20Sep2011
I’ve got a meeting with the Cycle Tourism Wales board next week and want (need) to know what would help persuade you (as cyclists visiting the trail centres) to stay over in Wales, rather than just do one-day visits.
More trails, range of accommodation, facilities for beginners, families, non cyclists… let me know – they are VERY willing to make these things happen, so have your say. Thanks
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PSB: Affordable accommodation, on-site camping.
Bike pass -like ski pass – pay once and ride more than once centre of a period of days.
Link the centres better (not physically), like a ski area in the Alps – joint marketing/ offers etc.
Link with other activities like Kayaking, Surfing etc.
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MD: Perfect, thanks. Some good ones there. Bike pass might work now they are working on some new places where lifts may be an option.
20 hours ago · Like
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SHR: Transport from train station to trails!
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MD: Good one. Many centres don’t have train stations close by, but the buses are meant to be good (take bikes), so may link stations and trail centres up. thanks.
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AU: More information on places for groups to stay. I get permission to go to Wales once a year and usually organise a 5 day trip for a group of 8 to 10 of us. I know a few places near Afan who can accomodate our group but finding places further north hasn’t been easy.
14 hours ago · Like
MD: Will look into that. p.s will have a very interesting ride for you to consider doing next year
then spend time with the family when not riding! Is my wife too kind (don’t say anything too her) or is this something you might do?
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MD: If you have them, would your partners & kids go if there was good knowledge of activities, attractions, etc for them to do? For me, we would all consider going for a weekend, where I get to go out for a day, morning, afternoon, or night riding – hopefully all
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DB: I would love to get my partner involved more in the sport. It would be nice if there were a few more group/family options at the trail centres. Wales in particular has so much to offer in terms of relative ease to get to the centres. Especially getting there from the Reading area. Also it has some spectacular scenery to offer. I just think (prob selfishly) that the more I can get my partner involved the more time I can spend in the saddle with out feeling guilty. It would be nice to have more options for younger riders (as they are the future of the sport) and beginners. Perhaps have skills weekends at the centres on a regular basis. How to tackle drop offs etc. Before you know it you will be blasting round the trails with the whole family.
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MD: That’s exactly what I think and hope to see them develop with the new funds they have.
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more trails at centres
more events like the Enduros at Dyfi and CYB
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events are something they are looking into. Expect more blue trails at centres, rather than red & black though.
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We generally do stay over for at least a night. Accomadation that caters for large parties (10 to 20) is usually our biggest problem. A centralised web site with details on accomodation, eating options and the trails might be a good idea? Could be funded by pubs, restaurants, hotels etc advertising on it too?
The trail centres are good but have been left behind a bit by e.g. Scotland. Replace more of those fire roads with singletrack. More technical “black” options for advanced riders too.
Have some natural routes mapped out too?
Don’t assume most mountain bikers prefer camping and bunkhouses. We like a bit of luxury and a good pub!
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centralised website is something they are looking at doing – which should have lots of accommodation info.
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This would require a lot of investment, but how about generating a Mountain Biking resort? Essentially an awesome trail centre (New or an existing centre) with a Hotel, Chalets/log cabins, Bar, Restraunt and entertainment. All aimed at apealing to the MTB comunity. The resort would have to apeal to Mountain bikers and also there families. But I see it as essentially like a skiing holiday where the whole resort is based around the sport. Other sports could be accomodated too I guess. But the trails would have to be good enough and expansive enough to entertain skilled riders and beginers for long periods. To do this in Wales has some massive benefits, it could be open all year round, the Welsh politicians are good at investing in things like this and the mountains, terrain and scenery are all world class. A lot of the ideas already on this page would fit in, i.e. trails and instruction for kids and beginers, spa swim and gym facilities to keep the WAGs happy.etc. Everything under 1 roof!
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I think can’t see it all being under one roof/ownership, but hopefully the changes will link lots of businesses together much better, offering all/most of the things you mention.
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Wonder if one of the big (or small) ski resort owners would be interested. Many after all are MTB resorts in the summer and some are big businesses that own many resorts.
Problem is keeping sufficient income throughout the year. A Scottish resort with skiing in the winter, sure, but Wales where main business is mainly sunny summer days and weekends when it’s not pouring with rain (and it rains a lot in Wales!), I’m not sure would justify the investment. Would be nice though.
Lots of varied trails would be required though, spread over a good area, and plenty of other activities available.
A small scale version of Whistler in the summer is an example.
i dont think accommodation is a problem if you look for it and are prepared to travel a little bit to get to the trail centre. Wales is full of campsites, b&b’s and bunkhouses
I would say accommodation with secure bike storage and maybe wahing/drying facilitoes is whats wanted/needed
Also, although this doesnt apply to everyone, i would like something for the kids to do whilst i’m off biking. Maybe a play/adventure area or forest trail to keep them occupied for a couple of hours??
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more beginners trails will be springing up. Hopefully info (on the centralised) website will say about other activities for families to do to.
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I believe there are two challenges –
Weather and a building more sophisticated infrastructure.
I agree that lessons can be learnt from ski resorts, but hopefully refined to match the character of the area and implemented to minimising the impact on the environment and scenery.
Also the area needs to be competitive with resorts in Scotland and main land Europe, I don’t want to be paying the same price for a week holiday with less or poorer trails, facilities and accommodation.
Weather –
Wales is one of the most beautiful places on the planet but you can’t control the weather, trails need to be well maintained and broaden the availability of all-weather trails.
Accommodation needs to provide facilities for bike cleaning and cleaning and drying of riding gear.
Infrastructure –
Trails
Review trails at present centres, some are starting to feel a bit dated.
Long fire road climbs can get a bit samey after a while, make the climb interesting but flowing.
Losing altitude on a fire road is really a waste, again interesting, swoopy single track for the win with range of more technical options available.
Increase available trails and cover a wider range of rider skill level and fitness.
Do keep natural trails for good weather days.
Good signage of trails and features (Chatel France has done this really well)
Local shuttle buses to link trails and accommodation.
Provide the depth and range of riding options to encourage people to stay in the area for a week.
Access
Expensive and difficult to do well, but uplift/chairlift area for the less fit and gravity guy’s, most uplifts in the area cater for DH only one day options.
Accommodation –
Price – needs to be good value for money,
Close to riding facilities.
Range to cater for groups, families, couples etc.
Storage for riding kit – lockers for storage and drying.
Facilities for showering mudding riders.
Secure bike storage and facilities to maintain bike.
Did I mention secure storage (MTBs are expensive and a few area’s have suffered from serial thefts)
Hot tubs, sauna’s, steam rooms are nice for post ride aches
Other
Availability of good value, quality and varied food.
I sure there are more but these are the kind of minimum expectations I have for a ski or biking holiday these days.
Hope this helps and gives a constructive riders perspective.
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the good news is that they know they need to offer more facilities and more trails (and they have the finance) so we might be seeing some of these points being addressed over the next few years. I will keep you posted as to what I hear.
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