Category Archives: Ladies Only

Events, Ladies Only, Local Event, Novice Friendly

POSTPONED – The Second Savernake Sisters Spin

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Unfortunately, Kate is unwell at the moment so this ride has been POSTPONED. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Kate Davidson repeats this picturesque rural ladies’ ride which was very popular last year, taking in the tracks and trails of Savernake Forest and a few local historical landmarks, with a cake stop en-route.

This will be a novice-friendly ride, at the pace of the slowest rider, but you should be comfortable riding 17 miles over mildly undulating terrain with a few short hills, and probably some mud, along the way.  

We’ll meet at Postern Hill campsite, on the outskirts of Marlborough, where there is plenty of parking. From the campsite we’ll ride into the forest, picking up some nice singletrack and fire roads, emerging at the far end of the Grand Avenue and riding onwards to the hamlet of Durley. From here, we drop down onto the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, stopping for tea and cake at Crofton Beam Engines and once refreshed we’ll head back to the forest and make our way back to the campsite.  

Athough being April it should be springlike, it may be wet and/or muddy in the forest. Bring anything you feel you may need such as water, weatherproof coat and spare tubes etc. Meet ready for a 10.00am start.

 

Events, Ladies Only, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, Novice Friendly

Ladies’ Ramsbury Ramble

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Kate Davidson leads this ladies’ cross-country ride to Ramsbury.

Starting in the village of Great Bedwyn and following country lanes, bridleways and by-ways around the outskirts of the village across to the Ramsbury Estate, we’ll ride over the old wartime tracks and through woodland down into Ramsbury, where we’ll stop at Café Bella for tea and cake.

Afterwards we’ll take a bridleway that runs past Littlecote House, a Tudor mansion with a beautiful Roman mosaic in the grounds (in addition to the remains of a large Roman villa) that’s well worth stopping to look at. From Littlecote, we’ll head back towards Bedwyn using a mix of bridleways and byways, and a nice little rooty descent to the Kennet & Avon Canal and back along the towpath to Bedwyn.

This should be an easy ride. The terrain is mostly bridleways, by-ways and country lanes, with two rooty descents. There will be a café stop halfway round. Dress for the weather and bring anything you might need such as spare tubes, etc.

Start location: Church Street, Great Bedwyn SN8 3PQ. Park at, or near, the church – there’s plenty of on street parking here, and further down – and a post office and bakery oppoisite if you need any snacks or supplies or a post-ride cuppa. Arrive in time for a 10.00am start.

Events, Ladies Only, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, Novice Friendly

Ladies B-M-B Ride

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Kate Davidson leads this novice-friendly ladies’ ride. Starting at Barbury Castle car park, we’ll make our way onto the Ridgeway and head down the lovely grassy run of Smeathe’s Ridge into Ogbourne St George, where we’ll cross the road and head up from the Ridgeway towards the Swindon to Marlborough cycle path.

From there, we’ll ride into Marlborough, stopping for a cuppa and cake, then we’ll head along Marborough High Street up to the common, turning off shortly after onto Manton Down towards Rockley. Heading down through the woods into Rockley, where there is a mild downhill trail through the woods, which can be ridden at your own pace.

We’ll work off that cake on the short(ish!), steep climb back up to Barbury Castle car park! However, the pace throughout will be steady and no-one will be left behind.)

There is a café stop halfway around, but bring anything you feel you may need such as water, snacks, weatherproof coat, spare tubes etc.

Meet at Barbury Castle Car Park ready for a 10am start.

 

Events, Ladies Only, MBSwindon Event

Hilda-May’s Exmoor Adventure

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Hilda-May Latham leads this ladies-only ride through the wilds of Exmoor. This is not a novice- friendly ride due to the amount of climbing (up to 1,000 metres). That said, the intention is to take it easy up the climbs.

The ride starts in Horner Woods with a steep tarmac climb. We will stop to take a breather and admire the views before a short ascent to ascent across the moor to Dunkery beacon, the highest point in Exmoor.

Dunkery beacon is very exposed – not the best place to be in wet, windy conditions – but on a clear day you can see across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

We then descend on a mixture of moorland and rocky tracks to the village of Exford where we will stop for lunch in one of the pubs. Lunch is followed by some more climbs back up to Dunkery beacon. From there we follow an awesome 4.5km rocky descent with loose rocks. The final part is downhill through Horner Woods, following the river back to the car park.

Once at the car park we can freshen up and grab celebratory cake from the local tea gardens.

Arrive in time for a 10.00am start. Bring £3 in change for the car park, lots of snacks, pocket money for lunch/cake and a change of clothes.

Events, Ladies Only, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, Novice Friendly

Savernake Sisters’ Spin

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Kate Davidson leads this picturesque rural ladies’ ride, taking in the tracks and trails of Savernake Forest and a few local historical landmarks, with a cake stop en-route.

This will be a novice-friendly ride, at the pace of the slowest rider, but you should be comfortable riding 15-20 miles over mildly undulating terrain with a few short hills along the way.

We’ll meet at Postern Hill campsite, on the outskirts of Marlborough, where there is plenty of parking. Get there ready for a 10.30am start.

From the campsite we’ll ride into the forest, picking up some nice singletrack and fire roads, emerging at the far end of the Grand Avenue and riding onwards to the hamlet of Durley. From here, we drop down onto the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, stopping for tea and cake at Crofton Beam Engines and, once refreshed, we’ll head back to the forest, enjoying more of the lovely trails it has to offer, and make our way back to the campsite.

Athough being April it should be springlike, it may be wet and/or muddy in the forest. Bring anything you feel you may need such as water, weatherproof coat and spare tubes, etc.

 

 

Events, Ladies Only, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, Novice Friendly

Ladies’ Tracks and Trails Urban Ride

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Debbie Davies will be leading her last winter urban ride for the ladies in February. This ride takes in connecting trails and quiet roads or safe roadside cycle paths  to take you through the outskirts of Swindon.

We will pass though four of the local parks at a casual pace to suit the slowest rider. If you have considered riding with the MB Swindon club, this would be a gentle introduction. If you have never covered this distance before , come and ride with us, we would love to help you move up in your riding.

There will be a café / cake stop a little under half way around, but feel free to bring your own water and snacks to use on the way round.

Dress suitably with warm clothes as the pace will be steady with possible stops for people. Don’t forget that feet get cold on pedals and that you will be out for several hours .

We look forward to seeing you.

Events, Ladies Only, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, Novice Friendly

Ladies’ Cake Burner Ride

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Ladies, our first ride of 2018 is a classic XC route. It will be novice friendly due to its lack of technical features. The distance is slightly longer than our usual Novice rides, but no-one will be left behind. We may experience any weather in January so please dress suitably for wind / ice / snow / rain /mud …am I selling this to you ?!

We will be heading up to the Ridgeway on hardpack trails and making our way to Totterdown Woods, and then onto the access road through the Manton Estate where the views are wonderful. From here we head into Marlborough and a lovely quiet road descent.

We plan to stop at a café at around the halfway point. From here we will make our way to the old railway line and back to Chiseldon (where there is the opportunity to stop again around 3 miles from the finish to get hot drinks if necessary!) and then Coate Water.

Join us and blow away those Christmas cobwebs .

Notes:

Please bring water and extra food because of the distance and time of year: keep fuelled = keep warm

Meet by the diving board at Coate Water at 9.45, ready for a 10.00am start.

Please note there is a £2 car park charge at Coate Water for all day parking .

Events, Ladies Only, MBSwindon Event, Novice Friendly

Ladies Forest Christmas Meet

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Debbie, from MB Swindon, would like to invite you to an informal social ride at the Pedalabikeaway trail centre, taking in the family friendly and non technical Green graded trail.

We will meet outside the centres café at 9.45 for a 10am depart. We have invited many other Ladies mountain bike groups to join us to create an easy going pre Christmas ride suitable for all fitness levels and riding abilities. It will be at a casual pace with the emphasis most definitely on social and chat.

On returning to the café it is hoped that we will have mince pies and mulled wine to end our event.

The afternoon will be up to individuals, feel free to ride the blue and red trails, repeat the family green trail or maybe just chat over a coffee. None of the trails will be officially guided and therefore it is suggested that you ride to a level you are comfortable with and that suit your abilities. We hope you will meet some like minded riders and enjoy all the Forest of Dean trails have to offer.

Please note that there are car park charges, £7 for the day but this is a Forestry Commission run car park, so refer to their website for full parking information. Pay machine at the car park

Dress code: Tinsel, fairy light, and a club jersey if you have one.

UPDATE Friday 15 December 18:50

After last weekend’s snow the family cycle trail still has obstacles across it, so the plan for the day will need to be changed.

The below is an update from Debbie:

“Ladies this will make a difference to plans tomorrow , it looks as though the green trail is a no go . So the plan of a social chat ride first has probably gone out the window. We may have to hit the blue trail and Launchpad first instead …Sorry for the change of plan …lunch will still be on but the rest of the morning will probably be an open play session”

Events, Ladies Only, MBSwindon Event

Ladies Y Wal Ride

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This trail traverses the north side of the Afan Valley on singletrack, promising great views of the valley and coastline. It offers a wide range of climbs and descents. You can also expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, cambers and water crossings. Some of the steep-sided slopes can feel exposed. It will be worth layering up.

There is an option of doing Blue Scar trail after a spot of lunch in the afternoon – daylight hours & weather permitting.