Cycle for Ella on TCT web site

You need to scroll down a bit to see it!

http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/get-involved/as-a-fundraiser/unit-appeals/south-west/

Photos of Cycle for Ella

All overnighters

Congrats to all those who completed the cycle ride, I will post pics here as people send them to me, here is the first, the majority of cyclists at the camp site before leaving Glastonbury for Bristol on Sunday.

The main group of overnighters

In our Teenage Cancer Trust vests

Amy, Georgina and Annie at Wells Cathedral

Chew Valley Lake

Kings of the mountain - at the top of the hill out of Wookey Hole

The overnight-vanguard (those that cycled ahead of the main group):

Puzzling over a puncture - they did not have Mark Cox to help!

Somewhere on route - taken by Jo

Out-and-back on the same day

Shane and Jacqui Clinch in Glastonbury (I think they are at the thorn bush that is rumoured to have grown from Joseph of Arimathea's (Jesus's uncle no less) staff

The evening out

Drinking in Glastonbury centre (before we got moved on)

Support team

On Glastonbury Tor

Cycle for Ella - final arrangements

Sponsorship

Don't forget the reason we are doing this. If you are raising money as well as just undertaking the ride as a challenge/joining in the fun, please remind all those who said they would sponsor you, but are yet to do so. So far, across all the various events, Ella's friends, family and other supporters, including all of you, have raised an amazing £64,000+ for The Teenage Cancer Trust. You can see the total and all the pages at the link below.

http://www.justgiving.com/remember/47274/Ella-Redman

Weather

The forecast for the West Country for Saturday, at the moment, on the Met Office web site, is a bright yellow sun, with the odd cloud and a temperature of 27C. Ella would be pretty pleased with this for her birthday weekend!

As cyclists we might like it a little cooler and appreciate the odd shade-giving cloud; however, be prepared for a scorcher (sun screen, shades, lots of water etc.)

Bag drop

For those wanting to drop their bags on Friday evening, Richard and Jane Clutterbuck will be home from 14:30 onwards their address is:

29 Ashville Road

Bristol

BS3 2AP

This is just off North Street, near the Tobacco Factory – map here

For those dropping on Saturday morning Richard and van will be at the Mud Dock.

Please remember to label your bags

What about getting your stuff back afterwards? Jane and Richard are happy for people to collect from their house Sunday, Monday or Tuesday evening – please make arrangements when you drop off.

Start

We will meet between for 08:30 and 09:00 at the Mud Dock, map here. The main group will be leaving at 09:15, if you are doing your own thing that is fine, but please see backup info below.

A high pressure pump will be available at the start; hard tyres are one of the best ways to avoid punctures.

Cycleworks, the shop at the Mud Dock opens at 09:00 for last minute purchases. The café does not open until 09:00 either, so unless you want to start behind the main group there will not be time to have breakfast here.

On-route

For the main group Mark Cox will lead, Matthew Cox will sweep.

Remember all the advice posted early on about making sure your bike is fit for purpose and that you can deal with on route emergencies especially punctures. Of course, we will all help each other out, but only you know what size spare tube is needed for your bike.

Safety: sorry to re-state the obvious, especially to the seasoned cyclists, but remember to wear something bright on top and remember your helmet (unless you are prefer to cycle without one, I shall have mine on!) Run for Ella T-shirts may not be the best thing for the ride itself, so I will be wearing mine on the Saturday night, if you have one, why not do the same?

Hydration: there are shops, cafes and pubs on-route including at the catch up points. However, to state the obvious, you will want something to drink on route.

Catch up points: as described in the detailed route description these are:

• Chew Magna – approx. 15KM
• Priddy – approx. 32K
• Wells Cathedral – approx. 42 KM

Remember Mark’s warning about the steep downhill sections in both directions.

Return on Sunday

Mark and Matthew are involved in the Great Weston Ride which overlaps marginally with our route, so will not be with us. All other support is as above and we will configure the main group depending on how things have gone on the Saturday.

What if I am not fit to cycle home on Sunday?

There is a train at 12:08  from nearby (15 flatish KMs) Castle Cary via Westbury that allows bikes; if even this is not possible, we can get you home in one of the backup vehicles  if necessary.

Mobile phones

Make sure you bring it charged up and save your battery for emergency, it may not be possible to recharge easily at the camp site. Please note the main supports number below.

Backup and emergency

NOTE: This support is available whether your are cycling with main group or doing your own thing.

Hopefully all will go smoothly and we will all have a great weekend out with no hitches, but just in case. We have a number of people to help if you get into difficulty of some sort. The co-ordinator of backup is Steve Deacon who will be available throughout the day. Others are listed below, including three qualified first aiders should you scrape a knee or something (may be some others of you are first aiders, if so let us know).

Support backup numbers:

• Steve Deacon – 07968 759293 – first point of contact for cycle problems, "I can't go on" etc.
• Jim Tarzey – qualified first aider – 07767 686005 – first point of contact for first aid
• Sonia Moon – qualified first aider – 07930 848925 – first point of contact for first aid
• Richard Clutterbuck – equipment transport
• Jo Redman – 0777 3352453

Main group cyclists contact numbers:

• Mark Cox – 07808720943
• Matthew Cox – 07531 069467
• Bob Tarzey – 07900275517
• Andy Tarzey – qualified first aider – 07789 640278

Camping at The Isle of Avalon campsite

The arrangements have been made with Mrs Freeman. The address of the campsite is Godney Road, BA6 9AF, it is about 1KM to the NW of Glastonbury centre. For cyclists the directions for getting there are the end of the detailed route blog post. The location can be seen at this link:

There is a designated area for us to camp in – please say you are with the Tarzey cycling group.

Payment – I will collect money from you and pay for the whole group. This is Mrs Freeman’s suggestion. Cost is 12 per tent and £2 per person.

Overnight bike storage: the camp-site says “we have never had a bike stolen”. There are a plenty of places to leave bikes at the site, and to be double sure, bring a bike lock.

Food on Saturday night

If you have signed up for a meal at the Who’d have thought it on Saturday night you should have received an email from me asking for your pre-order. A price for main course and desert of £15.00 per person has been agreed and the booking is for 19:00. The location of the pub is shown at this link, the camp-site is about 1 KM to the Northwest on Godney Road.

For breakfast on Sunday morning please make your own plans.

Bag drop and evening meal

Hi all,

We need two decisions from you!

First - do you want bags and camping equipment transported to Glastonbury and back courtesy of Richard Clutterbuck and his van? If the answer is yes - then you have a choice for dropping your stuff with Richard.

1. The Friday evening before (July 19th) at the Clutterbuck's home on Ashville Road near the Tobacco Factory in Bedminster.
2. On the morning of the cycle ride (July 20th) between 8:00 and 9:00 AM at the Mud Dock

Either way - please note Richard says "it would be a great help if people could label their tents/bags/belongings etc."

Second - will you be joining us for an evening meal at the Who'd have thought it pub in Glastonbury? I know some are planning to cook at the camp site (there is a place you can have a BBQ as well) and others may want to make their own plans. However, as there will probably be quite a few of us eating at the pub, we should warn them of numbers and they have suggested we pre-order from a selected menu to make sure we get food promptly on a Saturday night.

So please get back to me at bobtarzey@googlmail.com with the following info:

Bag drop:

• Friday evening
• Saturday morning
• No thanks

Dinner the Who'd have thought it 

• Yes please
• No thanks

Thanks, Bob

Update list of participants - as of July 15th

This is an updated list of participants as of July 9th 2013.There are around 40 cyclists now, most joining the main group, some doing their own thing.

More details on the camp site, transport of camping gear and evening meal coming soon.

Amy Clutterbuck - cyclist - camping
Andy Holder - cyclist - back same day
Andy Tarzey - cyclist - camping
Anna Van Wely - cyclist - B&B
Annie Archer - cyclist - TBC
Bob Redman - cyclist - B&B
Bob Tarzey - cyclist - camping
Emily Thompson - cyclist - camping
Georgina Gilchrist-Roberts - cyclist - camping
Paul Roberts - cyclist - out only, camping
Jonathan Wright - cyclist - camping
Alison Gilchrist - cyclist - back only, camping
Ruth Gilchrist - cyclist - camping
Jane Clutterbuck - support - camping
Jane MacPherson - cyclist - camping
Jim Tarzey - support - camping
Ken Guy - cyclist - B&B
Jan - evening only - B&B
Lorriane Palmer - cyclist - B&B
Mark Cox - expert cyclist - out only, dinner only
Matthew Cox - expert cyclist - out only, dinner only
Mark Dillon - cyclist - TBC
Mark Kennedy - cyclist-  B&B
Mark Stephens - expert cyclist - TBC
Mike Rafter - support - B&B
Rita Bourn - cyclist-  B&B
Shelagh Foster - cyclist - B&B
Steve Deacon - support - camping
Jo Redman - support - B&B
Richard Clutterbuck - support - camping
Sonia Moon - support - camping
Brett Thomas - cyclist - camping
Yasmine Hawkings - cyclist - camping
Arron Berry - cyclist - camping
Claire Ellis + husband + daughter - cyclist - back same day
Tony Weir + friend(s) - cyclist - own arrangements
Sue Gridley + 1 - cyclist - own arrangements
Graham Clifford - cyclist
Jacqui Clinch - cyclist

Shane Clinch - cyclist

Detailed route description - Bristol to Glastonbury

Here is a detailed route description from Bristol to Glastonbury. This is all based on the notes Mark made when doing his test run. This is broken down into 4 sections, the end of each is suggested place for those who want to be part of the main group to catch up. Others, for example those going out and back in a day should find this useful for making their own way. But, first some notes on the two big descents:

On the route to Glastonbury the descent to Wookey Hole is narrow and can be busy with traffic coming up the hill.

On the route to Bristol the descent to West Harptree is not as steep but ends at a T-junction on the main road so control is needed.

Part 1: Queen Square to Chew Magna – approx. 15KM

·        Head out of Queen Square towards Temple Meads Station go right at the roundabout and onto a short cycle track and then onto the path, across the zebra crossing and past the casino.

·        Cross two more pedestrian crossings into the centre of the road – where there are a couple of run-down buildings – stay in the central part and bear right so that you are in the middle of the dual carriageway.

·        Cross the road in front of Temple Meads Station and immediately across its entrances heading for Bath. Keep on shared path and then go left under the railway bridge (a bit dark – so be careful of other users).

·        Having emerged from the tunnel you need to cross the road and get onto the real start of Route 3 – this is the 'Whitchurch Way'.

·        The 'Whitchurch Way' is indicated by the stencil of a bike on the route with a green rectangle underneath.  Look out for this for the next few miles.

·        The path follows the River Avon. Watch out for tree routes that have created natural speed ramps!

·        Close to Arnos Court the path goes under a bridge and up a ramp with a hairpin bend in it.  On reaching the path go left staying on the footpath across a side turning and onto the road (Sainsbury’s is on the right).

·        After a few hundred yards take the pedestrian crossings and go into Arnos Park – cutting the corner off to the exit onto a road.

·        Turn right and follow the road. Stencils on the road.  Go over the crossroads and at the end  at the T-junction go straight over and follow the allotments to Tesco (you are now in Brislington).

·        Stay on the path. Be careful where the path crosses side roads as the side road traffic has priority.

·        Go around to right and then left under the bridge. On emerging from this bridge go right (this is not clear) under another bridge and then right again.

·        Follow the brook very briefly before turning left through a housing estate.

·        On reaching the main road (again it's not too clear signage) get onto road and go left and right at the first roundabout (there may be an option to use the paths instead).

·        Continue along the road for a hundred yards and then turn right into a housing estate and onto an old railway line.

·        Stay on this narrow track to Whitchurch.

·        On reaching the main road go left onto the road and then right at the roundabout which comes out at the main A37.

·        Cross this and follow signs for Chew Magna. The route is now mainly on quiet roads.

·        Having left the A37 behind you may catch a glimpse of the Clifton Suspension Bridge to the right over the hedge rows.

·        After several miles you enter Chew Magna village take a left and then a right, the church will be on your left.

·        This leads to the main road where you turn left.  It took Mark an hour or so to reach to this point. There is a cafe on the left which may be a good place to regroup.

·        After this turn right onto a side road.

Part 2: Chew Magna to Priddy – approx.. 17KM

·        After you come out of the village turn right (DO NOT follow the road and signage for route 410).

·        This quiet road heads towards the Chew Valley Lake.  At the T-junction is the Chew Valley visitor centre and cafe is almost directly in front of you.  Another (probably better place to regroup).

·        At the junction go R and over the dam of the lake and into Chew Stoke.

·        At the next T-junction go left toward West Harptree (the route signage is missing at this junction).

·        At some point after the village a cycle track/shared path appears on the left. Get on this and head towards the lake.

·        There is a large layby by the lake – which on a sunny day would be a place to regroup (and the almost the last such place before The Mendip Hills).

·        After the layby continue on the path – this eventually ends and you need to get onto the road.

·        Pass the Blue Bowl Inn  and follow the road around to the right (do not turn towards West Harptree)

·        Head up to the main road – where you turn right and immediately left.

·        This is the start of the main climb of the day.  It is a steady gradient.  When you get to the Wellsway Inn (only open for booked functions).

·        Turn right.  At this point, whether you have walked or cycled up the hill you may want to stop for a bit of a recovery.

·        Take the first left – towards Cheddar (avoid the huge pothole).

·        Straight over at the main road.  This is a very nice part of the route, right on the top of The Mendips.

·         After about a mile or less the road starts to go down and your speed picks up.

·        There is an Army rifle range on the left. Start to slow down as there is a sharp left at the cross roads – and you immediately go up a steep hill, so you need to be in the right gear. This left turn is not clearly sign posted or expected.

·        Follow the road and at the next Main Road,  go right and immediately left to Priddy. There is one open pub in Priddy and one boarded up. The village green - with its burnt out bus shelter may be a place to regroup!

Part 3: Priddy to Wells Cathedral – approx. 10 KM

·        Having gone past the boarded up pub on your right – take the first R (not very clear).

·         After about a mile the southern edge of the Mendips appear with views across the Somerset levels – including the first glimpse of Glastonbury Tor.

·        There is a long steep (and dangerous) descent just after this. Stay in control of the bike.  Avoid loose gravel.

·        Eventually you arrive at Wookey Hole

·        Pass the blue policeman figures – look out for the tourists.

·        Follow the road to Wells.

·        As you get into Wells there is a set of traffic lights at the main road – just before these turn right across an area where there are cars parked, head towards a pedestrian Crossing.

·        Cross the road here.  Straight on and then left at the T-junction and straight on at the roundabout (there is Waitrose being built on the left).

·        Carry on up the road and turn right – this takes you pass the cathedral.

Part 4: Wells Cathedral to the Isle of Avalon camp site in Glastonbury – approx. 13KM

·        Turn left at the roundabout and up across the cobbled high street/market place (several cafes here).

·        The route goes through the archway to the Bishop’s Palace and then immediately right alongside the mote.

·        At the end of the path turn right and follow the route back to the main road.

·        At the main road turn left, and then onto the path before the roundabout; and then turn left on reaching the roundabout.

·        The shared path goes past Morrisons via a crossing.

·        Eventually take the right and under a bridge, then left onto quieter Road.

·        Take the first right (this is not very well sign posted)  onto a rough lane, potholed, gravel and grass in the middle.

·        Left at the next junction and then straight over at a crossroads (Launcherley Farm).

·        After a short while go right onto a long straight road (this turning is not very well signed).

·        Go left at the main road onto a shared path/track.

·        At the roundabout continue on the path as if to go straight over the roundabout.

At the roundabout there are three options:

1.      Head to straight to the Isle of Avalon campsite – turn left just before the roundabout down a minor, at a T-junction after about 1KM turn left, follow another minor road for about 1KM passing a staggered junction to a cross roads of minor roads, turn left and the Isle of Avalon campsite is just along the road on your right

2.      Head into Glastonbury – go straight ahead along the old road into Glastonbury town centre

3.      The long route – head off around Glastonbury Tor

·        Go left at the roundabout and follow the road. It takes you away from Glastonbury at first.

·        After about 3KM turn right up a short lane which becomes very rough and steep; head towards the tor.

·        The track eventually turn to asphalt - after a further climb a gate is reached where you can walk up to the tor.

·        Otherwise carry on and take the first right and follow this road down into Glastonbury.

Glastonbury to Bristol

Reverse the above, however, there is a one way system in wells so can't retrace steps exactly.

Starting point, maps, route comments and signage

Hi all, plans for the bike ride are moving along:

Start point

We have selected a starting point.The plan is too start from the Mud Dock between 08:30 and 09:00 on The Grove, just to the South of Queen Square, route 3 starts here. There is a café there that serves a nice breakfast, but it does not open until 09:00, so if you want to get straight off, eat breakfast before you arrive. There is also a The Mud Dock Bike Shed (a cycling shop) to sort out any last minute problems, but stuff you still need etc.

Maps

The Sustrans map is not much use, but it does allow you to trace out the route on the OS map, the ones you need are as follows:

• Either Landranger 1:50,000 – sheets 172 (Bristol and Bath) and 182 (Weston-super-Mare
• Or Explorer 1:25,000 – sheets 155 (Bristol and Bath) and 141 (Cheddar Gorge)

 That said, there will be a few of us who have the maps, so if you just want to tag along and let someone else find the way that is fine.

The Bristol city map is much better than the Sustrans one for the Bristol end of the route; free copies of this are available from the Mud Dock Bike Shed.

General comments on route

Mark Cox did the route in both directions one hot day in early June, it took him just over 6 hours, taking route notes! So we should all be able to it over two days – at a more leisurely pace than Mark. Mark's full route notes will be posted shortly.

Mark says “Sustrans Route 3 is great, a varied and very quiet route”. It has a tough climb in each direction over the Mendips. The road surfaces along some of the back roads are pot-holed and there is loose gravel on surface at times. Riders need to be aware of these hazards and not follow too closely behind others.

There are two sections to be particularly aware off: the two descents of off The Mendip Hills. They are steep and so need very good breaks to maintain control.

Signage

From Queen Square to Temple Meads is poorly signed.  The signage for route 3 does not seem to start until you get on the Whitchurch way path just after going under the bridge at Temple Meads. Mark did not think the route is sufficiently well sign posted to enable riders to find their own way – unless they are good map readers and/or very observant; the signage is generally there but not always easy to spot and sometimes it is not clear which direction it is pointing you in.

Don’t worry; some of us will be taking on the task of route finding for those who just want to cycle.