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Cheddar Valley Leisure Cycling (CVLC)
We are a small, informal group who ride regularly on Fridays and Sundays throughout the year.
What sort of cycling do we do? Yes, we mainly wear Lycra but we are not fit, or young enough to be fast and serious. We do a mixture of longer and shorter rides at a leisurely pace. Some members use electric bikes. We have stops for refreshments and gossiping.
Rides start mainly in the local area. Sometimes we go further afield, driving to the start of the ride (awayday) and, occasionally, go away for a few days. All rides have a leader - anyone wishing to can lead.
As a small group we are able to be flexible and with an element of spontaneity which we enjoy, however we welcome new members. To find out more, please use the form on the Contact Us page.
Details of forthcoming rides are given below. To get an idea of where we go, have a look at the Past Rides page.
What sort of cycling do we do? Yes, we mainly wear Lycra but we are not fit, or young enough to be fast and serious. We do a mixture of longer and shorter rides at a leisurely pace. Some members use electric bikes. We have stops for refreshments and gossiping.
Rides start mainly in the local area. Sometimes we go further afield, driving to the start of the ride (awayday) and, occasionally, go away for a few days. All rides have a leader - anyone wishing to can lead.
As a small group we are able to be flexible and with an element of spontaneity which we enjoy, however we welcome new members. To find out more, please use the form on the Contact Us page.
Details of forthcoming rides are given below. To get an idea of where we go, have a look at the Past Rides page.
Future Rides
Friday 29 March 2024 (Good Friday): Not yet planned - rather weather dependent
Sunday 31 March 2024 (Easter Sunday): Not yet planned
Friday 5 April 2024: Meet at 10.30 at Winscombe (43 miles) or 11.10 at Yatton Station (29miles) for a trip to Portishead. Ride 13L. There is an option of the Gordano Valley road for those wishing to avoid the hill on the coast road out of Portishead: Leader: Anne
Sunday 7 April 2024: Not yet planned
Friday 12 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 14 April 2024: Meet 10:30 at the layby near Chew Valley lake at the junction of the B3114 and the lane leading to Woodford Lodge. There should be plenty of space to park, otherwise try Woodford Lodge CP or paid parking at Salt & Malt. Ride anticlockwise following the river Chew to Saltford to join the Bristol-Bath railway path as far as Bitton Station, then it's off to Willsbridge Mill cafe. After skirting south Bristol 'burbs and tackling the infamous Hicks Gate roundabout the safe way (i.e. on cycle paths not in a car) the Whitchurch railway path leads to a descent on quiet lanes back via Chew Magna to the start.
35 miles on a generally undulating route but not mountainous. GPX route available here. Leader Teresa
Friday 19 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 21 April 2024: Meet at 10.30 at Mark Village Hall for a journey to the Poldens and further south.. GPX file to follow. Leader: JohnP
Friday 26 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 28 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 5th May Meet 10.30 at Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre going to Somerton if the weather has been dry, or Bere Cider Farm if the road at the bottom of Ham Hill might be muddy. To be decided nearer the date and GPX to follow. Leader JohnP
Sunday 31 March 2024 (Easter Sunday): Not yet planned
Friday 5 April 2024: Meet at 10.30 at Winscombe (43 miles) or 11.10 at Yatton Station (29miles) for a trip to Portishead. Ride 13L. There is an option of the Gordano Valley road for those wishing to avoid the hill on the coast road out of Portishead: Leader: Anne
Sunday 7 April 2024: Not yet planned
Friday 12 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 14 April 2024: Meet 10:30 at the layby near Chew Valley lake at the junction of the B3114 and the lane leading to Woodford Lodge. There should be plenty of space to park, otherwise try Woodford Lodge CP or paid parking at Salt & Malt. Ride anticlockwise following the river Chew to Saltford to join the Bristol-Bath railway path as far as Bitton Station, then it's off to Willsbridge Mill cafe. After skirting south Bristol 'burbs and tackling the infamous Hicks Gate roundabout the safe way (i.e. on cycle paths not in a car) the Whitchurch railway path leads to a descent on quiet lanes back via Chew Magna to the start.
35 miles on a generally undulating route but not mountainous. GPX route available here. Leader Teresa
Friday 19 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 21 April 2024: Meet at 10.30 at Mark Village Hall for a journey to the Poldens and further south.. GPX file to follow. Leader: JohnP
Friday 26 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 28 April 2024: Not yet planned
Sunday 5th May Meet 10.30 at Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre going to Somerton if the weather has been dry, or Bere Cider Farm if the road at the bottom of Ham Hill might be muddy. To be decided nearer the date and GPX to follow. Leader JohnP
Future Awaydays
With the improving weather, it is proposed to run awaydays (when we drive to the start of a ride) once/month. The proposed dates are: Friday 31 May, Sunday 23 June, Friday 19 July, Sunday 18 August, Friday 13 September. Anyone may propose a awayday ride.
Ideas Bank
Two Tunnels Ride: Deferred as one of the tunnels is closed due to flooding. Meet near Chew Valley lake at the lay-by at the junction of the B3114 and the lane leading to Woodford Lodge (there should be plenty of room to park, otherwise try Woodford Lodge CP or paid parking at Salt & Malt). Ride anticlockwise to Midford, then on to the greenway which runs through the mile-long Combe Down and then Devonshire tunnels (they have low lighting but bringing your own lights is advised). Emerging into daylight we'll go on to the Bristol-Bath railway cycle path, riding as far as Saltford then turning back to follow the river Chew back to the start. 37.5 miles with undulations before and after the flat bits through Bath.
Abergavenny Brynmawr Llangattock: A 27 mile awayday ride starting from Abergavenny. The first half being elevated with great valley views and the second half returning along the canal. Generally easy riding, almost entirely away traffic free, with occasional rough sections so good tyres and brakes needed but nothing hard core.
Lavender Loop: Meet at Midsomer Norton Car Park (free parking) South Rd, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2ET for a ride to the Somerset Lavender Farm via Five Arches and Norton Radstock Greenways, Colliers' Way and then via Buckland Dinham to Faulkland. Back via Wellow to pick up the Colliers' Way into Radstock. 25 miles. A bit bumpy, 1700 ft, so please wait for me at the top! A shortish ride but some may care to extend at one end or the other !! Hopefully the weather will be good and we can spend some time exploring the lavender field. https://www.somersetlavender.com/ The GPX route is here and a TCX route here. Leader Barbara B
Avon Cycleway round Bristol 86 miles (awayday or overnight) Teresa & Sally?
Please feel free to suggest an interesting location or route for a ride, even if you don't feel you can lead it.
With the improving weather, it is proposed to run awaydays (when we drive to the start of a ride) once/month. The proposed dates are: Friday 31 May, Sunday 23 June, Friday 19 July, Sunday 18 August, Friday 13 September. Anyone may propose a awayday ride.
Ideas Bank
Two Tunnels Ride: Deferred as one of the tunnels is closed due to flooding. Meet near Chew Valley lake at the lay-by at the junction of the B3114 and the lane leading to Woodford Lodge (there should be plenty of room to park, otherwise try Woodford Lodge CP or paid parking at Salt & Malt). Ride anticlockwise to Midford, then on to the greenway which runs through the mile-long Combe Down and then Devonshire tunnels (they have low lighting but bringing your own lights is advised). Emerging into daylight we'll go on to the Bristol-Bath railway cycle path, riding as far as Saltford then turning back to follow the river Chew back to the start. 37.5 miles with undulations before and after the flat bits through Bath.
Abergavenny Brynmawr Llangattock: A 27 mile awayday ride starting from Abergavenny. The first half being elevated with great valley views and the second half returning along the canal. Generally easy riding, almost entirely away traffic free, with occasional rough sections so good tyres and brakes needed but nothing hard core.
Lavender Loop: Meet at Midsomer Norton Car Park (free parking) South Rd, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2ET for a ride to the Somerset Lavender Farm via Five Arches and Norton Radstock Greenways, Colliers' Way and then via Buckland Dinham to Faulkland. Back via Wellow to pick up the Colliers' Way into Radstock. 25 miles. A bit bumpy, 1700 ft, so please wait for me at the top! A shortish ride but some may care to extend at one end or the other !! Hopefully the weather will be good and we can spend some time exploring the lavender field. https://www.somersetlavender.com/ The GPX route is here and a TCX route here. Leader Barbara B
Avon Cycleway round Bristol 86 miles (awayday or overnight) Teresa & Sally?
Please feel free to suggest an interesting location or route for a ride, even if you don't feel you can lead it.
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