Summary
Where
Felix Road Adventure Playground
Felix Road
Easton, BS5 0JW
Who
Organiser:
What
Series: Great Western Randonnées
Brief
Moonrakers become Sunseekers! Ride through the night under a full moon to the coast. Return via a few Dorset hills passing Glastonbury Tor, use the Strawberry Line to Bristol.
Event Info
£25.00
16/11/26 @ 22:00
BR
Audax Awards
300
306 km
15-30 kph
20h24
Rainbow Flat
2295m
Facilities
Hover for brief, click for full overview.
Overview
Moonrakers & Sunseekers is the winter 300 to do! I think I can now safely describe this as a 'Classic' from all the feedback. Come join the fun and perhaps surpass 2024's astounding 209 finishers!
Description
Head straight out of Bristol through Bath and watch the trail of lights climb the Cat 4 climb of Bathwick Hill; the biggest of the ride. Continue on easily navigated roads to Devizes, passing The Crammer where legend has it Wiltshire folk were caught by the Excisemen raking for 'the moon' for your first stop at The Wyvern Club opposite. Continue down the Avon Valley, with a brief stop in Salisbury for too much cake; choices choices! Then a speedy run on fast empty roads whilst edging The New Forest to the coast. Follow the Promenade from Boscombe to Poole Harbour.
Moonrakers wane as Sunseekers come into view; those luxury yachts at Poole Quay! Then breakfast just over the road from Sunseeker Yacht's HQ.
Heading home enjoy the perfectly placed The View Coffee Shop before dropping down through the chocolate box village of Milton Abbas and past the Abbey. A few more Dorset Hills as you pass into Somerset for a classic free control in the busy Podimore Services off the A303; nothing like mixing with the general public in a sleep deprived state, they will be talking about you for ages! On you go passing Glastonbury Tor and across The Levels to Axbridge. Then use The Strawberry Line railway path through the end of The Mendips and pass orchards to stop at The Strawberry Line Cafe before returning to Bristol.
Details
Start time: Groups & a staggered start time will be used to ease the pressure on controls of every one arriving simultaneously. Please include any body you wish to ride with in a group in the booking form. Your average moving speed will help tier groups but isn't vital. In the past these have been 21:40, 22:00, 22:20 & 22:40; the time allowed is still the same regardless of start time.
Provided: Hot drinks at the start. Hot drinks & cake at Devizes by The Wyvern Club. Hot drinks & cake at Salisbury. Breakfast jackets, hot drinks, cake, apples & bananas at 3rd Poole Sea Scouts about half way. Probably tarka dal at the finish, hot drinks & more cake!
Caution
There will likely be sand on the promenade and mud on the Strawberry Line. Nothing many others haven't managed in the past. If the promenade is really bad an optional alternative will be offered.
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:
Limited parking around Bannerman Road Community Academy or urban side roads. Otherwise parking at Bristol Parkway Railway Station (paid) is a good option.
For full details see Felix Road Adventure Playground
Reviews
What others think.
A ride of two halfs...night and day
Great adventure, well organised with brilliant controls, would definitly do it again.
Accessible Adventure
The route and spacing of control points (staffed with amazing volunteers) just about keeps the ride enjoyable while challenging.
Clear moderation in opting for the Strawberry path rather than up one of the steep mendip climbs.
Riding above Milton Abbas surrounded by mist at dawn was pretty special.
Moonlit Magic and Autumn Splendour
Great event! A magical night with a full moon, stunning autumn scenery during the day, an amazing route all the way, excellent food stops, and a wonderful atmosphere throughout. Thanks! 🙂
My full account on the event is here: facebook.com/dcdace/posts/pfbid02LapCJ…
Top notch event
Even when it gets cold and there is weather, it is great to know a welcoming control stop with super volunteers is not far up the road. Highly recommended!
Tales of Audax newbie
Fantastic event, run by enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers giving a warm welcome at every control. This was my first rodeo at 300km on the road and first ride totally through the night. I knew I was nocturnal but this cemented it for me. Route to the sea was efficient and rode with groups until Salisbury where the cold got the better of me and set off solo mostly for the rest of the way. In hindsight I should have teamed up with the lovely people I met sporadically along the way. The second half through Dorset and Somerset brought back childhood and teenage memories of home and that kept the spirits up in the tired moments. One sketchy moment where I made contact with the gravel as we started the Strawberry line but no damage to bike or rider. Made it back to Bristol in limp home mode with a big smile 🙂 Thanks Will for a great experience.
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Entries Closes:
16/11/26 @ 22:00 or when full.
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