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Past Ride

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Sun Jun 26th 2022

Somerset Special ride	3*

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.
Riders: Andy Pixton David Smith Jo Little John Tranter Katherine Boyce Ursula Hallam Riders = 6 Weather: 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
The Outskirts June 2022 How big is the festival! June 2022 Perfect brunch stop. June 2022 Cheddar Gorge Conquered. June 2022 Cheddar Gorge Conquered. June 2022 Final glimpse of the Tor June 2022
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39807123"
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Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information