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You're quite right every site is different, isn't that the point? Or would you rather have 20 exact copies of the exact same trail spread across the country. You should read the information that each site gives you (taking responsibility for your own safety), so that you understand the risks involved - it is essentially a people friendly version of a site specific risk assessment. If you turn up and ignore the safety information you can't hold the site responsible.
They've assessed what equipment you should bring for these trails. If a novice rider turns up on a hybrid or a 140mm trail bike which one do you think is less likely to result in an accident? The geometry, suspension, tyre's, dropped post (possibly) on the trail bike all aid in making the experience safer. The equipment is just one part of a bigger picture when it comes to visitor safety, you need to look at it as a whole not just focus on one bit.
BPW's own trail grading states the trails are not comparable to the same 'colour' trails at more XC type trail centers.
Of course it's the point (different paces being different!) and of course you ignore safety information at your own peril. And, as I've said before, an individual's safety is ultimately that individual's responsibility
But people may turn up thinking 'I've done the Blue at Swinley / Thetford, I'll be fine on the blue here'
Regarding a novice rider on a hybrid versus a 140mm rig - it's not so simple. On the face of it they'll be better off (safer) on the 140. However the hybrid would almost certainly require a lot of care with line choice and concentration. Conversely a 140mm may give them a false sense of 'security' lead to over confidence, excessive speed (for capability) and getting into a situation they can't recover from - result: crash, injury, etc.
A 'bigger' bike is not safer, per se. Sure I can ride faster on my Mojo than my fat bike. Ergo, more likely to have a serious crash, at speed, on the Mojo.
Edit: posted before seeing mark90's post above. Are we essentially saying that the colour gradings are useless across different centres and that they just grade the trails at that centre?
Are we essentially saying that the colour gradings are useless across different centres and that they just grade the trails at that centre?
Pretty much.
It's the same in the Alps too, red at one place is a lot easier/harder than red at anohter.
It's the same in the Alps too, red at one place is a lot easier/harder than red at anohter.
This exactly.
Just to chip in on earlier comments pedalling along all day with a mix of climbing & descents is very different than a dh/bpw style run where you are standing the whole time amd the level concentration / mental effort is mich higher. I'll be much more tired after a 1000m Alps descent (which may take 30-45 minutes) where I have hardly turned a pedal than an hour of bimbling along Hamprshire or Surrey singletrack. Also falling off is energy sapping as is worrying about falling off !
Healing vibes OP. We look forward to the "what new helmet" thread.
But people may turn up thinking 'I've done the Blue at Swinley / Thetford, I'll be fine on the blue here'
they might, but that's not BPW's responsibility.
people may turn up thinking 'I've done the Blue at Swinley / Thetford, I'll be fine on the blue here'
It's a relative measure of difficulty.
If I've done the blue at Swinley, I'm not automatically qualified to go and ride blues in North Vancouver.
I think the UK trail centre gradings in general are some of the easiest out there (the Canadian or NZ equivalents are frequently harder).
No ffer - check. Can be had for the price of the entry-fee.
No body-armour - check.
I'd done the red at Glentress quite a few times, think I did Spooky Woods on my first ever go at mountain biking.
Never fell off.
Went to Laggan and did the red. Fell off a lot.
Sometimes people have to learn the hard way about trail gradings not being consistent.
I remember going for an easy warm up on the red at Verbier bike park.
Despite being more than comfortable on the red at Thetford, I did find it a bit of a handful in the wet.
😀
The worst grading I've seen is the ones in Verbier..
Oh this? it's an easy blue...uh-huh, sure it is. 😯 😆
Different sort of fitness, that's why DHers train differently to XC riders! Strength endurance, particularly through the core and upper body, is what you need.
Totally get your point... was more a response to his comment that clearly i was unfit, rather than a specific type of fitness.
Aye, he's just suggesting you have matchstick arms and a flabby belly.
Aye, he's just suggesting you have matchstick arms and a flabby belly.
didn't think he'd met me !
The worst grading I've seen is the ones in Verbier..Oh this? it's an easy blue...uh-huh, sure it is.
Well I only crashed once on the blue, versus about seven times on the red.
Skills course.
Default STW answer, but true.
Makes you better at riding everywhere, including Bike Park Wales (I assume, having never been there).
Are we essentially saying that the colour gradings are useless across different centres and that they just grade the trails at that centre?
No useless, but are only a guide.
I could list greens in the Alps harder than some Reds in South Wales and any number of other strange and wonderful trails, sections and obstacles that seem to fly in the face of their grade.
If you just consider the 3 main obstacles Jumps, Rocks and Drops - some people love 2 of them, hate the 3rd some can do them all, some can only do 1 well and okay at the others etc. So to an individual one black trail might be easier than a blue because it's the right mix of features they like.
You've just got to 'look before you leap' and not ride on flat out and blind into a trail because you think it's a grade or two below where your skill level is at.
The last time I was at BPW, which was the 1st time on my mtb for about 6 months I had 2 crashes, first was due to my mate having a panic brake going into a drop and me crashing into him, the second was the classic - last bus, hammering the blue after Hot Stepper and then having a big off over the bars and straight into the ground. I was so pleased I had a full face on as it (and my casio g-shock - an smart watch would not have done the job :wink:) too the full impact. My knee pads and my sternum, which broke - I think, took the rest of the stop.
I honestly thought something serious was broken - probably time to take on board the "stop if you're tired" messages next time!
A broken Sternum is painful!