Wilton Training Loop
A good training route with plenty of long climbs plus some sweet single track mixed in to keep things interesting. Directions start from the car park at Michael Herbert Hall in Wilton. Following the route from there is about 20 km with 400m elevation in total or you can repeat the main 12km loop to take your total distance closer to 20 miles or 32km. Strava route Directions: Turn left out of the car park, ride along the road to the crossroads where you turn left along the road and past the Bear Inn. When the main road carries on left, turn off right onto a residential street, carry on under the railway bridge then turn left onto the track heading up the hill. When the track forks keep right to head up to Grovely Woods where you’ll see a green gate at the top of the climb. Turn left…
16 December: Mtb road trip – Triscombe
Hidden away in the Quantocks the downhill tracks at Triscombe are some of my personal favourites. There’s something like 25 – 30 tracks of Red/Black grade which ride really well in all weather conditions plus everything is accessible from a short fireroad which can be pushed or pedalled up in less than 10 minutes. What more could you possibly want! You’ll need to be a confident rider for this trip, most of the big features are totally avoidable however you should be able to ride drops of 1 – 2 feet as a minimum skill level. Don’t forget to let us know if you can make it on our Facebook events page.
MTB – Calendar of Events Autumn/Winter 2017/18
Here we have all the dates for your MTB diaries up to the end of March 2018 to keep you riding right through to next spring. Some of the dates and locations below will be subject to change. As soon as we finalise the plans for each ride we’ll post an event up on Facebook and also on the website. Just follow the links for more info: 28 – 29 October – Welsh Weekender, Afan Forest 5 November – Sunday road trip to Swinely Bike Hub 12 November – Sunday social ride, Purbeck Hills 10 December – Sunday social ride, Saliabury Plain 16 December – Saturday “Gravity” road trip, Tiscombe 6 January – Saturday road trip, Cwmcarn 14 January – Sunday social ride, Pepperbox hill/Bentley woods 20 January – Sunday road trip, Croft Trail 4 February – Sunady road trip, Bike Park Wales 18 February – Sunday Social ride, Shaftesbury…
12 November – Sunday Road Trip – The Purbecks
After a hugely successful ride down to Swanage last Sunday, Mark thought we should get back to the Purbecks as soon as possible! We’ll be starting the mtb ride from Corfe Castle at 10am aiming to get back by 4ish. Don’t forget to check out our events page on Facebook for more details about the route and to let us know you’re coming.
MTB Welsh Weekender 28 – 29th October
After a brilliant club ride at Afan in the Summer we will be heading back on the 28 – 29th of October for a weekend away. Camping is available for £3.50 per person per night at the at the visitor centre and you can find all the details you need for booking here: http://www.afanforestpark.co.uk/1936 There are a wide variety of trails available at Afan ranging from the Green Rookie trail up to the 44km W2 route which is a serious all-dayer! Details of all the trails and grades can be found here: http://www.afanforestpark.co.uk/1866 If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at mtb@sramcc.com.
Alps Epic – Race Report by James Murphy
On 3rd July 2017 my team mate, Lee Johnson (right) and I crossed the line for the “prologue” of the Alps Epic stage race in Hautes Alps, France. We decided to take on this 5 day stage race for Action Medical Research, a cause close to both our hearts. Action has funded research which proved to be crucial to the health of Lee’s son who was prematurely born and suffers with asthma. Also, research funded by Action into ultrasound scanners is key in checking on the function of my one working kidney. Along with the stunning alpine scenery, riding for a charity certainly kept us pushing when things got tough! Alps Epic is quickly gaining a reputation for being one of the most grueling stage races in the world, packing in climbing of nearly 15,000m in total over the five 70km stages. This relatively short distance means that the uphill sections are unbelievably steep…
Burcombe Blast
Slightly longer route suitable for CX/Gravel riders as well as mountain bikers taking in mostly easy terrain. Take the boardwalks and farm tracks from Five Rivers leading on to the road at Avon Farm Cottages. Continue on past mile hill and turn left off of the road to pick up some single track up to the A36. Cross the road here and continue on the double tracks down into Great Wishford. Ride through the village to pick up the climb to Grovely Woods. In the woods, turn right along the main track and then turn left after a short spin to drop down into Burcombe. Take the steep chalky climb out of Burcombe to join the Shaftesbury Drove. Carry on along the drove all the way back into Harnham before riding back across town returning to Five Rivers via Waitrose for a cheeky post ride coffee. Strava Route
Wilton Singletrack Sesh
20 mile route suitable for beginners perfect for a pub ride to the V&A at Netherhampton. Out along the boardwalks, turning left and climbing up the fields to Devizes Road. From the road, drop down through the housing estate to Wilton Road at the petrol station, drop down from here into Chruchfields to pick up the Broken Bridges trail. Follow Broken Bridges to golf course hill and climb up to meet the drove. Turn right at the drove and ride along to the road at Salisbury Racecourse. Cross the road and turn immediately right into the trees taking the next right to pick up the “beechnuts” single track. At the end of the trail turn left onto the road and left again after a short spin taking home farm road into Wilton. Turn right and take the roads to the cross road by the market in Wilton. Turn left at…
Grateley Railway Ride
A challenging 34 mile ride taking in some sharp climbs and steeper descents. Heading out Via Old Sarum and High Post down the roads to Gomeldon. From Gomeldon head out on the roads to Porton and pick up the railway line to Grately. From Grateley head across through the Wallops and over the A30 taking in a steep chalky climb to meet the Clarendon Way outside Winterslow. From Winterslow a series of byways takes you to a rocky descent down to Pitton. A rooty trail out of Pitton takes you over the A30 to Figsbury rings for a photo opportunity. Heading down from Figsbury rings will test your nerve before you head back to five rivers via Ford, Bishopdown Farm and St Marks Hill. Strava route