MTB Accomodation Ideas/Market Research
Discussion
All,
I'm looking to develop some accommodation facilities at my cottage for MTBers coming into South Wales, who want to ride Brechfa/Afan/Glyncorrwg/Cwmcarn/Margam areas, as I am in the middle of them all. I ride each of these areas regularly.
What sort of facilities do people expect. I intend stand alone self catering (but could be B&B), with room for around 6 people with bike workshop included.
What do people pay/get/expect for their money?
Cheers
I'm looking to develop some accommodation facilities at my cottage for MTBers coming into South Wales, who want to ride Brechfa/Afan/Glyncorrwg/Cwmcarn/Margam areas, as I am in the middle of them all. I ride each of these areas regularly.
What sort of facilities do people expect. I intend stand alone self catering (but could be B&B), with room for around 6 people with bike workshop included.
What do people pay/get/expect for their money?
Cheers
I wouldn't bother with a workshop but a level area where people can work on their bikes if they so wish would be good. An area to clean bikes. Secure bike storage - proper door and 'insurance approved' locks - with gound anchors. BBQ area. A shower/bath room per bedroom with plenty of hot water. Wifi connection. TV, DVD. Parking. Heating that works effectively. Drying room. Washing machine. Reasonable kitchen. Enough comfortable seating for the maximum amount of people you advertise you can accommodate. The same for eating.
his is the best place we've used in Wales, I'm loathed to post it up, is here http://www.glyn-yr-aur.com Brilliant, the only gripe is there's only (just when you're four plump guys) space to sit four people to eat around the breakfast bar.
his is the best place we've used in Wales, I'm loathed to post it up, is here http://www.glyn-yr-aur.com Brilliant, the only gripe is there's only (just when you're four plump guys) space to sit four people to eat around the breakfast bar.
MK1's got it pretty much nailed.
For me...
- comfy bed
- secure bike storage
- tools available but not massively fussed about workshop. Workstands would be cool to use.
- good food, wine, beer etc
- wifi
Maybe some secure storage so that people could leave valuables with you whilst they ride (laptop etc).
It's something I'd use actually as a 5 hour return drive in a day plus riding is getting a bit tiresome.
For me...
- comfy bed
- secure bike storage
- tools available but not massively fussed about workshop. Workstands would be cool to use.
- good food, wine, beer etc
- wifi
Maybe some secure storage so that people could leave valuables with you whilst they ride (laptop etc).
It's something I'd use actually as a 5 hour return drive in a day plus riding is getting a bit tiresome.
Edited by Rico on Friday 8th May 16:17
Steve UK said:
I would put secure bike storage high on the list, nicely organised not just an out room where everyone chucks there bikes on top of each other.
Somwhere to blag about how the older you get the faster you were
while drinking beer at the end of the day.
Good luck.
You've heard me blagging then?!Somwhere to blag about how the older you get the faster you were
while drinking beer at the end of the day.Good luck.
mk1fan said:
I wouldn't bother with a workshop but a level area where people can work on their bikes if they so wish would be good. An area to clean bikes. Secure bike storage - proper door and 'insurance approved' locks - with gound anchors. BBQ area. A shower/bath room per bedroom with plenty of hot water. Wifi connection. TV, DVD. Parking. Heating that works effectively. Drying room. Washing machine. Reasonable kitchen. Enough comfortable seating for the maximum amount of people you advertise you can accommodate. The same for eating.
Sounds reasonable to me, bike wash is the key thing, wet room where you can take off layers of muddy togs without crushing bits of Welsh forest into thick carpet is pretty important too!The only thing I would add (and this is possibly more for your own internal company consideration) is just where do you stand in terms of the bikes being insured while locked up on your property. The assumption being that the bikes would not be insured in which case you'd need to make this clear to your guests, perhaps a wee notice somewhere visible.
theboymoon said:
mk1fan said:
I wouldn't bother with a workshop but a level area where people can work on their bikes if they so wish would be good. An area to clean bikes. Secure bike storage - proper door and 'insurance approved' locks - with gound anchors. BBQ area. A shower/bath room per bedroom with plenty of hot water. Wifi connection. TV, DVD. Parking. Heating that works effectively. Drying room. Washing machine. Reasonable kitchen. Enough comfortable seating for the maximum amount of people you advertise you can accommodate. The same for eating.
Sounds reasonable to me, bike wash is the key thing, wet room where you can take off layers of muddy togs without crushing bits of Welsh forest into thick carpet is pretty important too!The only thing I would add (and this is possibly more for your own internal company consideration) is just where do you stand in terms of the bikes being insured while locked up on your property. The assumption being that the bikes would not be insured in which case you'd need to make this clear to your guests, perhaps a wee notice somewhere visible.
Insurance of gear would be dependent upon the on the fees I suppose. Are bikes insured in the places where you stay normally. They wouldn't in a B&B, but may be expected in an MTB specific place.
Local pubs help I 'spose?
It's also pretty easy to get here by train from London too. I could provide a pickup service from mainline.
Bed.
Sofa.
Small kitchen and kettle.
Shower.
Big shed/flat, dry, clean area to work on bikes.
Wet room to hang/dry kit.
No tools (they'll go missing/get broken, plus people should bring their own anyway), no wi-fi (I'd be wanting to get as far away from a computer as possible!), job's a good 'un. Easier/cheaper for you, cheaper for punters...sorted.
Sofa.
Small kitchen and kettle.
Shower.
Big shed/flat, dry, clean area to work on bikes.
Wet room to hang/dry kit.
No tools (they'll go missing/get broken, plus people should bring their own anyway), no wi-fi (I'd be wanting to get as far away from a computer as possible!), job's a good 'un. Easier/cheaper for you, cheaper for punters...sorted.
We take the bikes on holiday quite often. We don't choose where we stay on bike facillities per se, but the following would be nice-to-have:
1.Secure storage - this is the most important thing by far, for me.
2. Tools - no, I normaly bring my own, I mean, how much do you need, but a track pump would be useful.
3. Route guides - It would be nice to have some hand written notes on good routes that you know (your OP suggests that riders are coming to a specific, well known trail centre, but in general, some local knowledge would be good.
Hose pipe would be good. A few spare inner-tubes for people to buy/borrow/replace could be a nice touch.
Main thing is the storage.
1.Secure storage - this is the most important thing by far, for me.
2. Tools - no, I normaly bring my own, I mean, how much do you need, but a track pump would be useful.
3. Route guides - It would be nice to have some hand written notes on good routes that you know (your OP suggests that riders are coming to a specific, well known trail centre, but in general, some local knowledge would be good.
Hose pipe would be good. A few spare inner-tubes for people to buy/borrow/replace could be a nice touch.
Main thing is the storage.
I think you should be noticing a commonality between all the replies here, I see if i can make it more obvious -
- SECURE BIKE STORAGE! And remember that a Non-cyclists idea of 'secure' is very different to what my/them lot up theres idea of secure is.
- Wet room - literally just somewhere with a hard floor and some wooden benches, where you can dive in and strip off, and keep all the grubby s
te away, wash things etc... this could also double up as the workshop. Hosepipe, big stone sink etc useful in here.
Other than that, not a lot to add. Dont bother kitting out with tools, as thats money down the drain and not your problem.
All I would want would be basic cooking facilitis, good powerful hot showers, and good beds. i reckon the wifi would be cheap and very worthwhile too.
And of course, directions to nearest shop/pub, taxi numbers, nearest bike shop, etc etc.
Keep it simple, clean and good value.
- SECURE BIKE STORAGE! And remember that a Non-cyclists idea of 'secure' is very different to what my/them lot up theres idea of secure is.
- Wet room - literally just somewhere with a hard floor and some wooden benches, where you can dive in and strip off, and keep all the grubby s
te away, wash things etc... this could also double up as the workshop. Hosepipe, big stone sink etc useful in here. Other than that, not a lot to add. Dont bother kitting out with tools, as thats money down the drain and not your problem.
All I would want would be basic cooking facilitis, good powerful hot showers, and good beds. i reckon the wifi would be cheap and very worthwhile too.
And of course, directions to nearest shop/pub, taxi numbers, nearest bike shop, etc etc.
Keep it simple, clean and good value.
snotrag said:
I think you should be noticing a commonality between all the replies here, I see if i can make it more obvious -
- SECURE BIKE STORAGE! And remember that a Non-cyclists idea of 'secure' is very different to what my/them lot up theres idea of secure is.
- Wet room - literally just somewhere with a hard floor and some wooden benches, where you can dive in and strip off, and keep all the grubby ste away, wash things etc... this could also double up as the workshop. Hosepipe, big stone sink etc useful in here.
Other than that, not a lot to add. Dont bother kitting out with tools, as thats money down the drain and not your problem.
All I would want would be basic cooking facilitis, good powerful hot showers, and good beds. i reckon the wifi would be cheap and very worthwhile too.
And of course, directions to nearest shop/pub, taxi numbers, nearest bike shop, etc etc.
Keep it simple, clean and good value.
Got all the above, except the beds/cooking/ablutions bits. All secure, already remote monitired alarmed for my bikes.- SECURE BIKE STORAGE! And remember that a Non-cyclists idea of 'secure' is very different to what my/them lot up theres idea of secure is.
- Wet room - literally just somewhere with a hard floor and some wooden benches, where you can dive in and strip off, and keep all the grubby s
te away, wash things etc... this could also double up as the workshop. Hosepipe, big stone sink etc useful in here. Other than that, not a lot to add. Dont bother kitting out with tools, as thats money down the drain and not your problem.
All I would want would be basic cooking facilitis, good powerful hot showers, and good beds. i reckon the wifi would be cheap and very worthwhile too.
And of course, directions to nearest shop/pub, taxi numbers, nearest bike shop, etc etc.
Keep it simple, clean and good value.
All the suggestions are pointing me in the right direction. Cheers all.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff