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.
As the last ladies day at BPW was cancelled due to snow , we are heading back to the lovely Welsh hills for a mixture of push ups for training, pay as you go uplifts and what ever trails we fancy !!! Starting with blue and some reds, with the option for those that are completely mad (Claire!!) to try a black !!!
If anyone can offer to share lifts, then let me know and we can arrange to share the toll costs as well.
We might have a photographer travelling we us too, to take some action shots !!!
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:
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- 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)
A huge gathering at lunch will set us up for an afternoon of yet more trail fun!
Please note….. Helmets are compulsory at BikePark Wales and Full face helmets are advisable.
The evening will be split into two parts:
6-6.45pm will be a Croft trail ride, laps of the trail (when it gets lighter we will also be sessioning some of the features). This week this bit shouldn’t need lights 😀
6.45-8.15pm will be a local, fairly flat route, less than 10km in total.
PLEASE LET US KNOW BY POSTING BELOW IF YOU INTEND ONLY ATTENDING THE 6.45PM RIDE, so that we know to wait for you, as we leave promptly.
These rides are part of our GetintoMTB series, designed for anyone just starting mountain biking, coming back after a break or just wanting a shorter, flatter ride 😊
Helmets are compulsory and you will also need lights for the ride out at 6.45pm.
Meet in the Croft Trail car park for both rides
Wednesdays are one of our #getintoMTB events, designed to help people get started, get back into MTB or anyone wanting a shorter, flatter ride. But there’s plenty of fun for all abilities.
The evening will be split into two parts:
6-7pm will be a Croft trail ride, laps of the trail (sessioning some of the features along the way)
7pm-8pm will be a local, fairly flat route, less than 10km in total.
PLEASE LET US KNOW BY POSTING BELOW IF YOU INTEND ONLY ATTENDING THE 7PM RIDE, so that we know to wait for you, as we leave promptly.
Under 18’s are allowed on this ride unaccompanied, as long as you have been out with us before. If you haven’t and wish to come, please drop an email to welfare@swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk so we can let you know the process for signing up to these rides.
As with all our rides, Helmets are compulsory.
Meet in the Croft Trail car park for both rides
Following on from the success of the previous Get Into Mountain Biking events we’re heading to Afan in Wales!
This will still be aimed at improvers/intermediate riders but will be a progression from the previous trail centres we’ve visited.
Meeting at Afan Lodge at 11am we will take a short ride to the start of the trails and begin our day on the blue-graded Blue Scar. At the top of the Blue Scar climb we can then decide whether to climb a bit more and do the first part of the red-graded trail Penhydd or continue straight to the Blue Scar descent. There is a fair amount of climbing at Afan but most of it is on fire roads and there will be plenty of opportunity to stop and admire the stunning views.
After lunch those with the energy can climb back up and do more of Penhydd or Blue Scar again, and there is also a small skills area and lovely scenic route with short section of blue-graded trail along the valley.
Those that are really feeling energetic and brave may be tempted to give the red-graded trail Y-Wal a go, but be warned, Wales trail gradings are harder than English ones.
Afan is roughly two hours drive away from Swindon so we will meet at Afan Lodge at 11am. Afan Lodge is further up the road past Afan trail centre, you’ll see the trail centre on your right and Afan Lodge is on the left. There is plenty of free parking here and a lovely cafe, and an old railway line cycle path links the two.
Since we’ll be in Wales it would seem rude not to stay a bit longer and go to Bike Park Wales on the Sunday! This won’t be an official club trip as such but there is a bike-friendly Premier Inn 5 minutes away from BPW which I may well find myself in that night 😀