Discussion
For the love of god, DO NOT LET YOUR BIKE OUT OF YOUR SIGHT. That includes locking it in your car whilst you go for a coffee, or anything. Bike theft from there is rampant, and it's not unknown for bikes to go missing from inside cars, vans etc. Hell, I was there for the student champs, and despite there being several hundred riders there and security, some 
s were still sniffing around the perimeter of the site...
A shame as a) the riding's good, b) the people who work there are ace (CwmDown), and c) the area desperately needs the income.
s were still sniffing around the perimeter of the site...A shame as a) the riding's good, b) the people who work there are ace (CwmDown), and c) the area desperately needs the income.
Jimbo. said:
For the love of god, DO NOT LET YOUR BIKE OUT OF YOUR SIGHT. That includes locking it in your car whilst you go for a coffee, or anything. Bike theft from there is rampant, and it's not unknown for bikes to go missing from inside cars, vans etc. Hell, I was there for the student champs, and despite there being several hundred riders there and security, some s were still sniffing around the perimeter of the site...
A shame as a) the riding's good, b) the people who work there are ace (CwmDown), and c) the area desperately needs the income.
What he said.s were still sniffing around the perimeter of the site...A shame as a) the riding's good, b) the people who work there are ace (CwmDown), and c) the area desperately needs the income.
They stole the bike wash FFS!
They're alright on the deck of the cafe, but otherwise be careful. Also, it's not such an issue if you live a good distance away, but keep an eye out for people following you home to see where you keep your bikes. Once got followed pretty much home to Cardiff.
P-Jay said:
What he said.
They stole the bike wash FFS!
They're alright on the deck of the cafe, but otherwise be careful. Also, it's not such an issue if you live a good distance away, but keep an eye out for people following you home to see where you keep your bikes. Once got followed pretty much home to Cardiff.
My mate had mentioned that, my view was if they follow me all the way back to Kent they were welcome to my bike for the sheer dedication!They stole the bike wash FFS!
They're alright on the deck of the cafe, but otherwise be careful. Also, it's not such an issue if you live a good distance away, but keep an eye out for people following you home to see where you keep your bikes. Once got followed pretty much home to Cardiff.
On a serious note though it's terrible that you can't leave your bike out of sight. That's one thing that has always impressed me with mtbing, always felt a degree of camaraderie (spelling) and it'd be a shame if that went.
All tracks are running sweet. although we do need more and they are in the pipeline! powers that be are discussing it at the mo.
Its not the camaderie of bikers thats just fine, most of the thefts ares and druggies from surrounding areas including cardiff nicking the bikes overnight from the campsite and opportunistic thefts in the day. really. but saying that, CCTV has been installed in the car park and its high quality and council rangers are now patrolling the car park more often albiet to enforce the parking charges but at least its something!
Although it has decreased, i think thats because they are following more people home now. so check for tailing vehicles! CCTV has ANPR i think.
Cheers!
Kenny - Cwmdown MTB Uplift Service
Its not the camaderie of bikers thats just fine, most of the thefts are
s and druggies from surrounding areas including cardiff nicking the bikes overnight from the campsite and opportunistic thefts in the day. really. but saying that, CCTV has been installed in the car park and its high quality and council rangers are now patrolling the car park more often albiet to enforce the parking charges but at least its something! Although it has decreased, i think thats because they are following more people home now. so check for tailing vehicles! CCTV has ANPR i think.
Cheers!
Kenny - Cwmdown MTB Uplift Service
Just did the Twrch trail yesterday and I was amazed at how dry the trail was.
As a point of reference, I'm not a very competant jumper but reasonable on the single track would the DH track be a bit over the top as we were debating an uplift day.
To put it in context I probably only got air on a couple of the jumps on the black run at the top and don't have the confidence to do a double.
As a point of reference, I'm not a very competant jumper but reasonable on the single track would the DH track be a bit over the top as we were debating an uplift day.
To put it in context I probably only got air on a couple of the jumps on the black run at the top and don't have the confidence to do a double.
6 inch travel bike and lot of brave pills, some body armour (full face and goggles at least) is what you need for the DH. There's a big road drop 2/3 of the way down but it has a chicken run, as do quite a few of the other technical bits. Bloody brilliant descent though and here's how it should be done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnBz8FKTXQ4
ETA: Hadn't done much DH before going for the first time, wasn't too bad, v helpful to follow someone who does know it but going at a slower pace so you can keep up. Get it booked, it's brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnBz8FKTXQ4
ETA: Hadn't done much DH before going for the first time, wasn't too bad, v helpful to follow someone who does know it but going at a slower pace so you can keep up. Get it booked, it's brilliant.
Edited by Dragoco on Monday 21st May 10:03
VR6 - sounds like I'm in a similar position to you in terms of confidence/experience.
Will be going up to Cwmcarn in a few weeks to do the downhill run for the first time. Looking at videos it looks mostly rollable plus there's the run to avoid the road jump. Road jump looks easy in the videos but I'm sure it's a lot bigger when you see it in person!
One got full face helmet and elbow/knee pads which should help me man up a bit for some jumps after I've been down slowly once or twice.
Will be going up to Cwmcarn in a few weeks to do the downhill run for the first time. Looking at videos it looks mostly rollable plus there's the run to avoid the road jump. Road jump looks easy in the videos but I'm sure it's a lot bigger when you see it in person!
One got full face helmet and elbow/knee pads which should help me man up a bit for some jumps after I've been down slowly once or twice.
missing the VR6 said:
Just did the Twrch trail yesterday and I was amazed at how dry the trail was.
As a point of reference, I'm not a very competant jumper but reasonable on the single track would the DH track be a bit over the top as we were debating an uplift day.
To put it in context I probably only got air on a couple of the jumps on the black run at the top and don't have the confidence to do a double.
If you don't fancy doing the full DH track, or fancy getting your eye in first you can do the bottom 3rd of the DH from the tail end of the XC course, or by riding up Forrest Drive (the wrong way so keep an eye out for Kenny coming the other way) As a point of reference, I'm not a very competant jumper but reasonable on the single track would the DH track be a bit over the top as we were debating an uplift day.
To put it in context I probably only got air on a couple of the jumps on the black run at the top and don't have the confidence to do a double.
The bottom 3rd is more 'bike park' (it might even be called that) than DH, it's nice and wide, not horribly steep and the jumps are easier than the ones at the top.
From the XC - just before the very last section you might recall coming down a narrow track and crossing a fire road at a 45 degree angle before dropping into some sweet smooth swoopy single track that leads to the car park - instead of going down there continue down the fire road for about 100m, the DH goes down on your left - keep an eye out for riders coming fast from the right. If you're booking an uplift day, ask Darrell or Kenny to drop you off at the Freeride (the black bit you mentioned).
Up the road, ride the first section, or take the road up to the little hut that takes money for people wanting to drive the forest road. Don't go that way, head back to where the Forrest Road comes down the mountain (it's all in the same part of the road) head back up there (you'll pass some one-way-only wheel traps after 20m or so, if you don't you've gone the wrong way) follow the road for 300m or so until you reach what looks like an electricity sub station, follow the fire road to the left of it, DH track is to your right, watch for riders coming from the left.
Quick question re full face helmets (can't be bothered with starting a new thread)
Is it just me or do they not seem to have much more padding than a regular helmet inside?
I ordered online (bit of a mistake with helmets, I know) but I ordered the size (in cm) that I have for my motorbike helmet and it's a great fit so figured I'd be alright.
The helmet for mountain biking fits well on the top of the head, so I think the next size down would be too small. But it feels a bit large around the ears - is it normal for there to be such minimal padding around the ears? I'm guessing it's to help keep weight down and keep you cool, and maybe I'm just used to my bike helmet being full of padding.
Also, seems like there's a big gap at the front and big gap between my mouth and the front of the helmet face (again, maybe I'm just used to the motorbike helmet and this will feel smaller when I get round to buying some goggles).
Is it just me or do they not seem to have much more padding than a regular helmet inside?
I ordered online (bit of a mistake with helmets, I know) but I ordered the size (in cm) that I have for my motorbike helmet and it's a great fit so figured I'd be alright.
The helmet for mountain biking fits well on the top of the head, so I think the next size down would be too small. But it feels a bit large around the ears - is it normal for there to be such minimal padding around the ears? I'm guessing it's to help keep weight down and keep you cool, and maybe I'm just used to my bike helmet being full of padding.
Also, seems like there's a big gap at the front and big gap between my mouth and the front of the helmet face (again, maybe I'm just used to the motorbike helmet and this will feel smaller when I get round to buying some goggles).
Crumple-zone for your face.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff