Summary
Where
Bristol Temple Meads
Station Approach
Bristol, BS1 6QF
Who
Organiser: Will Pomeroy
What
Series: Great Western Randonnées
Brief
Steaming On! 600 is an excursion to the heart of GWR’s Engine Yard then back across the West Country including the chance to say hi to Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself, may be more than once!
Event Info
£0.00
Audax Awards
600
609 km
15-30 kph
40h00
Platinum Grimpeur
8016m
Facilities
Hover for brief, click for full overview.
Overview
New for 2024 is Steaming On! 600. Visiting Steam at GWR's Swindon Works, passing Bishops Lydiard Station on the West Somerset Railway, following old railways and current, using some old rail trails and crossing the Tamar with views of the Royal Albert Bridge. And a few brush ins with Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself...
Description
Begin by departing through Brunel's original station before making your way to the Bristol & Bath Railway Path (the beginning of the National Cycle Network) for a traffic free exit of the city. Climb atop the Cotswolds and head east to Swindon and the old Engine Yard's of the Great Western Railway for the first control at Steam.
Exit through the GWR village and head south passing Avebury as you cross North Wilts AONB and into the Vale of Pewsey to then head west, tracking the route of the GWR Cornish Riviera Express to Frome. Then a gradual ascent to the southern edge of the Mendip Hills before descending through Wells, passing its cathedral and onto the Somerset Levels. Over the Quantocks to Bishops Lydeard then south of Exmoor to Barnstaple. Follow the Tarka Trail to Okehampton then the Granite Way to Lydford for your sleep stop.
Steaming on into day 2 cross the Tamar at Horsebridge into Cornwall. Then from Luckett take on the full Kit Hill climb to its summit for some cracking views before back down heading to Saltash; under the bridges before crossing the Tamar once more with views of The Royal Albert Bridge. Join the Plym Valley Railway Trail and head to Yelverton. Then up and over Dartmoor to Exeter. Cross the Blackdown Hills back into Somerset. Over the Mendips you go before back to the Arrivée in Bristol.
Reviews
What others think.
Steaming on 2025
An absolutely fabulous route, clearly a fairly testing day out, but rewarded with some stunning sections of cycling terrain. Sadly for myself, due to an OFF bike mishap, totally my own fault, I only managed half of this ride, but I cannot wait to come back next time to finish off this unfinished business.
Brilliant weekends riding
Excellent routing across varied terrain, and as always some history to explore along the way. A shame it was dark on the leg from Barnstaple to Lydford as I reckon it’s gorgeous in daylight, motivation for next time to ride faster! The sleep control was just the ticket, and felt very thoughtfully laid out. My mattress deflated during my nap but I swapped it for a spare.
Beautiful, with challenging climbing
Another fabulous 600 from master-organiser Will. Beautiful, varied route across at least five counties, railway infrastructure galore (including a slightly-creepy Brunel statue perfect for selfies), and a very welcome sleep control with spot-on food, comfortable LEL-sourced beds and fairy lights to guide the way! Be warned – this has some very challenging climbing (and descending), particularly on the second day – I was not hanging around at the controls and had just 90 minutes in hand at the end. A shame that the wonderful Tarka trail was (for me) during the night section, however with such a good route there will always be good stuff hidden in the dark!
More Events
Loading events…
Booked through Pedalution before?
You know the drill, log in!
First time here? An account will be created for you as you check out.
First time here? No need to log in, just enter an event and an account will be created for you!
Contact the organiser
A quick check to keep spam away, then your email app opens with this event filled in.
