Its been 3 years since i was last there and now its time to visit again. This is an awesome place to visit with some serious trails worth riding. Some tough hill climbs, but with rewarding descents.
Current weather forecast is for showers, but this is Wales, so make sure you bring waterproofs! A helmet is also essential.
There are some great spots of riding at Swinley, but if you stick strictly to the Blue and Red trails you’ll a) miss some great off-piste stuff and b) have to churn through some really dull miles to get to the good bits!
So this ride is to show you the best bits – starting on the Blue trail, but then picking up some of the off-piste used on the recent Enduro race to connect up to the best of Red. That will take us to the bottom far east corner, where the downhill trials are as well and after a play in that area, we will take a more leisurely ride to pick up the fabulous Tank Traps section, before ending with the best of Blue to take us back to the hub. Should be 20 miles in total.
This ride contains blue and red graded trails, so bare that in mind – it’s Swinley not the Alps, but the bits of red we will be doing are definitely red grade.
See you at the entrance to the Blue trail at 10am.
This will be an uplift day and starts at 9.30am, so be there early to get prepped, sign in etc
This is about 1 hour 30 min car drive (from swindon), so if you’re lift sharing allow time for pick ups.
Uplift ticket price is £36, but you can a pedal up ticket for £6.
You will need a helmet – they are compulsory at Bike Park Wales, and if you are fancying the rocky reds or black runs, a full face helmet is advisable.
Tickets sell out months in advance and you will need to book your own, so get in quick on the link below.
As well as leading SMTBE rides, I am also a Breeze champion, and I am leading a combined Breeze ride, with a RideSocial bit in the middle.
I have put together a few of my favourite routes with an adventurous twist in the middle! We will start the route at the Three Trees Cafe , then take the cycle path through Chiseldon and then head to Coate Water via the ‘twirly whirly bridge’. We will ride round the back of Coate Water and head out onto the roads by the Broome Manor estate. After a short section of quiet road we will pick up the cycle path again down the side of the golf course and head onto Pipers Way and to Croft. This is where we will stop for a short break from the Breeze ride and if you want to join the ‘Ride Social’ at this point, then that will be the adventurous twist – a lap of Croft!
We will then continue the Breeze ride, head back to Coate Water via Broome Manor and stop for coffee or toilets if required. After Coate, we will take the Badbury Wick route back to the Three Trees Cafe, which is all quiet country roads. Once back at the Three Trees Cafe we will stop for a much needed hot drink and a cake!
Meet in the Three Trees Cafe car park for a 10am start.
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 !!!
This is a bringing your kids somewhere fun trip!
The 417 Project is only half an hour from Swindon and has some great trails and features for developing skills for all ages, although you need to be confident riding off stabilisers and over small obstacles.
There is a small outdoor trail aimed specifically at kids, with bermed corners and small ramps to go over, which is a great place to start.
That is right next to the bottom section of the Blue trail, which is great for progressing further – the more you progress, the further up the hill you go basically.
Inside one of the barns is a Velosolutions pump track too, which is great for everyone in all weathers.
Above that is also a Leisure Lakes bike shop, which does an excellent range of kids specific clothing and protection.
Oh and the cafe does amazing food, coffee and milkshakes!
Children are welcome on this event, but you will be responsible for your own children at all times, including making sure they are capable of riding whichever trail they decide to tackle.
It costs £8 entry for adults, or £5 for under 12s. You can book in advance online at https://417bikepark.co.uk
Helmets are compulsory at the bike park – they will not let you ride without one.
We will meet at 10am in the car park.
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.
This is a Ladies Only ride, led by Davinia.
We meet at Mouldon Hill in the car park and then follow route 45 South past Shaw Forest and pick up the West Swindon Round to Lydiard Park. We will stop at Lydiard for a drink and maybe a cake! Then back continuing on the West Swindon round and back up the old railway line to Mouldon Hill.
This is a very gentle ride, and is no more than 9 miles.
It is aimed at beginners and upwards and is for every ability.
It’s a chance to get back on the bike, have a chat and feel happy!
You will need a helmet, bike and yourself!
This ride is suitable for all mountain bikes or hybrid bikes with off road tyres.