The West Country

Ride route GPX/TCX
Contact: Stuart and Jane Tel: 07801 371797 Email: janewheatley24@yahoo.co.uk

Contact: Linda Email: westcountry-pub@tandem-club.org.uk

Starting at Wells Vets (What3words fantastic.operating.thanks) ) the ride head along Eurovelo 4 along the old railway line. The Somerset ring AKA The Strawberry Line is being built so we will take several very new sections. The first leaves Wells heading east, after which we take to the lanes south of Croscombe. Take care here as even though a minor road it can be busy. Heading along Ridge road we will access another new section that takes us to the heart of Shepton Mallett. Through the Somerset town to climb Cowl Street, we will pass under a disused railway viaduct (It has been tarmaced) . Continuing to climb and heading left we join the newest section opened in November 2025. Part of the Smerset and Dorset, we pass through Windsor tunnel and over the fabulous Ham Wood Viaduct. The gravel track parallels the railway before going back on the lanes to a coffee stop at Maesbury. Heading north and east now, we descend a lovely lane passing under Maesbury Old Railway Bridge (and a WW2 pillbox on top) to enter Gurney Slade. Close the A37 with care to gradually descend a pretty coombe, passing one of the many quarries in this area. Stock Hill is a short steep climb with good views to the right at the top. Crossing the A367 with car, Pitcot Lane gives extensive views to the west  to pass through Holcombe and then onto Coleford (or Highbury as it should be called) We descend Church Street into Old Coleford, don't go too fast as there is a sharp turn left at the bottom, followed by a well graded climb to Leigh Upon Mendip where we'll have lunch. After lunch the cycling is a lot easier aside a couple of climbs. Through Stoke St Michael where we'll take a diversion to utilise apretty approach road past the church to continue to Oakhill. Recrossing the A367 with care, we'll take a narrow lane to head west to the A37, again crossing with care. The last climb takes us up to the golf course, before a very long descent through the Horringtons and if we are lucky, Glastonbury Tor can be seen on the left. Into Wells, through the centre and back to the vets. Ride route GPX/TCX
Contact: Neil and Sarah Wheadon Tel: 07577 701230 Email: neilwheadon1@gmail.com