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.
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.
The next club trip to FoD is in February. There’s loads happening in Cannop at the moment, with a new workshop, new bike shop and extended café at Pedalabikeaway. Work is also well underway on the new pump track and skills area, so loads to check.
We’re looking to venture out from the usual (although excellent) Verderers, with the downhill tracks, Dowies or Murdocks all being options.
So comment below what you’d like to and we’ll build a route for the day.
Meet outside the Pedalabikeaway at 10.30am
This ride is for any ladies wanting to spread their mountain bike wings a bit further and visit a truly great trail centre with a fantastic atmosphere and excellent riding.
There’s lots to do – the scenic Green family trail takes in the sights of the forest and the excellent Blue graded Verderers trail is jewel of the south west, with its showcase final descent that’s guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face.
A lap of Verderers will be the main event, but depending on the preferences of the group we can take in some of the family trail first, or the super fun Launchpad downhill run after.
Meet outside the Pedalabikeaway cafe at 10.30am
As I’m going to be at Swinley, I thought it would be a good opportunity to re-run the popular “Swinley’s Best Bits” ride. This is an action packed 10 miles & it really does pack in lots. Starting on the Blue trail we follow that till the point it gets dull, then go off piste on a section of the Enduro course, before picking up the best of Red to the downhill trails. Our highlight there is the old full Labrynth, but scope to do a few of the other DH trails in that corner too.
The we hit Red 25 on the way to back via the Tank Traps and the final ace descent of Blue.
If you want a bit more info on the route, check out our report
here, otherwise come and see for yourself 🙂
Meet at the entrance to the trails at Swinley for a 10.30 start.
This a re-runaid our popular “Swinley’s Best Bits” ride. This is an action packed 10 miles & it really does pack in lots. Starting on the Blue trail we follow that till the point it gets dull, then go off piste on a section of the Enduro course, before picking up the best of Red to the downhill trails. Our highlight there is the old full Labrynth, but scope to do a few of the other DH trails in that corner too.
The we hit Red 25 on the way to back via the Tank Traps and the final ace descent of Blue.
If you want a bit more info on the route, check out our report
here, otherwise come and see for yourself 🙂
Meet at the entrance to the trails at Swinley for a 10am start.
Time for another visit to Cwmcarn.
This is a great Welsh trail centre, with 2 XC trails and some downhill tracks, with uplift available.
The main ride is 10am on Sunday, but we’ll be there the whole weekend if you want to join in on Saturday too.
Plan is to camp over Saturday nigh, ready to do the main day ride on the Sunday.
We will meet at 10am at PS Cycles on the Sunday for the main ride.
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!
We will start and finish at the Carpenter’s Arms in Miserden. It’s a great pub with excellent post ride sustenance and even a sweet shop inside.
Helmets are compulsory as always and knee pads are advised.
Full suspension bikes recommended – the uphills are just as rocky as the downs!