Grand opening of the Corral Center Mountain Bike Park at Lory State Park a success

June 28, 2007
Colorado State Parks

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - On Saturday, June 16, Lory State Park welcomed more than 300 riders to the grand opening of the Corral Center Bike Park. Mountain bikers, dirt jumpers, adults and kids of all ages enjoyed the festival atmosphere and tested their skills at the new 70,000 square foot state-of-the-art mountain bike park. Not only is the Corral Center the first bike park in a Colorado State Park, it was also the first annual Bike Rodeo event at the park.

The bicycle community in the Fort Collins area came out in full force. Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol, Babes on Bikes, Search and Rescue and State Parks Volunteers helped make the event a huge success. REI, Full Cycle, Lee's Cyclery and Yeti Cycles provided demo bikes and free bike repairs for participants. Clif Bar, Coke and Naked Juice also donated food and drink for volunteers and attendees. The lunch hour riding demonstration included tips on biking technique and professionals provided examples of 360 jumps, back flips and pump track expertise.

Prizes given away to attendees included two bikes, two free 2007 Colorado State Parks annual passes and other gifts provided by Push Industries, Full Cycle, Case Logic, REI, Fort Collins Club and Lee's Cyclery.

"There wasn't a frown in the crowd," said Park Manager, Kathy Seiple. "The Corral Center Mountain Bike Park grand opening was the most exciting and fun event I've been involved in with Colorado State Parks. Mountain biking enthusiasts of all ages seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day's festivities. The support of the local biking community was critical to making this event a success."

Jamas Stiber, emcee for the event and a professional mountain bike racer commented, "The positive energy and the support from the local biking community today is really impressive."

Lory State Park will be hosting the fourth annual "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" on Saturday, Oct. 6 where visitors can enjoy a day of guided trail rides, bicycle safety, bicycle maintenance and fun. This national event is hosted by Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol, sponsored by International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and designed to get kids motivated to ride their bikes out in the park.

Whether old or young, beginner or advanced, Lory State Park has it all when it comes to mountain biking, so be sure to come visit the Corral Center Mountain Bike Park at Lory State Park for some skills riding, pump track fun, jumping excitement and some of the best mountain biking trails in the state.

Attracting more than 11 million visitors per year, Colorado's 41 State Parks are a vital cornerstone in Colorado's economy and quality of life, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks manages more than 4,000 campsites, 57 cabins and yurts, encompassing 246,000 land and water acres. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.