What do you think of an Indoor MTB facility in Greater Manc?

dirtfactory

www.dirtfactory.org

Dirt Factory is a social enterprise that offers a unique indoor MTB/BMX experience for the people of Greater Manchester and further a field.

The idea is to cater for all types of off road riders and at different levels, e.g. beginner, itermediate and difficult, just like out door trail centres. Please check out our proposals and follow us on Facebook/Twitter, your support is important.

Thanks

cooldad

How far has this progressed beyond a website?

junglist_matty

WHY WHY WHY...... Did I ask why?

This is a REALLY stupid idea!

anj132

I would use something like that if it was local. I see it as something like http://www.the-track.co.uk but indoors. Would have to be maaahoosive though.

But seems a good idea to me.

Worsecase I'm sure you could sell that domain well in the Crud Catcher

milko9000

Sounds like Ray's, which is apparently real good.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/us/in ... .html?_r=0

bluechair84

So you're introducing a dirt jump spot in a city centre? I think this could be pretty cool. Low rates if in a run down and disused warehouse, no competition... you have to ask if there is actually a dj scene in a city centre, but the i-5 collonade in Seattle is a popular spot. Insurance would be your biggest problem. Offer training days too.

paul.skibum

milko9000 wrote:

Sounds like Ray's, which is apparently real good.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/us/in ... .html?_r=0

Yeah I was going to say the same thing - think there is another one out west somewhere that Pivot Cycles sponsor - in the right area I think they could be pretty popular - the track in cornwall looks great too not seen that before - good one for BMXers as the local council is pretty lame at doing stuff like that.

Bigchris

My opinion is anything mtb related added to any area can only be a good thing, get it going. Within say 8-10 miles of the centre there's not much, apart from Prestwich can be good for a buzz around. Saying that they are building a "world class" mtb course at Clayton vale.

looking at the website properly..it looks more like a indoor dirt jump kind of place, not my thing really, but am still all for it.

paul.skibum

Bigchris wrote:

My opinion is anything mtb related added to any area can only be a good thing, get it going. Within say 8-10 miles of the centre there's not much, apart from Prestwich can be good for a buzz around. Saying that they are building a "world class" mtb course at Clayton vale.

looking at the website properly..it looks more like a indoor dirt jump kind of place, not my thing really, but am still all for it.

What did you expect a covered trail centre?!

It would be good to see a bit of dirt jump, maybe a foam pit and ramps for people to try some bigger jumps without threat, a skills area with ladders, teeter totters, rock sections and so on, maybe a decent sized pump track?

Bigchris

Its only because i can't jump

It would be good though, would be a prime place to hone the skills. I would love a bash at a foam pit aswell. It's pretty hard to determine what the ground is like on the models.

Still though, how about a chill factor type mtb building

Not sure how you embed pictures but here.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tatasteelconstruction.com/file_source/Images_new/Construction/news_and_events/press%2520releases/release_images/chill_factor_bn.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en/news_and_events/press_releases/2008/kalzip_chill_factor&usg=__Z5KTLDYYWj8Ek_0_KMOaW7txmN8=&h=215&w=448&sz=13&hl=en&start=29&zoom=1&tbnid=Vty59Ca2LVflyM:&tbnh=61&tbnw=127&ei=GqZoUL_0HoeR0AXr1oDwCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dchill%2Bfactor%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1

paul.skibum

I suspect we'd be looking more at an old bus yard or warehouse rather than a purpose built and designed architectural landmark piece! Tried to find a link to the other US winter indoor mtb skills place but had no luck.

compo

Thing is, for the entry fee, which I presume there will be, you could get the train from Manchester out to the Peak District, Calder Valley, Delamere, Rivington...
Lots of different types of riding there too.

MTFU and don't cry when it rains

dirtfactory

Hi, thanks guys, your comments are very useful. I have tried to reply to as many points as possible below.


@cooldad, the business has progressed quite far, we believe in it and are going to give it everything to make it work. We will be applying for funding soon.

@junglist_matty, care to elaborate on your post, would love to hear your thoughts on why its a bad idea?

@anj132, good comparisson man, been to the track, awesome place, changed alot since i was there though from looking at the link. @bluechair84, @Bigchris, Dirt Factory intends to cater for everyone, so there will be some knarl and fun features but also there will be green, blue and red type features too - the aim is to provide a progressive facility - and yes with coaching if desired.

@Bigchris, In all honesty we can not say where its going to be because we dont know, but we have highlighted certain locations, around manchester city center would be cool.

@paul.skibum, You have hit the nail on the head. This is what we intend to provide.

Thanks, look forward to more responses, and if you know anybody who might be interested in something like this spread the word. Ta

Danny

Long_Time_Lurker

Good luck - it's one hell of a project you are undertaking and one that requires a fair bit of money and support.
You'll need a backer with deep pockets or a local authority with lots of empty warehouses.
Back in the day, we tried to get a indoor bmx/skate park going.
In the end we couldn't get the guaranteed attendance to justify it as a viable business (even to cover costs).

I hope that you have better luck that we did....
All the best.

Edit: Forgot to say - try to find sponsors and get support from bike companies/local bike dealers. You need to make sure that you are supported by the local community and from the riding community in general.

stubs

I wish you luck in raising the money anything to boost cycling is a good thing. However I dont think that sort of money is around at the moment now the National Lottery seems to be only paying for Opera Houses and the like.

BlueAdvocate

Bigchris wrote:

apart from Prestwich can be good for a buzz around.

Is that track in Philips Park Hall finished yet? Went over there a few months back but was work in progress. Reckon a few people will be relieved of their steeds at knifepoint once the Salford boys get wind.

As for BMX there is one in Heywood but outdoor

http://www.rochvalleyraiders.co.uk/About-Us---Location.html
http://www.moredirt.co.uk/trail/United-Kingdom_North-West/Heywood-BMX-Track/794/

Bigchris

Not been down for a couple of weeks, last time half the trails had been quite heavily damaged by the flood the other month. Still ridable just a few dodgy spots.

id imagine it will be a few weeks still before they properly open it. There were no signs up or out. Then there going to have to fix all the damage from the flood

appy

Sounds good to me

dirtfactory

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