Forum menu
Brycey well put and that's the first time for a longtime I've seen such a persuasive point put forward
On cyb cafe. I remember it being utterly apalling when I first moved here. My non-biking missus had the nerve to ask where her food was and they just stared and walked off. I thin it took circa 30mins and there were only two other tables occupied at that earlier hour. Haven't bothered since.
I'm not Alan Sugar but that smells like BUSINESS FAIL and YOU'RE FIRED.
😆
Iirc it was actually Arthur Philips who had the business there first but it wasn't until the hub that it really took off as a centre. Maybe the same will be true again and it could grow even further
For me, BIGGER =/= BETTER
Got to agree with you there Al. I'm not completely sure what bigger would give us here
cynic-al - Member
"For me, BIGGER =/= BETTER"
OK, but all other things being equal, big enough equals better than not big enough.
More investment on the trails, certainly on the red and especially on the black would be more important to me rather than full rrp (and more) bike kit at the trail head and expensive coffee / tea and soggy, oily carrot cake IMHO.
More investment on the trails, certainly on the red and especially on the black would be more important to me rather than full rrp (and more) bike kit at the trail head and expensive coffee / tea and soggy, oily carrot cake IMHO.
I suspect you're not the target audience though.
I remember GT before the hub. A guy took a survey in the car park and we asked for a basic cafe and some changing facilities and thats what we got. I wonder who asked for a shopping centre in the middle of the woods?
My only issue with the hub was the lack of competition. The new place will just be the same. Why not run both and let the punters choose where they want to spend their money?
My only issue with the hub was the lack of competition. The new place will just be the same. Why not run both and let the punters choose where they want to spend their money?
sadly that'll never happen, even i there were two options. Find me any ski (closest thing to a trail centre imo) resort in the world with reasonably cheap food and I may change my mind
Bigger - perhaps we could sit inside when its busy?
You must remember this new centre is not just aimed at the MTBers but at walkers, birdwatchers, horseriders as well.
It's progress, I guess.
I live just up the road in Edinburgh, and used to go to GT all the time, and loved it. I don't think I've been down in the last few years just because it's a PITA to get to without a car (riding down is quite a chore) and it always seems pretty busy.
As for the Hub, their food was always pretty good but tbf I'd eat pretty much anything after a ride, and I always thought the cafe was a bit on the pricey side.
So who do we reckon is in the frame for it then?
Tiso / Alpine Bikes perhaps?
Aside from the mawkish sentiment shown towards the current owners, the reality is that the current set up is basic, the food about average and IME not that friendly.
People get sentimental about cafes and 'in scene' hang-outs such as the Stoney Middelton climbers cafe, Pete's Eats Llanberis, Clachaig Inn, Glencoe etc... The reality is if the external experience at these places was removed they would be regarded as average, or worse, places to eat, drink and relax.
I may be in a minority but I think that the new development is exciting. Scotland needs to up its game across all sorts of tourism and leisure experiences, the team at Aonach Mor are trying big style to improve, why shouldn't Glentress.
I fully support the idea of more competition - better to let the hub stay and fight it out with the new place, would make both try harder.
I also second the argument that it's the trails that should be extended and improved. If Costa, Starbucks and MacDonalds are prepared to give loads of cash for trail development, maintenance and improvement, let them in.....
I stand by for burning at the stake!
Dobbies!
my two penneth.............when the old cafe was open at cyb, i used it everytime i went, either with the blokes riding, or with the family whilst holidaying.
when the new one over the road opened, i used that too, but after a couple of very annoying and crap experiences i now take my own fodder when i go to cyb.
i have always used the cafe at the hub...............i just hope this does not go the same way as the one at cyb.
Cynic-al, my work hires cabins. Think they're about £30/week if you haggle, and you can keep them as long or short as you like. I wasn't suggesting they built a high-rise.
The 7 Stanes are not independantly profitable sites. There has been considerable concern on here about the current governments plans for the forest estate.
Think this through people, you are not going to get cheap subsidised riding, top class facilities and the cafe of your choice any longer without some financial input coming in from somewhere. Personally, if the Cafe at CYB or GT is the cost of keeping the venue in the FC's hands rather than seeing the whole site sold off to some investor, then whilst I sympathise with the current lease holders, I can actually live it. Regretably on its own I very much doubt if the change regarding the cafe will be enough on its own to defer the inevitable though.
G - Member............... There has been considerable concern on here about the current governments plans for the forest estate.
Only in England. The Scottish situation is different
The FC are building a new centre there - with a 200 cover restaurant - quite a step up methinks and a desire to see bigger numbers there. None of this is secret.
leffeboy - Member
Iirc it was actually Arthur Philips who had the business there first but it wasn't until the hub that it really took off as a centre. Maybe the same will be true again and it could grow even further
Gosh, theres a blast from the past. Arthur was also responsible for waymarking the original trails at GT/tweed valley. I wonder what happened to him. Interestingly I doubt many people will remember him and his place in GT development, but he was certainly responsible for prompting the FC to start to develop the GT MTB trails.
Only in England. The Scottish situation is different
I think you will find that running at a loss has the same ultimate outcome whereever it happens, especially when Sugar Daddy is out of candy.
G - MemberI think you will find that running at a loss has the same ultimate outcome whereever it happens, especially when Sugar Daddy is out of candy.
In English for the hard of thinking?
Think this through people, you are not going to get cheap subsidised riding, top class facilities and the cafe of your choice any longer without some financial input coming in from somewhere.
That kind of sensible chat isn't going to get you far!
Like it or not, these kind of facilities are going to have to become at least slightly more self sufficient. They need to start generating money, although I doubt they will ever run at a profit. None of us will be forced to use it, and if other riders do, and thereby keep the trails open for all of us for a minimal parking charge, then I can live with it..
Ps I'm a huge fan if the current set up, but the writing is on the wall unfortunately.
G - Member
"I think you will find that running at a loss has the same ultimate outcome whereever it happens, especially when Sugar Daddy is out of candy."
"Sugar daddy" 🙄 GT and places like it make great financial sense, any government that can't understand that a lossmaking attraction brings greater benefit to the surrounding area is doomed basically. It's cheap at twice the price.
DrT - Memberleffeboy - Member
Iirc it was actually Arthur Philips who had the business there first but it wasn't until the hub that it really took off as a centre. Maybe the same will be true again and it could grow even furtherGosh, theres a blast from the past. Arthur was also responsible for waymarking the original trails at GT/tweed valley. I wonder what happened to him. Interestingly I doubt many people will remember him and his place in GT development, but he was certainly responsible for prompting the FC to start to develop the GT MTB trails.
I remember selling bikes to Arthur Phillips from Williamson's in Stockbridge and helping test out trails with him at GT and Innerleithen with Phil Williamson.
and then the glaciers came along and they had to start again?
Has anyone mentioned Carron Valley yet?
( 😉 JOKE for marty [i]et al[/i] )
You have Kit, so what do you think you know?
That is also a joke as we all know you know nothing about CV.
If mcds was involved I wouldn't ride there as my son might learn to associate burgers with exercise ..........................yep I know about their involvement with football.
You have Kit, so what do you think you know?That is also a joke as we all know you know nothing about CV.
*bites tongue...
What is all this CV chat I keep seeing on here? I presume you mean Carron Valley? What's all the fuss about - must've missed this chat from the depth of my snowy cave! Someone want to rake over old coals and enlighten the rest of us? (or am I the only one not in the know?)
What is all this CV chat I keep seeing on here? I presume you mean Carron Valley? What's all the fuss about - must've missed this chat from the depth of my snowy cave! Someone want to rake over old coals and enlighten the rest of us? (or am I the only one not in the know?)
Fill yer boots
http://www.carronvalley.org.uk/
aaahhhh - now I understand - lots of light reading on there!
wgas
I recommend that they speak to ian at the drop off though.
Ian is leaving the Drop Off (at least at the Glyncorrwyg centre) as apparently he's fed up of the current landlord (who isn't the FC). If you're suggesting that Emma and Tracey could run their business out of a bus, I'm not entirely convinced.
I'm not suggesting they run their business from a bus. A big boat would be nicer.
But Ian has done well to last this long, and will be very aware of the issues of tenancy and rights etc as he has had some success with it so I understand.
He seem to remember that he got an extension on the tenancy against the landlord's wishes, but I think he has had enough. I'm sure Emma and Tracey will have taken legal advice and know their rights anyway.
all this talk of competition is silly
as someone else pointed out go skiing and try and find a reasonable priced anything on the slopes, no matter how many cafes are up the mountain
the hub may not be aldi cheap but the foods good enough and tracy and emma have put loads back into the sport,
taking those wee nippers up the freeride course should surely impress anyone whos passionate about mtbing
i use the hub knowing full well that i could have saved money by taking my own sarnies but im happy to pay them because i can see the good theyve done for GT and mtbing
I'm sure Emma and Tracey will have taken legal advice and know their rights anyway.
I'm sure you're right. I was only trying to help!
You should know better than that. 😉
hora:
If mcds was involved I wouldn't ride there as my son might learn to associate burgers with exercise ..........................yep I know about their involvement with football.
Cheers for the [s]morning[/s] afternoon chuckle Hora.
I think what has upset most people is that Emma & Tracey are fundamentally responsible for Mountain biking in Scotland as its is known today. They sent the benchmark for everywhere else. The thought of losing thier input, knowledge and experience to many of us is devastating. By bikers for Bikers. No-one wants to loose that.
[url= http://www.wellbeing-solutions.co.uk/mountain-biking/glentress-emma-tracey-vs-forestry-commission ]Emma & Tracey Vs Forestry Commission[/url]
kennwallacehpc
Thats bit OTT. Their input at Glentress has been good for sure and it is a shame they have not got the tender. However it is time to move on. Cold damp portacabins with not enough seating just don't cut it any more. The new centre is aimed at more than the hard core of MTBers. Glentress is an internationally renowned centre for MTBing - it needs a new centre and cafe.
Tehre is a lot more to MTBing that trail centres you know - some would say that real mtbing is not hap0pening at Glentress - that is the sanitised variety.
This off your link is just stupid and ruins your credibility
Our world of the rough and rugged outdoors is now likely to be slowly sanitised and wrapped in cotton wool as the bureaucrats run riot in the name of Health & Safety and Profit, ultimately unweaving the very fabric of why such a place exists.