Last minute rain dodging suggests Swinley tomorrow! Still a few showers forecast, but looks the driest option overall, so if anyone wants to join us, we’re going to do our “full off piste” route.
About 15 miles, taking in the best of the Blue & Red trails, some Swinley enduro off piste sections & some forgotten, but still good, sections of trail.
Good opportunity to check out of the less well known, but hidden gems of Swinley.
Meet by the trails entrance at 10am.
Make sure you bring a helmet & probably a coat, as showers are forecast.
Leaving the Bayberry we will head up through Coate and Chisie via the flying club to sample the delights of the Sugar Hill climb. Back around Liddington Castle and home via the Old ridgeway and Ladder lane.
There are 2 tough climbs on this ride. Pushing up is of course permitted. 33km distance and 400m of climbing on the route, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. The route may be altered (made easier, not harder!) to suit the riders and weather conditions.
LIGHTS are now a must and as always a helmet.
Swinley Enduro is nearly upon us!! So I’m getting another sneaky practise in while the kids are at school!! We will be following as much of last year’s route as we have time for.
If you fancy joining me, then let me know as I can lift a couple of people.
Remember to bring pads and a helmet.
We will meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub for a 10am set off.
2 days before Halloween, so let’s go and play in the woods – always turned out well in films 😳
This will probably be one of our last trips to Swinley of the year, so we’re going out with a bang and will ride the best the forest has to offer, taking in as much of it as I can pack into 1 loop!
I’ll be keeping the distance to about 15 miles and we’ll be doing some old favourites, best of the regular trails and some bits you might not have seen before 😉 it will be an intermediate level ride, with some technical bits, but there are walk around options for anything you don’t fancy doing – it’s all friendly fun, promise!
Meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub at 10am
(you’ll need a helmet and some knee pads are probably a good idea too)
The first “Swinley Best Bits” of 2018.
These are Red grade rides that take in some of the best best of the Blue, Red, old trails and downhill trails into 1 loop.
This is at the upper end of Red grading for its technicality, as although the distance will be under 20 miles, the terrain is challenging, with everything from fast flowing singletrack, jumps, to some loamy off camber roots and reasonable sized drops. If you are confident on Red trails, you will be fine.
You can read about a previous Best Bits route using the link below. The exact route on the day will depend on how we get on (adapted for the weather and riders in the group essentially), but this gives a good idea: http://swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wheretoride/routes/swinley-big-best-bits/
Please bring food with you, as we will be out over lunchtime and there are no facilities in the woods.
You must bring a helmet (no helmet, no ride) and knee and elbow pads are recommend too.
Meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub and 10.15 for a 10.30am set off.
2018 Identiti Bikes Southern Enduro Champs – Minehead, Exmoor – 14th & 15th July 2017
Tickets available here: HERE.
Timing:
Professionally Timed by Action Sports Timing
More info: http://www.actionsportstiming.co.uk/
Price: £60 Early Bird price until 20th Jan (£65 after)
Venue: Minehead, Exmoor
400 online entries available, no entries on the day.
- Fantastic prizes for the top 3 riders in all categories. Plus some spot pizes
- Identiti AKA frame for the faster Male and Female
- Free parking for all riders, spectators, friends and family. (Please car share where possible)
- Large race village with On site shop.
- Full mechanical support for all riders.
- Full medical support.
- Food and drink on site.
- Free Camping
- Beer tent & Band TBC
Stages: There will be 7 timed stages, which will be added together for an aggregate time to decide the winner in each category.
On Saturday afternoon you will race one of the stages (Seeding stage)*
Your result on that stage will reflect where you start on Sunday. On Sunday you will be set off in categories in seeded order.
There will be start times for each stage.
*Seeding stage counts to your overall time.
All stages will be over a mile long and around 100m to 150m in elevation/drop. Estimated stage times are about 2 minutes to 4 minutes long.
Categories:
- Male Elite age 18+
- Male Senior age 18-29
- Male Master age 30-39
- Male Veteran age 40+
- Male Supers Veteran age 50+
- Male FUN age 18+
- Male U16s age 14-15
- Male U18s age 16-17
- Female Elite age 18+
- Female Senior age 18-29
- Female Master age 30-39
- Female Veteran age 40+
- Female Supers Veteran age 50+
- Female FUN age 18+
- Female U16s age 14-15
- Female U18s age 16-17
- Hardtails age 18+
Elite: Riders that are sponsored or in PRO, Expert and Elite in other races or Top finisher in age categories in previous Enduro’s
Senior, Master, Veteran, Grand Veteran: Riders that are not sponsored and with medium skill level or Top finisher in Fun in previous Enduro’s
FUN: Riders 18 and over that are new to racing or new to the sport
U18: Riders under the age 18
WOMEN: Riders that are female
HARDTAILS: Riders 18 and that are racing on a Hardtail
Timings:
Saturday
Marshals briefing 9.30
Riders briefing 9.45
Practice 10.00 to 15:00
Seeding 15:00 to 18:00
Sunday
Marshals briefing 9.30
Riders briefing 9.45
Start of race (first rider) 10.00
Prize giving 16.30
