[Closed] Cwmcarn alternatives .

My default answer to this kinda q is Blaengarw, but nobody ever listens to me so I'm not gonna bother 😁😁

How about a day out in Barry? I've heard it's a shithole this time of year.

BPW or BMCC?

Flyup 417 in cheltenham would involve less driving for you....

Rob Hilton tell me more, Northwind BPMC? Don't have the kahunas for Fly Up 😢

I've not ridden at Cwmcarn this year, what is open/closed at the minute?

Rob Hilton tell me more

About Barry??

OK. It's a town in the Vale of Glamorgan and has a *really* ropey theme park.

And some chip shops.

I'm sure you'll love it.I

Blaengarw OTOH has but 2 trails.

Blue is a piece of piss and can be done in 10 mins if you're awesome (like me). It's much fun!

The black is the same distance but takes me about 5 times longer to get round as the climbing is steep and nadgery and the descending is pretty tricky in places. The second toughest trail centre black I've come across (in terms of need for ability).

I loves it there!

There's no actual centre and houses are cheap for a reason, but the locals are some of the friendliest I've met in a depressed Welsh town. I've spent much time in Wales in my life, too.

Disclaimer: I have never been to Barry. I reckon I never will.

I’ve not ridden at Cwmcarn this year, what is open/closed at the minute?

Not much, the forest is currently on fire.

Flyup 417 doesn’t need kahunas - even compared to cwmcarn. The blue isntwisty with some rollers but nothing a beginner couldn’t get down. The new red has loads of big tabletops - they’re all rollable. Couple of sort of drops but again you probably could roll them I think.

The original red has 3 options as you go down it I think. For the most part it’s not too bad - there are lots of drops and 2 rock gardens but none of them are big and all are rollable.

The black isn’t even that bad apart from one road gap type jump that you can go around (incertainly went round it). There are 2 steep chutes that look intimidating but they’re actually easy.

You also have a 4x track and dual slalom to play on, and there a nice smooth indoor pump track you can pay to use.

It’s easier overall than bike Park Wales. I haven’t been to BMCC (black mountain Cycle Centre) yet but going in a few weeks time. I’m expecting that to be harder than Flyup 417.

A couple of YouTube videos from Friday I took at Flyup 417. These are the new red with rollable tabletops and the older red with what I think is the rockiest option down. Ignore my lack of speed or skill - it gives you an idea of some of the trails.

The blue is basically twistier and less rocky and quite enjoyable too.

new red:

Original red:

How about 2 days at FOD? If you explore the off-piste there's loads to fill two days.  Then you can spend the driving time in the Fountain drinking beer.

Wentwood is an option. Just up the road and will be riding well in this weather. You'll need a bit of navigation to follow the trails as it isn't a trail centre. Or as above, do the off piste FoD, again the dry weather will help there.

I would spend the time at FoD exploring.  You cloud ride there for a week or two and not do the same off piste trail twice.

I could easily enjoy two days in FoD.  A day at Flyup417 or BikePark Wales would make a nice contrast though and there is no need to find the whole uplift thing intimidating, there are trails for all levels even me.

There is an uplift at FoD but I'm not sure what state those trails will be in after this dry spell.  Part of their charm is their rooty naturalness and they may be even rougher right now.

Would imagine the DH at FOD would be ok, but quite bumpy at the moment. I’d prefer that to doing the DH runs when it’s muddy though - by miles! The uplift at FOD is run by Flyup as well - did it once a few years ago and it was pretty efficient. Just avoid GBU if you do that and you aren’t liking tricky technical trails or take it steady down it. There are a couple of tricky drops.

Thanks all , interesting stuff , so 2 questions , is there enough at Fly Up for a day or alternatively how easy is it to find the off piste stuff at FOD ? I like the cut of Timidwheelers jib ! 🤠

I'd agree with those above- 417 is easy to ride and rolable, just depends how much you chose to push (as always). There's chicken lines around everything too.

I'd say there's enough there for a day. A run takes around 2:15-3mins then its waititng for the uplift, or pushing up. There's lots of little things to session and practice on to get right. I got around 14 runs in with the uplift, but I was knackered at the end. As said, nice contrast to FOD. It's a compact site, with other bits there and the Cafes good too. I personally preffer it to Cwmcarn, but FODs better.

Blaengarw OTOH has but 2 trails.

The black is the same distance but takes me about 5 times longer to get round as the climbing is steep and nadgery and the descending is pretty tricky in places. The second toughest trail centre black I’ve come across (in terms of need for ability).

I loves it there!

Disclaimer: I have never been to Barry. I reckon I never will.

I’ve only ridden Blaengarw a few times - your description is spot on. The trouble is that the trails are soooo short. It’s hardly worth driving there. (Although probably Cwm Rhaeadr is about the same length, and further away from me and I’m happy to drive there... 🤔 )

You're also right about Barry. My wife decided we needed to go there for some random reason. Chavtastic!

There’s enough at Flyup for a while day pretty much.  So much stuff to play on, plus the pump track. I’m planning to get back there for a whole day uplift at some point later in the year hopefully.

Blue run there:

BMCC gets my vote, not been, but someone on here posted a video and it looked awesome!

how easy is it to find the off piste stuff at FOD ?

Fairly easy.  I'll PM some info.