Breeze, Rock around the block

We will meet at the Forest Cafe in Lydiard Park and make our way out onto the local cycle ways to reach the Swindon Old Railway line , a popular cycle path with lovely views of the Ridgeway . From there we will go up into Old Town and take a tarmac cycle path that leads towards The Croft Trail , Swindons very own mini trail centre for mountain bikers . We will stop along side the woodland to see the 'Wishing Hounds ' sculpture before heading out to the Witchelstowe canal and the lagoons , where we may see a heron of the family of resident swans . We head out onto a road section that is a bus route and very quiet , to pick up the cycleway to our cafe stop . Here we may see the little canal boat 'The Dragonfly' , that provides short boat trips along the renovated sections of the canal as we have refreshments . We head back towards Lydiard Park via the local Route 45 cycle way and up a couple of short hills , but no one will be left behind if you prefer to walk them . A small circuit of the Lydiard Park lake takes us back home .

A ride along the track and trails of Swindon with some hidden gems along the way

The route is mostly traffic free on cycle paths but with some sections of interlinking road , but none very busy. We will be crossing a couple of busy roads but via the pedestrian crossings

There will be a coffee stop at around 8 miles with outside seating overlooking the canal . If the weather is inclement we will have coffee at the end of the ride at the lovely old coach house in Lydiard Park .

Please wear helmets due to the gravel surfaces of the cycle paths . Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and feel free to bring additional snacks and water for the ride . You will need money for a coffee stop and £4.40 for the Lydiard Park car park , which is our starting point

We never leave anyone behind