It’s been reported that Red Bull has been blocked from renting its usual accommodation of Plas Tan-y-Bwlch in Wales, due to excessive damage caused over the past two years.
Plas Tan-y-Bwlch is part of the Snowdonia National Park, and offers accommodation, an education centre, as well as being the hub for some environmental projects. It’s clear from National Park Authority minutes that the running costs of Plas Tan-y-Bwlch are an ongoing concern, so this loss of a regular income will surely be missed.
After an apparently lengthy discussion in a committee meeting about the financial impact of withdrawing from the agreement with Red Bull, it has been determined that Red Bull will not be able to rent the property again this year.
It’s reported that damage included the need to refill a number of fire extinguishers – which sounds very party-esque and probably seems like harmless fun unless you actually then need to deploy them to put out a fire.
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Given the Red Bull Hardline event was held under the Trash Free Trails Approved environment impact reduction scheme, creating the need for a bunch of extra cleaning and fire extinguisher refills doesn’t seem quite in keeping with those goals. In addition, it’s not doing a lot for the good name of the mountain bike community – just when we’re hoping the Welsh government might be about to expand land access rights.
Or, is it just riders blowing off steam after an intense day out on the hill where they’re risking themselves for our entertainment, and we should let them party?
We’ve asked Red Bull representatives for comment.
