A place where children can try their first laps and experienced riders can find new challenges. In the heart of Vindeln, a gravel pitch has been transformed into a meeting place for movement and riding fun. Behind the pump track are a small local association, hundreds of volunteer hours and a determination to create somewhere people want to return to.
Bikes roll over rollers and through banked turns. One rider takes it carefully, while another tries to beat their latest lap time. Next to Renforsskolan in central Vindeln, riders of different ages and abilities share the same track.
For the local association SIV – Spontanidrott i Vindeln, the aim was to create a place that would become part of everyday life. But the pump track has also become a reason to visit, attracting riders from other parts of Sweden and abroad.
“We wanted to build something that would really be used. Not just a facility that sits there, but a place people discover and come back to,” says Fredrik Tegebro, chair of SIV.
One first lap – then another
On a pump track, your body movements generate speed. By “pumping” over the rollers and through the turns, you move forward without having to pedal continuously. Balance, rhythm and technique come together, and there is always something new to try.
Vindeln’s track is 225 metres long with ten turns. The larger main loop is complemented by a smaller kids’ loop, which is also adapted for wheelchair use. At the centre of the facility is a concrete skate bowl.
There is room for both first attempts and more experienced riding. And sometimes it is the parents who discover a new interest.
“The best thing is seeing the range of ages. It’s not just young children riding. The parents start having a go too, and suddenly they’re comparing times with each other.”
A reason to spend time in Vindeln
Placing the track in the heart of the town was a deliberate choice. The association considered several locations before choosing the old gravel pitch next to Renforsskolan. It needed to be easy to find and easy to include in a day out.
“We wanted it right in the centre. It should be easy to get here and easy for families to stay for a while,” says Fredrik.
For visitors, that means more than cycling is within easy reach. A few hours on the track can be combined with lunch together, a coffee break or a browse around Vindeln’s shops. The pump track can be the main destination for the day or a stop along the way.
Your next lap could be your best
For those who enjoy a personal challenge, the track has a timing system connected to an app. Riders can track their lap times, compare results and follow their progress.
“It makes the track more than just a place to ride. People can find us, see what times others have set and come back to beat their own result,” says Fredrik.
It has also helped attract professional riders who travel around trying out tracks. A beginner and an experienced cyclist may have different goals for their laps, but they can share the same joy when the technique clicks.
Built by a dedicated community
The work behind the rollers and turns began long before construction started. For around two years, SIV worked on planning, applications and funding. Once approval came through, construction itself took about two months.
Members of the association have devoted hundreds of volunteer hours to the project, with many others in Vindeln lending a hand.
“It’s hard to add up all the hours we’ve put in. There have been several hundred volunteer hours just from those of us in the association, and then people in Vindeln have helped in all sorts of ways. Some have even taken time off work to get involved,” Fredrik explains.
The project received support from Allmänna arvsfonden, the Swedish Inheritance Fund, and Riksidrottsförbundet, the Swedish Sports Confederation. The result is a place where that community spirit lives on with every visit, from children’s first attempts to friends’ next ride together.
Visit the pump track
- Getting here: Next to Renforsskolan, Storvägen 40, central Vindeln. Parking is available nearby.
- Facilities: A 225-metre pump track with a main loop and a kids’ loop, plus a concrete skate bowl.
- What to bring: A bike or scooter, or a skateboard for the bowl.
- Accessibility: The kids’ loop is adapted for wheelchair use.
- Good to know: Electric vehicles are not permitted.