J'envoie du bois !

<p> <u><strong>The project's genesis </strong></u></p> <p>  </p> <p> It all started with a brainstorming aiming at sharing and discussing on our new career motivations. Among a number of  options, the idea of creating a new Indoor Bike Park in France really appealed to us all, for a number of reasons.</p> <p>  </p> <p> In order to validate our project and  a market study conducted in 2014, we went to the US and Canada, references in terms of indoor bike parks. Along the way, in Milwaukee, Cleveland, Syracuse and Toronto, we had discussions with our counterparts who encouraged us to go ahead with our project.</p> <p>  </p> <p> We have been working heart and soul on our project since 2013 to promote our strong passion for MBK and the sports heritage of our dear Alsace. We have so far gathered a total investment of 1.3M €, which made our project come true, when the construction work started last February.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <u><strong>Who are we ? </strong></u></p> <p>  </p> <p> Originally we are three college friends who studied at the same school UFR STAPS in Strasbourg andhave long shared a common passion for enduro riding. </p> <p>  </p> <p> We have followed various courses and come from complementary backgrounds, each of us following more or less parallel paths. Laurent Wintermantel taught sports. Gilles Andres was a financial adviser connected to innovation. Géraldine Strub was a sports instructor before joining Eddy Vingataramin, our 4th associate, in promoting projects for real estate development. </p> <p>  </p> <p> Today, we also work with Fabien Valambras, Jules Gollentz, Florian Grohens, 3 carpenters who build the tracks with us. Baptiste Schohn is currently doing a 3-month management internship with us. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Left to right</strong> : Fabien, Jules (carpenters) Géraldine, Laurent, Gilles (project founders) et Baptiste (management intern).  Absent from the picture, Eddy Vingataramin et Florian Grohens.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Grp_1-b_copie-1462961053" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/314896/Grp_1-b_copie-1462961053.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong><u>What will the Bike Park offer specifically ?</u></strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Stride will host six areas for various kinds of biking activities, in view of catering to the largest possible number of participants, whatever their age or level of practice.</p> <p>  </p> <p> It will feature a  1-km long mountain bike XC (cross-country) track, entirely made out of timber with various difficulty levels.</p> <p>  </p> <p> You will find here the world's largest coated indoor pumptrack, 2300 square meters large and 500 meters long, with an easier, accessible blue track and tougher red one, build by the Bike Solutions Company. </p> <p>  </p> <p> There will also be a park zone, built by the Hoverall company, including a street bike area, a foam pit and a resi table. </p> <p>  </p> <p> You will find a maneuvering area where you can work on your balance and riding technique. The trails will include seesaw, bridges, rocky parts, all with various difficulty levels.</p> <p>  </p> <p> A discovery area will enable beginners to become familiar with the features the park offers. </p> <p>  </p> <p> To develop toddlers’ skills in bike riding, a 500-square meter area will offer 3-year-olds and older a chance to develop their balance on draisines or dandy-horses in a secure environment under their parents' supervision and watchful eye.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The ancillary spaces will offer a vast hall for all sorts of events, ranging from concerts to exhibits, seminars, shows, and so on.</p> <p>  </p> <p> In order to relax and chat, participants can enjoy  a quick snack and refreshments in a friendly atmosphere  at the snack bar.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Last, rentals will be available for montain bike, BMX and mandatory safety gear to ride safely inside our park. </p> <p>  </p> You can see part of the cross country trail below, overlooking the rounded curves of the pumptrack, with the typical decorative brick wall, a reminder of the former freight train station, dating 1914. <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Hybride_pumptrack_et_xc-b-1462961085" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/314898/hybride_pumptrack_et_XC-b-1462961085.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <u><strong>Our challenge</strong></u></p> <p>  </p> <p> Beyond promoting the parctice of mbk riding for all, our goal is to enable everyone to ride on their own freely, after work or school, in a safe environment open at all times regardless of the weather.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Riding is increasingly developping as a means of transport benefitting both one’s health and our environment. We aim at  teaching bikers to ride safely on city streets and other risky places.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong><u>Where will our Bike Pak be located ?</u></strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Our bikepark will be located in the gigantic hall of the former freight train station in Cronenbourg/Strasbourg abandoned in 2010 despite its closeness to the city-center.</p> <p>  </p> <p> With ever more cycling lanes, a new tram line, an excellent bus service, nearby motorway exits and lots of free parking, our Bikepark is ideally located in a very convenient accessible spot.</p>