Calendar

Feb
18
Sat
FoD 2.0 @ Pedalabikeaway, FoD
Feb 18 @ 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
FoD 2.0 @ Pedalabikeaway, FoD | England | United Kingdom

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

Ladies of (Cannop) Valley @ Pedalabikeaway
Feb 18 @ 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Ladies of (Cannop) Valley @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom

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

Apr
29
Sat
FoD Downhill Practice @ Pedalabikeaway
Apr 29 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
FoD Downhill Practice @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom

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

Ladies Day at FoD @ Pedalabikeaway
Apr 29 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Ladies Day at FoD @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom

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

Jul
18
Tue
Barbury and Beyond… @ The Bayberry, Wichelstowe
Jul 18 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Barbury and Beyond... @ The Bayberry, Wichelstowe | Swindon | England | United Kingdom

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.

Jul
25
Tue
Tuesday Night Ride – The Sugar Hill Gang @ The Bayberry
Jul 25 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesday Night Ride - The Sugar Hill Gang @ The Bayberry | Swindon | England | United Kingdom

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.

Aug
6
Sun
FoD for All (Happy Andy Day) @ Pedalabikeaway
Aug 6 @ 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
FoD for All (Happy Andy Day) @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom
One year on from a cracking (if eventful!) trip to the Forest of Dean, we’re going back again 🙂
 
This is a general day with several ride leaders, with options for everyone.
 
We will do at least one lap of Verderers, check out the skills area and at least a run down Lauchpad, with some other DH runs if people want too.
 
Davinia will be leading a ladies group too and we will do some skills practice on the great facilities at Cannop.
 
Meet outside the Pedalabikeaway Cafe at 10.30am
 
Helmets are a must (if Andy’s coming he’ll show you why!)
Aug
22
Tue
Tuesday Night Ride @ The Bayberry
Aug 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
Tuesday Night Ride @ The Bayberry | Swindon | England | United Kingdom

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.

Nov
4
Sat
FoD Family Ride @ Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean
Nov 4 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
FoD Family Ride @ Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean | England | United Kingdom
We’re going to do something a bit different for the next family ride – an away day of sorts.
 
Just down the road from Pedalabikeaway in the Forest of Dean, is Beechenhurst, the activity & picnic centre with a child’s playground and sculpture trail amongst other things.
 
So we will park/start at Beechenhurst and pick up the Green family trail (which is on former railyway lines, so nice & flat), out to the Cannop ponds, looping back to Pedalabikeaway for a go on the family skills loop and pump track (& visit to the cafe), before returning to Beechenhurst.
 
Total route is 5 miles, but with the option for as many loops of the pump track as desired – it always seems to be the kids’ favourite!
 
The ride will be lead by our Welfare officer, Davinia, who is also a British Cycling qualified ride leader and Breeze champion.
 
Whilst on the ride your children must be accompanied and are your responsibility at all times.
 
Meet out the front of the Beechenhurst lodge at 11am.
Aug
27
Tue
All Inclusive Tuesday Short Ride @ Croft Cycle Trail
Aug 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
All Inclusive Tuesday Short Ride @ Croft Cycle Trail

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.