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Somerset Special ride | 3* |
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Leader:Katherine Boyce |
Start Time:9:30 am |
Start Location:Commercial Road Car Park, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5DA |
Description:A relatively short, away day ride previously done by the club many years ago. The morning is an introduction to the Somerset Levels, followed by a trip up Cheddar Gorge - one of the iconic British cycling hills - before a brief taste of the Mendip Hills. We'll stop after an hour or so at Sweets Tea Room and Museum, where a warm welcome is always given to cyclists and then at Masburys Cafe in the Rocky Mountain Nursery towards the end of the ride. Please let me know you are coming, the group will be a maximum of 12.Parking is £2 for all day at Commercial Road Car Park, Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5DA. Pay by phone is possible. |
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Report:Note to future ride leaders considering doing a ride in Somerset on Glastonbury weekend: consider the impact of 5 Glastonbury Shuttle Buses travelling to the festival and their impact on travel times. If you don't, always good to be giving a lift to someone who knows the area so well, they can find you a less slow route unbeknown to apple maps . The benefit of arriving late was we missed the only shower of the day, result!Those of us that had previously done this ride had forgotten what a gem it was. Beautiful lanes, fantastic views and a great brunch stop. We heard Glastonbury Festival before we saw it and benefited in the first part of the ride from a number of roads being closed to prevent festival traffic from straying off the main roads. Plenty of sharp inclines kept us on our toes until we reached the Levels. They have a different, bleaker beauty than the surrounding hills. After a splendid brunch stop at Sweets, on towards Cheddar and the climb out of the Gorge. Everyone took it at their own pace and we all regrouped at the top. The ride through the Mendips was rolling with terrific views. The afternoon stop had chaotic service but they got there in the end! The final part of the ride was mainly on a ridge giving stunning views of Glastonbury Tor and the levels, before we knew it we were slipping back into Shepton Mallet. Thanks to all that came for making this a particularly splendid Club Away Day Maybe next year we will reverse the route and discover the fun of a Cheddar Gorge descent! | ||
Distance:73.09 km (45.42 mi) | Ride Details:https://www.strava.com/activities/7373752221 | |
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39807123" | ||
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