BikePark Wales Accommodation - any recommendations?

[JQ]

We're planning on heading to BikePark Wales in the summer for a boys weekend away - 6 to 8 middle aged blokes staying Friday and Saturday night.

We're not really that bothered about the standard of accommodation, but a good location near to pubs / restaurants would top of the list of priorities, and somewhere secure to store the bikes.

Does anyone have any recommendations, as none of us have been there before - we tend to normally do the Lake District or North Wales?

Many thanks

[TwistingMyMelon]

We did similar in November 8 blokes in Wales, we were further East on Hereford border .

We booked a cottage on Air BnB, was great , amazing property, could leave bikes in house, slept 8 and was about £40 each for 8 of us 3 nights.

I would get on air bn b and see whats available

[FurryExocet]

I'm off there on the 21st Jan, just for the day. Sorry to hi jack the thread, but what stuff do people take with them?
Fingers crossed it'll be a good day and we'll go again in the summer

[JQ]

Cheers.

I must admit I always struggle making AirBnB work for me. All the ones in the locality are more expensive than B & B at Premier Inn Merthyr, where you'll get an unlimited full English / Welsh breakfast both mornings. I can understand the appeal of having your own living room, but in all honesty when we're not biking we'll be in the pub, so it's of little use to us. I'm wondering if there's anything better than the Premier Inn, as I suspect storing the bikes could be an issue? We've stay in Betwes-y-Coed a few times in a bunkhouse attached to a pub, which is perfect.

[sjg]

There's a few lodges listed at https://www.bikeparkwales.com/accommodation-near-b... which could work for 6-8 people.

It's usually just 2 or 3 of us so we tend to stay in the Premier Inn. They are very used to people taking bikes in their rooms and don't mind at all. 30 min stroll or £5 taxi into town from there.

[Ian_sUK]

We're cheap so do the travelodge, they have no problem with bikes in the room. Pub and a few other restaurants next to it. Never dared venture into town

[JQ]

Ian_sUK said:

Never dared venture into town

That's half the fun for us. Definitely going to see what Merthyr has to offer! One of our best biking nights out remains a banging night out in Peel, Isle of Man - which we didn't expect.

Sounds like Premier Inn is the best option, will give that a go.

Out of interest is it possible to cycle from the Premier Inn to BPM - looking on Google it looks like a rather fast narrow A road is the only route?

Any hints or tips regarding a trip to BPW?

[sjg]

JQ said:

That's half the fun for us. Definitely going to see what Merthyr has to offer! One of our best biking nights out remains a banging night out in Peel, Isle of Man - which we didn't expect.

Sounds like Premier Inn is the best option, will give that a go.

Out of interest is it possible to cycle from the Premier Inn to BPM - looking on Google it looks like a rather fast narrow A road is the only route?

Any hints or tips regarding a trip to BPW?

The prices in the Wetherspoons are from another decade - guest ales down at £1.70 a pint or so.

Not really recommended to cycle, mostly because it's a big hill up to the A470 roundabout then another long uphill drag from there to the centre itself. I believe there's a link trail from the Taff Trail (that goes from Cardiff to Brecon, and passes through Merthyr) although you'd still have a lot of height to gain straight after a Premier Inn breakfast!

The info and videos on the BPW cover it pretty well. Take and wear what you're comfortable with - if that's a full face and pads that's fine, if it's your usual XC/trail wear then that's fine too. Their trails are harder than most places - BPW blues are like reds elsewhere, and BPW reds need you to be comfortable with things like un-rollable drops. Start with at least one blue (they're all fun) and work up. It's (surprisingly) hard work, eat and drink properly. Most runs bring you back to the uplift bus stop, which isn't that close to the centre and car park, so I usually keep basic tools and a bit of food/water on me or the bike.

[P-Jay]

If you want cheap and easy stay in the Travelodge and leave your bike in your room. Merthyr is better than a few years ago, but it's still a rough former mining town.

If you want a night of binge drinking, pole dancers, vomit and kebabs stay in Cardiff 30 mins south, it's not all like that of course, but stag parties at BPW usually stay in The 'Diff for the party nights.

If you want lovely scenery and quiet nice surroundings Brecon is 30 mins north.

[Minnsy]

When we go to Afan we stay here... http://www.windways.co.uk/

Probably about 50 mins to BPW...

And 2 mins to Afan!

[vonhoolio]

we stayed on a campsite (the closest)....in a flood, on a hillside....
it was grim and it ruined the days riding. Get a B&B...lol

[Vantagemech]

[schuey]

We stay here,it's spot on for a biking trip,run by a nice couple who live next door,decent breakfast and lovely clean place,plus you can put your bike in the living room and wash it out back. Wise move as it's a bit of a shady looking town to be leaving them in the car! 5 mins from the bike park and the premier inn where there is a half decent pub restaurant.


http://www.twintrails.co.uk

[JQ]

Vantagemech said:

Brilliant. I must admit we are contemplating booking a room at the Travel Lodge just for the bikes, at £6 per head it doesn't seem unreasonable.

[Vantagemech]

Premier Inn let you take clean bikes into the room. Think the room was £30 a night back in November. Plus there's a good restaurant next door.

[dogbucket]

I used the Travelodge which is in the retail park so good for resturants etc.

I didnt ask about taking the bike in as it was still very muddy even after washing it at BPW, so left it covered up in the car.

[jimmy7]

I've never stayed there but been exploring options myself. This places seems to tick a lot of boxes for me:

http://www.twintrails.co.uk/

[downhillmalins]

We always stay at the Treganna Hotel in Merthyr - walking distance to the pubs and bars in town. We always go out in Merthyr when we are at BPW.. if you are after a proper Merthyr Tyfdil night out get yourself to Coolers night club, you'll see stuff in there you won't be able to un-see!

Edited by downhillmalins on Thursday 19th January 13:43

[crashley]

jimmy7 said:

I've never stayed there but been exploring options myself. This places seems to tick a lot of boxes for me:

http://www.twintrails.co.uk/

We stayed there last year and she (the owner) was lovely. Cooked a decent breakfast, was really friendly. Roadside parking was fine, despite initial nervousness. We ventured to the local pub, around 5min walk. All a bit weird but they had cold beer and a darts table. We also ate at the nearest Indian - DO NOT, whatever you do, do that - it was crap.

[JQ]

downhillmalins said:

if you are after a proper Merthyr Tyfdil night out get yourself to Coolers night club, you'll see stuff in there you won't be able to un-see!

That sounds right up our street, cheers for the recommendation.