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I'm off to Afan in June, ridden there a few times now and there is nothing I'd consider difficult about any of it even for this ageing xc jeyboy. As BPW isn't too far away id like to give it a go. Looking at their grading system though even the blue runs recommends 120-140 travel. Is a Spark RC going to be underbiked? I'll probably stick to the 'flow' trails and ride up to the trail heads.
Have you watched the videos of Claudio following Nico? If you are comfortable on the Spark then you will be fine at BPW, certainly the Blues and most of the reds. I know many people who ride it on hardtails without issue.
It's mostly down to the rider. I know a single-speeder rigid rider that sets KOMS in places most people wouldn't dare ride without 140 front and rear.
It’s mostly down to the rider.
This. Perhaps the tech bods could write an algorithm that automatically posts this as the answer to such questions?
ridden there a few times now and there is nothing I’d consider difficult about any of it even for this ageing xc jeyboy
You must be bloody awesome then !
Afan is hardly technical is it Weeksy?! More old school XC.
Afan is hardly technical is it Weeksy?! More old school XC.
the title was BPW on a Spark... I misread it i think 😀
You’ll be alright - it’s full suss right? All the blues are flat out fast things but nothing technical on them at all. The danger with BPW is you’re often going faster than anywhere else as the trails are quite wide and it’s a sizeable hill.
Reds aren’t generally that bad either - I reckon I’d ride them all on a hardtail if I was feeling a bit sadistic on the day. Just you’d get tired quicker. The 2x red+ trails are harder but again if you’re pretty competent you’d get down them on a spark. Watts occurring is very dropy / jumpy and you’re not quite sure what you’re coming up to first run down so just take it steady.
I’ve not ridden any blacks yet - some biiiiig drops from what I’ve seen going off the middle fire road.
If you're happy with the drops on the final run back to the centre at Glyncorwg, you're likely to be ok on blues and most reds at BPW.
The main difference is speed. BPW is much faster and compressions, landings and big berm riding put more load on ones legs than you would expect traditional xc style riding to do - at least if you're doing it right.
I'd happily ride my HT on the blues and most reds, but the higher graded reds and blacks would be more comfortable on an FS, where the safety margin would be most welcome! I don't think I'd last all day on a HT before my legs were blown out. I'm usually done after 10 runs on the FS.
Also bear in mind its a proper bike park instead of a trail centre. Its entirely decent focussed. Sure its possible to ride up and do some runs, but personally I think that misses the point of the place.
Thanks everyone, exactly the info I was hoping for. I'll give it a go then. Are there any good spectator points on the black runs, somewhere i can leave Mrs plop while I'm playing?
IF you can do the final descent of blade and do all the drops, that is about the level of the tech BPW reds.
Berms with rough bits, like 373 and helter skelter will be like the fast blues.
We need some official definitions, because i thought "old school XC" meant mincing bridleways trying to protect your 1.8 inch tyres from their 12th pinchflat of the morning.
somewhere i can leave Mrs plop while I’m playing
Now there's a lucky lady 😆
Rode reds and blues (riding up each time) on my 26” cannondale 120xlr. Didn’t die or crash. No dropper.
I went to BPW for the first time along with my eldest last Autumn, and we did most of the Blues and a couple of light Reds. I was on my rigid Pipedream ALICE with Jones bars and 27.5x2.8 tyres. Wasn't fast but didn't die...