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The Retrobike RetroRoadRide Series 2014
Round 1: The Mendips and Cheddar Gorge ~ Somerset
"The Mendip Mauler"
:: Date: Saturday 8th March 2014
:: Time: 9am for a 9:30am start.
:: Meeting at: Meet at the green in Priddy: --> https://maps.google.com/maps?client=saf ... =0CIsBELYD
:: Terrain: The opening round of the Second Annual RetroRoadRide Series will take in a completely new area for Retrobike rides. The Mendips and Cheddar Gorge will provide stunning scenery and great riding to get the series underway.
:: NO HELMET, NO RIDE
:: Route: Strava map: http://www.strava.com/routes/159535
91 kms (56.5 miles) of steep and dirty.
The route takes us from Priddy down into Wookey on a steep narrow road with spectacular views over the Somerset Levels and Glastonbury Tor. After this Mendip taster its back up via the Old Bristol road followed by a long sweeping descent into Wells. Turn right at the lights and back to Priddy with a lung buster up the Wookey Road.
We go back past the cars here so you'll have a chance to pick up or drop off some gear. Then its a steep descent into Westbury Sub Mendip and back up again with a drop down into Draycott, then on to Cheddar.
Caffeine stop at the Eidelweiss, but don't eat too much cake as we make an ascent of Cheddar straight away followed by some flattish bits across to Blagdon.
A loop round Butcombe brings us to the ascent of Burrington Combe and back over the top with a fast winding descent of Cheddar Gorge.
But there's a little sting at the end of the day with a choice of two leg burners back to the cars at Priddy.
It's a self contained affair with no facilities at Priddy, so make sure you pack something to eat on your return.
Mudguards are required as the cafe owner won't want any mud or stains on their seats, plus it gets really wet around Butcombe.
If there's snow it's no go!
:: Directions: Meet at the green in Priddy: --> https://maps.google.com/maps?client=saf ... =0CIsBELYD
There's plenty of free parking in Priddy, but please park in a tidy fashion by the pub (closed at the time of writing)
:: Postcode : BA5 3BB
WARNING:
The Mendips are steep (over 25% in places) and the descents are very technical on narrow roads with a poor surface (no holes) and they can be muddy. There is no opportunity to run out at the bottom, so descent speeds need to be controlled. The descent into Draycott is pretty much straight down and ends at a T junction for the A371, so make sure your brakes are in good condition and that you can control your bike. Head for the bank if you get into trouble and don't try to run it out under any circumstances.
Please sign up on this thread if you will be riding.
It would be great to see a good turn out for the first round in the 2014 series.
Round 1: The Mendips and Cheddar Gorge ~ Somerset
"The Mendip Mauler"
:: Date: Saturday 8th March 2014
:: Time: 9am for a 9:30am start.
:: Meeting at: Meet at the green in Priddy: --> https://maps.google.com/maps?client=saf ... =0CIsBELYD
:: Terrain: The opening round of the Second Annual RetroRoadRide Series will take in a completely new area for Retrobike rides. The Mendips and Cheddar Gorge will provide stunning scenery and great riding to get the series underway.
:: NO HELMET, NO RIDE
:: Route: Strava map: http://www.strava.com/routes/159535
91 kms (56.5 miles) of steep and dirty.
The route takes us from Priddy down into Wookey on a steep narrow road with spectacular views over the Somerset Levels and Glastonbury Tor. After this Mendip taster its back up via the Old Bristol road followed by a long sweeping descent into Wells. Turn right at the lights and back to Priddy with a lung buster up the Wookey Road.
We go back past the cars here so you'll have a chance to pick up or drop off some gear. Then its a steep descent into Westbury Sub Mendip and back up again with a drop down into Draycott, then on to Cheddar.
Caffeine stop at the Eidelweiss, but don't eat too much cake as we make an ascent of Cheddar straight away followed by some flattish bits across to Blagdon.
A loop round Butcombe brings us to the ascent of Burrington Combe and back over the top with a fast winding descent of Cheddar Gorge.
But there's a little sting at the end of the day with a choice of two leg burners back to the cars at Priddy.
It's a self contained affair with no facilities at Priddy, so make sure you pack something to eat on your return.
Mudguards are required as the cafe owner won't want any mud or stains on their seats, plus it gets really wet around Butcombe.
If there's snow it's no go!
:: Directions: Meet at the green in Priddy: --> https://maps.google.com/maps?client=saf ... =0CIsBELYD
There's plenty of free parking in Priddy, but please park in a tidy fashion by the pub (closed at the time of writing)
:: Postcode : BA5 3BB
WARNING:
The Mendips are steep (over 25% in places) and the descents are very technical on narrow roads with a poor surface (no holes) and they can be muddy. There is no opportunity to run out at the bottom, so descent speeds need to be controlled. The descent into Draycott is pretty much straight down and ends at a T junction for the A371, so make sure your brakes are in good condition and that you can control your bike. Head for the bank if you get into trouble and don't try to run it out under any circumstances.
Please sign up on this thread if you will be riding.
It would be great to see a good turn out for the first round in the 2014 series.
, but that's changed to a downhill now. Well.........for some of us anyway 
