Looking for some feedback from MTBers Options

[traceymac]

Hi everyone,
Sorry I've been MIA since joining, been off sick but I'm back in the saddle and getting caught up with everything that's piled up. I am really grateful that so many of you took the time to give me your feedback.

I've replied personally to some of you but I work part time so I'm limited but I am thankful to all of you for your comments. The common themes seem to be that the trip is too long and too expensive, particularly when compared to comparable trips to the Alps. I have passed all your comments on to the business involved. They currently offer fishing trips but it is clear that the needs of fishermen and mountain bikers are very different and I'm sure they'll take that on board.

The businesses I work with are very keen to make sure that when mountain bikers come here they get the kind of services they need so if any of you has the time to look at our website and share your thoughts that would be very much appreicated.

Please accept my apologies for being invisible for so long, I'll do my best to keep up to date with everyone who offers their help.
Thanks again, traceymac

Hi everyone,
I work for a network of tourism businesses which provide goods and services to MTBers who come to the 7stanes â€â€œ well the five in Dumfries and Galloway anyway.
The businesses are always looking for new ways to provide things that mountain bikers want and last year one of them tried to run a 7stanes challenge. They were offering all in 2/3 accommodation, food, transport to and from each of the 7stanes over the course of a week at a cost of £890.
Despite lots of effort marketing the challenge it wasn’t successful and we’d like to know why. I’d be really grateful if you could give me any ideas about what kind of package could offer that would work for mountain bikers.
We want to make Dumfries and Galloway a great place for MTBers to come and all help will be very gratefully received.
Cheers, Tracey

[Rod]

For me personally, I just see neigh on £1000 and think "STREWTH"

I don't know what exacly you offered but to pay such a sum for a weeks "hobbying"... well I just can't afford it.
If you then factor in entry fees and fuel to Scotland and perhaps a bevvy or two then the week would cost Way over £1000.

I'd love for you to be able to make a living from my chosen pass-time but I'd need to be spending a lot less to be honest.

I might be able to do a weekend (2 or 3 days) for £150 but that's about all I could justify to myself (and my belove'ed)

Just thought I'd add it up

Say:
£80 for fuel from N.Wales @ 40 mpg

£40 PPPN B & B
£15 PPPPD food and drink

so a guestimate of £55 per day = £330 for 6 nights

So not knowing the full set-up I'd ask the question to yourself... what is it you are offering for an extra £93 per day? (based on 6 night stay)

I guess some peeps on here go abroad for a week for a similar sum?


All the best,
Rod


'Course... my figures could be well out here cuz I haven't taken my socks off or I haven't factored in something else?????

[bazza]

I'd rather spend £900 getting me+bike out to the Alps!!
Last time we did it, the chalet cost us about £250/each, the flights were £140/ret and the transfer was 50eur. For 10-11 days.
I'm guessing that total spend for an Alps trip (beer+food not included) was much less than £900/person.

For me, it's not the money. It's the terrain. For £900 I want some amazing terrain. And if I can get cable-cars and chair-lifts as well, more's the better.

Also, I've worked in retail since '99, and I think the answer to this issue falls under the following golden rule of retail: Something is only worth what someone is prepared to pay.
So, I'm guessing that costs were worked out, and that a half decent profit was added on top, and then the total sum was arrived at.
Well, sadly that number is too much above the estimate we prospective customers have in our heads.

I guess the question should be: What would you expect to pay for a week riding the 7stanes?
For me, the answer would be: £350-450 (depending on package, food+drink not included).


But, to be perfectly honest, I've got a buddy that lives 60secs from the trailhead at Dalbeattie!!
I travel up by train to Dumfries, and he comes and gets me, and I get free accommodation.
So, I'm afraid that no matter what the price/offer is, I'm out (as the Dragons say!)

Tip: Traceymac, you need to take your thirsty MTB'ers to the micro-brewery in Castle Douglas. I've never had a bad pint in there!

[jes]

Someone was asking the same question about the Welsh trail centres.
My general answer was directed at facilities/infrastructure and competing with resorts in main land Europe or even Canada.

First point would be cost, £890 seems a lot and you still need to travel there (6 hours from the Midlands).

Pretty sure the trip to the Alps/Chatel didn't cost that much
For a party of 8 travelling in two Vehicles.

Accomodation - £225 half board
Fuel/Tolls - £150
Chunnel - £ 50
6 day lift pass - £100
Food/beer - £240

Total - £765 I've rounded up a lot so could be even less

Awsome chalet, with bike storage and cleaning facilities.
Hot tub, BBQ, media area with wifi
Shuttle bus to lift complex
Massive variety of runs (DH, XC dh etc) at each resort and superb infrastructure.
Great weather

I think Austria/Salbbach the year before was even cheaper even with hotel accommodation.

Although the area has great trails I am not sure it has the same intrastructure as the alps.
I would probably be expecting at least 10 -14 day holiday for this price.

[snaps]

Yep thats expensive, but I think the transport might be something that pushes the price up - most of the visitors will have driven up & could manage their own travel making the cost less.
My riding trips away this year have been 10 days in the Alps (9 of us sharing travel/accom) for £460, a week in the Lake district (12 of us sharing) for £290 & a couple of three day trips to Wales for about £140 each

[Mad Pierre]

We usually visit the area a couple of times a year as a large group for 3 or 4 days at a time.

As most people do we sort ourselves out - book some B&B or self catering, drive ourselves, eat out at pubs or get take aways. This is obviously far cheaper than a fully organised package.

If you want to offer a package it must have something extra special to differentiate it from what people can organise themselves far cheaper. The extra must add some sort of "value" that will make people want to buy it.

Also remember that for most people biking is "a weekend away with the lads" (not being sexist - its just the way it is for the majority) and so needs to be on a tighter budget than the "family holiday" / "holiday with partner" / other committments away from the hobby.

[jes]

If you want to offer a package it must have something extra special to differentiate it from what people can organise themselves far cheaper. The extra must add some sort of "value" that will make people want to buy it.

Spot on

[The Saint]

Targeting it at UK folks £890 is a lot of money, as all have said we can go to the Alps for a week for less.

When I have been north of the border for a ride it has usually been for three or four days over a weekend. Usually a couple of days around Dumfries then over to Peebles. Usually Camping or in the Pod things, to keep costs down.

However perhaps your focus should be on encouraging our continental neighbours to visit what Scotland has to offer.

[martyn748]

£890

Alps, uplifts, 100s of runs, great beer & food, prob better weather. And about the same tavel time too.

Or

Scotland, some uplifts, 1/2 the trails, midges, bound to rain, Same beer/food, crappy uk roads for 10 hours

About £600 then would be a serious contender.

[bazza]

[stuff]

Spot on.

[Will Hart]

£890?

Thats nearly as much as I paid for my bike and more than my Family summer holiday cost last year!

Most Mountainbikers are normal people with families jobs and other responsibilities.

One of the joys of biking is that once you have shelled out for a bike and helmet it won't cost you too much to go and have fun.

If an average Mountain Biker does find himself with some spare cash they will either buy a new bike OR go on a serious once ina lifetime, (or at least once a year) Mountain Bike adventure.

It is likely that a family holiday would need to be fitted in around such a trip, so places like the Alps, Gran Canaria or Spain all have amazing Mountain Bike experiences with resorts and other activities for families to enjoy.

I imagine it would be a VERY limited few people who would be able to blow £900 on a week in Scotland no matter how good the riding is!

[jedi]

i'm off to glentress and inners again in november
travel £150
b+b 40 pppn
food £80
beer £700

see nearly the same

[Rod]

well. pretty good indication of feeling there I'd say?
Cost / value vs riding experience don't add tally and who has £900 to blow on themselves anyway? Especially if they can do it at 1/2 - 2/3 the cost.
It currently makes no fiancial sence to have what amounts to a taxi @ £90 a day. (from the info provided)

The more cynical amongst us might even think this was an attempt at advertising your venture, especially as you joined our group, left this and appear to have "done one"

However please come back and give me / us a further insight in to your business plans and details of what you are able to offer so peeps might proffer some suggestions for improvement.

Rod

[jes]

beer £700

I hate when you have to cut back on essentials ..................... just takes the edge off a good break

[jedi]

jes, sacrifices have to be made

[MrComputerSaint]

One thing that could be added would be on the last day, or at the last trail of each day then have a race to see who can do the fastest time and the winner at the end gets a cool prize.

£900 is a lot of money and I've never spent £900 on a holiday

[Doug]

£900 = Fortnight in the Alps

One thing that could be added would be on the last day, or at the last trail of each day then have a race to see who can do the fastest time and the winner at the end gets a cool prize.

Would put me straight off, I won't pay a premium so for a chance at winning a prize when the money could go towards another holiday.

[Kerr]

[Doug]

Link removed Kerr. Just negative press unless they really are interested in what we think.

[Rod]

Link removed Kerr. Just negative press unless they really are interested in what we think.

Oooow, now then, the mind boggles as I type.


R d