March 30, 2015 - MERCED, CA – The local Exchequer Mountain Bike Park is a top contender for a national grant to build an extreme downhill mountain bike trail in the Sierra foothills of Central California. The bike park is located near Lake McClure and managed by the Parks Department of Merced Irrigation District.
If Exchequer Mountain Bike Park emerges as the winner, the new trail could help attract visitors from across large parts of California and beyond. A voting process will occur in mid-April through the Bell Built website. Every online vote will be crucial for success: further directions on voting will follow in the coming weeks for the Bell Built Grant.
As a finalist, the Exchequer Bike Park is competing for $100,000 to construct a downhill doubleblack-diamond trail. Such trails are considered to be among the most extreme in the sport. If constructed, the trail would complement the Exchequer Mountain Bike Park, which is open for riding while still be being planned and developed on 700 acres adjacent to Lake McClure at the Barrett Cove Recreation Area. Once completed, the Exchequer Mountain Bike Park will have trails for those with all skill levels and abilities, including riders with disabilities.
“This is an amazing opportunity to win one for our local community – in fact for the entire state of California,” said MID General Manager John Sweigard.
The Exchequer Mountain Bike Park is considered unique among enthusiasts because of its central location, varying terrain, panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and Lake McClure, and its numerous amenities. From the trailhead, cyclists have access to camping, restrooms, hot showers, boating, swimming and convenience stores.
“There are very few places like this. It will offer an opportunity for so many riders – and at all levels,” said Grant Parker, President of the Exchequer Riders Club.
The Exchequer Mountain Bike Park has placed among the top 9 regional finalists being considered for the Bell Built Grant. The nine finalists are divided among three regions: the West Coast, Central and East Coast.
Throughout April and May of 2015, one winner will be selected from each of the three regions by online voting. In June, the three regional finalists will face off with a final vote to determine a national winner.
The West Coast region, which includes the Exchequer Mountain Bike Park, will be open to voting between April 13 and April 26. MID and the Exchequer Riders Club will provide additional information about voting at that time.
“Once completed, the Exchequer Mountain Bike Park will be an absolute asset not only to our local community but to the entire State of California, and beyond,” said Sweigard, MID’s General Manager. “This grant would ensure that we can include the double-black-diamond trail feature, making the Exchequer Mountain Bike Park the premiere sought-after cycling experience.”
Exchequer Mountain Bike Park Near Lake McClure is a National Finalist For Extreme Trail Improvement Grant
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