Calendar

Oct
24
Tue
Ridges & Rockley @ The Bayberry
Oct 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
Ridges & Rockley @ The Bayberry | Swindon | England | United Kingdom

As Dave is off sunning himself, Lee Smith will be leading this week’s Tuesday ride. The full route to be determined depending on the weather, but expect around 35k with 400-450 metres of climbing over 2 – 2.5 hours. Mud and puddles are a given at this time of year so dress appropriately. Lid, lights and jacket required.

Jan
9
Tue
Tuesday Night Ride – Wet n Windy again @ The Bayberry
Jan 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
Tuesday Night Ride - Wet n Windy again @ The Bayberry | United Kingdom

The usual Tuesday night ride onto the Ridgeway. The weather forecast looks wet and windy yet again, so we will be riding harder pack trails and a bit of urban – all subject to change according what weather actually transpires.

You must wear a helmet, bring lights (strong enough for the dark of the Ridgeway) and appropriate clothing (warm waterproofs at the moment).

If you have not been on a club ride before and are not a club member, you are welcome to join us to see what it is like before joining. Details on the benefits of membership and how to join can be found by clicking here.

Jan
10
Wed
SMTBE AGM @ The Plough, Wanborough
Jan 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
SMTBE AGM @ The Plough, Wanborough | Wanborough | England | United Kingdom

We are holding our AGM on Wednesday 10th January at 7pm at The Plough in Wanborough.

This is your chance to have your say on the running of the club, vote for committee members, see the club’s finances and for the committee to show you our plans for 2018. We have what we think are some good ideas that we would like feedback on, but would also love any ideas you have. Don’t hold back – we might not be able to do everything straight away, but as long as we know, we can start to plan. 
 
Non-members are welcome to the meeting, but only members get a vote. 
 
If you can’t make it to the meeting, but have an idea you would like to share, please email us at ideas@swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk 
 
 
 
Look forward to seeing you there! 
Mar
18
Sun
Race: Fox Head Female Swinduro @ Swinley Bike Hub
Mar 18 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Race: Fox Head Female Swinduro @ Swinley Bike Hub | United Kingdom

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)
Apr
15
Sun
Tidworth Tinker @ Tidworth Freeride
Apr 15 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tidworth Tinker @ Tidworth Freeride | United Kingdom

A timely weekend session at Tidworth, not too long before the first of the Root1 races. There have been some nice looking changes to the race track itself (Sicknote), as well as some of the other tracks, so a good opportunity to check it out.

You need to be a R1de member (this is free, but needs to be done in advance) and it costs £7 on the day for admission at the bike park. Register at www.b1ke.co.uk

Meet by the new hut at 10am.

You will need a helmet (full face is a good idea if you have one).

Apr
19
Thu
Tidworth Morning Motivator @ Tidworth Freeride
Apr 19 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tidworth Morning Motivator @ Tidworth Freeride | United Kingdom

A relaxed morning session at Tidworth Freeride.

Meet by the hut at 10am and ride what you fancy.

You need to be a B1ke member to ride (which is free) – sign  up on their website.

You must have a helmet to ride at Tidworth, and pads are a good idea too.

Ride grading – Orange- Bike park

Entry cost – £7

Jun
9
Sat
Exmoor Explore – Lets go to the sea @ Porlock Weir
Jun 9 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Exmoor Explore - Lets go to the sea @ Porlock Weir | Porlock Weir | England | United Kingdom
This is a warm up for those coming for the weekend, and will have a choice of gentle or mental!
 
We will be starting from our base at the Sparkhayes Campsite in the centre of Porlock and making our way to Porlock Weir, the port to the west, where there is an excellent pub, refreshments and the sea!
 
The choice will be:
A gentle pootle out, relatively flat, just taking in the scenery to the pub essentially.
Or the mental option – making our way part way up Porlock Hill (which has the steepest A road in the country!) and making our way down through the technical bridleways in the woods to the weir.
 
The choice is yours 🙂
Feb
15
Fri
@ The Tawny Owl
Feb 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
 @ The Tawny Owl
This year’s AGM will be held at the Tawny Owl at 7pm . To discuss items on the agenda from the club accounts, voting on election of the committee and future plans.
It is open to members and non-members, but only members will be able to vote, so please make sure you have an up to date membership.
If you wish to have any comments to raise on the night, we will have a slot for it, but for smooth running of the evening, if you wish to put forward suggestions prior to AGM or you cannot attend, please PM or email Andrew@swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk 
Mar
26
Tue
Tuesday Night Ride @ The Bayberry
Mar 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday Night Ride @ The Bayberry
It’s official its spring so the weather will be crap, but let’s not let that stop us! We will be running two rides out from The Bayberry up onto the byways and bridleways of the Ridgeway.
 
We will run a short and a long ride with the short ride led Adrian and the long ride by Dave.
 
– The short ride will be a distance of approximately 25km / 15 miles and a moderate amount of climb of 200-300m. This is a blue/blue ride.
 
– The long ride will be a distance of approximately 35km / 20 miles and a larger amount of climb of 400-500m. This is a red/red ride.
 
 
Nights are getting lighter, but weather and temperature can still be testing so bring good lights, weather-appropriate clothing and a jacket. Helmets are compulsory.
May
23
Sat
May Weekender 2020 – Exmoor @ Porlock
May 23 @ 10:00 am – May 25 @ 2:00 pm
May Weekender 2020 - Exmoor @ Porlock
Our annual May Bank holiday trip will be to the fabulous Exmoor in 2020.
We have 3 days riding planned and you can do all or just some of them.
 
Day 1 – the big day out. Starting from Porlock we will do a 28km loop of some of the best hills and scenery Exmoor has to offer, including Wootton Courtenay, Ranscombe and Horner. There will be amazing views of the hills, sea and Wales, epic descents and glorious woodland. There will be options on the route as well, including a cut off near the end to remove 300m of climbing, to enable more people to have a go at the route. For the “adventurous” there will also be a chance to take in one of the tracks from the Southern Enduro champs along the way (that is optional and the alternative is still a great descent, just firewood instead).
 
Day 2 – lazy Sunday. Well sort of! We will start with a considerably shorter ride (9km) to the top of Bossington Hill, for the epic view, on our way to Horner. After a lunch at the excellent tea rooms we will then do 3 uplifted descents. First we will take in a long run from the top of Dunkery Beacon, followed by an epic singletrack run from the top of Porlock Hill. Finally we will return to Porlock Hill and take a super fast fireroad route down to Porlock Weir for a pint by the sea. Up to you if you do all 3 descents or 2 or 1, but the final one is suitable for all and takes us home, so if you’re only going to do 1, it should be that 1!
 
Day 3 – Big trees. To finish off on Monday we will decamp to the outskirts of Minehead (about 15 minute drive) to Dunster Castle. Here we will ride a nice woodland route out to England’s tallest tree and back.
 
Accommodation is DIY, but I would strongly recommend Sparkhayes campsite (which I will be at). It has excellent facilities, and lovely relaxed atmosphere and great views of the hills and sea. It’s also on a few minutes walk from the pubs and shops.
There are many B&Bs in the town if you would prefer a solid roof though.
 
Outside of your accommodation and food, the only cost will be the uplift, which will be around £10 per person in total. Exact price will be confirmed nearer the time.
 
All routes will be led by qualified ride leaders, who are also first aid trained.