The Santa Clara PAL BMX track is a local stalwart, a great way for kids and adults to bond. On a typical night, the track is hopping with action, with more than 100 riders lined up to get a go. It’s a little bumpy on the downhills, but it’s a fun place to ride. A $10 race fee is the minimum, but riders can rent bikes for $5 and borrow a helmet free of charge. It’s open Tuesdays, and Fridays, as well as most Sundays. For those who want to get a jump start on the competition, the strike group, aimed at children aged 18 months and up, is one-third of the track.
In recent months, the Santa Clara PAL BMX track has been under siege from the powers that be. The palaver has been that the PAL, which manages the track under the aegis of the Santa Clara Police Activities League, is seeking the right to negotiate a new lease. The organization claims that it has the most experience and insurance of any competitor, and that it has a slew of new ideas and schemes in the works. PAL has even committed to spending more than 50 percent of its revenue back into the BMX program, the largest single allocation of its kind in the country. While the track will stay open for at least another year, the PAL is also looking for ways to cut costs. It has already changed the locks on its gates and aspires to replace the timing system. In addition, the PAL is trying to woo the mayor with a large-scale public-private partnership and a retooled management structure, according to the San Jose Mercury News. A final decision on the matter is expected in early May, but in the meantime, PAL has a number of options for making life easier for its hapless customers.
The Santa Clara PAL BMX has a lot going for it, including a slew of hotels with fancy names, such as the Santa Clara PAL BMX Hotel, as well as a handful of good-looking rental bikes. Moreover, the BMX track offers a slew of other benefits to riders, including a free helmet on the first visit, a waiver on memberships to USA BMX, and a nicer gps. In short, it’s a great place to hang out with friends, and it’s one of the best tracks in the state. For more information, visit the PAL website. You’ll be glad you did!
The PAL BMX track is a big deal in the Bay Area, and it is a top notch operation. Its small-but-mighty jumps and curved paths make it a fun place to ride, and its newfound sexiness has already brought about an influx of racers. The organization has long been a positive force in the community and for now, it looks like the PAL will be granted its wish of maintaining control over the track. We’ll wait and see what happens in coming months as negotiations continue to unfold. In the meantime, here’s hoping that the track remains open for years to come!
