Bigfoot MBC

Thanks to Tim P for leading us on a good calorie burning circuit today. We started off with a lap of the Croft Trail in Swindon, a twisty singletrack maintained by mbswindon – a bit of a Tardis trail: it manages to fit a lot into not much space.

Over the M4 and across a horrendously soggy, muddy field – setting the tone for the rest of the morning. Up Ladder Lane, in parts on foot as it was so slippy, then on south towards Barbury Castle – less of a castle more a memory.

If it wasn’t foggy you’d be able to see a big gap where once there was a castle

Then some good stretches of the Ridgeway, sometimes in cold fog, sometimes clearing and even giving glimpses of sun and views. Yes really.

Plenty of mud and water filled ruts to keep us on our balancing toes, with a few comedy splatters to keep us entertained.

Just after the best muddy ruts

Down to Avebury to take a quick look at the stones – kids series Children of the Stones was filmed here fact fans – with one of the spookiest theme tunes around. Jaunty and smiley it isn’t.

Spooky stones and National Trust scones

Back up to the Ridgeway for some flying downhill and then a long wet chalky up back to Barbury Castle. Easy road to the outskirts of Swindon and we were done. Or so we thought – the gloopy sting in the tail was a really muddy section just before we got back to the Croft. A final leg burner, even on the flat!