Extreme-sports enthusiasts have new venue Extreme-sports enthusiasts have new venue (June 10, 2005)

Pleasanton boasts new BMX track
Jeb Bing

The city's new BMX track will open tomorrow after 1 p.m. dedication ceremonies at the site, located just east of Bernal Avenue on Stanley Boulevard.

The $160,000 public track, built by BMX design specialist Shane Huntoon, features obstacles, jumps, a bowl-shaped turn-around and a smaller obstacle course for bike riders under 5 years of age.

The BMX facility can be reached through a driveway on Stanley that leads to a parking lot and tables. Although parents will likely accompany their younger children, Huntoon expects most cyclists will peddle from their homes directly to the track. The park will be open from dawn and will be free to riders.

"What's great about this park is that Huntoon has volunteers like me actually on the site and riding as he uses a Bobcat to shape the obstacles and hills," said Rich Gonsalves of Martinez. "You just can't find BMX tracks that have this kind of specialized engineering that makes them fun and safe."

Jim Wolfe, Director of Parks and Community Services, said the BMX track was first proposed nearly 10 years ago as part of the Youth Master Plan subcommittee that was updating the city's needs for a growing youth population. Several sites were proposed, but all had problems in terms of location and development. Then, when Pleasanton officials approved the expansion of the California Splash waterslides at Shadows Cliff Regional Recreation Area, they also won a long-term lease for a BMX site from the East Bay Regional Park District, which owns the land.

Mayor Jennifer Hosterman will lead city and park district officials in the dedication ceremonies. Once over, the first riders, who are expected to line their bikes behind the mayor, will be allowed onto the track. As is typical at BMX tracks, the riders generally shape and determine their own runs and travel directions. With no supervision or regulations, it will be up to the individual users to set their own pace and rules.

"So far, we have built six obstacles, and this will be a work in progress as we continue to shape the area after the kids go home," Huntoon said. "The jumps, like oversized and steeper ski moguls, have names, ranging from Table Top and Step Jump to Double and Triple Jumps."

Huntoon calls himself the Evil Knievel of BMX racing and stunts. He started jumping on his own BMX bikes in the 1970s, and then progressed to different levels of the sport.

"Even today, I am always perfecting my technique in riding," Huntoon said.

Before Pleasanton, Huntoon has built tracks in San Ramon, Livermore and Patterson, and has approvals to build new ones in Martinez and Brentwood. What makes Pleasanton's so unique is that it is open to all age groups free of charge, with jumping, trail riding and more experimental features.

"Kids have fun riding on a BMX track," Huntoon said. "Many just want to do their own thing without having to be on a team, and BMX gives them a way to do that."

Although riders will be on their own, Huntoon recommends that they wear a helmet that is properly strapped, and also consider wearing motorcycle gear, such as chest protectors elbow- and knee-pads, shin guards, gloves and long-sleeved shirts.

"If you're hurt and your injuries are minor," Gonsalves said, "you're probably going to be able to come back and ride again the next day. But if you don't protect yourself and cause serious injuries to your head, you may never come back."

More information on BMX activities is available on Huntoon's Web sites: www.livermorebmx.com

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