Bigfoot MBC

Rides

If you fancy joining us for a ride then you’re very welcome to get in touch via the Contacts page and let us know, we can then suggest the best ride for you to come on and keep an eye out for you. To join a ride you’ll need:

Helmet. Probably the most important bit of kit you can buy – even more important than a bike!
An off-road capable bike in good mechanical order (if you’re not sure about this then get in touch and we’ll help out with advice etc.)
Some fitness! Quite how much is always a bit of a difficult one to judge, but as a rule of thumb if you can ride for 15 to 20 miles (on or off road) then you should be OK.
Some tools to help keep you self-sufficient (we can always help you out if you don’t know how to use them!), things like a spare inner-tube, tyre levers, small pump and a multi tool are a good starting point
Some water and a snack to keep you going!

We start from a number of different locations around Gloucestershire as you can see from the ride guide on the front page. We’ve listed them below along with links to Google maps so you can see where they are. The time on the ride is the time we expect to start rolling so do arrive a little earlier to allow for getting your bike and things ready.

Club Ride Grading

A ride may not meet all these requirements but should give a good steer on what is to be expected…or not. This is Bigfoot’s grading system and may not reflect the grading at trail centres, etc.

Green grade: e.g. Introductory ride
Ride time, 2 hours maximum
Easy / relaxed pace
No jumps
No drops
Single track terrain
Some small climbing
Hard tail / full suspension bike suitable

Blue grade: e.g. typical club weekly local XC ride on Wednesday and Sundays and away days i.e. Cannock Chase, Afan
Ride time, 2-3 hours maximum
Relaxed or brisk pace (some stamina is required)
May incorporate some small jumps which may be avoidable
May incorporate some small drops which may be avoidable
Typical Bigfoot single track
Steeper terrain
Some climbing
Hard tail / full suspension bike suitable
Knee/leg armour advisable

Red grade: e.g. tougher away day rides i.e. Mendips, Rhyader, Quantocks, Afan
Ride time, 2-5 hours maximum
Brisk / fast pace
May incorporate some small to medium size jumps which may or may NOT be avoidable
May incorporate some small to medium size drops which may or may NOT be avoidable
Typical Bigfoot single track
Steep, rocky terrain
Lots of climbing
Hard tail suitable but full suspension strongly advisable
Knee/leg protection strongly advisable

Black grade: e.g. uplift/downhill days, club jump sessions This grading is for down hilling and jump sessions only.
Will incorporate some large sized jumps which may NOT be avoidable.
Will incorporate some large sized drops which may NOT be avoidable.
Very steep, rocky terrain
Full suspension bike only, minimum of 6 inches advisable
Body armour strongly advisable
Full face helmet strongly advisable and may be mandatory by an organised uplift or event.
Arm armour strongly advisable
Knee/leg armour a must

The Locations

Royal William Pub, Cranham

These rides normally start from the car park at the back of the Royal William Pub on the A46 between Brockworth and Painswick. Don’t worry about the signs saying that the car park is just for customers; we’ve asked and they’re cool with us being there.

Royal William Pub, Cranham

The George Hotel, Birdlip
In the top/rear of the pub car park, we’ve not had any trouble from being parked there.

The George Hotel, Birdlip

Pedalabikeaway Cycle Centre, Forest of Dean
Main car park around the cycle centre, pay and display or get a fine value for money season ticket which covers most of the other car parks in the forest too.