Video: BikePark Wales Overtime!

Jul 2, 2014 at 10:49
by BikeParkWales  
Views: 5,357    Faves: 11    Comments: 0


For a limited period only whilst the summer evenings allow, BikePark Wales is open for summer evening uplift and pedal up riding every Thursday until 8:30PM. Riders can enjoy an evening rip in the park and the Woodland Café is open for food and drinks to relax after a hard day at work followed by a great evening ride. The bike shop is also open so you can browse all the latest goodies.

www.bikeparkwales.com

19.06.13. Bikepark Wales PIC Andy Lloyd


Author Info:
BikeParkWales avatar

Member since Jul 22, 2013
23 articles

39 Comments
  • 55 5
 BPW is a great asset for MTB in Wales but its hard to really love he place. There's no chance to hit BPW up for a spontaneous day out cos its booked out 3 months in advance and pedalling up a 25 min climb for a couple of minutes down gets old pretty quickly. BPW guys if you are reading this please sort the capacity issue out. If you run more buses then you will make more money, I've not gone on a number of occassions because I can' get on the bus, and I can't be the only one.

+1 if you agree.
  • 4 1
 same here. to be honest I have never been there cos I can't book uplift. My work and life won't let me book 2 months in advance
  • 4 3
 If enough buses are put on to satisfy all the variables then the place would be even more like an ants nest. There would be too many riders on track at any one time. What we really need are more uplift venues to satisfy the demand. BPW is a decent enough riding venue, granted it's not everyone's cup of tea, but what it has shown is that you don't need a massive mountain in the middle of nowhere to have half decent downhill with uplift!
  • 5 0
 Just come back from the alps and winterberg and i can honestly say there really is no substitute for an actual cable lift. Shame its such a big investment, it would really unlock uk gravity riding if we had more.
  • 2 0
 I agree Badger, nothing worse than missing that uplift bus. Straight on the chairlift and riders are spread out more.
  • 2 0
 Its a great place but they need to make a better climb and consider a proper xc / am loop. 4/5 runs in a day if you pace yourself is about the limit from experience, which is fine but im sure there could be a more direct route to the starting point
  • 1 0
 I have never been but I didn't think the point of the place is XC am loop style stuff.
  • 2 0
 no its not meant to be there for an XC loop, i get that, but its a bit of a missed opportunity not to put one in. fingers crossed they will develop one in the future, id much rather go there with no uplift booking and hit up a proper XC / AM loop and then a couple of runs down the main lines than keep doing the beast of burden, theres no features in it its just a slog to the top then gun it down.
  • 1 0
 Makes sense.
  • 7 0
 Really enjoy BPW good selection of trails there , I just long for a proper dedicated big bike jump line in the UK , like the top section of Hafjell but all the way down the hill Smile
  • 4 1
 Come and ride PORC - Penshurst Off Road Cycling/Club in Penshurst, Kent, the oldest Bike Park in UK, open for over 20 years now, only 2 hours drive for you, one of the lines is our own little Hafjell with I think 14 jumps: including 20 and 30ft tables and big doubles. If you've seen Won't Back Down - Steve Peat Story there is a footage of Peaty racing PORC from 1993. Lots of info on FB.
  • 2 0
 PORC is great and on me doorstep, I've done bpw, and with no uplift. Pedalled to the top twice, and jumped on for 4quid the uplift. I'd have have more vans to make more money. Stinog books out quick but this place could be better just by having more 2more vans. I'd recommend if no uplift, still go, just ride the first top sections, then push or ride back up, then do the same on the second half. That's what we done. Not ideal, but if there's no service you've gotta think of something after paying to get in.
  • 1 0
 It's all just economics, the middle aged guys on AM/mid travel bikes are both the most numerous demographic among us bikers and have the most spare cash to spend on both bikes and weekends away from the wife. I'm not criticising these guys, in 10 years i will undoubtedly become one. Crashes and time off work have much bigger consequences and people have less spare time to work on their skills, hence the bigger commercial centres are tamer. If you've got 1 weekend in 4 or a lot less on your bike, you aren't going to want to spend 4/5 of that pedalling up hill. Especially if you're developing a bit of a spare tyre. PORC is really good but short. Have you had a go on Surface2Air yet bigburd?
  • 6 1
 I'm really not a fan of BPW and I seam to be the only one. For me it seams not well built (layout with the car park away from uplift point, not really single track in most places and at times like ridding through a building site). I really want to like it and have positive yerning for it but it's not there
  • 2 1
 I feel the same, it was a missed opportunity.
  • 7 0
 What a bunch of negative moaners on here!
  • 3 0
 I recently made my first visit to BPW. First impressions, having taken the downhill bikes, "We've brought the wrong bikes". I think the trails are better catered for the 140-160mm travel bikes. It is a little weird that you have to push up to the pick up. Even that 300 meter push was zapping in the sunshine (yes it was sunny in wales!)
I was speaking to the staff about the number of buses they lay on and on the previous Saturday, they had 5 on the go. That's 150 riders booked for uplifts! Now if that's not catering for the masses, just name one other uplift aside from fort bill that can do that.
When I asked the guy why weren't they doing that every day, the answer was 'to give the trails a break' and to allow them to get patched up in between the crowds. Very sensible i'd say. If any negatives, I'd say they're a victim of their own success at the moment. A clear fact that there are the numbers out there to supply bike parks in the UK with constant business.
In the words of Kevin Costner "If we build it, they will come!"
  • 5 0
 Love the Welsh mountains they are open 24/7 365 ....love the trails centre but natural routes r 4 me.
  • 2 0
 I agree with the waiting. It's ridiculous how long you gotta wait.
After you've been a few time it does get a little boring but more trails will be opening soon which is great.
I think the staff are very friendly... especially the gorgeous blonde Wink
  • 1 0
 Always have a great time at BPW; in fact it was my first ever experience of MTB-back in January, but as others say, the uplift issues need to be sorted!! BPW is indeed a big day out, that does require a fair bit of planning and prep in order to get the most out of it, and requiring a three month window to set a date complicates this.

That being said, as someone currently trying to shed some fat, the trails are a nice reward for that climb, takes a lot of effort (for the mortals amongst us) to get 4 climbs and runs into one day.

Chazf- why do you think the staff are stuck up? I've had nothing but a warm welcome, and support form the staff at BPW in all areas from the bike shop to the kitchen.
  • 1 0
 Going in September ! Yes I've booked it early! I've also heard from friends in Wales it's worth going and I've been to Morzine and just about to head out to race in the Megavanche! Love going to Wales hitting the trail centres and the downhill tracks! Oh and I live near Porc and can say its got some awesome short runs packed with features! Worth a day trip!
  • 3 0
 A 30 minute pedal up never hurt anybody, it's an easy ride and feels more rewarding when you see the "end of climb" sign at the the top!
  • 1 0
 I was 40, then 50 then about 1 10 was struggling by the end now worked out the fire road climb it's a bit easier
  • 3 0
 Unfortunately, I think the 4 hour drive has put me off an evening ride there... great for the locals though.
  • 3 0
 BPW is amazing and because of the uplift you can just keep going faster and faster I recommend it to everyone
  • 2 0
 Rode BPW in the pouring rain and haven't had a better time riding since. Awesome trails, great facilities and top notch food in the cafe (although slightly overpriced).
  • 1 0
 Been there without booking.
Its an amazing place to ride, the tracks flow soooo nice!

Also, in the afternoon the uplifts get empty spots, and you can pay £4 for an uplift if you wanted too.
  • 3 1
 Only live 15 minutes away but still never been, booking takes months in advance!
  • 2 3
 i really do hate british 'bike parks' they cannot compare to american/canadian even french bike parks. The only slight competition we have against them is fort william and that is a huge effort to get to. we have some decent trail centres but they're all tame as hell. as far a free ride goes its non existent. This sort of just backs me up, by the looks of things its an uplift for an average, non-challenging section of downhill.
  • 2 0
 Uplift for people with AM/enduro bikes ... wait .. I thought they could be " pedalled uphill and shred the DH's " ? !?!?

And i agree about the UK bike parks being well , not really bike parks ,more a collection of AM trails with an uplift service.
  • 1 0
 try revolution for some actual downhill/freeride
  • 2 0
 Stuck up staff?? It's Merthyr like
  • 1 0
 My week & a Thursday evening at BPW, proper blast will back there soon as
www.pinkbike.com/video/369802
  • 2 0
 those burgers look tasty
  • 1 0
 just got back today from bpw the trails are amazing
  • 2 0
 Just ride Antur instead
  • 1 1
 1.22 skanky
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.030328
Mobile Version of Website