We wanted the trails to be well looked after and to continually evolve .
We really wanted to bring our downhill backgrounds and make it accessible to riders on trail bikes . Most people back then were either riding cross country or downhill and we wanted something in the middle .
We also really wanted the whole thing to be consistently good quality . We wanted the uplift , the workshop , the cafe , the trails , the bike shop and everything to be ours to manage and all to be as good as it could be .
It seems like you guys are bucking the trend of making mountain biking less challenging and more family friendly . Was that a tough way to go ?
I feel like we ’ ve struck the middle ground . We ’ re not out and out downhill and we don ’ t have loads of green trails and family stuff . It was about building the trails that we wanted to ride and we knew were fun . It felt like what the riders wanted too .
But … we ’ ll grow those things that we don ’ t have in the future to appeal to more riders .
Now the park is open and thriving , what gets you most stoked ?
It ’ s seeing people on the hill riding the trails . When you see people riding and whooping and shouting , you know they ’ re having a good time .
Also at the end of the day , back down in the Café , there ’ s a real buzz around the place . People are having a beer , chatting about their day , sharing their experience . That feels good . That ’ s what mountain biking is all about .
keep them fresh . If you pass those guys on the trails , give them a high five , they ’ re genuinely legends of mountain biking .
APRES-RIDE
When you ’ re done tearing up the trails , Bike Park Wales has more of exactly what you need . There ’ s a cracking cafe full of hot food and cold beer , there ’ s a log fire for the winter and there ’ s an excellent bike shop ( with a workshop ) that ’ s fully loaded with things you can ’ t afford .
If your bike has any trouble on the trails , the workshop is a great place to start . Failing that , you can hire a really decent full-suspension bike to see you through the rest of the day . Ideal for those moments when enthusiasm overtakes skill and your equipment says “ no thanks ”. u
So for anyone that hasn ’ t visited before , what would you recommend ?
First of all , if you need a bike , give us a shout and we ’ ll hire you one !
On the hill , I ’ d always point you to the blue trails first , no matter what your ability . Go check out the Terry ’ s Belly trail , it ’ s an iconic run and is long , fun and puts a grin on your face . Straight away you ’ ll know what Bike Park Wales is all about . Then work your way up . Take your time and don ’ t fall off !
And what does the future hold for Bike Park Wales ?
Every year we ’ ll open a couple of new trails . Every time you visit there should be something new or improved . Maybe we ’ ll expand into those more fringe elements too , more beginner trails and more big features for freeride-style riding . We ’ re looking at some new facilities too , in about a year ’ s time there should be an extra building to add some space . t
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