USA Trip 2025. Part 12: Test tracks and killer new Bike Park

Feb 10, 2025

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 370 times

Sunday, last full day in Cali, and it was cloudy. So weird, haha. But we did come prepared and brought warm clothes, even a rain jacket. We've got plenty and need them all the time in The Netherlands but normally in So Cal not so much. Anyway, preparation is key. We had planned to meet up with McGoo that day but it didn't work out in the end. We still headed that direction and stopped at the Kawasaki test track and then searched for the other test tracks at the next exit. We drove up the hill and did not see anything. But we felt we were close. We parked the Rogue, hiked up a bit to discover 6 Supercross test tracks! Exploring is fun, especially when you find something you were looking for.

The rainy day and this being the morning after A2 Supercross no one was riding the tracks but getting to see them was worth the effort. We also stopped at Lake Elsinore MX track. Permanently closed and fenced off, but it looked inviting. We spotted two pick-ups with dirt bikes on it but they were going on a freeride. After rain, this is a good thing to do in Cali. No dust. Better grip.

Tom van den Bogaard and Arjan Ellens were heading to the new Gale Webb Action Sports Park. The public park had just opened and has a great Velosolutions pump track with wallrides and a big dirt jump section. Some of them have wooden take-offs and wooden turns which will help with maintenance. Three main lines, of different levels, can be picked from. After the rain the dirt was a bit soggy which didn't help maintaining speed. Some of the landings were a bit flat also but I bet on a good day and after a few sessions it's possible to master the technique to make it through the lines no problem and throw some tricks along the way. A drinking fountain, shade section, some smaller wooden fun section, parking, info sign, the place had it all. Gale Webb is a legend in (extreme) sports and having her name on the park is a nice fit. We did spot some Surrons there. Although it looks fun riding the jumps and pump track on one of those E-machines, they're not allowed at the spot. Mason Ritter and Jared Wiedower also arrived and joined the session. It was dry long enough to get to ride the spot. Google it, you'll get to see pics and directions. Seems like several people we know live around the corner from the park. Had no clue. Not far from McGoo's either. Next time we'll make that happen.

Real Mexican food? Just ask De Wit. There was a party going on at Northgate Market in Costa Mesa. We joined in, for a little, and had some good tacos, tostadas and a Mexican brew. Holland in the USA, joining the Mexicans. Like carnaval. Everybody having fun? Glad we got to hang out before saying our goodbyes but it sounds like we'll be meeting again soon. In Amsterdam. Anyway, back to Newport and time to pack up. Let's see if we can fit everything, and that included three 560 pages Birth of BMX Freestyle books at 3,5 kilos a piece. Last night at Solarena. Off to the airport in the morning.