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20 Classic Sportive Rides in South West England

Graded routes on cycle-friendly roads in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Avon and Dorset

By Colin Dennis

ISBN

9781852847449

Availability

Published

5 May 2015

Edition

First

Pages

128

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .80cm

Weight

150g

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This guidebook offers 20 sportive routes in the most challenging and scenic cycling areas of south west England and south Wales. Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Avon and Dorset, all have miles of cycle-friendly roads suitable for sportive training. Graded routes on quiet country roads can be mixed and matched.

Seasons

With its mild climate and great sunshine record, the south west is the perfect playground for year-round sportive training regimes.

Centres

Plymouth, Exeter, Honiton, Wellington, Taunton, Wells, Glastonbury, Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Chepstow, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Salisbury, Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Bournemouth, Poole, Frome, Cirencester

Difficulty

The south west plays host to many well-known mountainous and hilly regions, and this book takes full advantage of these quality training grounds. Some of the toughest climbs in the UK are to be found here, but there's more to the south west than just climbing. This guide features 20 challenging yet achievable training rides for all sportive enthusiasts to enjoy.

Must See

The moody backdrops of Dartmoor and Exmoor to the flat open going of the Somerset Levels and the rolling countryside of Dorset's Jurassic coastline, Sportive riders will enjoy testing themselves against some of the toughest and most scenic terrain that the UK has to offer.

ISBN

9781852847449

Availability

Published

5 May 2015

Edition

First

Pages

128

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .80cm

Weight

150g

Overview

This guidebook explores 20 sportive cycling routes in the best cycling areas of south west England. Ideal for training, the rides range between 59 and 119km (36 to 74 miles) in length, and offer a full range of challenges; from long, fast flat routes, perfect for pacing, to tough hill climbs on the Downs and Moors of the south west.
The 20 sportive routes are found in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, as far north and east as the Wye Valley and Swindon. The range ensures that there is plenty of riding to be found, throughout the region, not to mention the companion Sportives guidebook to routes in England's south east.
From the Cotswolds, to Dartmoor, Exmoor, Bodmin Moor, into Wales and the south coast, there are miles of of cycle-friendly roads suitable for sportive training. All 20 routes are graded for difficulty and include timings, ascent, food-stops and access information, as well as annotated route maps and clear route descriptions.
Sportive cycling is a growing sport, and this guide provides routes for experienced riders and those new to this sport. Useful information on bike maintenance and equipment, to travelling around the areas with your bike and advice on accommodation is also included. The result is a sportive guidebook that will prepare you for the challenges ahead, and allow you to explore the best cycling the south-west has to offer.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Route grades and abbreviations

Route summary table

Introduction

About sportives

The south west of England

Getting there and getting around

When to go

Accommodation

On the road

Safety

Emergencies

Equipment

Bike maintenance

The rules of the road

Maps

Navigation

Feed stations

Using this guide

The Routes

Route 1 Atlantic Roller: Bodmin (Cornwall)

Route 2 Tor de Moor: Ivybridge (Dartmoor)

Route 3 King of the Castle: Haldon Forest Park, Exeter (Dartmoor)

Route 4 Exe-Factor: Tiverton (Exmoor)

Route 5 Slam Dunk: Dunster (Exmoor)

Route 6 Blackdown Hills: Taunton (Somerset and Devon)

Route 7 A Ridge too Far: Wellington (Somerset)

Route 8 Weston-super-Nightmare: Weston-super-Mare (Somerset)

Route 9 Mid-Somer Murder: Wells (Somerset)

Route 10 Mendip Madness: Bristol (Somerset)

Route 11 Over the Edge: Yate (Gloucestershire)

Route 12 Forest of Dean: Chepstow (Gloucestershire)

Route 13 Cotswold Caper: Cirencester (Cotswolds)

Route 14 Fool Hardy: Dorchester (Dorset)

Route 15 Jurassic Classic: Poole (Dorset)

Route 16 Thrill of the Chase: Wimborne Minster (Dorset)

Route 17 Zig Zag: Salisbury (Wiltshire and Dorset)

Route 18 Plain Sailing: Salisbury (Wiltshire)

Route 19 Cheval Blanc: Royal Wootton Bassett (Wiltshire)

Route 20 Clyffe Hanger: Royal Wootton Bassett (Wiltshire)

Appendix A Bike shops and cycle repair outfits

Appendix B Useful contacts

Updates

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

Reviews

20 great training loops, from Bristol to Bodmin, Plymouth to Poole and all areas between.

These days the cycling calendar is chocka with a huge variety of 'sportive' challenges across the UK, usually offering route alternatives from 25 miles to 100+ miles. And, for most people, such events mean getting some miles into our legs beforehand, not only to maximise enjoyment on the big day, but to get used to being in the saddle for long periods.

This pocket sized guide - a companion to the South East volume - outlines 20 great training loops, from Bristol to Bodmin, Plymouth to Poole and all areas between. The routes are all graded from 1 to 5 with simple maps and navigation overview - but all can be downloaded for use with GPS. The vast majority of the routes use quiet country lanes so it's useful for touring cyclists as well.

London Cyclist magazine

Colin Dennis has produced two guides that will be of great interest to any cyclist who likes a challenge in great countryside. With many miles in his legs, he is admirably qualified to guide us on these routes; a cheery attitude shines through in the text and will appeal to those who have thought about taking on bigger challenges but have not yet got round to it, or would rather not but like the idea. The author offers advice to both experienced and newcomer alike.

Most of the routes are around the forty to sixty five mile mark or thereabouts. This makes it especially useful for anyone preparing for a new season of events or
looking to build up stamina for a “big one.” Equally they give the opportunity to test out one’s ability before joining the crowds up Box Hill or elsewhere. And, actually, these routes would make interesting day rides at a more leisurely pace; refreshment information is given and one can always double (or treble) the times suggested as suitable for the route.

Routes on Bodmin Moor, Exmoor, Dartmoor, the Cotswolds, New Forest, the Downs and Weald and Chilterns, amongst other southern hills, cannot be flat. Nor is that desirable from the point of view of the challenge rider. Mr. Dennis has sought out hilly sportives. Take a look at the route profiles. For the cyclists travelling at more of a touring pace, the hills make for good views, and grand airy cycling. Many of these routes would make good touring routes with a challenge, though none would be for the faint-hearted. Of course, there’s no need to rush, but, should you wish to do so, then the advice and guidance is here.

Route directions are brief and to the point and there is little in the way of notes on what there is to see along the
way. That is not the point of the book. Additional weight is unwanted, and one suspects that the speedster will
download the digital routes available. In that sense it will be a planning book, though it fits easily in a jersey
pocket and there is sufficient detail to help with refreshments and accommodation.

So, a book of do-it-yourself sportives or challenge tours, great for preparation, great for a good day out great for
encouraging cyclists who want to step up to the big, big challenges. I really enjoyed reading these routes and
following them in my memory and on the map. A really interesting addition to the library.

Seven Day Cyclist, September 2016

Downloads

20 Classic Sportive Rides in South West England - GPX File

Colin Dennis

Colin Dennis has been riding bikes of one sort or another for longer than he dares to remember. His passion for road and off-road cycling has taken him all over the UK and continental Europe, both leading expeditions and for personal pleasure. Plotting, planning and escaping to new locations are pastimes that have driven him for many years, and working as both freelance copywriter and cycle guide provides a happy balance at home and work. Colin is never happier than when he’s struggling up a steep climb behind a group, usually covered in mud, but as long as there’s a warm tea shop involved – everything’s possible.

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