Summary
Where
The Ostrich
Lower Guinea Street
Redcliffe, BS1 6TJ
Who
Organiser: Will Pomeroy
What
Series: Great Western Randonnées
Brief
Down & Black 200 – All aboard to Bishop’s Lydeard Station over The Mendips & Quantocks. Head south into The Black Down Hills to Winsham Jubilee Hall before home over The Mendips once more.
Event Info
£0.00
Audax Awards
200
211 km
15-30 kph
14h04
Silver Grimpeur
2900m
Facilities
Hover for brief, click for full overview.
Overview
The Down & Black 200 has some big climbs with amazing views, but also some quick flowing sections thrown in for good measure.
Description
A quick exit south from central Bristol over the looming Dundry Hill into the Chew Valley. Hop over the Mendips descending the glorious Cheddar Gorge to the flats of the Somerset Levels. Pass through Bridgwater and begin the gradual ascent of the Quantocks before plunging down the other side to Bishop's Lydeard passing the station on the West Somerset Railway.
Head south into The Black Down Hills to Winsham Jubilee Hall where food and drink is provided.
The final leg north is easier going to begin as you edge The Levels once more through Glastonbury. Then once more over The Mendips and Dundry to see Bristol spread before you.
Reviews
What others think.
Brutal and wonderful
This was my first 400 and I suppose I could not have picked a harder one. Incredible route, combined with great dry weather but brutal temperatures over night.. The guys at the last checkpoint were life savers, so although I missed my qualifying time by 35 mins there is no way I would have completed it without their support…Will I do it again, not sure, but I know I can’t do the 600…
Fabulous but brutal
Even without the sub-zero night temperatures, the Exe Barnstaple Branch is easily the hardest 400 I’ve done. But also the best 400 route: fabulous scenery & views (mostly accessible only by brutal climbs), the Exe railway path (which gives the event its name) is stunning, two great cafe controls early on, Winsham a perfect final night control. The 4am start time works really well with sunrise over the Somerset Levels, and the best views all seen in daylight. Expect a full-value ride in more ways than one! Thanks and well done Will and helpers Chris H & Jeremy at Winsham.
Cracking ride!
Where does he find these #wills_hills? Not one for the faint hearted! Em and I rode it on our own. We had lots of darkeness due to our start time, but what we did see until the turnaround point was breathtaking. So many incredible places I hadn’t been before. One of my highlights has to be the toll road. Such a great challenge – this route won’t fail to deliver.
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