We will head out through Clouts Wood, west of the airfield and up onto Barbury.

Then Smithies and across to Earthline. A ridge ride and descent by the flying club before Chiseldon to coate and back to the Bayberry.

The route will be adjusted to suit a riders and weather conditions.

Estimate 30k distance and 400m ascent.

You will need lights and a helmet.

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.

Leaving the Bayberry we will head up through Coate and Chisie via the flying club to sample the delights of the Sugar Hill climb. Back around Liddington Castle and home via the Old ridgeway and Ladder lane.

There are 2 tough climbs on this ride. Pushing up is of course permitted. 33km distance and 400m of climbing on the route, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. The route may be altered (made easier, not harder!) to suit the riders and weather conditions.

LIGHTS are now a must and as always a helmet.

Dave returns from holidays with some calories to burn off.

The ride will be about 30km going out from the Bayberry up to the Ridgeway – final route to be decided once the weather forecast has settled (fingers crossed though, it looks ok at the moment!)

You will need a helmet and lights.

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.

We’re super excited to see Swinduro back early, with a ladies only event! See all the info from the Bike Hub below – you don’t want to miss this! Tickets launch 0900 Wednesday 17th January.

The infamous “swinduro” is back earlier in 2018 to hold a womens only event at Swinley Forest. Swinley Forest  holds some of the finest all weather mountain biking trails in the South East of England.

The Swinduro spirit is for every rider to have a great day of riding, set in an amazing location and enjoying the MTB Basecamp. Basecamp will have a BBQ, a prosecco bar providing some post event hydration, coffee stalls all wrapped up and supported by our mainline sponsor Fox Head Clothing who will be onsite with female specific Mountain Bike Clothing, lifestyle clothing and loads of goodies!

To make this an extra special event, as part of the event entry fee riders will get:

• A 20km event taking in the best Swinley has to offer with 8 special timed stages
• A special female only coaching day to prepare for the enduro to be held in February
• A Fox Head Inspired goody bag at event registration
• Parking within the Forest for free!
• 50% off focused swinleyfit PT packages online to prepare for The Fox Head Female Swinduro
• Total Cost for Coaching Session & Race Entry £42.50

The swinduro women event has a course designed that will allow first timers to the pinners to come, ride and enjoy the day out. The course will be challenging for all levels of skill and experience. If you are looking for an event to try riding with others, to kickstart the year ahead all mixed in with a laid back vibe – then join us at the swinduro women enduro, hang out with friends, make new ones and enjoy the atmosphere!

During the event we will also be hosting the inaugural “Mini Shredders” Championships – this is a 5km, 3 stages only enduro style event for riders up to the age of 12 – we want to see as many shredders as possible on the day! The Mini Shredders Champs will take place close to base camp, and allow for spectators to watch the event at close quarters.

Race Entry Categories

The Fox Head Female Swinduro will have the following categories:

• • PRO age 18+
  • Senior age 18-29
  • Master age 30-39
  • Veteran age 40+
  • Supers Veteran age 50+
  • FUN age 18+ (Sport / Fun Category for new comers and those that prefer not to race in age category)
  • U18s age 12-17 (12-14 to be accompanied by an adult)
  • “Mini Shredders Enduro” U12’s (3 stages only – 5km in length – to be accompanied by an adult)

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.