I’ve found time to squeeze in another weekend Scenic ride in January, going in a different direction along the Ridgeway.
The start is at the bottom of the Barbury steep side (see map posting) setting off along the Ridgeway away from Barbury to Broad Hinton. From there we amble along the valley and a potential pub stop. Then the climb back up to the Ridgeway and the White Horse trail to Rockley. Then it’s back along the valley and up onto the ridge back to the start.
The ride will be 27km in length with 350m of climbing and some beautiful scenery.
Please see map for the start point, although you can also park at Barbury and cycle down to there if you want.
You must wear a helmet and dressed according to the conditions – it’s pretty cold out there still!
The Peak District is simple awesome for mountain biking – stunning scenery and brilliant riding.
I’ve done lots of riding up there and am putting together some of the best in one long weekend.
We will be based in the Hope Valley, which has a great selection of campsites, B&B accommodation, cafes and bike shops. Personally I’ll be camping and will make a recommendation for a campsite after sampling a few, but there are plenty of great B&Bs for anyone that doesn’t like camping.
For the riding, we have 3 days:
A scenic starter, along the Monsal Trail. Starting at Bakewell Station up to Blackwell Mill and back. This is a former railway line that has been converted into a bridleway, using all the old features, including a number of viaducts and 4 tunnels through the Peaks. This gives us the chance to soak in the gorgeous scenery along the route, as well as a stop to enjoy them with a drink.
Day 2 is an epic XC ride starting in Hope and heading over Mam Tor out towards Derwent Water and back. The views on this route are even more stunning than the previous day, but the riding will be amazing too, with some epic descents – this one isn’t flat! 😉 We will be doing 25-30km with 1200-1500ft of climbing (depending on the weather), but the pace will be relaxed.
The final day will be a trip to the brilliant (but short) Lady Cannings trails, which we will use to end a 10km loop of the local Blacca Moor, which is another Peaks “must do”. That should see us finish at lunchtime, on the Bank Holiday Monday.
If you are planning on coming, please register either on the Facebook group event or by sending an email to adrian@swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk – just so we know to keep an eye out for you before setting off anywhere.
CANCELLED – apologies, but due to the storm, we are having to postpone this ride till next month. Please see the new event (Saturday 14th March) for full details.
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The second weekend MTB Wellness ride is a gentle introduction to the Ridgeway.
Starting at the Three Trees Cafe, we will head along a flat section of the Ridgeway to the Barbury shooting club. From there we have a fun (gentle) descent to Draycott, a short stretch of road and a byway through to the old railway line, which will take us back to the Three Trees for refreshments.
12km and less than 100m of elevation, this is a perfect “get out in the countryside” ride for all abilities.
You just need a helmet, a bike and yourself. 🙂
Meet in the Three Trees cafe car park for 10.30am start
I’m going to start with the last ride I did – a scenic route from Wanborough to Aldbourne, going out on one ridge and returning via a parallel one.
The May MTB Wellness Ride is great scenic and fun route out past Barbury, through the Vale of Rockley and back via the old railway line.
A similar distance to the April ride, the loop is 27km and 270m of climbing.
We start at the Three Trees Cafe and ride out on the Ridgeway, up the side of Barbury Castle and continue along the Ridgeway to the top of Hackpen Hill.
With the bulk of the climbing out of the way, we will descend through the Vale of Rockley, which has a great entry descent and normally lots of Red Kites overhead in the sheltered valley. There’s an option to pop up into the woods of Rockley for the small drops, or just to take 5 and enjoy the scenery.
From Rockley we start the climb at the beginning of Four Mile Clump, but quickly turn right for a long fireroad descent to Ogbourne Maizey, before picking up the old railway line back to the Three Trees for post ride cake!
As always the ride is based around taking in the great views and having a good time.
There is a free car park next to the Three Trees, as well as the cafe car park.
We will ride out from the Three Trees car park at 10.30am
I will be there before that if you’ve got any questions about your bike, riding or the ride – I am a MIAS Level 3 leader and coach and cytech technician too.