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Long Course Details
Bristol: 23rd September 2012
Bristol Belter powered by Specialized Sportive 2012 – long course
Distance: approx. 151km
Climbing: approx. 1,900m
Briefing please read:
PDF downloadThere will be tthree feeding stations on the Classic Sportive (approx. 151km) at approximately 44, 93 and 133km.
Course description
The event will start and finish once again at the Redwood Lodge Hotel, near to Ashton Court (home of the Bristol BikeFest and Britain's only suburban mountain bike course). The route is designed to encompass all the well known and not so well known ascents (and descents) the area has to offer. The course heads off into North Somerset following the coast, across moorland and climbing up to the top of the Mendips (3 times). Tackling technically demanding roads, with fantastic views of the Bristol Channel and key roads of past Tour of Britain cycle races. The route heads southwest along Beggar Bush Lane B3129 turning right onto the B3128 at the 1st traffic lights heading towards Portishead. After approximately 1km the course leaves to the right making its way along undulating lanes until you reach the village of Portbury. At the centre of Portbury the course heads along quiet lanes before turning right at Clapton in Gordano towards Portishead before joining the B3124. Turn left towards Clevedon for a short distance then turning right up the short and sharp Valley Road past Avon & Somerset Police HQ., at the top the views of the Severn Estuary open up in front of you as you head southwest along the coast road eventually re-joining the B3124 at Walton in Gordano. Continue south to skirt the southern edge of Clevedon then on to enjoy the flat and peaceful roads of Kenn Moor for several miles, which make it perfect for getting the legs warmed up for the first of the climbs.
Brockley Combe is the first steady climb of the day. The initial couple of steep short steps turn into long false flats leading to a slight kick at the top. At the top there is a right-hand turn taking you between the outskirts of Bristol Airport and the top of Goblin Combe. From here the views of up and coming Mendips are laid out in front of you. After a fast descent down Long Lane towards Wrington village the route turns sharp right straight up Wrington Hill, where the immediate transition from big ring to granny is advised as the gradient cranks up really quickly. Once at the top Wrington Hill you head down a steep descent past Goblin Coombe to Cleeve. Left at A370 (here the short course splits off) left again over Rhodyate Hill to turn left and head back towards Wrington. Before reaching Wrington the course runs through narrow lanes to Langford before heading towards Burrington. This is the last of the flatter parts of the course as you reach the base of Burrington Combe.
Burrington Combe is Cheddar Gorges' lesser known twin, at 4km (2.5mi) long, and a few false horizons thrown into the mix it can be just as much of a challenge as the famous gorge. At the top you turn right heading in the direction of Shipham with fabulous views from the Mendips across to Wales. The road then follows the contours of the Mendips creating a perfect breather on the long winding descending roads all the way to the bottom of Cheddar Gorge.
Cheddar Gorge is situated on the southwest side of the Mendips with the B3135 road running along the bottom. The near-vertical rock face comes straight up out of the ground at touching distance to a height of 137metres (449ft). What with the view and the occasional goat, you'd be forgiven to think you where in the Alps. The 5km (2.5mi) long climb (the venue for the National Hill Climb Championships in 2007) rises 300 metres with one brutal section in particular to really strain those muscles. After a while the road level does level out and you will be able to settle into a rhythm and enjoy the view.
You will now be at the top of the Mendips. You then head southeast towards the city of Wells and should be able to catch a glimpse of Glastonbury Tor in the distance. Down a steep descent you enter the village of Wookey Hole. At Wookey Hole the climb starts back up the Old Bristol Road to the top of the Mendips. The ride meanders cross country on a series of roller-coaster country roads past Chewton Mendip and East Harptree before a short climb up to Hinton Blewett, then across to Bishop Sutton A short ride on the A368 before heading north to Stanton Drew. After passing through Stanton Drew the course heads west along the B3130 until it reaches Chew Magna, where it takes a left along Tunbridge Road heading south towards Chew Valley Lake. Turn right at the lake and cross over the dam to Chew Stoke (here the short comes in from the left), and then right again for a short climb up Pagans Hill.
The course now heads west on quiet country (the mini course re-joins along this stretch) lanes slowly climbing up towards Bristol Airport. The route is bumpy until it joins the A38 just north of the village of Felton. Turn right to enjoy the last of the descents, on your way through Barrow Gurney to Long Ashton. The route then heads west towards Nailsea before turning right to begin the last climb of the day – Belmont Hill. After the steep section near the bottom, the road levels out slightly before ramping up for the last half a mile to the top – a real sting in the tail for tired legs. Once over the top the last 2 miles give the sprinters amongst you the chance to strut their stuff, get in a group and blast it back to Redwood Lodge.
Course profile:
Course map:
PDF downloadDownload the course GPX Files:
GPX Download 156kb
Start times:
The Bristol Belter powered by Specialized Road Sportive will start at 8.00am onwards on Sunday the 23rd September 2012 at the Redwood Lodge Country Club located on the edge of Ashton Court in Bristol. The start will stay open for two hours.
Registration opening times:
Sunday from 7.30am - 10am
Entry fees:
The entry fee for the approx. 151km and 110km long Bristol Belter powered by Specialized is £25 per rider.
Your entry fee for the Bristol Belter Road Sportive includes:
- Ride entry
- Electronic chip timing
- Free usage of service stations
- Free usage of facilities
- Finishing present
- Free parking
- Certificate
For details on the Bristol Bikefest (9-10th June 2012) and Bristol Oktoberfest (13th October 2012) please visit the event website: www.bike-fest.com