Bike Park Wales
Discussion
Hello all.
Going to bike park Wales this Friday.
I’m a moderately competent trail rider, but usually ride in SPDs on a hardtail.
I’m renting everything (bike, gear etc).
Any advice on trails. My plan was to start with a blue flow trail and then think about something harder once my eye was in.
Anyone got any favourites, or suggested trail progression?
Going to bike park Wales this Friday.
I’m a moderately competent trail rider, but usually ride in SPDs on a hardtail.
I’m renting everything (bike, gear etc).
Any advice on trails. My plan was to start with a blue flow trail and then think about something harder once my eye was in.
Anyone got any favourites, or suggested trail progression?
Just so you know, all the rental bikes come with flats, but they will change the pedals if you ask them, I took my own SPD's once and they fitted them for me.
There is big variety of trails there, something for everyone, don't overthink it, just start with a blue to get your eye in as you if you're not that confident and take it from there.
A full day is knackering though, I know that much.
There is big variety of trails there, something for everyone, don't overthink it, just start with a blue to get your eye in as you if you're not that confident and take it from there.
A full day is knackering though, I know that much.
The blues are all fun and generally everything is graded one down from most others (ie their blue is like red elsewhere). You could have a great day just on those. Reds and up have proper “commitment” features like drops that you can’t just roll over. Nothing wrong with taking it slower or in sections and having a look first, just stop off the trail and be aware of riders coming behind.
Mr E said:
Oh - I intend being on flats. Which will be interesting given I’ve not ridden off road on flats for ~15 years
I'd seriously caution against swapping to flats on trails you're not familiar with and on trails potentially harder than you're used to.BPW has lots of jumps, and most spd riders get used to spds holding their feet on the pedal when jumping. Jumping on flats requires a good technique... One you don't want to be trying to re-learn as well as learning a new bike and trail.
I'd take your spd pedals with you if I were you. Or spend tomorrow re-learning flats....particulsrly learning to bunny hop.
The lethal part of bpw is riders own heads. There's a lot of pressure, from the cost, the videos and riders flying by or riding on your back wheel.
The most important thing you can do is ride what you're comfortable with, and ride at your own pace.
The blues are simple enough technically, but attract a lot of people who go on them because it's a way to go very fast without too much risk, which can be intimidating. Either ignore them, or pull up and let them by.
The most important thing you can do is ride what you're comfortable with, and ride at your own pace.
The blues are simple enough technically, but attract a lot of people who go on them because it's a way to go very fast without too much risk, which can be intimidating. Either ignore them, or pull up and let them by.
Pulse said:
Hello buddy! Funnily enough, I am also off there, but Saturday!
I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Hello chief. Long time no speak. I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts.
It’s part of a stag, so I don’t know if I’ll be leading people round because I can ride a bit, or killing myself with over confidence because everyone’s a bloody pro.
I’m too old, I don’t bounce any more.
I fully agree with the “let everyone else get on with it” comment. Nothing to prove here.
We survived mostly. One guy at A&E this morning after a nasty shunt on an innocuous roller.
Runs were excellent. I now understand why you would compromise everything else about the bike to make it do that. A full susser makes you feel like you have talent.
4th run down I recognised the “you’re getting cocky” signs and backed off before getting it too wrong.
Runs were excellent. I now understand why you would compromise everything else about the bike to make it do that. A full susser makes you feel like you have talent.
4th run down I recognised the “you’re getting cocky” signs and backed off before getting it too wrong.
Mr E said:
We survived mostly. One guy at A&E this morning after a nasty shunt on an innocuous roller.
Runs were excellent. I now understand why you would compromise everything else about the bike to make it do that. A full susser makes you feel like you have talent.
4th run down I recognised the “you’re getting cocky” signs and backed off before getting it too wrong.
It’s the blues that can be the most deceptive there. I’m an utterly mediocre rider but you can still get up to stupid speeds on some of them without even trying. Add in a big full suspension bike or DH bike and it can all get out of hand Runs were excellent. I now understand why you would compromise everything else about the bike to make it do that. A full susser makes you feel like you have talent.
4th run down I recognised the “you’re getting cocky” signs and backed off before getting it too wrong.
TT1138 said:
It’s the blues that can be the most deceptive there. I’m an utterly mediocre rider but you can still get up to stupid speeds on some of them without even trying. Add in a big full suspension bike or DH bike and it can all get out of hand
Yeah I find the same, I generally ride the reds and blacks up there but last time a few weeks ago I had a super super fast crash on Willy waver after rolling my front tyre on one of the berms, getting a bit silly I think! Last time up I found a lot of love for AC/DC and Hot Stepper and Vicious Valley is always a favourite.
Wanna go back now I’ve thought about it!
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