A fairly long Tuesday nighter at 37 km with the customery 500m climb. Weather looks fine so if we get way smarty we should still be back in time for a pint. There are some short cuts should time be against us. Route is Hodson, Aerial mast climb, Rickety Bridge down. Shooting club (not Gypsy lane Climb) Ladder and home. Jacket, helmet and lights a must.
The usual Tuesday night ride onto the Ridgeway. The weather forecast looks wet and windy yet again, so we will be riding harder pack trails and a bit of urban – all subject to change according what weather actually transpires.
You must wear a helmet, bring lights (strong enough for the dark of the Ridgeway) and appropriate clothing (warm waterproofs at the moment).
If you have not been on a club ride before and are not a club member, you are welcome to join us to see what it is like before joining. Details on the benefits of membership and how to join can be found by clicking here.
This is our first #getintomtb event of 2018 and is aimed anyone starting off mountain biking, or coming back to it after a break.
We will being laps of the Croft Trail in Swindon, which is a great trail for starting and progressing on a mountain bikes. There will be 2 ride leaders with mixed and ladies only groups.
Club coach (and maintenance instructor) Gaz will be there to run through the M check, so you can check your bike is ready for the trail before setting off. We will then take you round the trail and point out some of the features along the way. Don’t worry, everything is optional, but we will be there to encourage you 🙂
Please bring a helmet and suitable clothing (if it’s raining you will need waterproofs).
We will also be holding a “Questions Amnesty” where you can ask anything you always wanted to know about mountain biking, but were afraid to ask, anonymously. Ask your questions here.
We’ve got another weekend session at Croft coming up.
This is a perfect opportunity to try a mountain bike trail if you haven’t before, or just to reintroduce yourself if it’s been a while (it’s been a pretty grotty winter!).
We will have at least 2 ride leaders there, doing ladies only and mixed groups of all abilities.
We will meet in the Croft Car Park at 10.30am
Please bring a helmet
Debbie will be leading a gentle novice friendly ride around the Cotswold Lakes.
This is non technical and will be at the pace of the slowest rider. It is designed to suit ladies new to mountain biking and those who want a steady ride.
There will be a cafe stop 3/4 of the way round, but feel free to bring any snacks and water.
Helmets compulsory and this is not suitable for hybrid bikes, due to the possibility of mud on the tracks.
Meet in the car park to the Cricklade Leisure Centre for a 10am start.
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.
Following on from the success of the previous Get Into Mountain Biking events we’re heading to Afan in Wales!
This will still be aimed at improvers/intermediate riders but will be a progression from the previous trail centres we’ve visited.
Meeting at Afan Lodge at 11am we will take a short ride to the start of the trails and begin our day on the blue-graded Blue Scar. At the top of the Blue Scar climb we can then decide whether to climb a bit more and do the first part of the red-graded trail Penhydd or continue straight to the Blue Scar descent. There is a fair amount of climbing at Afan but most of it is on fire roads and there will be plenty of opportunity to stop and admire the stunning views.
After lunch those with the energy can climb back up and do more of Penhydd or Blue Scar again, and there is also a small skills area and lovely scenic route with short section of blue-graded trail along the valley.
Those that are really feeling energetic and brave may be tempted to give the red-graded trail Y-Wal a go, but be warned, Wales trail gradings are harder than English ones.
Afan is roughly two hours drive away from Swindon so we will meet at Afan Lodge at 11am. Afan Lodge is further up the road past Afan trail centre, you’ll see the trail centre on your right and Afan Lodge is on the left. There is plenty of free parking here and a lovely cafe, and an old railway line cycle path links the two.
Since we’ll be in Wales it would seem rude not to stay a bit longer and go to Bike Park Wales on the Sunday! This won’t be an official club trip as such but there is a bike-friendly Premier Inn 5 minutes away from BPW which I may well find myself in that night 😀
This is a Ladies Only ride, led by Davinia.
We meet at Mouldon Hill in the car park and then follow route 45 South past Shaw Forest and pick up the West Swindon Round to Lydiard Park. We will stop at Lydiard for a drink and maybe a cake! Then back continuing on the West Swindon round and back up the old railway line to Mouldon Hill.
This is a very gentle ride, and is no more than 9 miles.
It is aimed at beginners and upwards and is for every ability.
It’s a chance to get back on the bike, have a chat and feel happy!
You will need a helmet, bike and yourself!
This ride is suitable for all mountain bikes or hybrid bikes with off road tyres.