Spiceball Park in Banbury, aka Banbury Skatepark, is a pleasant change to the more common concrete parks that have been popping up everywhere recently. Built by Fearless Ramps it is a full wooden construction, located 20 miles north of Oxford. We decided to go and check it out with Joe Bowers and some of the Repose crew.
Words and photos: Martin Grainger
Drone photo above: Tall Order
Banbury Skatepark sits on Spiceball Country Park, opposite the leisure centre and is easily accessible by car or train. By car it is just over a mile from Exit 11 on the M40 with a small pay and display car park next to the park. By train it is a 2 minute cycle from Banbury train station and the town centre is just round the corner and has plenty of spots for food and drink. (See below for full location details)
The Ramp
The park consists of one main ramp construction and a separate small beginner section next to it. The ramp is solid and smooth with kicky transitions and a nice variety of ramps so you can work out different lines with a bit of thought. There is plenty of deck space on both sides of the ramp and a nice variety in size of ramps so there is something for everyone.
“The ramp is solid and smooth with kicky transitions”
One side of the ramp starts with two 6ft quarters, one with a sub box, and a double coping spine in the middle, next to this is an 8ft quarter extension with a steep bank on the opposite side. The opposite side consists of a curved wallride with a bank that runs into a small spine and 2 (around 5ft) quarters with a gentle hip into 6ft quarters that meet the rest of the ramp. Between the 6ft quarters is a box jump perfectly in scale with the rest of the ramp. The overall impression of the ramp and build is really positive.
“The lines all match up perfectly, and there are more lines available if you use your imagination. If you hit or land something wrong there will be something else you can hit. It’s good for most abilities of riding.” –Joe Bowers
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