Calendar

Feb
23
Tue
Blue Beginner Bash @ Croft Trail
Feb 23 @ 11:00 pm – Feb 24 @ 1:00 pm

As promised, varied times to cater for all 🙂 sorry for the short notice on this one but work has been manic!
So then, this Tuesdays ride will consist of a run or two of the blue trail at Croft trails. If anyone has the energy after, then we will also head to Coate water via the bridleway that runs parallel to the m4.

No need for lights on this one but a helmet is still a MUST!!! Also bring water and food as there will be no shop stops etc.

Hope to see you there 😀

Mar
26
Sat
Saturday Morning Marlborough Madness Fun Ride @ Asda Orbital
Mar 26 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday Morning Marlborough Madness Fun Ride @ Asda Orbital  | Swindon | United Kingdom

A leisure ride from North Swindon to Marlborough and back with two start points – Asda Orbital Centre and the Esso Garage in Chiseldon.

Leaving from the first start point at Asda Walmart at the Orbital in North Swindon at 10am, we will head out through Shaw Forest to John Lewis at Mannington. From here we will join the old railway line up into Old Town and then through Coate Water, over the curly bridge up into Chiseldon.

We will meet people at the second rendezvous at the Esso Garage for approx 11.15 / 11.30.

From here we ride the old railway line into Marlborough. Beer and lunch for approx 1 to 1 1/2 hours before heading back with a possible pit (pint) stop in Ogbourne St George.

It’s a 40 mile ride start to finish but only a couple hills so relatively easy. We will ride at a steady pace and nobody will get left behind. It’s a fun ride, not a race. Helmets are a must.

Look forward to seeing you all.

Jul
13
Wed
Beginners Railway Loop @ Waitrose Swindon
Jul 13 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Beginners Railway Loop @ Waitrose Swindon | England | United Kingdom

Something a bit different this week, we will be doing a short (6 mile), gentle loop using the excellent cyclepath along the old railway line round Old Town, back to Waitrose via Croft.
The ride is aimed at all, but beginners in particular. We will be able to help people check over their bikes before we begin and we will go at the pace of the whole group (so no-one gets left behind or feels uncomfortable)

Meet out the front of Waitrose at 6.30pm

Please remember to bring your helmet

Sep
7
Wed
Wednesdays After Work at Croft and beyond! @ Croft Cycle Trail
Sep 7 @ 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm
Wednesdays After Work at Croft and beyond! @ Croft Cycle Trail | Swindon | England | United Kingdom

Weather looks good this week, so come along to Croft and have a cycle with us.

As well as doing a few laps, there is a nice beginners loop we can do from Croft, with only gentle uphill and 3.5 and 7 mile options which we’re happy to do if there’s demand for it.

Davinia will also be there if anyone wants to do Ladies only groups.

Nov
15
Tue
Urban Moonlight Ride @ Coate Water Cafe
Nov 15 @ 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Urban Moonlight Ride @ Coate Water Cafe | England | United Kingdom

For the next Tuesday evening ride, we are going Urban 😉
Starting from Coate water cafe (next to the diving board), we will head to lydiard park via the cycle route 45 and do a lap once there. After that we will head to shaw forest and again do a lap around there! Then move onto moulden hill country park, do a lap and then head back to the Sun inn pub next to coate water for a nice refreshing beverage 🙂

Approx 20miles.
Please bring a helmet, NO HELMET, NO RIDE! Please also bring some lights and wrap up nice and warm.

Look forward to seeing you there folks 🙂

Nov
16
Wed
A Tail of Two Trails @ Croft Cycle Trail
Nov 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
A Tail of Two Trails @ Croft Cycle Trail | Swindon | England | United Kingdom

Something a little bit different this week – a lap of Croft followed by a ride out to Shaw Forest on route 45 for a lap of there, before heading back to Croft.

This is a perfect ride for beginners, with a well surfaced, largely flat route, with optional fun bits! It’s 10 miles to Shaw and back, so that’s the minimum, plus how every many laps of Croft / Shaw Forest you want to do.

It will be dark obviously, but the route to Shaw is well surfaced and lit in places – lights are essential though, as it’s very dark in other places.

Meet in the Croft car park for a 6pm set off.

Nov
17
Thu
Thursday Evening Bimble @ Tawny Owl
Nov 17 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Thursday Evening Bimble @ Tawny Owl | Swindon | England | United Kingdom

This weeks Thursday ride will be lead by me and going from the Tawny Owl.

Will be heading out towards Coate Water before looping back via Lydiard Park. Route will be about 20 miles and will be riding at leisurely pace.

Lights and helmet required.

Nov
20
Sun
Road Trip to Afan @ Afan Bike Park
Nov 20 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Road Trip to Afan @ Afan Bike Park | Port Talbot | Wales | United Kingdom

Its been 3 years since i was last there and now its time to visit again. This is an awesome place to visit with some serious trails worth riding. Some tough hill climbs, but with rewarding descents.

Current weather forecast is for showers, but this is Wales, so make sure you bring waterproofs! A helmet is also essential.

Nov
27
Sun
Swinley Forest – the Good Bits @ Swinley Forest
Nov 27 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Swinley Forest - the Good Bits @ Swinley Forest | England | United Kingdom

There are some great spots of riding at Swinley, but if you stick strictly to the Blue and Red trails you’ll a) miss some great off-piste stuff and b) have to churn through some really dull miles to get to the good bits!

So this ride is to show you the best bits – starting on the Blue trail, but then picking up some of the off-piste used on the recent Enduro race to connect up to the best of Red. That will take us to the bottom far east corner, where the downhill trials are as well and after a play in that area, we will take a more leisurely ride to pick up the fabulous Tank Traps section, before ending with the best of Blue to take us back to the hub. Should be 20 miles in total.

This ride contains blue and red graded trails, so bare that in mind – it’s Swinley not the Alps, but the bits of red we will be doing are definitely red grade.

See you at the entrance to the Blue trail at 10am.

Aug
27
Tue
All Inclusive Tuesday Short Ride @ Croft Cycle Trail
Aug 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
All Inclusive Tuesday Short Ride @ Croft Cycle Trail

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.