Extra Mature Cheddar

Extra mature cheddar

A classic long-distance road ride that takes you out of the capital and deep into the heart of England, finishing in one of the country's most cycling-friendly cities. Leaving London, the route heads south-west through the Surrey Hills before opening up into the rolling chalk downs of Wiltshire. The roads become quieter as the miles accumulate, winding through market towns and villages that feel a world away from the city you started in. The highlight of the ride comes in Somerset, where the road drops you at the foot of Cheddar Gorge — one of the most dramatic climbs in southern England. The gorge walls rise nearly 140 metres on either side as you grind upward through the limestone canyon, emerging onto the Mendip plateau with views stretching as far as Wales on a clear day. It's a moment that makes every mile to get there worthwhile. From the top of the Mendips the ride rolls down into Bristol, a city that wears its cycling culture proudly. The finish along the harbourside is a well-earned reward after 130 miles in the saddle.