Hi all
Announcing the STW forum Mendip ride on Sunday the 16th August, as discussed shortly after OldFarts brilliant Exmoor safari ride.
Start/Finish: Meet at 9:30am for a 10am start at the Burrington Combe Inn [BS40 7AT]. There is plenty of free parking right next door at the disused garden centre.
Route:
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It starts with a moderate road climb to warm up before heading up the highest point; then follows some of the CLIC24 route descending into Rowberrow Wood and then climbing to where there are some optional short DH-style trails. Then descends to Cheddar on rocky Warrens Hill Road. We follow the cycle track to do the toughest climb of the day: the Cheddar Challenge climb up to Lillypool Cafe for rest/food. We road climb back to Rowberrow Wood and make our final steep descent on Stony Lane and a short road ride back to the start.
Stats/Pace: 30km, 800m climbing. I ride this comfortably solo sub3 hours, but as it's a lovely social ride expect it to take about 5 hours. Some guiding assistance from other local riders would be welcome.
Conditions/Kit: After baked/fast trails in June, the trails are degenerating into winter condition, so bring appropriate bikes, tyres, mudguards etc.
Hope to see you there
Sounds good, I might tag along.
Pencil me in. I will confirm closer to the date.
Thanks in advance.
Count me in.
About 30 mins by car from Weston via Locking, Sandford and Churchll, tis pretty straightforward.
Dunno about skinny mud tyres as there are too many rocks, but bald summer tyres aren't ideal here ATM. Something with biggish knobs on will do. I just put my crudguard and 2.35 high rollers back on my HT. I'll pray really hard for an improvement in the weather!
Buzz, I have no problem on bald summer tyres on mendip at the moment, it's all about commitment and momentum. Science officer can vouch for this.
Shameless bump for the morning site traffic as there was a fair bit of interest in this a few weeks ago but people need to see it. 🙂
I think I said we're coming on this ride last time 🙂
Are we looking at a fairly slow pace, because MrsPP wants to come and she's not the quickest rider, although she plods along all day quite happily...
🙂
Hoping to make it, family commitments allowing. About an hour from Poole?
May well come along too. Hopefully be able to help out with some of the guiding for you if need be. I am riding in the cotswolds on Sat - Evans Ride IT event so provided my legs are ok, I will be there.
still coming.
Hoping to come along on this one if it's not monsoon conditions and I'm not too hung over from the village regatta the day before. CLIC24 is my only Mendips experience up to now so it'll be good to see a bit more of that neck of the woods 🙂
We're not in true slop yet Dave, and you're quite fit, and quite skilled - means you ride light anyway.
Soon as the muddy veneer gets deeper than a few mm, you're going to be sliding around like a slidey thing from... er... slidey land with a degree in um, slidiness. 😳
If we don't get some dry weather soon, its really going to degenerate over the next couple of weeks as the ground softens. The DH runs in Rowberrow are pretty slidey already.
Clic 24 showcases only one good section of Mendip.
Thats a good Route - has my seal of approval. Not that you need it. 8)
"Are we looking at a fairly slow pace"
We all really enjoyed the Exmoor Safari ride and I think the overall speed, including stoppages for catch-ups, refreshments and yacking, was about 3mph! It's very much a social ride to meet and chat and show visiting guests around the area a little.
I hope to get a little support from other local riders who can go ahead to hold gates, mark junctions and back-stop the group so no-one gets separated.
Hope you can come!
Unfortunately I'll not be able to assist - holidaying with the kiddiewinks in Dartmouth that week(end).
Unfortunately I'll not be able to assist - holidaying with the kiddiewinks in Dartmouth that week(end).
Scienceofficer, escape the crowds in Dartmouth on the Saturday by taking a ferry upriver and coming to our village regatta! Then you can do your best to keep me away from the beer-tent so I'm fit for the Mendips ride on the Sunday 😉
[url] http://www.dittisham.org.uk/regatta.asp [/url]
I would be happy to come along and help if you need it. I know that neck of the woods quite well and only live in Street.
Buzz,
I will be happy to help (with the leisure group obv.)
Buzz i'll get the gates and mop up at the back if you want .
May well do that Kamel!
Sounds ace! Looking forewards to it now!
🙂
oldfart/tsr/ollieT: thanks for you support. It shouldn't be too onerous.
Looking forward to this buzz 🙂
Could you please do a "tyre recommendations for the Mendips" thread a couple of days before? Can't believe I may have to use a mud tyre 😯
Thank you!
"tyre recommendations for the Mendips" 😀
No worries. I'll scope the ickiest bits on Saturday morning and report back. Personally, I like my knobbly tyres around here.
I think I might be up for this, Ollie T you defo going?
Cool judderman (are you scary looking like in the advert?) 😀
he's not scary looking...just odd tbh. 😉
are you doing this one Ringer?
I'am but I will officially only be enjoying the downhills.
Yep, me too. Bringing the ASBO h/tail with 2.3" ACX's, which ought to do the trick. Just wondering what sort of sacrifice needs to be made for sunny skies from now on? Looks like fun, really looking forward to it. See you Sunday Gilles and C_G.
I popped into Lillypool Cafe on today's ride on trails around Shipham Gorge, just to warn them that 20 hungry cyclist would be turning up next Sunday.
I also cleared the annoying fallen tree and brambles that were blocking the Cheddar Challenge climb - took 40 minutes of sawing and hacking and I'm a bit scratched!
Trail conditions were quite good today too.
Buzz is this still on for Sunday.
Sorry Ollie T, I didn't see you post.
Yes the ride is on. I am getting excited now.
Back from the Alps with only my pride seriously damaged, so I'll be there 🙂
Rich , dont talk crap! I expect you to be in "Cachette" mood!
I'll follow you!
Can't make it to this now, family commitments elsewhere. May well be near Swinley Sunday morning though, so may sneak a ride in there instead.
depending on the outcome of my trip to hospital today, I'm up for it. I will be riding slow (especially downhill) really can't afford to take a tumble
Ill be coming with 2 mates and possibly meeting a few more there. looking forward to it (well the food stop). Is anyone out tonight? usually meet at the crown in churchill at 6.30 for ride at 7?
judderman, is it a regular ride? Every Thursday 6:30pm?
Bad luck rusty. Hope you Swinley ride is good.
I'm going to try and make it (if i can rearrange some family commitment). Interesting looking ride done most bits of the ride but never as one ride nor in that direction. Will look forward to it.
judderman, is it a regular ride? Every Thursday 6:30pm?
Can't speak for the Crown lot but we're out as well on Thursdays, from the Miner's Arms in Shipham at 8:00pm sharp, offcomers welcome 🙂
I'll be along on Sunday Buzz as long as my back's okay. I seem to have wrenched it taking a fridge to the recycling this morning...
gilles; it is a regular ride every thursday with a group called The Mad Cows (and anyone else who turns up) however when its wet the numbers who turn up are somewhat deminished! I am not sure if I can make it myself tonight now but there should be others there. Dont park in the Crown carpark as the landlord gets upset, park in the feild opposite the gate is always open and there will be some vans/cars already in there. we generaly have a pint from the superb selection of local real ales and ciders afterwards and a chat. It really is a good laidback group with some great trails.
ok thanks. I will try to join any of your group in the coming weeks. Hope to talk about it on Sunday.
ok Gilles, theres also a group ride on a Tuesday starting from Wells at 6.30
Will also be in attendance on Sunday and bringing a mate. I'm familiar with most of the route, but some of it will be new to me - looks good!
Looking forward to a nice social potter.
Chas_T
For those who expressed an interest in tyre selection 🙄 😀 I've had a quick look at the trails for this ride. The largely dry-spell this week as improved conditions a lot. While there is still mud-pots and slipperyness in the usual places, the going is mostly quite good/fast. Any all-round tyre will be fine.
The weather forecast for Sunday looks good too. 😀
I'll be riding over from Shipham. Probably do the first half to Lillypool Cafe.
Conditions last night were good ... including the yoghurt.
I should be there too , with a couple more riders.
buzz - I'm sorry but am now not going to be able to make this 🙁
I do hope everyone has a great time and look forward to seeing knottie's pics 🙂
i should be there
Oh CG - that's a shame. We'll meet up another time I'm sure.
Meanwhile, here's a couple of tempting photos:
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😀 😀
ya for sunday
ah, it nice to see some Mendipisoity on STW...have a fine ride y'all
as for how long will it take to drive from Weston?...look at he map & try cycling it.
too much road for me in this route, will be out earlier too
Sorry, not going to be able to make it. It's my wifes birthday weekend and although she said she wouldn't mind if I went, it just wouldn't feel right if I did. :(. Enjoy the ride all.
I'll be there on my shiney new toy.... with inner tubes not Tubeless!