Ride for Precious Lives Wraxhall to St Austell Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: Year Round
Ride for Precious Lives Southbound
Bike Adventure
In this grand 330km cycle tour of the South West you will enjoy the best of the natural beauty that our region has to offer. From the mighty Cheddar Gorge, across The Somerset Levels, over Exmoor, down to The North Devon Coast, then over Bodmin Moor, and culminating with a cheeky crossing of the Fowey Estuary before our triumphant arrival into Little Harbour Hospice in St Austell.
Starting at the Charlton Farm Hospice in Wraxhall near Bristol, we head south - first tackling Goblin Combe before a short rest and heading up the very impressive climb of Burrington Combe. You then head down the impressive descent of Cheddar Gorge (be sure to savour the amazing sights as the cliffs tower above us - but keep sharp - its a windy and fast descent!). We shall then enjoy an afternoon of rattling across the Somerset Levels before finishing for the day in Taunton.
Day 2 sees us heading west for Exmoor and the stunning North Devon Coast; the morning is on quiet back roads heading for Bampton, before the tricky climb up to Withypool and the top of Exmoor. Enjoy the sights as you head down into Barnstaple for a quick stop in the Little Bridge House Hospice. We finish with a whizz along the River Taw cycle path to Bideford.
The final day is an undulating ride (an inevitability in Cornwall!) as you head south into Cornwall. It's another stunner as we pedal through the countryside heading through Holsworthy, and Launceston before lunch on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Minions. It's then a ride to the coast for a quick hop on the ferry at Fowey to regroup for the final victorious ride into the little harbour hospice in St Austell.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Bristol to Taunton, 105KM
DAY 2: Taunton to Bideford, 112km
DAY 3: Bideford to St Austell, 115km
Return Home
Accommodation
Two nights in clean, comfortable hotels with breakfast included.
What is a Level 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?
These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?
You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)
Special Notes
We strongly recommend as well as a smartphone, an extra battery pack to ensure that you always can contact support should you need it.
Included In Trip
- 20 and 10 week training programmes
- Support from your community fundraiser to raise at least £1000
- Breakfast (porridge and pastries) at Charlton Farm on Friday morning
- Two nights’ accommodation in a hotel including fully cooked breakfasts
- Evening meal and entertainment at each hotel.
- Pub lunch each day you cycle.
- Two water stops each day you cycle with homemade cakes and hot / cold drinks.
- Beautiful scenery
- Fully supported crew that will check bikes every evening and provide first aid, mechanics and carry luggage for you all weekend
- Bespoke Ride for Precious Lives cycling jersey
- CHSW cheer team and support all weekend!
- Finish line party at Little Harbour for you, family and friends on the Sunday
Excluded From Trip
Transfers to start/from finish of challenge.
Spare parts used in case of serious mechanical issues.
Equipment Required
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike / Mountain Bike (with Touring Tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf
Small Rucksack (or small pannier)
Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Lamps (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Under Saddle Pouch (recommended - can be used to carry asterik* items)
Duck Tape (small folded piece off the reel)*
Puncture Repair Kit*
2 x Inner Tubes*
Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Oil/Lube*
Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Medikit
Suncream, Plasters
Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc
Washkit
Pack Towel (lifesystems recommended), Soap (small bar)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste
Warm Clothing
Medium Weight Fleece, Lightweight Gloves, Fleece Hat
Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts
Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (Dryflo type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable)
Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Underwear
1 Set Casual Evening Wear
1 Pair Cotton Trousers
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
1 Pair Outer Waterproof Bottoms
Other
Camera, Memory Card
Wallet, Credit Card, Cash
Sunglasses, Mobile Phone
Penknife, Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure..
Safety Information
You should stay in contact with your leaders at each stage of the ride. Briefings will be made each morning. You must always wear your helmet. Your leader is First Aid Qualified - and will carry a full expedition first aid kit. There will also be a support vehicle available in case of emergency - but this is only useful if you are in contact with the vehicle / leader.
You should make sure you have programmed your leader's phone number in your own phone. If you are stuck at the roadside - please make yourself safe. Also it is essential that you check your bicycle is in good working order before joining this event.
We strongly recommend that you read the Joining Documentation carefully - and especially the neccessary apps that you should download in readiness for this event.
Weather
Being in the UK we should be prepared for anything. Whilst not wishing everyone to bring heaps of equipment we should be prepared for both poor weather and scorching hot weather.
Bring both equipment to protect from hot sun, and also to protect in case it rains. It is unlikely to be cold.
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events