Prineville bike park on fast track to reality

The Bend bike scene just got a little bit of friendly competition from another High Desert city. That’s because the Crook County chapter of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance finally has enough funds gathered to build a bike park near downtown Prineville.

The city is already a stop for many cyclists traveling one of two major trails that run right through Prineville, the Trans-American and Oregon Outback.

“It just dissects Prineville,” James Good, owner of the Good Bike Co., said Tuesday.

Good says he meets people from all over the world at his shop.

“Last week, we had a guy from Switzerland and a group from Australia,” Good said.

His shop caters to passers-by and locals. He says the bike scene in Prineville has always been there, but now it’s emerging even more. It’s not a hidden secret any more. The bike park will help that even more.

“The bike park and these local trails, it’s enough to get people out and about,” Good said.

Crook County donated a one-acre parcel to the Crook County Central Oregon Trail Alliance chapter. The bike park will have rock and wood features, jumps, pump tracks and more. It’ll be open to mountain bikes, strider bikes and BMX bikes.

“I’m up in the mountains, and if I get up in the mountains to a really rocky, technical section. I can come back in town and practice it and hopefully ride it next time,” Good said.

Anyone can practice, but it’s locals who got the wheels turning.

“A lot of local businesses are supporting tools and materials,” Good said.

That’s everyone from kids donating a dollar to large businesses donating thousands. Others are donating in kind, giving materials and time. Construction is planned to start next year.

To find out more about the project, visit: http://cotamtb.com/2015/prineville-bike-park/