Recce trip - Friday 16th January 2009

We had our first steering group recce around parts of Somerset and started off in West Coker. It was falling into dis-repair, the ground of the track was terrible and was a bad example of a BMX track. We can't believe that they have a steering group to keep their tracks well looked after. Also they had no health or safety signs or age restrictions for the track. The track was in the corner of a field so it was hard for visibilty. There was a shelter with seating but no toilets or lighting, there was one litter bin but it was a fair distance from the track, also the shelter was not that close to the track either. There was no pathway to the track. Our rating in total for the West Coker Bmx track was 3 out of 10.

After West Coker we then travelled to South Petherton. The Surface type was a mix of grit and mud. There had been some maintenance but not any recently as there was some wear e.g holes and overgrown grass. There was a sign with warnings saying no motorbikes and no alcohol. These signs were placed next to the track and on the shelter. The track was placed at a clear open space which was easy to locate and find the area was clean and quit. the best points of this track was nicely spaced out jumps, the track was big and visible also the starting hill was nice and large. But with good points comes bad points these bad points were stickiness of the track where the gravel had worn away. There was a few holes through wear and tear also the starting hill was steep and nicely sloped but needed concreting. The area around the track had a shelter, seating, lighting on a shelter, toilets and also litter bins near the track. we gave this Bmx track a 7 out of 10.

After South Petherton we went to Taunton which was an option 3 track which was the best out of the 3 but it was too expensive. Plenty of space between ramps and high ramps with a starting hill with 8 lanes and it was better maintained out of the 3, no litter bins, no lighting and no toilets and the shelter was too far away from the track, the location was fairly good as it was close to a 24hr supermarket and this track was a rating of 9 out of 10.

At the track we met a man called James who said he used the track and he let us share his bike which was great.

It was a good day out and we got to see different tracks and places in the area.