Phil’s Skills Bike Park Phase 2 Complete

We’re beyond stoked to announce that Phil’s Skills Bike Park Phase 2 is complete! 

Months of planning, fundraising, and construction have led to the unveiling of a rad mountain bike park that is accessible to all rider levels and provides opportunities for riders to progress their skills in this sport we all love. 

Let’s get into it!   

Phil's Skills Phase 2 Overview

When we set out to develop Phil’s Skills, our plan was to create a bike park and coaching space where all ages and levels could come to practice. After the completion of Phase 1, our Phase 2 mission was to better use the area and, frankly, build a mountain bike playground. 

Phase 2 Inclusions

Phil’s Skills Area is now equipped with a strider course, rollers and jumps for days, a drop zone, and an open area where coaches and groups can gather to work on skills. Additionally, there’s side space throughout for parents and coaches to hang out and keep the active areas clear. 

As you check out the features, you’ll notice they were created with sessionability in mind. COTA strives to consistently develop the local mountain biking experience, and for riders to progress, we want them to be able to try a feature as many times as they wish. This builds confidence, awareness, and skill that each rider can put to use out on the trails. 

​Since Phil’s Skills was built around progression, you’ll find features from beginner to advanced. Beginner features are located near the parking area, and the features generally progress in level, ending at the current pump track and jumps.

We encourage riders to be mindful and respectful of the park’s diversity and always be aware of other riders while having fun. Refraining from climbing and playing on jumps and berms reduces how fast they degrade - let’s make these features last!

Phil's Skills Area Features

A huge shoutout to our Designer and Builder, Kyle Jameson of Black Sage Dirt Works, for creating a park that will endure for generations of riders. 

The new skills features at Phil’s Skills Area include: 

• Strider Course: Small rollers for our youngest mountain bikers to cut their teeth on.  
• Rollers and Jumps: Tons of rollers and jumps (and berms and rocks) for beginner and intermediate riders to mix and match. 
• Drop Zone: Progressive drops ranging from 6” to 18”. 
• Flat Zone: Designed for coaching purposes to practice flat land skills like body positions and bike movements, this area also provides a place to gather and get hyped!

We Couldn't Do It Without You!

The project took months of planning. More than 600 cubic yards of dirt and 30 large boulders were trucked to the site. Large machinery was used for construction, and hand finishing was done by dedicated volunteers.

“There are a ton of moving pieces that go into a project of this scale,” said Alex Brieger, Trails Program Manager with COTA. 

“From the initial idea to transform Phil’s main trailhead, the most popular starting point for most Bend visitors and local riders, to fundraising and budgeting, hiring contractors, Forest Service approvals, materials, and construction, it’s a monumental effort. Now kids and beginners to advanced riders can practice to more confidently ride the 600 miles of trails COTA maintains.”
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Your support makes this all possible. 

Phil’s Skills couldn’t have been completed without the generous donations of our members and business sponsors, the unwavering support of the many volunteers who did the hand finish work, and our coaching partners who gave us input on what features we should have at the site. 

Special shout out to Deschutes Trails Coalition, Mt. Bachelor Play Forever Fund, and NewSun Energy, all of whom made major financial contributions to this project--much respect!

This project cost over $50,000, and annual maintenance is anticipated to cost $15,000 per year. If you love Phil’s Skills Area--or any of Central Oregon’s trails and bike parks--we’d love for you to join the crew and become a COTA supporter. COTA is a nonprofit, and we rely 100% on donations from riders like you! Click here to donate--thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and made the completion of Phil’s Skills Area another incredible accomplishment for our team and community! 

Interested in donating your time or money? Head over to our website to learn more about becoming a member or volunteer! You can also follow us on Instagram (@cotamtb) and join our Meetup group to ensure you never miss our events.

​Looking forward to having you on the team!
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