WHEN: +iCal
Sat 8th March 2025 07:00 - 20:56WHERE:
Warmley Station Bristol And Bath Railway Path Warmley, BS30 5JB| Validation: BR |
 |
| Award Distance: 200 |
Total Distance: 209km |
| Duration: 13h56 |
Speeds: 15-30kph |
| Climb: 3022m |
AAA: 3.00 Silver Grimpeur |
Enquiries
BRIEF:
Chasing after the Sorcerer takes you south from Bristol to the West Wessex Downs before into the magical Wyl[y]e Valley then climb onto Cranbourne Chase. Returning via more #wills_hills.
New for 2025 – Chasing after the Sorcerer – what devious magic will I bestowed upon you…
Description:
Heading south along the Bristol & Bath Railway Path to Bitton where you turn off and head to the Chew Valley and up onto The Mendips passing the source of the Chew. Pass Glastonbury Festival site as you make your way to Bruton and climb up onto the West Wiltshire Downs.
Then into the Wylye Valley you go for a stop at Ginny’s before south again across the hills; down Dinton’s little gorge and on to Fovant with views of the badges. Over Shaftesbury Drove and up onto Cranbourne Chase to head back north. Descend the old Roman Road into the upper reaches of the Nadder Valley for beautiful lanes on to Hindon and back to Maiden Bradley for your final stop.
Skirt Frome and head over yet more #wills_hills to Wellow before finishing off on the Colliers Way to the 2Tunnels and once again the Bristol & Bath Railway Path back to the Arrivee.
And the magic I bestow on you? Views, lots of views!
Caution: A section of the Colliers Way from Wellow to Midford is unpaved and can get muddy. I have done this on 25mm tyres in the past. An alternative will be provided.
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.
Lovely route, spoilt only by poor road surfaces
The route takes some quiet roads south through some beautiful hills. The only issue is that the road surfaces are sometimes bad, or even very bad, and there was still lots of water on some of them despite it not having rained for 2 weeks. The organisation was spot on.
Weather and hills organised by Will
Another cracking route and event organised by Will. Weather was also well managed although I was over dressed. Lots of challenging Wills Hills and new roads to me.
Chasing after the Sorcerer
Well done Will. What an epic event chap. A hard ride but ultimately rewarding.
Many Thanks Si
Bookings aren't available; either I haven't opened entry yet or if after 06/03/25 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:
Advisory points on the route:
- @170km | [FROME] !!Raised curb!!
- @187km | [WELLOW] !!Ford!! - footbridge on left.
- @189km | [2Tunnels Greenway] - !!Unpaved section!! - this has recently been resurfaced and is in excellent condition.
- @197km | [BATH] - !!Dismount over footbridge!!
- General | When using shared paths give way to others.
- General | Smaller lanes are likely to have the worst potholes and debris; ride to the conditions ahead.
Viewpoints:
- @42km | Glastonbury Tor to right.
- @63km | Alfred's Tower to right.
- @107km | Fovant Badges to left.
- @132km | Isle of Wight to right.
- @139km | Old Wardour Castle to right.
- @151km | Alfred's Tower on horizon to left.
Route Files:
CSV route notes - these can be edited in any spreadsheet software.
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 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:
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.
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:
Start: Brevet cards can be collected from just inside the cafe garden on left from about 06:30.
Finish: Hollybush Inn - please do not park at the pub in the morning.
Start:
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the depart time to collect your brevet card.
Warmley Station - opens new tab for map. Bristol And Bath Railway Path, Warmley, City of Bristol, BS30 5JB
Access:
- Bike - Easily accessible, situated on the Bristol & Bath Railway Path; about 10km from Bristol centre, 15km from Bath.
- Car - On the A420 a short distance east from the A4174 Bristol Ring Road.
- Train - From Bristol Temple Meads use the side entrance and follow NCN4 becoming the Bristol & Bath Railway Path - follow diversions on the path as widening takes place.From Bristol Parkway.From Keynsham Station.
Parking: On street near by - Please do not use the car park next to the start. This is 2hrs max and actively enforced. Surrounding streets in the immediate vicinity are residents only, further out no restrictions. Alternatives:
- Lyde Green P&R is free to use but has opening/closing times though ungated; check link for restrictions. Directions here.
- Bristol Parkway Main Car Park for long term parking and follow directions for 'train access' above.
- Please do not use Bitton Station; this is intended for those using the railway path recreationally not for all day parking.
- If the Hollybush Inn is being used as the finish please do not use their car park.
Food & Drink: Food & Drinks available. The cafe will usually be open 45mins before the start time for tea & coffee and breakfast rolls. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. Unless specified otherwise above.
Accommodation: There is a Travelodge & Premier Inn just to the north at Emersons Green. See here for more. The YHA is in central Bristol and about 30mins cycle using the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.
Finish:
Hollybush Inn - opens new tab for map & a few details.
Route Controls:
- @0km | DEPART: WARMLEY - Waiting Rooms | 07:00
- @44km | CONTROL: PILTON [free] - collect receipt | 08:28-09:56
- @90km | CONTROL: BOYTON - Ginny's @ Ginger Piggery | 10:00-13:00
- @121km | INFO: SIXPENNY HANDLEY - see brevet
- @161km | CONTROL: MAIDEN BRADLEY - The Bradley Pantry | 12:22-17:44
- @209km | ARRIVEE: BRIDGEYATE - Hollybush Inn | 13:58-20:56
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.
