Somerset Hills Medio Fondo: 134K / 84 Miles (approx)

Cheddar Gorge and the Mendips

The ride starts with an 8K climb up the famous Cheddar Gorge. It's a tough climb and becomes steep at the famous horse shoe bend, don't forget to look up and you will see breath-taking cliffs, known as the Pinnacles, towering over head at 450ft.

Deer Leap

What goes up must come down, a fast and narrow descent follows dropping over the south side of the Mendip Hills loosing 850ft to 16ft, just above sea level at the Somerset levels. The route then becomes flat and the pace will pick up as you ride across the levels through the picturesque village of Easton, Chilton Polden, Stawell, Westonzoyland then onto Bridgwater.

The Quantock Hills

Enmore Climb over the Quantock Hills is approx 10k, the start is steady but kicks up at the half way point. This climb was used in the Tour of Britain 2009. At the top is 'Pines Cafe', your first feed and timing stop well known to local cyclists; an outside water tap and WC have been kindly made available by the cafe owner to participants on the day. Tea and cake will also be available to purchase.

Next comes the sharp descent of West Bagborough Hill, watch your speed as you will rapidly accelerate due to the gradient, watch out at the busy Rising Sun pub in the village, as the benches are set out side in the road ( Well this is Somerset ) , then you traverse along the southern edge of the Quantock hills via Triscombe then on to Crowcombe.

Crowcombe Climb

The next climb is short and steep and will have even the fittest climbers among you wishing they had a lower gear. The 1 in 4 climb is like a wall of tarmac and lasts for a mile, you could find yourself reaching into your rear jersey pocket for a set of cleat covers as this hill may have you beaten.

Flat ride back across the Somerset Levels

That's most of the climbing done. A fast descent from the top of the Quantock Hills to Nether Stowey is a delight to ride, just watch out for the wild deer and sheep which graze freely on these hills. Then a lumpy but picturesque ride back along the northern foot hills of the Quantock hills passing Hawkridge reservoir, Spaxton and then back across the Somerset Levels takes you through Bridgwater and the villages of Puriton, your last feed and timing stop, then Brent Knoll and Loxton. The road from Loxton to Axbridge rises several times if only for 140ft but your legs will be burning and your back aching. You will have probably been in the saddle for several hours so any small rise in the tarmac will have you fooled in to thinking it's a mountain. Once you pass Axbridge you can pat yourself on the back as it's a short ride back to Cheddar and you have finished.

Well done you got 134K / 84 Miles and 5065ft in those legs