![Ladies of (Cannop) Valley @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_0048.jpg?fit=300%2C228)
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
![Cwmcarn if you can @ PS Cycles, Cwmcarn | Wales | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_6649.jpg?fit=300%2C200)
Time for another visit to Cwmcarn.
This is a great Welsh trail centre, with 2 XC trails and some downhill tracks, with uplift available.
The main ride is 10am on Sunday, but we’ll be there the whole weekend if you want to join in on Saturday too.
Plan is to camp over Saturday nigh, ready to do the main day ride on the Sunday.
We will meet at 10am at PS Cycles on the Sunday for the main ride.
![Chilterns Spring Excursion @ Watlington](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/26173446_1688288991233967_4808361557540665114_o.jpg?fit=300%2C225)
Place marker for your diaries for a chiltern away day, led by Robert Wine.
This will be a ride around some of the best of the Chilterns taking in Wormsley Estate (Getty owned), quaint villages like Turville, and nice, wooded singletrack. Nothing technical, but a good mix of up and down (repeat several times), a bit of Tarmac, trees, roots, horses, mud.
It’ll be about 35km/700m and when it’s dry it’s got lots of fast flowing paths; if it’s wet, well, we may just change the plan a bit.
We’re going to be camping down at the excellent Sparkhayes campsite in Porlock – just round the corner from both the town and from the beach.
The campsite has electric hook ups, a shower/toilet block with washing up facilities, a kettle and small microwave. There is also a communal fridge and freezer.
The cost is £9 per person per night, with an additional £4 a night for the electric hook up.
Let us know if you want to stay and we’ll do a group booking – we will be there from the Friday night to set up as well, but people are welcome to join on the Friday night or Saturday morning.
Don’t forget the Saturday and Sunday rides that are part of the weekend.
![Exmoor Explore - Lets go to the sea @ Porlock Weir | Porlock Weir | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DSC_0001.jpg?fit=300%2C200)
![CANCELLED - Wednesdays After Work at Croft @ Croft Cycle Trail | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_2379.jpg?fit=300%2C225)
![Wednesdays GetintoMTB @ Croft Cycle Trail](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DSC_0045.jpg?fit=300%2C200)
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
![Wednesday GetintoMTB @ Croft Cycle Trail](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_0227.jpg?fit=300%2C225)
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
![GetintoMTB Goes to Wales @ Afan Lodge](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/69470660_10162386541255596_7800863711479988224_n.jpg?fit=300%2C225)
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 😀
![May Weekender 2020 - Exmoor @ Porlock](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_0264.jpg?fit=300%2C225)