We have a stall at the Swindon Cycle Fest, so come and say hi!
We’ll have a tombola, prize draw for a bike, static bike competition and lots about the club on show.
Here’s what else is there:
Enthusiasts to commuters, Children to Adults – we have so much going on to showcase the Cycling world all in one venue. We have teamed up with Swindon Borough Council, Sky Rides, breeze, Swindon BUGS to organise a 1 day festival located at the County Ground Athletics track & field, Swindon.
Briefly for your entertainment:
Local cycling clubs (each club has ‘Come try activity’) / Swindon Travel Choices / Sky Rides / British Cycling breeze / Top cycling Brands / Stunt Riders / Gita from Lapis Lizard Face & Body Art / Bouncy Castle / Local Gyms (Spin Instructors) / Bike Fit Specialists / B1KE Shoretrax Pumptrack / Team Mitchell Cycles / Swindon Cycles Road Team / Pothead & Panface (Home made delicious food) / Rays Wholesale Ltd (Ice Creams) / Swindon Bowls Club / Old Town Brewery
As well as leading SMTBE rides, I am also a Breeze champion, and I am leading a combined Breeze ride, with a RideSocial bit in the middle.
I have put together a few of my favourite routes with an adventurous twist in the middle! We will start the route at the Three Trees Cafe , then take the cycle path through Chiseldon and then head to Coate Water via the ‘twirly whirly bridge’. We will ride round the back of Coate Water and head out onto the roads by the Broome Manor estate. After a short section of quiet road we will pick up the cycle path again down the side of the golf course and head onto Pipers Way and to Croft. This is where we will stop for a short break from the Breeze ride and if you want to join the ‘Ride Social’ at this point, then that will be the adventurous twist – a lap of Croft!
We will then continue the Breeze ride, head back to Coate Water via Broome Manor and stop for coffee or toilets if required. After Coate, we will take the Badbury Wick route back to the Three Trees Cafe, which is all quiet country roads. Once back at the Three Trees Cafe we will stop for a much needed hot drink and a cake!
Meet in the Three Trees Cafe car park for a 10am start.
We’re going to be camping down at the excellent Sparkhayes campsite in Porlock – just round the corner from both the town and from the beach.
The campsite has electric hook ups, a shower/toilet block with washing up facilities, a kettle and small microwave. There is also a communal fridge and freezer.
The cost is £9 per person per night, with an additional £4 a night for the electric hook up.
Let us know if you want to stay and we’ll do a group booking – we will be there from the Friday night to set up as well, but people are welcome to join on the Friday night or Saturday morning.
Don’t forget the Saturday and Sunday rides that are part of the weekend.
This is a bringing your kids somewhere fun trip!
The 417 Project is only half an hour from Swindon and has some great trails and features for developing skills for all ages, although you need to be confident riding off stabilisers and over small obstacles.
There is a small outdoor trail aimed specifically at kids, with bermed corners and small ramps to go over, which is a great place to start.
That is right next to the bottom section of the Blue trail, which is great for progressing further – the more you progress, the further up the hill you go basically.
Inside one of the barns is a Velosolutions pump track too, which is great for everyone in all weathers.
Above that is also a Leisure Lakes bike shop, which does an excellent range of kids specific clothing and protection.
Oh and the cafe does amazing food, coffee and milkshakes!
Children are welcome on this event, but you will be responsible for your own children at all times, including making sure they are capable of riding whichever trail they decide to tackle.
It costs £8 entry for adults, or £5 for under 12s. You can book in advance online at https://417bikepark.co.uk
Helmets are compulsory at the bike park – they will not let you ride without one.
We will meet at 10am in the car park.
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!
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.