The Specialized Bikescape

Alpine Bike Parks collaborated with Specialized Bicycle Components this past June to design and build The Specialized Bikescape. The surrounding bikescape infastructure incorporates cues from multiple riding disciplines and is constructed of asphalt, natural surfacing, wood, and cobblestones to tie together an awesome atmosphere at Specialized Headquarters in Morgan Hill, California.

Specialized Bicycle Components was founded in 1974 by riders for riders. Based in Northern California, Specialized focuses on the rider’s need for functional and technically advanced products that provide a performance benefit. It's also steeped in the history of both mountain biking and road cycling, with World Championships in nearly every discipline of riding, multiple victories in every Grand Tour, and a diverse rider roster that ranges from Aaron Gwin to Alberto Contador.

Specialized approached Alpine Bike Parks with the vision of building a network of trails around its corporate campus that would enhance office bike culture, while also providing cycling links between its many buildings, like the Global Headquarters and the Wind Tunnel.

The project adopted the name of "Specialized Bikescape." The goal of Alpine Bike Parks was to design and construct a selection of trails and associated landscape areas that connect buildings and bring the corporate community together on their bikes. Some of the trails are XC/CX oriented with natural surfacing, while others are paved and deliver pump track flow. Sections of the trails are surfaced with asphalt so that they can be precisely sculpted, plus be rideable year-round with minimal maintenance. To tie the Bikescape with Specialized's storied road riding heritage, the team built a pavé section. Large cobblestones were laid to replicate old roads in Europe, namely the pavé sectors raced in the Paris-Roubaix.

"These trails bring the culture and soul of bike riding right into the Specialized campus, and that ties our community back to the roots of cycling and the future of the sport. We also improve the connectivity between our buildings and teams, which is a huge benefit. "


— Alfredo Echauri, Specialized Bicycles Components Facility Manager



This type of project was a real treat to be apart of and Alpine wishes to collaborate with more like minded bicycle industry folk in the future!

Video & Photos by Brian Barnhart