This will be a local XC ride, pump up to Barbury, Ufcott (perhaps Bicknoll), Mill Lane, West Swindon and Wroughton.
There will be some hills involved 🙂
John Jefferies is leading something a bit different this Thursday.
Leaving the Sun Inn @ Coate Water at 6.30 pm, we will head to chisledon via the the curly bridge, heading out to Marlborough on the old railway line.
Aiming to get to the Royal Oak pub for 8pm. an hour spent having food and refreshments before heading back at approx 9pm.
Will be expecting to hit coate on the way back at approx 10pm.
The ride will be approx 30 plus miles leaving from the sun. Lights and helmets a must. Will be a 10pm plus finish
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!
So we’re going to do this excellent final round in the amazing Peak District in 2019.
Although the main event is on the Sunday, there are also a Ladies Ride on the Saturday morning and a night marathon on the Saturday night, which has a choice of distances and light hire available from Exposure Lights.
On the Sunday 3 distances are available – Mini (25km), Half (45km) and Full (65km!). Bear in mind it’s in the Peak District, and the hills are big too, as well as the distance!
We’ve got members booked on the Half, but all routes start out together.
Full details here:
https://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/events/1st-2nd-september-2018-hope-valley-peak-district.html
(which ironically is the same as I did 2 years ago!)From the 3 Trees we will head out on the Ridgeway out to the bottom of Barbury Castle. This is further out on the Ridgeway from where we will drop down into the beautiful Vale of Rockley. A short sharp climb takes us to the top of a byway down to Ogbourne Maisey and then home along the old railway line cycle route.