Barry’s Bristol Butt Buster 200
2023 - A Paris-Brest-Paris Qualifying BRM

A challenging event with legendary catering that takes riders on an orbital route around Bristol before heading south to the Mendips and Somerset Levels.

Long Ashton, Bristol, | Sun 26th Mar 2023 @ 07:30

WHEN: +iCal
Sun 26th March 2023
07:30 - 21:00
WHERE:
Long Ashton Village Hall
5 Keedwell Hill
Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9DP
Validation:
BRM
Barry's Bristol Butt Buster 200 1
Award Distance:
200
Total Distance:
215km
Duration:
13h30
Speeds:
15-30kph
Climb:
2300m
AAA: 0.00
Rainbow Flat
Barry's Bristol Butt Buster 200 3Enquiries
BRIEF:

A challenging event with legendary catering that takes riders on an orbital route around Bristol before heading south to the Mendips and Somerset Levels.

Barry's Bristol Butt Buster 200 5

The Event formally known as the LVIS Audax.

The organisation of this classic cake fest randonnée has now passed to Audax Club Bristol.

The legend of Barry lives on!

Description:

Welcome in Spring as you are gifted a whole extra hour of daylight on this long distance cycling event.

Head through Ashton Court to cross Clifton Suspension Bridge and on into the Severn Valley with views of both Severn crossings before the WI at Hill supply the first cake extravaganza!

Climb the Cotswolds escarpment at Somerset Monument before back across Chipping Sodbury Common to The Golden Valley and Doynton’s WI cake stop.

Head south to scale the Mendips, descend Deer Leep with views across The Levels and espy the Tor as you head to Glastonbury.

Somerset Levels now provide a respite from the hills but perhaps not the wind as you wiggle between the end of the Mendips and on to Yatton and the wonderful Strawberry Line Cafe for your last control; they are a community project helping young adults with learning disabilities acquire skills in the catering industry. Finally into the Gordano Valley with one more climb left over to the Arrivee.

Details:

Cake, cake, cake and more cake!
Free drinks at the start, Doynton & finish.
CAKE!

Like or loath* it? Let others know.
*Whilst I like to think I can affect the weather alas that is beyond my control...

What others think.

Amazing cakes and a great cycle

27th March 2023

This was my second Barrys Bristol Bash and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a great ride, lots of quiet lanes, beautiful views, some challenging hills and fantastic cake stops. This event is very friendly and everyone is so polite. See you next year!

Avatar for Martin
Martin


Bookings aren't available; either I haven't opened entry yet or if after 23/03/23 then they have closed.


You are attending this event.

The following ride details are currently: CONFIRMED - all details have been updated. You will be notified by email of any last minute changes made here.



  • Please flick through the following tabs fully and make any preparations before the event.
  • Route files & links will be found under the 'Route' tab.
  • The event/route specific information will be finalised usually the Monday before the event and you will get an email reminder 3 days prior from bookings-noreply@pedalution.co.uk - add it to your address book to save any disappointment.
  • Should you be unable to attend the event I have enabled cancellation from 'My Bookings'. This will aid me in keeping controls informed as to how many to expect and also reduce wastage when printing the brevet cards. Remember there is no option to refund or transfer if you are unable to attend.
  • You will receive your brevet card at the start. Should you start the ride and be unable to finish my phone number is within; please drop me a text with your full name to let me know you won't be finishing so volunteers and myself aren't waiting around longer than necessary at controls and the finish.
  • Please use 'Enquires' link above for any queries.

New to audax? Have a look at Audax UK's About for an overview & FAQs for commonly asked questions.

  • Until the route is finalised the interactive map above will give you an idea of where you are going.
  • It is advisable to study the route notes prior to the event for further details; especially if you are just using a GPX breadcrumb trail to navigate. These are also the 'cuesheet' within the RWGPS route; zoom the map to your desired level, click on a cue and it will focus the map at that cue.
  • Every effort is made to identify road closures before the event and provide alternatives where necessary; however I can not account for any emergency closures that are required.
  • A variety of surfaces may be encountered, some may be as smooth as a baby's bum, others potholed nightmares, or somewhere in between; if any unmetalled sections are used this will be noted in the Event Info above and now visible as 'unpaved' within RWGPS.
  • I do my utmost to select low traffic routes but there may be times busier sections are required.
  • Mudguards aren't mandatory but if you can fit them why wouldn't you?
  • I would always recommend a set of lights as you never know what could happen.
  • Similarly consider carrying 2 space blankets; they cost nothing, are tiny, and can keep you and an other warm should the unfortunate happen.
EXTRA DETAILS:

PLEASE BRING CASH FOR THE CONTROLS. NO CASH NO CAKE!


Glastonbury control is FREE - please see control tab. Route notes, GPX and RWGPS Route all now available.

Points to note:

  • @4km | Exiting Ashton Court - The road SO is not part of the light operation. Use it at your own risk. The official pedestrian & bike crossing is to the right. Marshals will be present but they are for a visual warning to motorists; not to direct traffic or you.
  • @5km | Clifton Suspension Bridge - Narrow access on left of barriers.
  • @84km | MECHANIC - Gary Harris of Gary Harris Cycles will be at Doynton Village Hall for any spares that are needed and remedial work, tweaks, wheel truing etc.
  • @144km | Glastonbury - !!Dismount!! for 100m through the pedestrian zone.

Route Files:
CSV

CSV route notes - these can be edited in any spreadsheet software.

PDF

PDF route notes - a version with maps is available in linked RWGPS route (no account necessary to use the official PDF - use 'More v') or the event.

GPX

GPX with control waypoints - if re-uploading to an online planner please make private so as not to confuse others in the future - use this tool to split at waypoints and/or simplify.

RWGPS Links:
Event

RWGPS Event - at least a free account needed but you will get full premium features, including offline maps & voice nav for the app, regardless of your subscription level. To sync to your device (Wahoo, Garmin Edge) you need to join this first.

Route

RWGPS Route - no account needed but you will lack a few advanced features such as early turn warnings.

See the RWGPS App for my tips to use your phone for navigation and maximising battery life.

Troubleshooting:
  • Can't copy the RWGPS route to your account? I have disabled this so should any changes be necessary there is the one correct version.
  • I do not provide technical services for your device having never used anything other than the RWGPS app.
  • Can't add it to Garmin Connect? It isn't an activity. Transfer it to your Garmin via USB.
  • Can't send to your device? Join the RWGPS event.
EXTRA DETAILS:

PLEASE BRING CASH FOR THE CONTROLS. NO CASH NO CAKE!


Hot drinks available before and after along with more cake at the finish.

The Community Centre will be open from 06:45. Brevet cards can then be collected from inside; they will be laid out alphabetically on the tables. They fold in 3 and fit neatly in the provided bags. If possible use your own brevet wallet or similar to save on the single use plastic; but do use something, the new cards are made of chocolate and will disintegrate at the slightest hint of moisture.

Start:

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the depart time to collect your brevet card.

Long Ashton Village Hall - opens new tab for map.
5 Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9DP

Access:

  • Bike - tbc
  • Car - tbc
  • Train - tbc

Parking:
On street near by - tbc

Food & Drink:
Food & Drinks available.
tbc
Unless specified otherwise above.

Accommodation:
tbc

Finish:

As above. - opens new tab for map & a few details.

Route Controls:

PLEASE BRING CASH FOR THE CONTROLS. NO CASH NO CAKE!


  • @0km | 07:30 | DEPART: LONG ASHTON - Community Centre
  • @40km | 08:50-10:10 | CONTROL: HILL - Village Hall on left | U-turn
  • @62km | INFO: SOMERSET MONUMENT - see brevet | U-turn
  • @84km | 10:18-13:06 | CONTROL: DOYNTON - Village Hall | MECHANIC
  • @122km | INFO: CHARTERHOUSE - see brevet
  • @144km | 12:18-17:06 | CONTROL: GLASTONBURY [FREE] - collect receipt
  • @170km | INFO: LOXTON - see brevet
  • @188km | 13:44-19:58 | CONTROL: YATTON - Strawberry Line Cafe
  • @204km | INFO: PORTBURY - see brevet
  • @212km | 14:34-21:00 | ARRIVEE: LONG ASHTON - Community Centre

Glastonbury update - unfortunately it was all a little too late so this control will be FREE - as in get a receipt with a time on from a cafe, shop, crystal ball gazer and head on. There will be excellent cake a bit further on at...

The Strawberry Line Cafe @ Yatton will be staying open late especially for you. It is located on the platform of Yatton Station. They give young adults with learning disablilities the chance to gain skills in the catgering industry. They are fantastic being a welcomed control on my Moonrakers & Sunseekers 300, so even though close to the Arrivee please support them with a quick drink or cake.

Gary Harris of Gary Harris Cycles will be at Doynton Village Hall for any spares that are needed and remedial work, tweaks, wheel truing etc.


This is what 'audax' is all about. Travelling between controls to collect proof of passage (PoP) to prove you have cycled the distance. The above controls are found in your brevet card, the route notes, as POIs with the route, and waypoints with the GPX. Your brevet card it to be filled out as you progress around the route. PoP is obtained in several ways. It is highly recommended you carry a pen or pencil to fill your brevet card as you go; if it is a long event numbering any receipts to correspond with the control number will save you time later, then keeping them in order is next level!

Types of control:
  • CONTROL - a place or venue where you obtain PoP which can be done in several ways. You will be able to get food and/or drink, also WC will be available.
    • Manned - a volunteer or venue member of staff will stamp your card providing PoP. All controls are thus unless specified as...
    • Free - you must obtain PoP from that place that has a time and date, usually a receipt from a cafe, shop or ATM.
  • INFO - a question found in your brevet card that is relevent to the location needs to be answered and recorded.
  • CHECKPOINT - similar to a control but there may not be any facilities present.
  • SECRET - now that would be telling wouldn't it!
USING YOUR PHONE & RWGPS APP:

I use the RWGPS app on my phone to navigate audax events by using spoken cues, I also use it to route check and proof my route notes. This IMHO is the best of all worlds. I don't need to look at a screen (but I can check if I want), I get clear directions when needed (you may need to get used to my shorthand which gets spoken as such), I get a warning if I'm off route, the battery lasts a lot longer than constantly using the screen; especially nowadays as phone batteries are getting bigger plus many are able to rapid charge in a short amount of time. All you need is a good case and mount for inclement weather.

  • Install the app.
  • Join the event.
  • Go to the route.
  • Send to device.
  • Open app and confirm download.
  • In settings (exact location varies depending on iOS or Android) to optomise for best battery use:
    • Logging - adjust interval: every 10s is best for the battery, logs your ride but won't get you any KOMs; every 1s uses 10x more battery power to write data but may get you a KOM if you pedal quick.
    • Navigation - Spoken alerts ON | Off-course alerts ON | others at your discretion.
    • Handlebar mode ENABLED - this will keep RWGPS above any screen lock so you can recall it if needed by pressing power button or similar.
    • Handlebar mode - Screen OFF for cues | Proximity Wake OFF (otherwise changes in light will turn the screen on) | Keep screen on NEVER.
    • Offline mode ENABLED - when you start riding.
  • Better still use flight/aeroplane mode whilst riding.
  • You can adjust the text-speech settings via your phone settings; the type of voice, playback speed etc.

Most of the battery drain on a phone is from the screen. By using voice commands you eliminate this but can still view the map if needs be. The second biggest drain whilst cycling is the phone itself searching for a signal as you move between cell towers; putting the phone into flight/aeroplane mode whilst moving solves this problem; you can easily turn data back on to #tag that #CAKE at the next stop!

ANDROID:

Make sure battery optimisation is turned off otherwise Android will recognise RWGPS as an excessive battery drain and can limit its functionality. This will be particularily evident if you stop for a bit without GPS signal then continue; the app will appear to be functioning correctly but Android will limit it and data can be lost from the stop point until the app is restarted. There may be a similar feature in iOS.

  • Settings >Apps.
  • Find RWGPS and expand Advanced >Battery.
  • If it says optomised then select and wait for all apps to load.
  • Make sure the apps displayed are 'All apps', find RWGPS and select.
  • Select 'Don't optimise'. Exit settings.

You have agreed to and declared that at the time of the ride...

  • You have no symptoms relating to COVID-19.
  • That you are not self-isolating.
  • That you are not required to quarantine during the period of the event.
  • That no local or other regulations prohibit you from attending this event.
  • You agree that if you develop any such symptoms before the event you will not attend.
  • You agree that if I develop any such symptoms immediately after the event I shall inform the organiser.

Please follow any wishes of private establishments en route. I highly recommend carrying a mask/buff/scarf etc for the simple act of covering your face if needed when indoors. Any specifics requested by controls will be noted in the control tab.

Audax UK's current policy can be found here.