A LESSER KNOWN ART BY TRISTAN GELSKE

In my life, I have discovered one thing that I excel at creatively. It’s a trait I don’t share with many people, but I am very passionate about it. That activity is track building. Tracks for motocross or mountain bikes specifically for me. It may seem like a useless skill to people who aren’t a part of these worlds, but for those who understand, a great track makes all the difference in ride quality. A great track flows well and has perfectly sculpted radiuses in the corners, takeoffs, and landings. 

I have built dozens of tracks in my life, the first was awkward and choppy, but now I am getting better at understanding how to create a good flow. When building I feel like an artist, shaping the dirt by hand and by machine to perfection. I have never made a track that was great on the first try. It takes years of testing and tweaking until a track wears into its best form and flow. I am always trying to come up with new features I haven’t made before. Anyone who builds knows what I am talking about.

Perfect tracks are hard to come by in the world but the feeling of riding on one is incredible and unforgettable. Track building is an art form unheard of by many, but extremely meaningful to those who ride. Try sculpting dirt some time!