Coming to Louisville Kentucky, this 320,000 square foot bike park featuring 40 trails for beginners and intermediate will be built in a cavern. It is expected to open January 1st, 2015.
I see a great sponsorship opportunity for Nukeproof...
... maybe some Santa Cruz Bullits ricocheting off the walls...
Tracers should show up nicely too my preciousssssssss
@Albe23 Actually no. Canada is not a nuclear power, although we could be considered as one, thanx to our more than close military relationship with you guys down south.
Well, I'm out again I just noticed that there won't be any rooty downhill sections, but overcrowded trails I guess, the air will suck and I don't want to think about the noise of the hubs. Will there be a lift or do you have to walk the trails back up. And I am sure outside features can be better build and be built the way you have most fun and not the way you don't jump against a stone wall (in forest: more space for machines, more space to build and the trail directions aren't already given by the stonewalls and can be build the way people have most fun on. "hey let's just make a big berm and then a nice 20 feet gap. Ah no. there is a wall again so we have to put it there where it will make less than here.")
I think it's just the experience to ride in a cave. With the money put in there, you could build something like one of the largest and one of the best shaped outdoor park. Twice
@Reichertshausner....research Turkey Run Bike Park (parkland floyds fork)...not only are we getting this indoor park-we are building an outdoor bike park as well--designed by the people who designed Valmont in Boulder
Cool but the thing i don't like most is the fact that there will probably spent millions just that it can be in a cave
Think about the bikepark that could be built outdoors with this money
No ventilation no electricity no heating
Who says there isn't a ventilation system already in place? It was a working mine a while ago and there are activities that are already in place in that location. Plus it's probably a very convenient location for a lot of people that don't live in an area where such a park can be built. I highly doubt they're spending anything close to millions on this.
This side of the country does't have the elevation or acreage of the West. It's a welcome addition and something that is in range for a lot of us in the Southeast.
I love the people making 'whistler' competition comments... Really, people? REALLY?! It's a cave. In Kentucky. UNDERGROUND. While it's cool and pretty f*cking original, it's definitely not any sort of competition for Whistler.
Y'all have no idea what you're talking about. It's not a DH park it's flat it will be like rays but 10 times the size. People In Kentucky aren't all barefoot overall wearing hillbillies. There are no dirt jumps in the area only a skate park but there is a public jump park In the works. The purpose of the indoor park is to have some where to ride all the time. In the winter around here the trails turn to slop. So now that I have cleared up a few things maybe some of you will think a little bit before making stupid comments. Hillbilly out
It's awesome there will be a ride spot year round with the consistent conditions. A few trails to rip and jumps to boost. Could be a great way to unwind after work in the winter...or anytime.
I bet the build price is astronomical because of that reason. Im sure moving dirt from point A to point B isnt the main expense, more likely its some sort of ventilation system thats bumping up the build price.
im sure its just a old mine that run dry from what ever they mined out of it before , so the cost would be very low as a empty mine shaft is probably a lot cheaper than a mountain to buy. venting is kind of simple really, pump clean air down and suck bad air back up, i know its big, but its pretty simple compared to putting up a chairlifts or bringing truck loads up a ski hill, i would think all the work was done by a rich mining company. i dont work in a mine or the industry but just a good hunch i have.
i would rather have this happenening, then filling them with garbage and toxic waste like they do with the rest of the empty holes .
i think it would be fun, something new, i can remember people scoffing at the idea of doing laps for xc at rays was thought of as a joke and now its on every bikeres bucket list
As a son of an engineer, I could place my bet that horizontal ceiling fans would be installed simply moving air constantly through the premises. Just like the deep sea tunnels or average auto tunnels stretching longer than 1000m. But pumping fresh air down definitely makes sense as well.
They mention it was a limestone mine 80 years ago. There are many vacant mines just like this around the country. At least they are doing something with one of them.
Figure jumps twice the height of the van minus horizontal fans from the ceiling then add a zip line with some sag and a 6 ft person hanging from it by their arms and SMACK. Or send some ghost jumps and aim for the zipliners.
Brittney!
Great to see something different. Dont understand why the muppet collective always want everything to b the same everywhere.
This will be unique...good on yers Kentucky.
Competition to Whistler, stop being insecure babies.
Mtb is about variety! Underground! Totally rad dudes!
OK here is a little info that i gathered on the underground bike park, i met the builder joe when he was in town doing design work, he was going to local trails and shops to see what the area had to offer (which isn't much now a days) which i think is awesome because he showing that he wants to make something we all need and he was so excited to talk about it he even gave me a little tour, its way bigger then anything I have ever seen indoors. the trails are set up in a specific section of the cavern that hasn't been used for anything yet. it has a significant elevation drop to it. nothing like a dh course but long fast and naturally flowy it will be the first indoor bike park designed for all types of bikes 27.5, 29ers, 26, full suspension, hardtails and bmx not just dirt jumpers and bmx like every other indoor park. there will be flow, tech, XC trails as well as dirt jump lines and slopestyle lines you will be able to ride over 40 different types of trails as well as a jump room and a school room for learning like a mulch jumps and drops as well as multiple pumptracks this park will be for the whole family. they are also bringing in and using alot of the old mining equipment for scenery and features. Im excited for this to be in my area winter sucks here and the summers are 100 degrees and humid. dont forget this is not a replacement for riding outdoors but a great addition for any biking community.
#1 joe is a POS and he will drop the ball on this project just like he has on every part of his life from work to family.
2 the idea is so dang sweet and great way to fill a empty space! Getting people on bike is rad and great way to stay away out of trouble for kids!
3. The one park that he developed in The north west was the idea of a man in Las Vegas NV that approached him with the concept of building a indoor " rays" style park but doing so with only dirt. He then took that concept and built it him self saying it was his idea.
4. I have worked with him in the past I know him and have met many others that trump his skills provide by there life long solid commitment to bike riding would do a 1,000,000 times better job then him! And will be in the game for the rest of there lives because they are respected for who they are how they do things and the true talent they have! Talk is cheep but now a days it looks like it gets you payed!
I do hope this makes it tho as the space is truly amazing and different! As you can tell I am a bit bitter about what they call Tolido joe the best builder lmao what a joke he must have given them some of his old drugs that where bought from the tools of mine he stole.
Yes, everybody just sit there at your desk and be critical of others whom are finding creative uses for their limited, unused recourses. As a matter of fact, if you weren't born and raised in Marin County you should only ride a ten speed to and from work on the pavement.
The best thing about this is going to ride everyday after work while everyone on pinkbike complains about shifty winter weather and no riding. Dirt jumps, pump tracks and xc trails at 56 degrees year round. It's a dirt floor so they can change the elevation from a 1st ceiling to a 100th ceiling so there will be some elevation. More than any other indoor park and with 300,000 plus square feet. Can't wait!
I wonder if it's going to just be ride/hike your bike back up or they'll have a shuttle, assuming the trails are downhill, you know cause that's what caves do. Guess a shuttle would make the most sense. Or re-use some of those mine car tracks (if any are still there) and make a little train transport.
You know what would be even cooler? If they planted some trees and vegetation. Looks like there will be enough light, and if they have sprinklers to moisten the trails every night, then there would probably be enough water.
I don't imagine there will be much elevation at all. If it's a mine it'll probably be like a car park building with short ramps down to another level, but the majority of elevation will be on an elevator. Pure guess.
It looks to me like the entrance in the video is a slightly downhill road and some of the lines in the video have downhill gradients. If they have ziplines too, then there probably is at least a few degrees drop. Louisville is pretty flat with no mountains to cut straight into, so these caverns have to go down somehow. Reading about it says that they had to fill it in some for some of the level facilities they built, and that there are some roads. That tells me it's probably not an elevator type mine, but basically a road tunnel that goes into the ground and opens up to large caverns.
Just as big of a guess as yourself though.
For sure it's not going to be steep like the local mountain, but their only has to be a few degrees for gravity to help out and make things more fun. Weather the mine already has a gradient, or they grade each trail some, or both, it's still really awesome.
There is 17 miles of (dirt) roadway in the cave. It's all dirt backfill. Right now it's all flat. They can dig it out though to give it some elevation. Nothing to the extent of a shuttle service or lift. Think of an underground RaysMTB but all dirt and with more XC trails and pump tracks added to the mix.
Hell yeah! More of this stuff to bring Mountain Biking to the forefront helps grow the sport and garners more support for trails as more people get hooked.
Only 2 hours or so from me! Hard to leave the MTBing capital of the world...Indianapolis...to go to Kentucky to ride though. Do they have cornfields underground? If not I might feel out of place.
It makes sense. Especially in the winter. The temperature and conditions are always going to be pretty consistent inside a cave. It would be interesting at least. I'll probably drive down there at some point to check it out since it's only about 2 hours away from my home.
"Best mountain bike course designer in North America" uhm did you see Dustin Gilding's backyard. so tell me again that he isn't the top designer... #GildingInvitational2015 get that shit trending
Tell me about it what a joke I had to show this guy how to build lots of stuff at rays and fix lots of stuff that he as built in the past what a joke! I have for the past 3 years built rampage tons of trails worked on crank works and build events around the world. Guess what I don't rob my friends to go party as well man it's a bummer that the good builders don't get to build out a space like this instead some talker gets the gig that well just be redone latter if it dose not shit down from
People getting hurt do to poor desine.
The idea is so sick the fact that they have joe as the main builder or even as a builder is a joke! He has not built one good park let alone a life or the right for any one to think he is even in the top 20 list of good builders in North America!
Over all the idea is super rad! Great way to make a empty space fun! To get good function and flow as well as proper lay out we will see how that go's! Ray Petro built rays Mtb all ways has that's why they work so dang good! The lumber yard a great place for riding bikes desined by joe dose not even come close to even the smaller rays in mlk which I did help ray with. The fact that the dirt park in OR was really to be in Las Vegas NV and a invester sheared his idea then one year later he builds it in OR calling it "his idea". It's amazing to me that people can burn both big company's and small ones but still find away to land a deal like this........ Has to be hard to sleep at night like that!
Stoked to see this place open up and get more people on bikes tho!
The height in the picture is 40' It is a former underground limestone Mine. The ceiling rock is 60,000 Psi---- the average bridge concrete Is only 5000 psi The floor was originally 80 to 90 feet Deep. There are over 4 million sq. ft Of space. There are 14 other business In the space--- it is all man made Mega cavern has other adventure Activities underground --that attract over 300,000 persons per year-- it is ranked #1 local by trip advisor. I know the developers well
Solar panels above ground to provide the power to lights and vertical vent fans . they could leave a small section at the side of the shafts for getting back to the top little slip road kind of thing. Then use some dirt and give some sections slight / big descents/dh. Great idea tbh good to see people thinking outside the box to give the sport more appeal to people who dont like what they might see as downsides to mtb . bad weather, travelling for hours to get there eg. Hopefully they really go to town on this in the right direction and don't waste the "large" amount of funding they have. Time will tell.
This will probly spark off similar ideas in similar places around the globe as well. which will also be beneficial to MTB and good for people not in the USA travelwise. Probably thousands if not tens of thousands of disused sites like this lying derelict across the world, sitting waiting to be explored and innovated.
What is it with PinkBike's aversion to pedalling? I know the clientelle are mainly gravity riders, but c'mon!
Flat is fine, get your PUMP ON!
This isn't a downhill track, it will be a series of berms, drops, ladders, rollers and flat flowy, pedally areas between the rooms. Just like most other indoor bike parks.
Will start at height then as long as you don't stop, I would imagine you can just roll with your momentum through most of it.
I dunno, the only moisture I've seen in caves has been running or dripping water. Not sure if a mine will be different from a natural cave, but it's probably about the same I'd think.
The air is all by natural air pressure
They only turn fans on for the Christmas
Light show-- when 150 cars are driving
Thru to see the 2 million lights
Water for the course is from natural
Spring water.
What a super great thing to have a few hours from my home!! I can't wait to spend a few days checking out such a monster idea!!! Thank you to the hero that came up with this idea!!
I'm a mining engineer and fellow bike enthusiast, I think that this is an amazing idea, all they need is an exhausting vent fan for this to work. Can't wait to see what happens!
FINALLY! A worthy bike park that won't require countless hours of driving just to get there! I live in the southeast where there aren't as many options as up north or out west. This is gonna be sweet, can't wait.
If I recall correctly, Deliverance was filmed on the Chattooga River, (border between S. Carolina and Georgia) not Kentucky, but hey, if we're going for nothing more than cheap stereotypes...
... from movie-locations.com to confirm my recollection... though the location is not far from Asheville, like Whistler is not far from Vancouver (about an hour and a half)
The film was made on location up in the northeastern corner of Georgia, around Rabun Gap and Clayton in Rabun County, towards the border with the Carolinas. The fictitious ‘Cahulawassee River’ down which Lewis (Burt Reynolds), Ed (Jon Voight) and co canoe is, for the most part, the Chattooga River, defining the state’s border with South Carolina, and flowing south into Lake Tugaloo.
Nothing like going for a ride in the great indoors! The fresh air and amazing scenery are to die for.. Wait, what? The air will be artificially recycled over and over and the only scenery for miles is industrial halogen lights and rock walls? The idea of riding in a cave seems cool because it's different but really I can see the novelty wearing off after a short period of time...
I think one of the best things about this is that it is out of sight of the interfering general public (unlike forest land). This will hopefully ensure its longevity - wish I lived there.
No competition for Whistler. I'll stay hear in town. Everyone else can head down south. perfect. Trails will stay in better condition, plus what happens when they use the whole cave?. Whistler just needs to cut a few trails down to Creekside, and then what that gets to busy, they can open up Blackcomb.
Hahaha that's the dumbest thing i've ever read. Not sure if trolling or serious, either way thanks for a good laugh! People leaving Whistler to drive down to Kentucky to ride a cave hahaha good one dude!
I think it will be cool but really nothing to worry about for whistler. If they would have put the money into a outside bikepark in the right region, it would be something which would be on whistler's level i guess.
But yes it will be cool to ride it, but not as good as many other parks i guess.
I just noticed that there won't be any rooty downhill sections, but overcrowded trails I guess, the air will suck and I don't want to think about the noise of the hubs.
Will there be a lift or do you have to walk the trails back up.
And I am sure outside features can be better build and be built the way you have most fun and not the way you don't jump against a stone wall (in forest: more space for machines, more space to build and the trail directions aren't already given by the stonewalls and can be build the way people have most fun on. "hey let's just make a big berm and then a nice 20 feet gap. Ah no. there is a wall again so we have to put it there where it will make less than here.")
I think it's just the experience to ride in a cave. With the money put in there, you could build something like one of the largest and one of the best shaped outdoor park. Twice
*face palm*
Can't wait to do some bike spelunking!
I'm wondering if the air quality will be suitable in the long run though because that is gonna move a LOT of dust in a rather "closed" environment...
Its batman aproved
2 the idea is so dang sweet and great way to fill a empty space! Getting people on bike is rad and great way to stay away out of trouble for kids!
3. The one park that he developed in The north west was the idea of a man in Las Vegas NV that approached him with the concept of building a indoor " rays" style park but doing so with only dirt. He then took that concept and built it him self saying it was his idea.
4. I have worked with him in the past I know him and have met many others that trump his skills provide by there life long solid commitment to bike riding would do a 1,000,000 times better job then him! And will be in the game for the rest of there lives because they are respected for who they are how they do things and the true talent they have! Talk is cheep but now a days it looks like it gets you payed!
I do hope this makes it tho as the space is truly amazing and different! As you can tell I am a bit bitter about what they call Tolido joe the best builder lmao what a joke he must have given them some of his old drugs that where bought from the tools of mine he stole.
I wonder if it's going to just be ride/hike your bike back up or they'll have a shuttle, assuming the trails are downhill, you know cause that's what caves do. Guess a shuttle would make the most sense. Or re-use some of those mine car tracks (if any are still there) and make a little train transport.
You know what would be even cooler? If they planted some trees and vegetation. Looks like there will be enough light, and if they have sprinklers to moisten the trails every night, then there would probably be enough water.
Either way, this is a cool f*cking idea.
did you see Dustin Gilding's backyard. so tell me again that he isn't the top designer... #GildingInvitational2015 get that shit trending
There was one stage enduro race during Black Hole bike fest in July, 2014...from 5:24 on..
Over all the idea is super rad! Great way to make a empty space fun! To get good function and flow as well as proper lay out we will see how that go's! Ray Petro built rays Mtb all ways has that's why they work so dang good! The lumber yard a great place for riding bikes desined by joe dose not even come close to even the smaller rays in mlk which I did help ray with. The fact that the dirt park in OR was really to be in Las Vegas NV and a invester sheared his idea then one year later he builds it in OR calling it "his idea". It's amazing to me that people can burn both big company's and small ones but still find away to land a deal like this........ Has to be hard to sleep at night like that!
Stoked to see this place open up and get more people on bikes tho!
It is a former underground limestone
Mine. The ceiling rock is 60,000
Psi---- the average bridge concrete
Is only 5000 psi
The floor was originally 80 to 90 feet
Deep. There are over 4 million sq. ft
Of space. There are 14 other business
In the space--- it is all man made
Mega cavern has other adventure
Activities underground --that attract over
300,000 persons per year-- it is ranked
#1 local by trip advisor.
I know the developers well
Flat is fine, get your PUMP ON!
This isn't a downhill track, it will be a series of berms, drops, ladders, rollers and flat flowy, pedally areas between the rooms. Just like most other indoor bike parks.
Will start at height then as long as you don't stop, I would imagine you can just roll with your momentum through most of it.
Emergency lights take a second or two to react.
Eat dirt!
The film was made on location up in the northeastern corner of Georgia, around Rabun Gap and Clayton in Rabun County, towards the border with the Carolinas. The fictitious ‘Cahulawassee River’ down which Lewis (Burt Reynolds), Ed (Jon Voight) and co canoe is, for the most part, the Chattooga River, defining the state’s border with South Carolina, and flowing south into Lake Tugaloo.
The idea of riding in a cave seems cool because it's different but really I can see the novelty wearing off after a short period of time...