Have a blast at the pump track at the Colorado Mesa University campus!

Right in the CMU campus, there's a great pump track that's open to the public, although it is primarily meant to be used by the CMU cycling team.

If you don't know, a pump track is a circuit of rollers and banked turns designed to be ridden entirely by pumping. When you pumping on the bike, you push your body up and down through the rollers to gain speed and avoid pedaling completely.  It's fun for all ages, and even my seven-year-old loves going on some of the more manageable sections.  There are two striped paths on this pump track - a yellow trail and a red path.  We tried both, and they are each at the same difficulty level.

Note: if it is crowded with older cyclers, it will be hard for younger kids (who may be slower) to keep up.  Fortunately, when we were there late in the day, there was no one using the track except us.  There is also ample green space for dogs and kids (who aren't riding) perfect for running around.

There is absolutely no shade - in the heat of the day, the sun can be brutal! So plan accordingly with water, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.

The pump track is located behind the Hotel Maverick.  They do have bathrooms in their lobby (although it is unclear how they would receive the public using them), as well as a small coffee shop with baked goods and drinks for a snack.