Valmont Bike Park’s New Jumps the Brainchild of Longtime Park Employee

Valmont Bike Park is a hub for bikers of all ages and skill levels. One of the key figures behind its ongoing development is Dylan Shomaker. Dylan has created a space where the biking community can grow and thrive.

When he started at Valmont in 2015, Dylan wanted to change some jumps and trails in the bike park but had challenges getting them implemented. However, as the local biking community grew, so did the need to add newer, more exciting features to the park…and Dylan had some ideas.

He wanted to make clearer the progression of different skill level tracks to match the skill levels of bikers. This past winter, he was able to design and construct a clearer definition of jump sizes, from XS to XL, allowing bikers to build their skills and tackle more difficult jumps when they were ready. He also combined the XS and S lines into one extended trail, which has been well-received.

In 2021, the park introduced a full XL trail, which Dylan describes as like a double black diamond ski trail, one reserved for experts only. This line doesn’t merge with less difficult trails, which minimizes other bikers’ risks. Dylan developed more advanced lines and jumps in the XL bike jump section, that caters to more experienced bikers. He replaced old wooden jumps with new dirt-packed ones due to safety concerns and the need for modern updates. Through these changes, riders use their momentum, instead of pedaling, to make the jumps.

Maintaining the park, especially the newer, steeper features, requires constant attention. Dylan and his team have put significant effort into keeping the jumps in top condition, particularly for those who ride the most challenging jumps.

The park also engages the community through volunteer nights and events like Jump Jam, where bike stores donate prizes for competitions. Feedback from the community, including groups like 303 Dirt, ensures that the park serves a broad audience and represents evolving community feedback about what they want to see in the park.

Looking ahead, Dylan hopes to continue expanding the park’s appeal to riders of all levels, as he is always thinking about how he can evolve the jumps, trails, and the bikers’ experience, which is at the heart of Valmont Bike Park.