New Bike Park Helps Improve Skills

Thanks to the diligence of a few dedicated bicyclists, there’s a new trail in town.
The grand opening of the newly built Beck Lake Bike Park and Trails is this Saturday, July 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., although the park was open for use Memorial Day Weekend. John Gallagher, one of the driving forces behind the construction of the park, says that this park is intended to help riders advance in their skills so they can better tackle the mountain trails that run throughout the region.

Gallagher adds that this process began 12 years ago, when he and a group of friends determined that Cody needed a bike park, but had to raise money and clear all the legal hurdles in order to build the park on public lands. But the park does have the potential to boost the local economy – Gallagher points out that over Memorial Day weekend, when the park had its soft opening, eight families from Bozeman came down and spent the entire weekend in Cody riding the park and local trails.
Saturday’s celebration is hosted by the Park County Pedalers and features a ribbon cutting by City of Cody Mayor Matt Hall, jump sessions with local riders, bicycles for demo purposes, helmet giveaways by the REACH helicopter crew and other activities. Gallagher says the community is invited, with or without bicycles, to enjoy the festivities. If you have a bicycle, bring it, your helmet and other appropriate safety gear, and test the new park.