Forget any other pump track you’ve ridden anywhere else in the UK - the new track at Marsh Tracks in Rhyl, North Wales is bigger and gnarlier than all of them. It’s a full kilometer long and packed with scores of big jumps, rollers and berms. It is literally like nothing else in the UK. It’s part pump-track, part BMX track, part mountain bike trail. It’s a hell of a lot of fun.
To celebrate the launch of the new track, we invited a handful of UK racers down to see who could go fastest. 9 riders answered the call - including Scott Beaumont, Joe Smith, Sam Flanagan, Al Bond and Ollie Burton all of which had enough racing experience and raw talent to show just how hard the new track can be ridden.
The complete track is huge but to keep the action fast-paced the race focused on one short 20ish second section. We started with a long first straight of about ten big jumps followed by some tight berms and then a flowy three jumps to the finish. Riders would get three timed runs of the track, with the fastest time taking the win.
“The track is brilliant. It’s mind blowing to see the size of it and how much there is to ride”. Chris Roberts, race organizer
In the end Beaumont put down a hell of a ride showing his BMX power and 4X style were almost perfect for the track … but they weren’t quite enough to take the win. He put in three super consistent times that were all a scratch over 17 seconds and all lightning fast. Joe Smith was the man though. His first run was a blazing fast 16.9 seconds and was enough to hold off every other time all day. Third place went to North Wales downhill hero Al Bond who was just 0.2 behind Joe.
Want to ride at Marsh Tracks? It’s surprisingly easy to find, just fire “Marsh Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 2AD” into your satnav and you’ll get there. The track is open all day, every day to ride for free (though donations are welcome using the box near the track!). There’s also a closed road circuit and a national standard BMX track if that’s your thing.
You can find out more on their website at
marshtracks.co.uk.The track was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund as administered by the Welsh Government. It was built by Cartwright Associates for Denbighshire County Council.