The Cycle Play Pocket Parks of Leighton Linslade / Buzzard Hot

In leighton Linslade in Bedfordshire bordering Bucks a neighbourhood network of urban Pocket Parks with off road Cycle Play sites to cater for local mountain bike, BMX and off road cyclists of all ages and especially the youth has been recently developed. These were designed and Project managed by the CTC on behalf of GoCycle.

Ok.. I want to take you on a bit of a journey to do that I want you to clear your mind, suspend your preconceptions and use your imagination and bear with me for a little bit..ready.....

"Imagine" living in an urban town where the only way to go mountain biking is to throw your bike in the back of the car and head out. Imagine if you don't have a car and you can only get to the trails by train. Imagine if you are a kid living here.

Imagine if the world was a different place a better place..Here's an image to savour. You finish school and head out on your bike to meet up with your buddies.

VanDyke Road Jumps

Your psyched as you whizz the three streets to get to the local park in Vandyke road. Getting there you hook up with your mates and session the jumps in the small corner of the playing field neatly pocketed into the park. The starting ramp heads down fast to two jumps and there are fourlines each one bigger and tougher, helping you to develop but by bit.  Tomorrow maybe your thinking it's time and I'm heading up to the next one.

Columbia Drive Pocket Trails

3O minutes later you head of with your mates arriving at Columbia Drive just 5 mins down the road. Riding in formation with your mates you session the few dirt doubles and jumps along Clipstone Brook before heading out again.

Danes Field Pump Track

You could not be more  in your flow now and and it isn't even time for dinner. Another 3 mins later and a few more familar streets and you are at the best bit. The pump track of Danes Field. The design of a pump track is smart as it let's you ride them without pedalling as the flow of the rollers and berms keeps the momentum going as you go round in a continuous loop.The trick I've heard is in pushing down with your wrists and your knees and letting your body flow naturally with the trail.  Also the corners are not too tight and the jumps not too high so everybody can ride it and keep their flow. It' addictive..

OK so that's you. What about me stuck in an office all day and just heading home.. I get on my bike and I start my commute home. I'm lucky my journey home is probably the best journey home you could imagine

iBikeRide.com were priveledged (and very thankfull) to be shown round and ride these by the Off Road lead of the CTC Ian Warby (and the design /  project lead on the cycle play pocket parks). We took it in turn to cycle the streets of Leighton Linslade to visit three pocket parks in Columbia Drive, Vandyke Road and Danes Field. Also accompanying us was World cup downhill racer, track builder and fellow Firecrest skills instructor John Holbrook.

One of the areas we did not get to see was the Northshore area (the heavens opened. Ih ave some pics here and as you can see although heavy this Northshore concept can be used to be portable and moved into school / community areas for Bike training. Pretty smart hey!.

I remember when the architect who displayed his outdoor slides / chutes from the top of the Tate Gallery he was mocked when he said this is the way we should all leave buildings at the end of the day as it would make our lives better and much more fun. He was right. It's just up to us.

Watch out the pocket park is coming soon to a town near you.

To find out more: http://www.gocycleleightonlinslade.com/

http://www.ctc.org.uk/

Some specific little extra info on the three sites and a map to bring alive just how close they are and how they connect the neighbourhood:

Vandyke Road Jumps

A range of jumps varying in scale and technicality aimed at developing your jumping skills.

Danes Field Pump Track

The Pump Track is specifically constructed to be a flowing trail made up of a series of trail features including jumps and berms. The trail is designed to develop a rider's rhythm and flow. Working the transitions (up, down slopes and corners) to develop a fluid and relaxed riding style.

Columbia Drive Pocket Trails

A small BMX/Mountain Bike Trail (Pocket Bike Park) with a range of trail sections featuring berms and jumps.