Whilst Adrian is doing his ‘Best Bits’ at Swinley, I’ll be joining the lovely Swinley ladies ride!
These are very well organised and friendly rides, with groups for all abilities at a great trail centre.
It’s friendly and fun and the best bit of our ride is we get a glass of prosseco after!! 
🍾
The rides start from the Swinley Bike Hub at 10am – you’ll need to be there a little earlier to register.
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.
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.
Up through Wroughton and over Hackpen. Ruts to Rockley. Half 4 mile, Ogbournes to either Seathe’s Ridge or Gypsy Lane (time and legs dependent) Ladder Lane back to the Bayberry.
We will change the route if the weather turns out bad, but waterproof jacket is very strongly advised anyway – it’s not exactly been predictable recently.
You will need a helmet and lights too.
Keeping an eye on the weather and ground conditions. Heading out onto the Downs, possibly via Kings/Clouts Wood for some messing about. Expect around 500m of climbing and 30k over 2.5 hours (think Verderers x 2 without the exciting descents). Lights, lids and Jackets!
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.
Next week’s Tuesday Short Ride is a special short ride and we will be leading a ride that will include parents and children under 18. This ride will be about an hour and a half and children must be capable of riding 20-25k and be confident riding up hills and off road. We will be going up onto the Ridgeway, so this is a great chance for those that have been to Croft to go for a longer ride up into the hills.
This has been a long time in the pipeline and we thank you for your patience whilst we have been trying to arrange evening rides to include kids.
The All inclusive Tuesday ride will hopefully take place every 6 weeks, so keep an eye out for the next one.
Please note: children under 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent, children aged 16/17 can be unaccompanied, but written permission and contact details must be e-mailed to :
welfare@swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk
As with all rides, helmets are compulsory and lights and suitable clothing are also required.
We will start and end the ride at Croft, however I will be parking at the Bayberry pub and will ride over at 6.45pm. If any others who don’t have kids with them want to join me, I will then be riding back with a slightly detoured route from Croft to the Bayberry for an after-ride beverage.
Everyone is welcome on this ride and you don’t need to borrow a child to attend!! This is the short ride for this week and it is designed to include everyone, as it has been very much requested.
Myself and Adrian will be leading the ride and we are both DBS checked and hold outdoor first aid certificates. I am also a primary school teacher and Adrian is a MIAS Level 3 Ride Leader.