BRIEF:
Head north from Bristol nestled between the Severn & the Cotswolds through Gloucester to Taynton. Follow roads around the Forest of Dean before up George’s Delight then back across the Severn Bridge.
WHEN: +iCal
11/12/2021 07:45 - 20:43WHERE:
Gary Harris CyclesCommon Mead Ln Hambrook [nr Frenchay], BS16 1QQ
EVENT REVIEW SUMMARY:
| Type: BP |
Points Distance: 150 |
Total Distance: 162km |
| Speeds: 12.5-25kph |
AAA: 0.00 Rainbow Flat |
Climb: 1697m |
| Duration: 12h58 |
Entry closes: 09/12/2021 |
Entry: £7.00 |
Route:
Extensive route notes and a variety of files will be distributed to entrants via email a week or two before the event. In the mean time use the interactive map for an overview of what lies ahead (subject to change); toggle the elevation & grade on/off by clicking the key. *Please note plugin's 'grade' is experimental so take it with a pinch of salt, especially where rocky outcrops may be present.
Event Information
description:
Imperial Century to complement the 100 & 200 routes. Starting at Gary Harris Cycles you head north along the Old Gloucester Road touching the lower edge of The Cotswolds before into the Severn Valley to Gloucester and on to Taynton Farm Shop & Tea Room. Carrying on you cross the Wye with the Forest of Dean to your left and use the old road to Monmouth. On the descent you will have to join the A40 dual carriageway for 3km but being downhill it is over quick; but please take care on this section! Continue west before the homeward stretch south up George’s Delight and over to Chepstow and The Severn Bridge. Just before the end there is the infamous Fernhill, infamous as for many Bristolian riders it is that last niggle you get coming back from usually an even nigglier ride over the border in Wales.
Reviews
What others think.
Good winter route
I rode this in December 2018. It’s a well organised ride with a higher number of stops than you might usually expect (four, with two of them ‘free’ controls). This makes it much more of a day out than a race round, but I felt was a real help given the colder conditions. Basically riding a couple of hours between each stop. Some challenging climbs, and be prepared for messy winter lanes. Great fun!
Delightful by name...
Was lucky enough to ride this as a route check/change with the organiser. The route heads anti-clockwise from Bristol into Wiltshire and the stunning Lacock Abbey before climbing Northwards over the Cotswolds, with a new diversion at Stroud giving a lovely view behind you as you crest the not insubstantial climb.
After crossing the Severn at Gloucester, you pass over the Northern tip of the Forest of Dean before hitting the Wye Valley, with a stunning view of Goodrich Castle to your right.
Hitting the infamous George’s Delight climb at dusk around 170km into a relatively hilly ride is definitely interesting. It’s narrow, so you can’t weave, and the steepest parts are tree-covered, meaning it stays damp and debris-strewn at that time of year. Add in a nicely rutted surface and you have a pretty serious test. In the end the fact it was dark might help slightly as you don’t know when it’s going to end!
The next section back to Chepstow is an old favourite and with the tunnel vision of night riding and barely another car on the road it felt fast and amazing – almost like flying.
Crossing the Severn Bridge in the dark is always fun, less so the final punchy climb back up to Bristol. A great and varied/interesting winter loop!
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Bookings are not yet open
- This event is run in accordance with Audax UK's Regulations and is covered by their insurance.
- At this time COVID-19 restrictions may apply; please see Audax UK news for current situation.
- Additional measures may need to be undertaken for a successful event and for future ones to take place including but not limited to: staggered starts; small groups; postal finish.