Installing a backyard pump track - Everything you need to know

Building a pump track in the backyard will improve your mountain biking skills and fitness, but it's also a lot of fun for the whole family. I spoke to my friend Dan, and Sean from Sticks & Stones TrailCo, to find out what it takes to make it happen.
To see more of Sean’s work check out his Instagram at:
/ sticksandstonestrailco
You may have thought having a pump track installed was out of reach, but it might not be as expensive as you think. It’s cheaper than a pool, and similar to the cost of some big swing sets. However, unlike a swing set, which can become useless once the kids reach a certain age, pump tracks can be enjoyed by the whole family for a long time. In fact, over time, a pump track can be modified and/or expanded to grow with your skills, making it a good investment.
Pump tracks are a great tool for mountain bikers of all levels. Not only will it teach you how to pump a trail, but it’s also great for learning how to corner. Building your confidence and working on things like, getting your eyes up, and proper positioning, are some of the other benefits. Finally, it’s a great way to get in shape. If you’ve never ridden a pump track you will be surprised at how exhausting just a few laps can be. It’s definitely a full body workout!
Having someone like Sean, who comes from a landscaping background, means the finished product can look beautiful, and move with the flow of the yard. But they are not maintenance free, just like any outdoor feature it will require some upkeep from time to time.
Regarding sizing, for a small pump track Sean recommends a minimum of 25 x 50 feet, with 75 feet being optimum, which means you might not have to use the whole yard. And if you were worried about devaluing your property, remember it’s just dirt. You can always have it leveled and sodded if and when that time comes.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Sticks & Stones Trail Co, LLC
Sean Smith
717-799-2859
[e-mail]
/ sticksandstonestrailco
Featured: Dan @the_ride_abides
Wordpress: trail-sage.com/2023/08/22/bac...
If you have any feedback or questions leave them in the comments below. And if you liked the video and you want to see more content like this feel free to check out my other videos on Trail Sage. Thanks
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#Pumptrack #MTB #MountainBiking #BMX
Table of Contents:
0:00 Intro
0:26 Inspiration, process and timeline
1:42 Why pump tracks are great
3:06 The benefits
4:25 Cost, maintenance and home value
6:41 Sean from Sticks and Stones - Size, price and process
7:50 Conclusion
8:48 Bloopers

[@TheRideAbides]

Great video Sage! It's been a couple months now and I absolutely love having the pumptrack in the backyard! Really a dream come true. And Sean at Sticks & Stones Trail Co. is awesome to work with. He really loves this stuff! Anyone in the northeast thinking about building a backyard pumptrack should definitely contact Sean. And I'm happy to answer any questions as well.

[@TrailSage]

Good stuff Dan. Thanks for allowing me to film the process and for answering all my questions.

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Man what a backyard playground! So cool!

[@TrailSage]

Time to dust off that Giant and make your way back to the East coast to hit it ;)

[@UltraTrailSteven]

@@TrailSage 😂

[@stillrocking]

Oh man I wish I had something like this in my childhood.That would have been great. Nice Video as always Sage👌🏼👍🏽

[@TrailSage]

OMG, I can't imagine how insanely talented you would be Dani. You are already too good. Thanks for watching brotha.

[@TrailTales]

Eyyyy... That's so cool... Not a bad life having a pump track in your own back yard!! Nice job on the vid as well Sage... :D

[@TrailSage]

Thx Phil. I think it's a good investment that will continue to provide enjoyment for a long time. Not to mention all the other benefits like fitness and skills.

[@ckMTB]

Very nice video Sage, it is great to have a pump track in backyard🤩. Great so see that video buddy💪. Have a nice week and ride on✌️

[@TrailSage]

It will be awesome practice for sure. I only got to ride it twice but I could already see an improvement in my riding. Thanks for watching Christoph.

[@keystonemtb9925]

Sean is the man, really cool video showing off his beautiful work!

[@TrailSage]

Thanks brotha! I enjoyed getting to know him and watching him work his magic.

[@TheDeterminedRunner]

Not a phrase you hear often 'My pal just got a pump track installed in his backyard'!! It looks amazing!

[@TrailSage]

Lol, you got that right! And yes, I agree, it look amazing. Thanks for watching Martin

[@splooshmtb]

Holy smokes Dan! This is a monster build and came out so well! Side note, there's more bloopers in this video than any riding video LOL.

[@TrailSage]

Yeah, it really did. Regarding the bloopers, I ran out of time and could not cut them down to be tighter, my bad. #KZbinLife Thanks for watching Zane

[@splooshmtb]

@@TrailSage your bad? Sage, I live for the bloopers😂

[@TrailSage]

@@splooshmtb Right on!

[@TheRideAbides]

​@@splooshmtbThanks! It's a dream come true!

[@splooshmtb]

@@TheRideAbides stoked for you dude, the kids are gonna be ripping too.

[@johnwilkins3995]

Thanks to the guys building the trails. Love the new trails at blue marsh if you’re involved with that. I really hope you add on to it, 20 plus miles like Holls loop would be legendary and such a draw.

[@TrailSage]

Right on John. I agree, kudos to the trail builders! Thanks for watching.

[@rpiian]

This is definitely the dream! I've done some backyard building, but this takes the cake!

[@TrailSage]

I know right?!?! I'm super jealous myself, lol. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@rpiian]

@@TrailSage Of course! Can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers.

[@TrailSage]

@@rpiian Thx. I try not to get caught up in the numbers, but I wish I could reach more people too.

[@BandE-MTB]

This is great! I’m going to make sure Erin sees this as well. Paige and I are trying to convince her to let us add one to the setup. 🙌🏻 -B

[@TrailSage]

I think Erin and Paige would love it! Your backyard is turning into a MTB mecca, lol. Thanks for watching and commenting Brian.

[@tdurotduro8699]

Loved this vid! The girls were great. Props to Danny!

[@TrailSage]

@@tdurotduro8699 They were both amazing Tom. They are going to be shredding those trails better than us in no time, lol. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@TheRideAbides]

​@@tdurotduro8699Thanks Tom! Dream yard!

[@mtbville]

Great video buddy 👍 Good job done there 👌 That's a great looking pumptrack 😎

[@TrailSage]

Thanks Ville. Sean is really good at his craft.

[@mtbville]

@@TrailSage I can see that 🤩👍

[@RunSensible]

This is so rad!

[@TrailSage]

I know right?!?! Thx for watching Neil

[@povtrails1219]

I have some land I am building small trails on. Do you know if Sean does land and trail planning design without the building? I would want to do the work myself but I am not creative enough for the design process nor do I have the experience for that. The experienced set of eyes would be a great help.

[@TrailSage]

That sounds awesome. As for Sean, I don't know if he does that. Try reaching out and see what he says. Thanks for watching.

[@FoCoFlowShow]

How large was this pump truck? How many “acres” needed?

[@TrailSage]

@therideasbides can you answer this one?

[@Only1ofmeYT]

Can you make this with on ly a shovel

[@TrailSage]

I suppose if you had the proper dirt/clay on your property already and time was not an issue. But it would take a very long time and I assume there would be a lot of trial and error getting the humps just right. Sage

[@Only1ofmeYT]

@@TrailSage ok thanks I am doing a. Bike track project for school.

[@TrailSage]

@@Only1ofmeYT Love that! Good luck.

[@PhillyMTB]

wow congrats on the amazing pumptrack Dan! Looks great!

[@TrailSage]

I know right?!?! I'm super jealous, lol

[@TheRideAbides]

Thanks! Very grateful!

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

$6000-$10000😂. We had extensive bmx trails that were stunning and it only cost the price of shovels, a wheelbarrow, and blisters.

[@TrailSage]

Right on, that's awesome! If you have the skills, man-power and time to build them yourself that is certainly ideal. Are they in your backyard, or part of an existing trail system?

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

These trails were bulldozed years ago by the city. Im currently planning on a backyard pump/jump track this Spring. @@TrailSage

[@TrailSage]

@@Burritosarebetterthantacos Sweet! Good luck on the build!