![Wednesdays After Work at Croft @ Croft Cycle Trail | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/fullsizeoutput_3a36.jpeg?fit=300%2C169)
![SMTBE gives you Hope (MTB Marathon) @ Hope Valley College | Hope | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_3621.jpg?fit=300%2C200)
![Wednesdays at Croft @ Croft Cycle Trail | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/fullsizeoutput_4b98.jpeg?fit=300%2C225)
This a very relaxed ride, at an easy pace, with lots of opportunities to develop and practice skills. Everyone is welcome and this is a great introductory ride if you’re just starting or coming back to mountain biking.
This week we’re going to do some skills demonstrations and practice, using the features of the trail. We’ll cover the basics you’ll need for tackling technical terrain – front wheel lifts, unweighting the back well, climbing and descending safely.
You must bring a helmet, but you don’t need lights, yet.
Also thoroughly recommend insect repellent!
Meet in the Croft car park at 5.30pm for a 5.45pm start
![Wednesdays After Work at Croft @ Croft Cycle Trails | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_0202.jpg?fit=300%2C200)
![Thursday Social Ride @ The Jovial Monk](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12592427_10153989466619388_1809250435641685859_n.jpg?fit=300%2C225)
Thursday’s ride will start from the Jovial Monk Pub on St Andrews Ridge and led by John Jefferies.
Planned ride is weather dependant. There may be a more urban ride if it’s too wet and cold. We will leave @ 7pm and head out through blunsdon, stratton & Stanton woods to south marston ind est. from there through a nice little single track to south marston. A bit of road to Nightingale woods for a lap or 2 then back to the Jovial refreshments. It may be cold and wet, so dress appropriately.
A helmet, lights and a serviceable bike required.
Nice steady pace to suit those in attendance – nobody will be left behind.
![Lydiard Park Family Picnic @ Lydiard Park](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/52082377_1986080404823195_6151179086757625856_n.jpg?fit=300%2C169)
We would like to invite everyone and their families to celebrate the start of the summer.
We will meet at the children’s play area at 11am, find a good picnic spot nearby and enjoy some family time, playing games such as rounders, football, frisbee and anything else we can find in the shed!!!! We will be close to the play area, cafe, toilets and most importantly the ice cream parlour!!!
Bringing bikes is optional. We will be there to take small groups around the outside of the park, if required.
Most importantly we want everyone to come together to have some family fun.
Don’t forget to bring a picnic and a picnic blanket and/or chairs to sit on.
![MTB-Marathon - Hope Valley @ Hope Valley College | Hope | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/fullsizeoutput_537d.jpeg?fit=300%2C225)
So we’re going to do this excellent final round in the amazing Peak District in 2019.
Although the main event is on the Sunday, there are also a Ladies Ride on the Saturday morning and a night marathon on the Saturday night, which has a choice of distances and light hire available from Exposure Lights.
On the Sunday 3 distances are available – Mini (25km), Half (45km) and Full (65km!). Bear in mind it’s in the Peak District, and the hills are big too, as well as the distance!
We’ve got members booked on the Half, but all routes start out together.
Full details here:
https://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/1st-2nd-september-2018-hope-valley-peak-district.html