Exchequer Bike Park leading contest for extreme trail grant

Exchequer Bike Park has taken a lead in voting to determine the winner of a $100,000 private grant to build an extreme downhill mountain-bike trail, the Merced Irrigation District reported this week.

The bike park near Lake McClure is managed by the Parks Department of the Merced Irrigation District.

Online voting began earlier this week.

The competition is being conducted online by Bell Helmets and votes can be submitted by visiting the company’s website at www.bellhelmets.com/bell-built.

To vote for California and Exchequer Bike Park, click on the small round circle to select it as your option.

Below that, enter your email and the requested verification code. Finally, go to your inbox and open the confirmation email to finalize your vote.

As a finalist, Exchequer Bike Park is competing for the $100,000 to construct a downhill double-black-diamond trail. Such trails are considered to be among the most extreme in the sport.

If constructed, the trail would complement Exchequer Bike Park, which is open for riding while being planned and developed on 700 acres adjacent to Lake McClure at the Barrett Cove Recreation Area. Once completed, the bike park will have trails for those with all skill levels and abilities, including riders with disabilities.

Exchequer Bike Park is one of three regional finalists. If it receives enough votes this week, it will advance in June to face off against two other finalists: one from the central part of the United States and one from the East Coast.

This story was originally published April 14, 2015 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Exchequer Bike Park leading contest for extreme trail grant."