Summary
Where
The Ostrich
Lower Guinea Street
Redcliffe, BS1 6TJ
Who
Organiser: Will Pomeroy
What
Series: Great Western Randonnées
Brief
2nd running of Exe Barnstaple Branch 400. All aboard to Bishop’s Lydeard Station before traversing the northern coastline of Exmoor. Use the old Barnstaple branch-line and head home via The Blackdown Hills.
Event Info
£0.00
Audax Awards
400
407 km
14.3-30 kph
28h25
Apex Grimpeur
6698m
Facilities
Hover for brief, click for full overview.
Overview
The Exe Barnstaple Branch 400 will test your legs whilst providing stunning views as you circumnavigate Exmoor.
Description
A quick exit south from central Bristol over the looming Dundry Hill into the Chew Valley. Hop over The Mendips and descend 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 into Exmoor first climbing Dunkery Beacon then rack up a considerable amount of climbing in a short space along the amazing North Devon coast including Porlock Toll Road and Valley of the Rocks. Exiting Ilfracombe use the old Barnstaple branch-line path to once again touch the coast at Croyde before picking up the old railway along the Taw Estuary.
From Barnstaple begin the long climb to the top of Exmoor once more then enjoy a respite along the fantastic southern ridge with views across Devon to Dartmoor. Drop into the Barle Valley shortly joining the Exe.
A smattering of bumps entails as you make your way across to and then over the Blackdown Hills to Winsham Jubilee Hall where dinner is provided late into the night; will you take a quick nap?
The final leg north is easier going to begin as again you edge The Levels passing Glastonbury. Then once more over The Mendips and Dundry to see Bristol as it is probably awakening!
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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