Welcome Off Roaders!
If you’re looking for some of the best off-roading in the Dales, Lakes, Moors or Peaks, you’ve come to the right place. We also organise local off-roading on an ‘as required’ basis.
The ‘non-local’ rides are roughly once a month and are suitable for mountain bikes with a cross-country set up (note some routes will be described as suitable for cyclo cross/gravel bikes).
There is usually just one group, so we ride to the slowest rider’s speed. If you’re miles off the front, loop round to the last rider and have another go. All routes are on bridle paths, BOATs (Byway Open To All Traffic), RUPPs (Road Used As A Public Path) or GREEN LANES, definitely no footpaths.
Transport to the Dales etc is by individual arrangement; we can try to assist with a lift but this is not guaranteed.
Please read ‘What to bring’ to help the ride go smoothly. Rider input is welcome, e.g. route suggestions, good pub after the ride, and so on. If you like the rides, join the club. We’re not a road club, we’re a cycling club…and proudly so.
Any enquiries can be directed to: Martin Clough, click here to email.
In line with British Cycling requirements and all Seacroft Wheelers rides, anyone under the age of 18 must have a completed parental consent form. For further information on our u18’s policy click here
Seacroft Wheelers off-road / gravel rides are aimed to be ‘inclusive & no drop’ rides. The ride pace will always be set by the ride leader and will be to suit the slowest rider.
To help riders with ride selection to suit both their skill & fitness level and bike selection for 2026 we have adopted a standard grading system used by many off road ride organisers.
All our rides are listed on the SPOND app which are synced with our club calendar on the website. Due to limited space just the RIDER & TECHNICAL ‘Star’ grading will be shown, together with a brief ride description. For an in-depth understanding of the grading, select the relevant tabs above
It is appreciated that what may be an ‘easy’ ride for one rider could be a ‘difficult’ ride for another. However, with the combination of RIDER & TECHNICAL grades it is left to the individual rider to make their own decision. Any queries on a particular ride please message the ride leader prior to the ride. Rider difficulty explained (5 star hardest – 1 star easiest)
***** Reserved just for our hardest routes. These will be longer distance & with challenging climbs both on and off road.
**** Typically, longer rides with regular climbs which could be both steep & long. Suitable for most riders with some fitness.
*** A mix of terrain & elevation. A decent day out with some tricky sections but still suitable for most riders.
** A fairly easy ride with the possibility of some harder sections but suitable for all regular cyclists.
* Easy, suitable for all riders, mostly a flat and/or shorter route.
The SWCC off-road / gravel rides are a mix of the following tracks & trails:
Smooth trails, forests roads, open sections over moors, bridleways, canal towpaths,
BOATS, permissive cycle trails and sections of the national cycle network.
If a particular route has some rockier sections and/or technical descents that are
very challenging these will be listed in the ride description and fully briefed to riders
at the start of and during the ride prior to that specific point. Most of our off-road rides are suitable for most level of riders (See each ride description in SPOND for the exact surface conditions of that ride). Technical difficulty explained (5 star hardest – 1 star easiest) *
**** A challenging route suitable only for experienced riders. Expect short hike-a-bike sections, a mix of terrain & loose climbs and descents.
**** Suitable for regular off roaders, the route may contain rockier sections, technical descents etc.
*** A mix of off-road conditions with some more difficult sections.
** More typical ‘local gravel’ which may be muddy when wet but no challenging sections
* Smooth terrain suitable for all riders
SWCC routes are designed for virtually any off-road capable machine with suitable tyres, most
are classed as gravel or MTB bikes.
We will advise (using the terms Gravel and/or MTB in the relevant ride description on SPOND, if we feel one type of bike is more suitable than the other. This however is only a suggestion to help riders plan what suits them.
One rider may choose a full suspension MTB for comfort, where the next rider may choose a cyclo-cross bike on 35mm tyres as they are in training for the 3 Peaks cyclo-cross race! The range of possibilities is a personal choice to each rider; we will endeavour to give you the information to enable you to make your own choice.
We do insist that whatever bike you choose is mechanically sound and in a suitably maintained
condition. And that you carry at least the bare essentials to cover basic trail side repairs and
punctures.
Only on very rare occasions would we post a tyre recommendation due to weather / trail
conditions / time of year etc. In general, an all-rounder, 33-45mm tyre will be fine.
To make your ride as enjoyable as possible, consider the below items:
- Completed parental consent form (if required).
- Mechanically sound bike
- Helmet
- Clothing suitable for the weather conditions
- Spare clothing (Weather conditions change)
- Windproof jacket for rides on high ground
- Mountain biking shoes (note if you’re driving up, done that before)
- Spare Inner tubes, multi tool, & pump (or CO₂ inflator)
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Beer money
- Mobile phone
- I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) details so completed membership card or I.C.E. details stored in phone.
- Cheesy grin (for photos) Cheesy grin dispensers are found at the bottom of all off road descents
All historic rides can be found on the Spond app and club calendar.
Historic pics and videos
Alan W climbing Middlesmoor & beyond 01-07-2018