Challenge Ride (14/15 June)

Corsham - Taunton - Corsham

As promised in the February 2025 Club News, more details about the proposed Challenge Ride for 2025 are set out below. If you are up for a weekend of long rides and some big hills then this is for you. In the past riders who have taken on the Challenge Rides have been those who typically ride ‘blue’ with some stronger ‘orange’ riders.

In a nutshell

207 miles with 11,802ft of ascent (331 km with 3576m of ascent) over 2 days
Start Saturday 6.30a.m. in Corsham: overnight stay in Taunton; return on Sunday
Two very different days: constant ups and downs on day 1 and two big hills to define day 2

Details

Day 1: Two Tonnes to Taunton

127 miles with 6615ft ascent (203km with 2005m of ascent)
Draft route: Two Tonnes to Taunton
Leave Springfield at 6.30am
The route heads east to Upavon then turns south to cross the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain to Wilton. It then turns westward, with a rolling route to Taunton; it will be up and down all day!
Cafes: choices in Amesbury (42 miles) or Wilton (51miles) then Wincanton after 83 miles
Overnight stay in Taunton: book own accommodation in Taunton (there is a Premier Inn + other hotels, guesthouses and self-catering options. The Day 1 route ends at the Premier Inn Central (North)
Group evening meal somewhere in Taunton (book in advance)

Typical rolling country side near Berwick St John (above), and the market place in Wincanton (below)

Day 2: Taunton - Quantocks - Deer Leap - Corsham

80 miles with 5187ft of ascent (128km with 1571m of ascent)
Draft route: Taunton - Quantocks - Deer Leap - Corsham
Leave Taunton Premier Inn Central (North) by 9.00am.
The route heads for the Quantocks with over 10 miles of climbing to start the day.
The route then heads for Bridgwater before crossing the flat Somerset Levels then tackles Deer Leap near Wookey Hole to cross the Mendips and head for home. It’s all about the two big hills.
Cafes: Avalon Marshes at 37 miles and then either the Somerset Lavender Farm at 64 miles or Farleigh Rd Farm Shop and café at 67 miles.

The two big hills: above is Crowcombe in the Quantocks and below is the view from Deer Leap in the Mendips.

Support

The ride depends on having a volunteer to drive a support vehicle to carry luggage and provide support on the ride! Driver expenses (fuel, accommodation and meals) will be covered.
Participants should bring one small rucksack so that they can cycle a short distance to and from their accommodation if necessary.
Given the ride is from Corsham, riders with mechanicals or other problems which mean they cannot ride on may need to arrange ‘back-up’ from home.
If you are interested in taking part and/or being the support driver or have further questions, let us know via corshamcc@gmail.com so we can begin to plan the details. Please let us know by 15 March.

Challenge ride 2025