08/05/2023
Thanks for the Journey, it’s been a blast!
We have loved operating here at Dare Valley, and have to say a massive thanks to both our team and all the customers who have supported us over the last 2 years.
We never expected to be operating in Aberdare. We were asked to step in at the last minute by the council, after their original operator decided it wasn’t the right opportunity a few weeks before the bike park was due to open. We stepped in because we felt we could really help establish a great family bike park at the heart of the community. This has always been the core objective in everything we have set out to achieve; from setting up the kids club, running grass-roots kids races and developing the range of events on offer.
It made that first summer really tough – we were only able to open the doors in mid-August, meaning most of the busy summer period had already been lost.
Contrary to what has been said by RCT, we made a significant capital expenditure, not in the trail network, but in the infrastructure required to run a successful bike park.
We were very clear from the day that we took on the park that there needed to be development of the product and trails on offer to ensure a sustainable business. For 2 years we have pushed for a skills and coaching area at the bottom of the hill, and a small development of the trail network to better meet the needs of the family and beginner MTB market.
After 18 months of pushing and identifying possible funding sources we were told in December that ‘there was no political will’ to develop the trail network any further.
We were disappointed, and very open with the council in February that we couldn’t see how the park could work commercially - and that we didn’t think we could stay on site past the end of this summer, but were very surprised to find in March that they had appointed a new operator and didn’t even want to give us 3 months notice to finishing operating on the site!
We were able to employ up to 10 local staff, lead by Will, Mathew and Rhian, and we will forever be grateful for their efforts. The site is what it is because of the efforts of this small but amazing team.
We are really disappointed that RCT shared private commercial and some non-factual information that found its way into the public domain, but appreciate all their support over the previous 18 months. We wish them all the best with continuing to operate a top notch, family focused, gravity bike park.
We really hope the park can build on the strong foundations we have put in place and continue to be a great introductory venue for mountain biking for the local community.
Gareth, Ian and the team at Pedalabikeaway.
