Summary
Where
Bakehouse @ Cakesmiths
St Philips Road
Bristol, BS2 0JZ
Who
Organiser:
What
Series: Great Western Randonnées
Brief
A great qualifier for Paris Brest Paris. With a late start to mimic PBP and get you used to riding through the first night. You’ll get to Paddington in the early hours.
Event Info
£17.50
11/06/27 @ 15:00
BRM-PBP
Audax Awards
400
409 km
15-30 kph
27h00
Rainbow Flat
2955m
Facilities
Hover for brief, click for full overview.
Overview
The Paddington Express 400 is inspired by Brunel's Billiard Table because of the lack of gradients; this is the GWR mainline between Bristol & Paddington Station.
Description
From Bristol you'll make a bee line to the Pip's Community Cafe @ Purton for the first control. Then into the Vale of the White Horse. Cross The Thames, climb over the Chilterns and pass Brunel's Sounding Arch at Maidenhead for the next control. Then a run into London;with wiggles including Eton and Windsor Castle (is he in?) for the least number of traffic lights.
Paddington Station awaits in its deserted nighttime mode, will you see Paddington Bear? I'm hoping you will as I've been informed he's been moved from the 1st Class Lounge into a more public place!
Return along parts of the later mainline from Paddington to Exeter and on as used by the Cornish Riviera Express.
Head back through Kensington and Staines in the dark then along Nine Mile Drive with an early morning stop for dal.
Passing south of Reading and Greenham Common you continue west into the Kennet Valley and the Vale of Pewsey tracking the Kennet & Avon canal through the North Wessex Downs to descend Box Hill; stop on the descent to see the Box Tunnel Portal. Continue through Bath and back to Bristol for the Arrivee.
Details
For those aiming for PBP you will more than likely ride through the first night and into the next day. This is an ideal opportunity to see how you will fare. No sleeping facilities but 2 evening controls with food, and perhaps some Marmalade sandwiches at Paddington…
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:
Paid parking up to 24hrs available a short distance away at Gardiner Haskins. Alternatively use free parking at Lyde Green P&R on outskirts of Bristol (open 05:30-22:45 no overnight). Alternatively Bristol Parkway Main Car Park for long term parking; there are regular trains to Temple Meads.
For full details see Bakehouse @ Cakesmiths
Reviews
What others think.
Brilliant
Great route and impeccable organisation. The marmalade sandwiches at Paddington were brilliant. The welcome at all the checks were very much appreciated …. Especially the beans on toast in the middle of the night. Highly recommend these events 🙂
Not my cup of tea
There was a long stretch of very busy roads with too many traffic lights coming to London that I hate it. I did enjoy the first part, probably because it was daylight?
Response from Pedalution
Quieter route in but longer for the future
Great night out
What a great night out!
Fast start, keep your wits about you in the unfamiliar bustling throngs of the big smoke, before dawn and a return to the rolling west. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
A unique feel to an Audax and helped get me to PBP. After this ride I’ll always keep an eye out for more of Will’s routes
Quirky fun
Such a characterful and interesting ride. Loved the concept and gives you a different experience to the normal audax event. Riding into London in the middle of the night is bizarre, and seeing the last train to Bristol leaving from Paddington as you arrive is a little tempting 🙂 Starting in the afternoon was great for me coming down to Bristol from further afield and made getting back easier too.
2019
Excellent event
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Entries Closes:
11/06/27 @ 15:00 or when full.
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