[Closed] Centre Parcs why would you ....

Friends of ours had all their bikes stolen whilst at Centre Parcs, IMO nuts to take a decent MTB there.

Maybe he just wants to have his own bike rather than what they have?

Maybe it's his only bike and he didn't fancy paying the rental prices?

and pay for the privilege of having your own bike

Don't remember having to pay for our bikes when we took them earlier this year.

Wow, does it really matter what bikes other people use to ride around a holiday park?

Bike hire is not cheap at CP if you have a family to kit out, if you have your own bikes, seems a no brainer to take them, as long as you have a way of getting them there and some decent locks.

It's like 4x4 s people buy em n never take em off road ( most off road they do Tesco carpark)
Incidently centre parcs longleat some excellent off park stuff around,my old ground.

There was a guy having a brand new Lambo delivered on a low loader to his treetops lodge, when we went last!

It's like 4x4 s people buy em n never take em off road ( most off road they do Tesco carpark)

No, it's not. Are you saying if you buy a 4x4 for driving off road, you then have to buy another car to drive on-road?

No, it's not. Are you saying if you buy a 4x4 for driving off road, you then have to buy another car to drive on-road?

If you have any care for the environment its future whatsoever you would. But then that's expecting a lot of 4x4 drivers.

I sometimes take a decent bike to Centre Parcs if I'm going to get the chance to ride nearby. I also take a VERY big chain and a couple of decent locks and keep it inside at night. I remember getting lots of "like yer bike mister" comments from little boys when I took a Stumpy FSR once, but no-one seemed to notice my Soda last time. Not that I'm complaining.

If you have any care for the environment its future whatsoever you would. But then that's expecting a lot of 4x4 drivers.

😆 very true, but also a different debate.

Some people (like me) just have one bike.... not the luxury of several bikes to suit every occasion. Would I take my 150mm travel full susser to centre parcs to avoid having to pay to hire one? Of course I would.

Hey.. mind your own **** business.. If I want to own a 4x4 I will.. Any lesser car wouldnt be able to cope with me blamming onto the kerbs at speed when I need to get past inconsiderate cars turning right and holding me up.

Yep me and my mate took our SC Blur's last year to Sherwood. Way too overkill for the parc itself and even the nearby Sherwood trails but no way would I ride one of the BSO's from Centreparcs.

As Bol said, we took two Almax chains and kept them in the storeroom inside.

[i]why would you take your bike (and pay for the privilege of having your own bike) to ride along roads at centre parcs.[/i]

Because they wanted to and they had freedom of choice.

How dare someone do what they want with their own money without consulting the stw bike sense check police.

Why would anyone post a question on a forum about this? And why am I even bothering to reply.

My bike comes with me pretty much everywhere I go

There was a guy having a brand new Lambo delivered on a low loader to his treetops lodge, when we went last!

I'd like to have been there to watch him drive it out over all the speed bumps 😀

If you have any care for the environment its future whatsoever you would. But then that's expecting a lot of 4x4 drivers.

My Bothers Landrover Freelander averages 45mpg overall, and he gets above 50mpg on motorway runs.

How does that compare to the average car that will seat 5 adults in comfort (including their luggage)

Or the environmental impact of owning two cars instead.

Pretty well I would imagine.

But then again, lazy stereotypes are easy things to get stuck with aren't they.

I suspect the guy was winding you up.

I think the real question here should be:

Centre Parcs why would you ....go there on holiday?

How does that compare to the average car that will seat 5 adults in comfort (including their luggage)

My parents have one and compared to my A3 and the previous Golf, well badly. Less MPG as demonstrated and a lot less room too really was uncomfortable with 5 adults in and it would be hand luggage only.

It gets good MPG for a 4x4 but really not good compared to cars but that's what you expect. My parents have one as the live up in the hills of Northumberland and use it to pull a trailer off road full of logs.

There are lots of reasons people may take big full sussers to Centre Parcs, or buy a 4x4.

The main reason being that it is their money, their choice, and frankly naff all to do with any of us.

My parents have one and compared to my A3 and the previous Golf, well badly. Less MPG as demonstrated and a lot less room too really was uncomfortable with 5 adults in and it would be hand luggage only.

The new freelander has pretty much double the boot space of the new Golf (with all the seats up)

(The suggestion that having another(as well as the 4x4) car to use on road would be a "greener" alternative is tosh.)

Oh, and I took my Stumpjumper FSR to centre parks.

Why would I pay to hire a bike when I already own one ?

(I didn't "pay for the privilege of having your own bike" while I was their either. Not even sure what was meant by that ??)

[img] [/img]

"If you have any care for the environment its future whatsoever you would. But then that's expecting a lot of 4x4 drivers."

Yes and wasting away the day with idle chatter on the internet is saving baby seals! Because the computers are made from deer poo and server farms are carbon neutral.
FFS.

A3 5 adaults in comfort! Shame they don't do a seven seater you could all go work at the panto together 😀

I think the real question here should be:
Centre Parcs why would you ....go there on holiday?

Just saying like. (oh and in answer to your question; because it's a relatively safe, virtually car free environment to take small children with lots of stimulating and enjoyable things to do as a family all within easy strolling distance. Reasonably priced, too, if you are able to avoid the school holidays)(other uk holiday parks are available)

The new freelander has pretty much double the boot space of the new Golf (with all the seats up)

Exactly the comparison I had, it really isn't certainly smaller least it was when I looked yesterday. It had more height but less length.

A3 5 adaults in comfort! Shame they don't do a seven seater you could all go work at the panto together

What I'm 6' 2" my Dad is 6' 3" that's probably the Freelander was uncomfortable. The Golf and A3 aren't great either but it's more pleasant than the Freelander.

"Centre Parcs why would you ....go there on holiday?"

because you won't be there.

^^^ Excellent! ^^^

🙁 I went once, it was rubbish. Unwelcoming fellow holiday makers.

We've been a few times when the kids were for pretty much the reasons above. It was fine for what it was a simple break away, yeah there was some miserable gits but most were nice. The same as anyway really you can't predict people.

Yep Drac, that's what I thought. Wasn't that cheap though, food in the restaurant places was crap. Maybe I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd taken my own bike.

We managed to get a few bargains by waiting but we priced a few times the last couple of years and it's gone mad so we stopped going. Food was about average we thought but simple, we only really did lunches and the occasional meal in the evening the rest was cooked at the lodge. Last year we hired a holiday lodge in the Lakes it was far cheaper, off to Fueteventurra ?sp on Saturday for a week that's not cheaper.

Looks like i'll be off to CP for the first time soon. Have no idea what to expect. Regarding security where can you store your bikes - can you stick them easily in your accomodation for example?

You're not supposed to I just took a big lock with me.

Scamper - some info on here :

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/center-parcs-sherwood-vs-whinfell ]centerparcs[/url]

we priced a few times the last couple of years and it's gone mad so we stopped going

Monday to Friday break seemed to be the cheapest for us (at Whinfell).

We go with the in-laws (grandparents + brother-in-law and kids). Take turns cooking dinner. Only eat lunch in the cafes. Food seemed okay to me, bit pricey but not eye-watering given that it is a captive market.

And yes, all of this is true:

n answer to your question; because it's a relatively safe, virtually car free environment to take small children with lots of stimulating and enjoyable things to do as a family all within easy strolling distance. Reasonably priced, too, if you are able to avoid the school holidays

Looks like i'll be off to CP for the first time soon. Have no idea what to expect. Regarding security where can you store your bikes - can you stick them easily in your accomodation for example?

Regarding security where can you store your bikes - can you stick them easily in your accomodation for example?

Which one?

We all took bikes to Whinfell. Every chalet had a bike rack outside. Big D-lock + cable, sorted.

Lots of bike parks around the park too. Most of the bikes are chained up with flimsy cable locks or even ropey combination locks. Stick a decent lock on and you'll be fine IMO.

Gary M - I wasnt saying anything about freedom of choice yes take your bike if you want to but it was a bit of overkill riding his bike on the roads at CP when hew could of hired a bike (ok they are cr@p but for this type of riding who cares)

Colonel Wax - why go there on holiday as all the others have mentioned its great for the kids where you dont worry about roads and cars and they love the pools and activities that they can do.

Prices werent too bad and with a small child under 1 going abroad wasnt really what I wanted out of a holiday and was cheaper by at least £1,500. Been to CP many times now and will go back again in the winter for the christmas activities (Whinfell) and then probably back in the summer (Sherwood)
Most bikes even the good ones were only locked up with the small crappy chains you buy in the supewrmarket at CP, you can store the bikes inside as people have said above.

We are on page 2 of this discussion and no-ones mentioned the Mumsnet thread on Centre Parcs, what's going on???????

We are on page 2 of this discussion and no-ones mentioned the Mumsnet thread on Centre Parcs, what's going on???????

quiet now, let them find out in their own time 😉

batfink - Member
Some people (like me) just have one bike.... not the luxury of several bikes to suit every occasion. Would I take my 150mm travel full susser to centre parcs to avoid having to pay to hire one? Of course I would.

Same here

Why would you hire a bike if you could take your own? Clearly he wasn't too worried about having scorn heaped upon him by stw. Doesn't do the bike any harm to be used in the 'wrong situation' does it?

I took my top of the range unicycle for riding round the site at Butlins when I went there on holiday recently. Did get one kid asking whether I'd hired it 😆

We are on page 2 of this discussion and no-ones mentioned the Mumsnet thread on Centre Parcs, what's going on???????

well i have had to go and look.... how do they link the two!!!!

I've been to CP a couple of times and took my 5 last time but went for a couple of laps round Sherwood pines a couple of evenings.

IMO if you've got a bike and you want to take it, even if its just to cruise round the site, do it. Save on the extortion that is CP bike hire.

On the whole CP - why would you at all ? issue, 3 times has been more than enough for me. Too expensive, too many ignorant, arrogant fellow human beings and not that much to get excited about really.

We opted for a weekend in Blackpool with the kids instead last time (yeah Blackpool I know) but we got a family room in the Hilton for £99 and got Tesco clubcard tickets to Blackpool Zoo, Tower Circus and the Sea Life Centre and we had a cracking weekend, much better than CP. All three places we visited were superb.

If you only have one bike...so the oab family at a place like that is resplendent on Sanderson, Cannondale, Islabike and two kids Scott's. 8)

(mind, we would also be off for some proper rides)

no-ones mentioned the Mumsnet thread on Centre Parcs,

*googles*
😯

mountainman - Looks like I'm having to go in a couple of weeks. Any info on where is good to ride?

What rubber for Center Parcs?

Mud terrain?

Lesanita2 wrote:

mountainman - Looks like I'm having to go in a couple of weeks. Any info on where is good to ride?

Google "Center Parcs" and look at about the 8th search result for tips on the best place to ride...

I have to admire some people's ability to milk to worst traits out of human kind wherever they go!
I'm sure there are some miserable gits who go to Centre Parcs (Some posting on here?!), but in reality, it's not too hard to [b]not[/b] take offence from every interpersonal interaction that takes place at home/holiday - just enjoy yourselves!!

Saying that, I've just booked up a midweeker at Longleat over fireworks night (8 berth cabin for £480 - bargain!!) so try to avoid talking to me.... 😉

DrP

Saying that, I've just booked up a midweeker at Longleat over fireworks night (8 berth cabin for £480 - bargain!!) so try to avoid talking to me....

we're there the following week so that our little 'uns can soak up the winter wonderland experience.. off peak, for peanuts..

I'll be raucously delivering sustained periods of verbal abuse and physical intimidation to any other human beings that I encounter, so you won't be able to miss me I'm afraid..

I won't be taking a bike though.. as it's a well known fact that outside of Devon everybody is a thief and a brigand..

so first trip to Sherwood for us in October having been to Whinfell many times in the past. If I take my Jake with knobblies on is there anywhere reasonable for a wee ride within 10 mins of the place ? It's a family holiday so not planning on dissapearing from more than an hour but if there is an early am or evening opportunity I will take bike, otherwise will hire a clunker (the cost of fuel for extra bike on roof from Glasgow pays most of the clunker hire 😀 )

Never stayed there myself (sherwood) as I live just down the road and often ride around there anyway.. but usually pack the kids and a few friends off there for a week at a time just to give me and laZorilla some peace and quiet. Kids love it but looks a rip off to me.

thanks elzorillo - an earlier post mentioned Sherwood pines - is that close by and decent riding for an hr on the cx bike ?

no-ones mentioned the Mumsnet thread on Centre Parcs,

*googles*

have googled it.... there is no way I'm opening that at work

I went to one once and had the gall to stand on a rock by the lake, I was asked to kindly get down.

Probably the sh!test place I've ever been to - not my idea of a fun time.

I have to admire some people's ability to milk to worst traits out of human kind wherever they go!

Agreed! Loving the usual STW moanfest.

We've been to Whinfell twice and had a great time. Didn't meet "too many ignorant, arrogant fellow human beings", didn't get shouted at for standing on rocks, didn't have our bikes stolen, didn't think the food was bad at all - just had a nice time with the extended family, did some fun activities with the kids, ran about, had a laugh and enjoyed ourselves.

YMMV. 😀

stand on a rock by the lake

Totally rad dude, extreme! 😉

As I was on holiday when I went, I was in no rush and found I could walk from one side of the park to the other in less than 30 minutes and so glad I didn't have to faff about with bikes and locks. Plus it gave me the moral high ground to snarl at any cyclist who neglected to warn me of their approach with an appropriate tinkle on their bell.

We found it a pleasent environment when the cars were gone - but people reverted to type on changeover day and I almost got run over by a BMW!

Much too expensive for me in school holidays mind

Much too expensive for me in school holidays mind..

I think the 'same' holiday we've just booked for £479 is £1499 the week before!
Now that IS expensive!

DrP

I'm going to go to centerparcs when we've got kids...quite looking forward to it rather than boring beach holidays.

Do they have Death Slides? Probably don't call them that anymore.

But in response to the OP, if we're going to pass judgement on someone you've barely met we need to know what he was wearing. Was he dressed in downhill gear with a full face helmet suitable for the flat paths of Centerparcs?

Do they have Death Slides? Probably don't call them that anymore.

They do, well a death water slide anyway (Nottingham), but only for little kids to play, I was gutted when I was told I was too big the cheek!

Do they have Death Slides? Probably don't call them that anymore.

The longleat one has a zip wire - but you have to pay extra to go on it.
The water slides in the pool are pretty good.

Went there with my folks when I was a tiddler. Mum and Dad said we were gonna hire bikes and "go for a nice cycle", me and sis were unimpressed with the idea of not being in the pool. Maw and Paw got two dreadful mudguarded and chainbathed Dutch style heaps, me and sis got BMXs. About 100 yards into the "nice cycle" we came across a BMX track and me and sis shot in (with cries of "we can look at that on the way back, you two!" drifting after us) and wouldn't leave! 😆

Didn't meet "too many ignorant, arrogant fellow human beings"

You went on a good week. I used to repair those BSO's many eons ago, the quality of the guest varied a lot week to week, high season southern c$%^s were a total pain. Best weeks are scottish school holidays when English are at school, brilliant people all week.

As for the rest of this anything good will get stolen, lock it inside (and use the shower to clean it!) Oh and sherwood pines isn't the only local place to ride, there are loads of other local routes that are better, and when you finish those remember you are only 45 mins from Derbyshire.

the quality of the guest varied a lot week to week, high season southern c$%^s were a total pain. Best weeks are scottish school holidays when English are at school, brilliant people all week.

That's maybe the advantage of going to Whinfell. Pleasant northern folks, Geordies and Jocks, rather than ghastly southerners with their big city ways 😀

I'm going to go to centerparcs when we've got kids...quite looking forward to it rather than boring beach holidays.

So now we're slagging off beach holidays? Surprisingly good fun with little kids - though I guess it does help if you windsurf or kayak (or some other sport best done on the sea) so you get some benefit out of it.

the quality of the guest varied a lot week to week, high season southern c$%^s were a total pain. Best weeks are scottish school holidays when English are at school, brilliant people all week.

That's maybe the advantage of going to Whinfell. Pleasant northern folks, Geordies and Jocks, rather than ghastly southerners with their big city ways

as good Scots we are going in October school week, but Whinfell prices with this in mind, so same accomodation at Sherwood same week is over £300 less for us.....