Update: Launch Bike Park 2012, Spring Mt. PA

In the fall of 2010 Launch Bike Park opened, keeping lift access mountain biking alive in Eastern PA. Launch Bike Park is located at the Spring Mountain Ski Area, in beautiful Spring Mount, Pennsylvania. It is less than an hour drive north from the city of Philadelphia and has established itself as the Philadelphia area’s year-round destination for outdoor fun and adventure. Spring Mountain also offers adventure activities including zip line canopy tours, a rock climbing tower, and the Perkiomen Trail.

Since the park's opening and only in it's second full season of operation, the park has seen major improvements with the addition of many new trails such as the all new Dual Cross race course, 'Flowdacious', and 'Jumptown'. With the exception of 'Jumptown', every trail on the mountain is hand built by the trail crew, a majority of whom are volunteers. The trail crew has logged hundreds of hours this past spring before the park opened to get everything ready for the season. At times the resources can be a bit limited, but the limited resources can be a blessing in disguise however, forcing the trail crew to build unique wooden features and make use of the natural terrain the mountain has to offer.

'Jumptown' was built in the spring of 2012 and is the dedicated jump line at Launch which consists of two lines, a Pro line (riders left), and an Intermediate line (riders right). The Spring Mountain management rented a machine for the trail crew to use and after about a month of work, 'Jumptown' was born.

The trail crew stops for a lunch break mid-way through the construction of 'Jumptown' this past spring.


'Flowdacious' is another trail that was built this past spring. Designed by the Trail Boss Chad Everitt, 'Flowdacious' begins with a big on/off feature called 'Guinness' and winds in and out of the trees to the bottom of the mountain, ending with the newly resurrected 'Morning Wood' feature.

Mark DiLullo, (aka 'BMX Mark') puts in some serious hours on the Trail Crew. Here, he enjoy's his work and sends the new Guinness feature.

Callum McEwen testing out the new Guinness feature.


One of the new big things for the park this season is the Dual Cross series. Launch Bike Park and the Gravity East Series have teamed up to bring back Dual racing on the East Coast with a 5 race Dual Cross series with 3 remaining rounds this season. The course which was built by Colby Barth & crew has provided some amazing racing so far. With the rider turnout nearly doubling between the first and second rounds, the GES Dual Cross #3 is sure to be an exciting event.

The first straight of the 2x track is divided into two lanes, but comes together in the first corner. Chris Hunter and rider number 374 battle for position in the 2nd round of the 2x series.

Chris Hunter railing the first berm on the 2x course.

Along with the 2x series, Launch Bike Park will play host to the 3rd stop of the Gravity East Downhill Series for the second consecutive season. The top half of the Downhill course will pretty much remain the same, while the bottom half will see some pretty big changes.

2011 GES race weekend

Rider number 434 picks his way through the lower section while the teletubbies look on.

Logan Mulally


Since the mountain first opened for lift access biking in 2010, existing trails such as 'Wally's Leg' and 'Walt's Erector Set' have seen some major improvements.

Steve Clayton (Launch Racing Team) hits the entrance double into 'Wally's Leg', with the man himself (Wally) in tow.

Tom Coyle puts in countless hours on the Trail Crew here at Launch Bike Park. Here he enters the first rock section of 'Wally's Leg'.

Gerry Creighton hitting the berm step down on 'Wally's Leg'.

Yep, it gets tight in some spots. Jake Taney threads the needle on 'Walts Erector Set'.


Callum McEwen hitting one of the berms on 'Walt's Erector Set'.

Chad Everitt (Trail Boss) on one of his favorite trails, 'Walt's Erector Set'. The trail is littered with steep bridges covered with tire marks.

Rob Everitt along with brother Chad were two of the guys who got this place off the ground in 2010. Now, Rob owns Community Bikes and Boards in South Philly and he sets up a tent each weekend with product at a sweet discount for all Launch Bike Park guests... HOLLA!

Warren Marchese is one of the Trail Guides here at Launch Bike Park. If you see anyone sporting an orange bandana somewhere on their body or bike ask them to show you around, they'll be more than happy to.


On Friday August 17th, Launch Bike Park will be hosting a Movie Night at the park presented by Community Bikes and Boards. The Lifts will run from 4:00 til dark at a discounted rate of $15 per ticket. At 7:00 there will be wheelie, skid, kicker, and parking lot drop style contests, and the movie (Strength in Numbers) will be starting at 9:00.


2012 Calendar:
-August 11th -- GES Dual Cross #3-August 12th -- GES Downhill #3-August 17th -- Movie Night / Pizza Sleepover Party! (Strength in Numbers)
-September 15th -- GES Dual Cross #4-October 13th -- GES Dual Cross #5
The Woodside Lodge located on the backside of the mountain offers great food and convenient lodging for Launch Bike Park guests. In addition to the Woodside Lodge, there is The Tiki Bar at Spring Mountain which is located at the base of the mountain on the Lodge Side. Open daily from 4:00pm until midnight, it’s an outdoor party with food, drinks and music, and a perfect place to hang out after a long day of riding the bike park.

For more information on ticket prices, upcoming events, park updates, lessons and rentals, check out the Launch Bike Park website or 'Like' us on facebook.
http://launchbikepark.com/
http://www.facebook.com/launch.bikepark

www.springmountainadventures.com


Photos by:
Photomom
Rob Everitt
Zach Port
Jamie Beyer
Sam Gautreau
Callum McEwen
Susan Haviland

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