Whilst Adrian is doing his ‘Best Bits’ at Swinley, I’ll be joining the lovely Swinley ladies ride!
These are very well organised and friendly rides, with groups for all abilities at a great trail centre.
It’s friendly and fun and the best bit of our ride is we get a glass of prosseco after!! 
🍾
The rides start from the Swinley Bike Hub at 10am – you’ll need to be there a little earlier to register.
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.
Last minute rain dodging suggests Swinley tomorrow! Still a few showers forecast, but looks the driest option overall, so if anyone wants to join us, we’re going to do our “full off piste” route.
About 15 miles, taking in the best of the Blue & Red trails, some Swinley enduro off piste sections & some forgotten, but still good, sections of trail.
Good opportunity to check out of the less well known, but hidden gems of Swinley.
Meet by the trails entrance at 10am.
Make sure you bring a helmet & probably a coat, as showers are forecast.
Swinley Enduro is nearly upon us!! So I’m getting another sneaky practise in while the kids are at school!! We will be following as much of last year’s route as we have time for.
If you fancy joining me, then let me know as I can lift a couple of people.
Remember to bring pads and a helmet.
We will meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub for a 10am set off.
2 days before Halloween, so let’s go and play in the woods – always turned out well in films 😳
This will probably be one of our last trips to Swinley of the year, so we’re going out with a bang and will ride the best the forest has to offer, taking in as much of it as I can pack into 1 loop!
I’ll be keeping the distance to about 15 miles and we’ll be doing some old favourites, best of the regular trails and some bits you might not have seen before 😉 it will be an intermediate level ride, with some technical bits, but there are walk around options for anything you don’t fancy doing – it’s all friendly fun, promise!
Meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub at 10am
(you’ll need a helmet and some knee pads are probably a good idea too)
The first “Swinley Best Bits” of 2018.
These are Red grade rides that take in some of the best best of the Blue, Red, old trails and downhill trails into 1 loop.
This is at the upper end of Red grading for its technicality, as although the distance will be under 20 miles, the terrain is challenging, with everything from fast flowing singletrack, jumps, to some loamy off camber roots and reasonable sized drops. If you are confident on Red trails, you will be fine.
You can read about a previous Best Bits route using the link below. The exact route on the day will depend on how we get on (adapted for the weather and riders in the group essentially), but this gives a good idea: http://swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wheretoride/routes/swinley-big-best-bits/
Please bring food with you, as we will be out over lunchtime and there are no facilities in the woods.
You must bring a helmet (no helmet, no ride) and knee and elbow pads are recommend too.
Meet outside the Swinley Bike Hub and 10.15 for a 10.30am set off.
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.