Summary
Where
Warmley Station
Bristol And Bath Railway Path
Warmley, BS30 5JB
Who
Organiser:
What
Series: Great Western Randonnées
Brief
Day and night, fast and slow! Beautiful valleys including the Chalke with the odd hill thrown in; plus Cheddar Gorge, maybe in the dark with its looming walls. Stunning views en route, you may just see The Needles…
Event Info
£10.00
08/01/27 @ 15:00
BRM-PBP
Audax Awards
200
209 km
15-30 kph
13h30
Rainbow Flat
2450m
Facilities
Hover for brief, click for full overview.
Overview
Chalke & Cheese 200 is the early year 200 to do!
Description
Heading out from Warmley Station along the Bristol to Bath Railway Path and through the 2Tunnels under Combe Down you will make your way into Wiltshire and cruise down the amazing virtually traffic free Wylye Valley to Ginny's, which the still operational GWR Wessex Main Line follows to the historic town of Wilton with its Italianate Church.
Hopping over to the Chalke Valley, named after a small tributary to the River Ebble emerging at Broad Chalke, you head towards Shaftesbury after a couple of climbs; the first onto Charlton Down on a section of old Roman road between Bath and Badbury Rings, here you may see on the horizon The Needles if a clear day. Descend the infamous Zig-Zag Hill to Shaftesbury.
Using predominantly B roads from now you head to Wells, here the road named Strawberry Way follows what was once the old Strawberry Line named after the local produce. Level riding through Somerset to Cheddar and its mighty Gorge, most likely in the dark with its looming rock faces, you ascend The Mendips to the Chew Valley and the arrivée at The Holybush Inn, Bridgeyate.
Brevet return postage included.
Navigation
Route notes and a variety of files/links will be available usually 5 days before the event.
Will's are considered the Gold Standard for AUK events!
Map
The interactive map below is a guide, subject to change and not necessarily the final version. Toggle 'chart' for elevation & approx. slope %; now works in full screen too.
Route & validation
- The route is advisory - you just have to visit the controls and gain proof of passage within time limits where specified; there may be parts that you'd like to take a different route and that is entirely up to you; the time limits for the controls don't change!
- Validation: Instant - you get to take your validated brevet card home straight away at the end of the event.
Start details
Parking:
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.
For full details see Warmley Station
Reviews
What others think.
First 200km Audax
My first >200km Audax! Was brilliant fun, a stunning route with great varied roads. All checkpoints were well thought out and there was a great couple hills at the end to test your legs on.
Chalke & Cheese 200 January 2020
I’ve ridden this event twice in the last three years and it’s a really well-constructed winter 200 – a good mix of quiet lanes, B roads and some minor A roads – and some cycle path. You go through the Bath Twin Tunnels after half an hour and that’s always atmospheric. The controls are excellent- Ginny’s Cafe is in a great location in a village along the Wylye Valley and then the folks at the little village church not far from Salisbury do a great job in looking after the riders. You get a stunning view of the southern half of Dorset from a ridge near Shaftesbury before taking a peek at the famous ‘Hovis advert’ cobbled street in the town. Somewhere on the Somerset Levels we had to do a watery diversion due to a road closure – it only added a few mins. Then I experienced climbing up Cheddar Gorge in total darkness – very atmospheric! So a ride which has great variety and hopefully will run again next year.
Brillaint Way to Blow Away Any Janurary Blues
A really enjoyable Audax. Well organised while keeping the entry cost minimal. Plenty of cafes and public toilets on the route. Some stunning scenery and a mixture of bike paths, country lanes and more popular cycling roads. The start and finish is ideal for travel from Bath, Bristol or surrounding villages and towns. Good lights are definitely essential for the start and finish.
2020
Loverly ride, great views and a fun social time. I’d suggest a control (cafe stop) in Shaftsbury to break up the ride time better.
Response from Pedalution
Thanks for the suggestion however controls are primarily for achieving the distance; which a Shaftesbury one would have no effect on. Always welcome to stop where ever you like; Alfred’s Kitchen & The Salt Cellar are both good there, also a couple of bakeries.
Chalke and Cheese January 2020
As others have noted this is a very well organised event, with good stops at just the right intervals. Great views. -didn’t see the Needles but I did think I saw Glastonbury Tor in the distance. GPX and written route info was spot on. The description ‘Rainbow flat’ captured the degree of climbing perfectly and the sting in the tail climb was as predicted! Thanks Will!
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08/01/27 @ 15:00 or when full.
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