Dawn dash to Cheddar Gorge
Discussion
BrotherMouzone said:
Have you driven up that way before Nic? Assuming you’re thinking about Salisbury, Warminster, Froome, Cheddar Gorge, it’s not a particularly inspiring route and not much NSL. (Unless it’s 5am start of course)
Having said that we don’t have much choice down south.
I have been to Bath a few times and we did the A36 at crack of dawn to the PH SS at St Athan last year. It's not the route I had envisaged though, was more thinking Cranborne Chase way as mentioned above by Jonny. Having said that we don’t have much choice down south.
Not looking for breakneck speed all the way, just some scenic roads, a go on Breeze (Zig Zag) Hill with a loop round Mendip AONB, stopping for breakfast/brunch on one of the lakes.
Was certainly thinking of an early start, like a 5am departure from an agreed meeting point.
Berkshire bred said:
Possibly but it is quite a long way for me. Where would you be leaving from and when are you thinking? Also a group breakfast/lunch somewhere but be a nice touch.
Absolutely a stop for food, Adam!Haven't set a date yet, just gauging interest at the moment. Meant to mention it to everyone yesterday at breakfast.
ecain63 said:
Last August I did a morning dash to the Brecon Beacons and back. Left Ringwood at 5am and was home for 12 noon. Did the back roads to Bath and to the Severn Bridge, over to Brecon via Merthyr Tydfil. Ran a few laps of the roads around Brecon and then after a coffee hooned it back via Abergavenny, Newport and on to the road home through Bath etc.
Best hoon i've done..... ever I think,
That does sound epic, Eddie and quite good going for 7 hours.Best hoon i've done..... ever I think,
Just had a look at the Beacons and in particular the road heading north from Upper Brynamman.
You may have thrown a spanner in the works here!
ecain63 said:
I must be missing something because I can never see the enjoyment in zigzag hill. The road surface is shocking and the hill itself is always busy with traffic.
Much prefer the Blandford route.
The route is not set in stone, I'm open to hearing people's recommendations. Much prefer the Blandford route.
In the 11 years I've been driving, I haven't driven Zig Zag Hill myself, only as a passenger with my late father a handful of times when I did work experience with him (14 years ago).
I guess it was partly for sentimental reasons that I fancied it. If the surface is terrible now then I won't risk spoiling my fond memories.
Red Devil said:
A4069 Black Mountain road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-pe6gS5ByM
That vid is several years old btw. It's now a 40 limit throughout.
Chris Harris probably didn't help...
And that's sparked off the bike bug for me again! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-pe6gS5ByM
That vid is several years old btw. It's now a 40 limit throughout.
Chris Harris probably didn't help...
Looks epic that.
Okay so a fair bit of interest it seems!
The difficult part now is agreeing a date that would suit. I mentioned further up in the thread that I was thinking about April time.
1st - Easter Sunday
22nd - is the first Wilton Wake Up of the year but not overly fussed about missing this one
29th
Please comment below with a preferred date or if you're free for any of the above. We'll then get a register going and depending on numbers, can look at booking somewhere to stop and eat.
edit: to remove 15th
further edit: to remove 8th, as local cycling event on
The difficult part now is agreeing a date that would suit. I mentioned further up in the thread that I was thinking about April time.
1st - Easter Sunday
22nd - is the first Wilton Wake Up of the year but not overly fussed about missing this one
29th
Please comment below with a preferred date or if you're free for any of the above. We'll then get a register going and depending on numbers, can look at booking somewhere to stop and eat.
edit: to remove 15th
further edit: to remove 8th, as local cycling event on
Edited by NicCTR on Friday 23 February 14:33
Edited by NicCTR on Friday 23 February 16:52
BrotherMouzone said:
They have cycling races from time to time, so worth checking local event listings.
In fact, one on 8th April.
http://www.beyondevents.org.uk/yeovil_sportive.htm...
Thanks for the FYI, will remove the 8th In fact, one on 8th April.
http://www.beyondevents.org.uk/yeovil_sportive.htm...
Red Devil said:
Found this in my route book archive. 
2009 Tour of the Mendips - https://goo.gl/maps/V3WFPtExzk52
Did the Gorge both ways - https://goo.gl/maps/GUn3krXVWVq
My notes don't mention where we stopped for food.
But if memory serves, it was in Wells.
Thanks, will check these out!2009 Tour of the Mendips - https://goo.gl/maps/V3WFPtExzk52
Did the Gorge both ways - https://goo.gl/maps/GUn3krXVWVq
My notes don't mention where we stopped for food.
But if memory serves, it was in Wells.
Red Devil said:
You're welcome.
29th is the only date I could manage as I'll be 700 miles away on 22nd.
Roads to die for and no need to be up at silly o'clock to enjoy them.
North Coast 500 on my to do list! 29th is the only date I could manage as I'll be 700 miles away on 22nd.
Roads to die for and no need to be up at silly o'clock to enjoy them.
ecsrobin said:
It’s something I’d like to do but will never be able to justify it. I can drive to Scotland or for the same distance be in the south of France, Monaco, Italy and so on I know what wins it for me!
I wouldn't drive there, would fly and hire a Caterham or something to do it in, but I get your point. Gassing Station | South Coast | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff