Category Archives: MultipleStarts

Events, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts

Brecon Beacons Weekend 19th – 21st July 2019

Leave a comment
MB Swindon’s trip to the Brecon Beacons, 19th – 21st July inclusive (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights’ accommodation)
* Two men’s places currently available – £51.88 for the weekend; please contact us if interested*
Following the success of last year’s trip, we’re heading to the Brecon Beacons again this summer. We currently have a couple of men’s spaces available if anyone would like to stay, but in addition anyone is welcome to join any of the rides over the weekend.
The plan for the weekend is as follows – on Friday, for anyone who can make it, we will have a spin around the red trails of Cwmcarn. Timing late morning/early afternoon.
On Saturday and Sunday, we’ll be riding in the Brecon Beacons. Saturday’s route is around Talgarth and Llangorse lake, and on Sunday, we will be riding the famous Brecon Gap.
We will be meeting for the Gap ride on Sunday 21st at Talybont Bike Hub, LD3 7YQ where there is plenty of parking. The ride is approximately 22 miles, and while not especially gruelling in terms of elevation, contains two or three fairly technical, rocky sections so whilst not a novice-friendly ride,  the sections are walkable if preferred. It could be described as a good ‘first technical ride’.
There is a very good pub opposite the bunkhouse – we ate there last year and are booked in again for Friday and Saturday. There is also a BBQ in the garden of the bunkhouse, and other pubs/restaurants nearby (not walking distance though).
Events, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts, Novice Friendly

The Ridgeway Challenge

Leave a comment

On Saturday June 16th, we are running a different type of event for MB Swindon.

Instead of the Club providing a leader to guide you along your ride, this time we’ll be saying ‘3,2,1…Go!’ and setting you off on your way.

The Ridgeway Challenge will start at Foxhill, and the aim is for you to ride as far as you can along the Ridgeway whilst still making it back to Foxhill by the finish time.

There will be two options:

The six hour ride starts at 11.00am

The three hour ride starts at 2.00pm

…and riders on both rides must be back at Foxhill by 5.00pm.

How you ride is up to you. Treat it as a time trial and power through to cover as many miles as you can, or just make it a social ride with a group of friends. (As there is no ride leader, we suggest riding with a partner.)

Events, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts, Novice Friendly

Two Tunnels – The Return

Leave a comment
For those who missed this on previous occasions (or want to have another go…), Graham Burgess will be leading the Two Tunnels ride again.
The full 48 mile route will start from Wharf Road Carpark in Devizes, meeting at 9:15 for a 9:30 SHARP departure. The route follows the canal towpath down past Caen Locks and continues through Semington and Staverton to Bradford on Avon where we will meet anyone opting for the shorter 23 mile route at the Lock Inn Cafe at around 10:45 for an 11:00 (ish) departure so time for a quick coffee and cake!
The route then continues along the canal path past Avoncliff and the amazing aquaduct through to Brassknocker Basin. From Brassknocker, it picks up the Sustrans 13 mile Two Tunnels loop which continues along the canal past Claverton, Bathampton and Bathwick before passing through the suburbs and into Bath centre.
The route then follows the River Avon for a short while before picking up the gentle uphill gradient path through to the Two Tunnels which are an impressive 800 metres and 1672 metres long. From the Tunnels the route goes over the Tucking Mill Viaduct to Midford where we will stop for a pub lunch at the Hope and Anchor (or depending on group consensus we can stop at Brassknocker cafe a couple of miles on – or both…).
The route then takes to single country lanes for a mile or two with a couple of short sharp climbs through to Monkton Combe where it drops back down to Brassknocker Basin to rejoin the canal path for the return route back to Bradford on Avon and onto Devizes with the gradual but long climb up past Caen locks to finish back at the Wharf Road carpark.
This is an entirely non-technical route that will be at a moderate pace and suitable for anyone looking to add a few miles to their repertoire without the fear of big hills or scary bits. There are lots of opportunities along the way for cafe/pub stops and emphasis is on having fun and social day out doing something a bit different. NO ONE will be left behind.
Parking fees (last time we did ride there) were  £5.20 at Devizes and £4.00 at Bradford on Avon – these may have gone up so have plenty of change.
It is anticipated that the canal path will be reasonably busy with other cyclists and walkers so a bell would be useful if you have one.
The tunnels are lit and well surfaced but is advisable (although not essential) to have a small commuter light for this section.
Bring food/drinks, spares, a fully working bike and pocket money!
 
Start points:
Full route – Wharf Road Carpark, Devizes SN10 1EA
Shorter route – Lock Inn Cafe, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LE (nearest carpark Baileys Barn BA15 1BX)
(Image credit: betterbybike.info)
Events, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts, Novice Friendly

Wantage Cafe Ride

Leave a comment

Tom Scott will be running his ever-popular Wantage cafe ride on 22nd October.

The ride follows the Ridgeway from Swindon, past the White Horse at Uffington, and on to the outskirts of Wantage, where the group will stop for a cup of tea and a slice of cake to fuel up for the return leg.

There are two distance options for this ride:

40 Mile Option
Meet at Covingham shops at 9.00am.

25 Mile Option
Meet at Foxhill at 10.00am.

There are a couple of climbs en-route, but no technically difficult sections. The 25 mile option would make a good next-step ride for those looking to go beyond the average novice friendly ride.

As always, bring a drink and snack, and any spares you might need.

Events, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts

Midweek Ride 20th September

Leave a comment
Tom Scott will lead this week’s Wednesday night ride. As a pre-cursor to the urban season we will be riding out to Lydiard Park and Moulden Hill using the old railway tracks, and taking in some urban singletrack along the way.
As usual, the midweek ride is novice-friendly and all are welcome. The route will be about 20 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete.
You will need lights, a drink and a spare tube or repair kit. Meet at Croft Trail ready for a 7.00pm start, or, if you fancy an extra bit of riding, arrive by 6.30 to join Tom on a lap of Croft Trail before the main ride starts.
Events, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts, Novice Friendly

Fawkes a Lot!

Leave a comment

‘Fawkes a lot!’ is two rides in one. The 16 mile, Novice Friendly loop, will cover parts of the Ridgeway and other bridleways and byways in the area. It’s nearly all gravel, but there will be a few unsurfaced parts to ride. A few climbs but nothing too taxing.

If you fancy covering more miles then there is the option of meeting Phil Allum to start the ride from Coate Water Country Park instead which will add another 12 or so miles onto the ride total. We will be leaving Coate Water at 9am sharp,  and taking a brisk ride to Barbury to pick up the others before heading out across the downs.

Please bring drinks/snacks as there will not be any shops or cafes on this ride.

Hope to see you there!

 

Longer Ride:

Meeting point: Coate Water Country Park

Time: 08:45 to ride at 09:00

Total distance: 28 miles

 

Shorter Novice Friendly Ride:

Meeting point: Barbury Castle car park

Time: 09:45 to ride at 10:00

Distance: 16 miles

 

 

Events, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts, Novice Friendly

Midweek Ride 14 September

1 Comment

Michael Duller leads this week’s Wednesday night ride, which will start at The Patriots Arms, Chiseldon at 7.00pm

The ride will follow a circular route, taking in Barbury castle, Totterdown woods, Rockley and the Ridgeway. It will be approx 15 to 20 miles, and we aim to finish about 9.00pm. All riders will need lights, as it will be dark by the ride’s end.

As has become the custom on these rides, you can ‘Go Large’ by meeting Michael next to the diving board at Coate Water at 6.30pm and riding up to Chiseldon from there.

Events, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts, Novice Friendly

Wednesday Night Ride 6th May

Leave a comment

Midweek Ride

Update: Due to the high winds in the area, this ride will now be a shorter ride on lower ground. Meet at Coate Water at 6pm.

Tom Scott will be leading this week’s midweek ride, which will offer two options.

The long option (30 miles) We will be leaving from Coate at 6pm and heading for Barbury.

The short option (15 miles) will be leaving Barbury at 7pm and doing a 2 hour loop.
The long option will then return to Coate by about 9.30, so bring lights, water, food and any spares you might need. As always, all are welcome and no one gets left behind.
CommercialEvents, Events, MBSwindon Event, Multiday, MultipleStarts

North Wales Weekender

2 Comments

Come and join us for a fun filled weekend of mountain biking in North Wales. Our accommodation for the weekend will be at Ty Nant, a traditional Welsh longhouse near Dolgellau. Sleeping 10 the cost of this will be £45 per person on a self catering basis. For those who wish to extend the weekend there’s an option to stay on the Thursday night as well at no extra cost.

Exact routes/rides yet to be confirmed but as the accommodation is right on the doorstep of Coed y Brenin we’ll probably spend at least one day riding the waymarked trails through the forest. Other possibilities include Penmacchno, Climach X, Marin Trail, Mount Snowdon or an uplift day at Antur Stiniog.

Places are limited to 10 so accommodation will be offered on a first come (paid), first served basis and limited to paid-up club members only. If the long house gets full up we have an option to take further accommodation.

If you’d like to book on this event please email chris@mbswindon.co.uk and I’ll send all the details you need.

Events, Local Event, MBSwindon Event, MultipleStarts, Novice Friendly

BBT Dry Run (unless it’s raining then it’s a Wet Run)

Leave a comment

Graham Burgess will be leading this pre-ride ride.

Longer ride: Start (leave!) 9:30am (sharp) at Coate Water by Diving Boards. Faffers please arrive early.

Shorter ride: Start at 10:15am at Foxhill car park (nearest satnav SN4 0DR Burj Indian Restaurant).

So, you’ve seen the “Big Bang Theory” night ride posted for 05th November. This Saturday there is the opportunity to do a trial run of the ride in the daytime. There are some great views on this route so worth getting out of bed for. Having now done the reccee, I can confirm there aren’t any scary bits, but there is one decent hill to ride up – yes UP (plus a very short one that even I couldn’t get up as it’s a bit gloopy). There are also some “proper” cross country riding bits….

This will be a novice friendly ride, at the pace of the group and no one will be left behind, but please make your own mind up.

Bring warm/waterproof clothing, basic spares and snacks/drinks as appropriate.

Aim to be back to Foxhill by around 1:00pm but entirely dependent on group.