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.
Will be the usual antics of meeting at Cannop cycle centre and taking a small part of the Verderers trail, before heading over to Loamalicious and then on to have a play at Dowies, followed by Murdoch, more Dowies, then to see BOTH Ceris descents.
Meet is 9:45am at the cafe so we can set off at 10am
Safety first, so bring a helmet.
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
This is the day before the first Root1 race at Tidworth and that will be closed off, so I’m off to FoD to session some downhill tracks as a bit of final practice.
The plan is to push up and start with Ski Run, followed by some others that offer a bit of rooty corner practice 😊
All are welcome, but bear in mind the level of the tracks will be riding, which are basically Black+, so you will need to be experienced.
Meet outside Pedalabikeaway Café at 10.30am
The Forest of Dean is one of my favourite places to ride, as not only does it have some of the best trails to be found, but it also has the warmest of welcomes and the best atmosphere that I’ve been too.
If you’ve been before you’ll know that already, so here’s another chance for you to go and if you haven’t been, you need to!!! And here’s your chance.
Join me on the trails for some shredding fun!! Everyone is welcome and the trails provide something for all abilities.
If you are new to mountain biking this is the perfect opportunity to see how much fun it can be! 🚴♀️
Meet outside the Pedalabikeaway cafe at 10.30am
2018 Identiti Bikes Southern Enduro Champs – Minehead, Exmoor – 14th & 15th July 2017
Tickets available here: HERE.
Timing:
Professionally Timed by Action Sports Timing
More info: http://www.actionsportstiming.co.uk/
Price: £60 Early Bird price until 20th Jan (£65 after)
Venue: Minehead, Exmoor
400 online entries available, no entries on the day.
- Fantastic prizes for the top 3 riders in all categories. Plus some spot pizes
- Identiti AKA frame for the faster Male and Female
- Free parking for all riders, spectators, friends and family. (Please car share where possible)
- Large race village with On site shop.
- Full mechanical support for all riders.
- Full medical support.
- Food and drink on site.
- Free Camping
- Beer tent & Band TBC
Stages: There will be 7 timed stages, which will be added together for an aggregate time to decide the winner in each category.
On Saturday afternoon you will race one of the stages (Seeding stage)*
Your result on that stage will reflect where you start on Sunday. On Sunday you will be set off in categories in seeded order.
There will be start times for each stage.
*Seeding stage counts to your overall time.
All stages will be over a mile long and around 100m to 150m in elevation/drop. Estimated stage times are about 2 minutes to 4 minutes long.
Categories:
- Male Elite age 18+
- Male Senior age 18-29
- Male Master age 30-39
- Male Veteran age 40+
- Male Supers Veteran age 50+
- Male FUN age 18+
- Male U16s age 14-15
- Male U18s age 16-17
- Female Elite age 18+
- Female Senior age 18-29
- Female Master age 30-39
- Female Veteran age 40+
- Female Supers Veteran age 50+
- Female FUN age 18+
- Female U16s age 14-15
- Female U18s age 16-17
- Hardtails age 18+
Elite: Riders that are sponsored or in PRO, Expert and Elite in other races or Top finisher in age categories in previous Enduro’s
Senior, Master, Veteran, Grand Veteran: Riders that are not sponsored and with medium skill level or Top finisher in Fun in previous Enduro’s
FUN: Riders 18 and over that are new to racing or new to the sport
U18: Riders under the age 18
WOMEN: Riders that are female
HARDTAILS: Riders 18 and that are racing on a Hardtail
Timings:
Saturday
Marshals briefing 9.30
Riders briefing 9.45
Practice 10.00 to 15:00
Seeding 15:00 to 18:00
Sunday
Marshals briefing 9.30
Riders briefing 9.45
Start of race (first rider) 10.00
Prize giving 16.30