This is a nice relaxed fun race over 20km round Swinley Forest on the edge of Bracknell. It’s an Enduro race, with 7 timed downhill stages that are timed, but a more relaxed pace transferring between them. Should be great fun for all and a great opportunity for first time racers.
We have a number of club members of all abilities, men and ladies, taking part, so why not come join us?
More information here: swinleyforestenduro.co.uk
We’ll be back at Croft this Wednesday after work for a few laps and then seeing as it’s close to Christmas, we’re going to the pub!
We’ve met some great people since we started doing this in the spring, so if anyone wants to join us for a Christmas drink / bite to eat, we will be heading to the Baybury in Wichelstowe for 7pm. Everyone is most welcome – for the ride or just coming to the pub.
Don’t worry if you’ve not been before – it’s a great opportunity to come and talk to us about the club and what we do too.
Meet at Croft Trail Car Park at 6pm for riding and the Baybury in Wichelstowe for food and drink at 7pm.
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.
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.
Up through Wroughton and over Hackpen. Ruts to Rockley. Half 4 mile, Ogbournes to either Seathe’s Ridge or Gypsy Lane (time and legs dependent) Ladder Lane back to the Bayberry.
We will change the route if the weather turns out bad, but waterproof jacket is very strongly advised anyway – it’s not exactly been predictable recently.
You will need a helmet and lights too.
Keeping an eye on the weather and ground conditions. Heading out onto the Downs, possibly via Kings/Clouts Wood for some messing about. Expect around 500m of climbing and 30k over 2.5 hours (think Verderers x 2 without the exciting descents). Lights, lids and Jackets!
We will start with a lap of the Blue trail to warm up, then sees what people want to do next. The options will be to head over the motorway to Wroughton for a couple of laps of the new pump track there, do a practice trip up and then down Ladder Lane, or just more laps of Croft.
This a very relaxed ride, at an easy pace, with lots of opportunities to develop and practice skills. Everyone is welcome and this is a great introductory ride if you’re just starting or coming back to mountain biking.
You must bring a helmet, but you don’t need lights yet 😊
Also thoroughly recommend insect repellent!
Meet in the Croft car park at 5.45pm
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.