Mountain Biking with Swindon RC
Swindon RC is mainly a club organised around road cycling but some members do like to venture off-road and take part in a variety of Mountain Biking events throughout the year. Also the club is active in cyclo-cross during the Autumn and Winter period.
There are no regular off-road club rides but occasional rides are arranged by club members via the Message Board. This includes local rides up onto the Marlborough Downs and also trips to some popular mountain biking areas such as the Forest of Dean and the Mountain Bike Trail centres in South Wales at Afan and Cwmcarn.
Swindon also has a dedicated Mountain Biking Club called MB Swindon. They organise more frequent group rides and trips away so check them out if you are a keen off-roader. MB Swindon also maintain the dedicated Croft Wood Mountain Bike Trail opposite the Nationwide Building Society Head Office in Old Town, Swindon. This is a purpose built 4 km circuit ideal for some local trail riding, with a shorter beginners 'blue' route as well as the more challenging 'red' route.
For the 2013 season it is likely that club members will be taking part in some of the following Mountain Biking events with entries and travel, etc organised via the forum. All of this years Southern XC series are within easy travelling distance from Swindon, and also some of the National Series Races are close by.
In addition there are many other off-road style events in the area such as the very popular "Hell of the Cotswolds" in April and the Salisbury Plain Challenge in December.
A few events for 2013
| 14th April 2013 | Southern XC MTB Rnd 1, near Winchester |
race |
| 28th April 2013 | Prospect Hospice Big Bike Ride, Swindon, Marlborough Downs | charity enduro |
| 19th May 2012 | Southern XC MTB Rnd 2, New Forest |
race |
| 25th May 2013 | Erlestoke 12 Hour Enduro, Wiltshire | enduro race |
| 8th June 2013 | Bristol Bike Fest, Ashton Court, Bristol |
enduro race |
| 2nd June 2013 | MacMillan Castles Ride, Swindon, Marlborough Downs | charity enduro |
| 30th June 2013 |
Southern XC MTB Rnd 3, near Reading | race |
| 7th July 2013 |
National MTB XC Series, Margam Park, South Wales |
race |
| 14th July 2013 | Southern XC MTB Rnd 4, near Basingstoke |
race |
| 8th Sept 2013 | Southern XC MTB Rnd 5, New Forest | race |
| 12th Oct 2012 | Bristol Bike Fest, Ashton Court, Bristol | enduro race |
If you enjoy some occasional mountain biking you will find some like minded club members with whom you can arrange group rides.
