The meet was extremely popular was held regularly throughout the 1880's. The 1882 meet attracted 24 clubs, 230 cyclists and the attendance for the race meet was "between 3,000 and 4,000."
The Zoological Gardens proved popular, in 1883, the Ariel Rowing Club ran athletics festivals which included several bicycle racing events. The Ariel Club cancelled two bicycle races in 1884 because of "bicyclists objecting to ride on the track". The Ariel Club omitted bicycle racing in 1885 "owing to the dangerous nature of the track." The Bristol Bicycle and Tricycle Club moved its annual race meet from Bristol to Clifton in 1887. The Bristol Mercury of May 16th 1887 reporting this meet, stated that "The grass track, which the Gardens Committee have substituted for the old track, on which there were so many accidents, was in very good condition. It has been greatly improved by the relaying of turf on the lower side, and there is now little to complain of except that the turns are rather sharp, and the start uphill over the gravel pitch is rather awkward."
Throughout the use of Clifton Zoological Gardens there were complaints about the track. The old gravel track was considered dangerous, "the corners were awkward , and a sharp curve and fall in the path near the bear pit seemed to be very cautiously negotiated by the riders." When racing changed to use the grass track, it also did not find favour and was considered too soft.
Perhaps, because of difficulties with the track, there does not appear to have been any bicycle racing at the Zoological Grounds after 1900, the County Ground seems to have been the more popular Bristol venue.