The Great Exmoor Ride
By Dave Land, posted 23 January 2018
There's a new one on the ever-crowded sportive calendar. But this one comes with twist - it's not in a circle!
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Don’t keep going round in circles, go in a straight line.
The Great Exmoor Ride is a new city-to-coast challenge bike ride from the team behind the hugely-popular Great Weston Ride, which will run on Sunday 2nd September 2018.
The ride starts in Taunton and ends in a tranquil spot on the West Somerset coast at Blue Anchor near Minehead, and along the way it offers a stunning 66-mile (105km) route through quiet Somerset country lanes and across the eastern part of Exmoor National Park.
The test event confirmed that participants can look forward to a great personal challenge courtesy of a spectacular route that was given a resounding 'thumbs up'. The event is specifically designed and supported as an 'all-comers' challenge, suitable for a wide range of riders and bicycles. Whilst there’s plenty on offer to test participants (as well as delight them), there are no time pressures, with the emphasis on rising to a personal challenge and enjoying both the route AND the immense sense of achievement that comes with completing it.
Darren McKimm, the event director said: “We believe there's something special about completing a spectacular, challenging ride that ends up somewhere other than where you started, and that's exactly what the Great Exmoor Ride offers. Last year's feedback showed that the route is both fabulous and challenging, but also very do-able for anyone with a degree of fitness and/or a lot of determination - it's there for anyone who wants a real challenge as part of a great day out, full of wonderful views, and it could be the perfect way to round off the Summer."
The event is registered with British Cycling, and participants benefit from a whole host of event support services, including clear route signage, medical cover, and mobile mechanical support throughout the route.
By avoiding the circular nature of most sportives, GER offers a transport service back to the start for any riders that cannot arrange a pick up themselves. But Darren says that the real bonus is for riders to be joined by family and friends on the beach at the finish.
There will be a medal, a BBQ and an event bar waiting for riders and, by all accounts, anyone who takes on the challenge will certainly have earned their rewards!
Further information and full details on the event, including how to enter, can be found at www.greatexmoorride.com.
All credits: Darren McKimm, 2017