costs to build the first phase of the park should be minimal because they city has agreed to donate the use of construction equipment, Jones said.
Joe Waters, an avid mountain biker, said he's looking forward to the park's opening because he hasn't found many places to freeride since moving from Denver to the Ogden area two years ago.
"It would be awesome," he said. "To give that much land to be able to do it is a great idea."
The spot selected for the park is ideal because of its natural terrain, Jones said. "We are not trying to make it (the terrain) smooth, we are trying to make it fun."
The park will include a trails system and skill development area that will be maintained by users and a committee made up of representatives from the city, local bike shops and cyclers.
Trail work and man-made features will be completed by volunteers under the direction of experienced trail builders.
Three separate bowls will eventually be built to focus on mountain biking skills like overcoming obstacles, bike handling and pumping.
Pumping allows riders to accelerate by pumping their handlebars as they go over bumps.
It somewhat reduces the need for continuous pedaling and aids riders in maximizing traction and bike handling.
Other phases of the park will be built as WAFTA secures funding and will accommodate riders of various skill levels, Jones said.
"The whole idea of the park is to provide skill progression," he said.
"It won't be just a place to ride, it will be a place to learn to ride and get better at riding."
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