BPW for 1st time in...
 

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BPW for 1st time in over 5 years

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Giing to BPW for first time since my 3rd child was born over 5 yrs ago! I think covid got in the way then chabged habits.

What has changed? Is the uplift different now? Heard they got rid of the vans?

I can see a few new lines, im mostly blues and reds - well i was not sure how ill be now!


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 8:57 am
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“Giing to BPW for first time since my 3rd child was born over 5 yrs ago!”

I made a thread about almost exactly this a month or so ago - my 3rd child was born 3.5 years ago and I hadn’t been to BPW since 2018.

It’s basically the same, just has a few more trails, bigger car park and another building, more uplift vans/trailers, and you can buy food/drink after the uplift ends. It seemed to be running pretty smoothly when we were there considering how many people were there.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 9:06 am
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nothing different. Vans same, plus an extra one, which is a bit of a weird shape one.

Tracks all same, but some extras, variation on a theme though. Cafe is better than it was, shop same... new bike-wash


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 9:06 am
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Cool thank you, i didnt think it had changed massively.

Does the uplift start at 9am?


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 9:42 am
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I did a day’s uplift on Friday with my 17 yr old who’s faster than me, 12 yr old generally slower until it gets really twisty and wife who is catching me.

It’s getting to the stage where a chair might be viable.
And The Winding Engine would be an appropriate name.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 9:43 am
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Does the uplift start at 9am?

10.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 9:45 am
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As said above, most things are the same/similar. Some of the jumps trails are a bit beefier than you might remember- insufficient funds and Zut alors are definitely a bit bigger and steeper lipped than they used to be. Uplift usually runs well, But I hate ending up in the 'meat wagon' especially on a hot day. It's slow and bumpy compared to the vans.

I hope that one day there will be a (probably more costly) option to be uplifted via a battery powered vehicle which has been charged by their own onsite wind farm....... I can but dream!

Enjoy your uplift day, it's a great place to ride.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 9:53 am
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Some trails have changed.The bottom half of A420 for instance has changed massively in the time you've been away, it's probably a good idea to take it steady on your first couple of runs. (but that's true of anyone going to BPW anyway)


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 9:58 am
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It’s broadly the same as it was 5 years ago, but depending on what day you go you’ll need to get there early to get a decent parking space. They’ve got the uplift bang on now I think, very rarely waiting long. Terry’s Belly just been resurfaced at the top and running very fast. Merthyr Rocks good if you like slab-filled reds. I don’t know if you used to pedal the uplift track but they’ve stopped that so annoyingly it’s a fairly tedious climb to the top now.

Other thing to be aware of  and somewhat controversial but a lot of the blues and some of the reds are feeling a bit tired and worn. I think they’re somewhat a victim of their own success, they’re so busy all year round that they can’t justify closing tracks for long to do the maintenance required. Lots of braking bumps and ruts mid corner.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 10:17 am
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The bottom half of A420 for instance has changed massively in the time you’ve been away, it’s probably a good idea to take it steady on your first couple of runs.

I was there a few months ago and the drop in to the table tops about halfway down caught me out. Defo a bit naughty for a red!


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 10:22 am
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somewhat controversial [...]  Lots of braking bumps and ruts mid corner.

"Off road trail centre has uneven surfaces" as a criticism is a hot-take fo'shure 😂 I'm pulling your leg, I know what you mean about maintenance, it must be a nightmare trying to keep on top of it all.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 10:27 am
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Other thing to be aware of  and somewhat controversial but a lot of the blues and some of the reds are feeling a bit tired and worn. I think they’re somewhat a victim of their own success, they’re so busy all year round that they can’t justify closing tracks for long to do the maintenance required. Lots of braking bumps and ruts mid corner.

I returned recently after a similar hiatus - longer in fact, but I do not recognise the above statement at all!

But one thing they have done is finish off Insufficient Funds now, and it's gone from my favourite trail to one that absolutely terrifies me. But then I don't bounce like I used to.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 11:29 am
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Yeah, Insufficient Funds is right at the limit for me personally although some of my pals love it.


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 2:13 pm
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what's changed on it then ? The drops i'm fine with, but i hate the jumps at the last bit 😀


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 2:21 pm
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10 and no lunch stop.
Also
Nadine (one of the drivers) had her last day on Monday. She was ace and we will miss her!


 
Posted : 05/07/2023 7:38 pm

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