TheTasty Cheddar Audax - the first and the last

When I fist began Audaxing, back in 2005, this was the first event I entered. Back then, it was one of the last local events in the calendar. Now, with the changes to the Audax season, it is one of the first so the Tasty Cheddar, the first and the last if you catch my drift.
I have done this ride every year since 2005, it is local and is a great event. This year,I rode with my friend Alexis as he is getting back into Audaxing after a long layoff. I rode the trusty Thorn and was prepared for everything, he rode his Carbon Fibre Focus. I was expecting rain, he was somewhat more optimistic. As it turned out, the weather was the nicest we've had for a while, a bit cold but very sunny so ideal really.
The ride leaves Bristol by the Pill path but this is narrow and very muddy (see N+1), especially with 250 cyclists heading down it so we elected to take the road via Long Ashton to Clevedon and the first control

A nice view from outside Scarlett's cafe out towards Wales

From here we headed to Cheddar for the second control and a brilliant climb up the gorge to the top of the Mendips.

Getting ready to climb the gorge

From here it was lanes and a brutal 15% climb to Hinton Blewitt for a stop at the Ring O' Bells before more lanes to Dundry.

Leaving the Ring O'Bells at Hinton Blewitt

It was this section where the choice of bike seems to be justified. Lots of water running off the fields and downhill meant torrents of water and flooded roads hiding all sorts of danger. Lots of gravel and debris had been washed down in the torrential rain of the last few weeks.
A nice descent from the Ring O' Bells and we where at the foot of Dundry, the final climb before Bristol. It was here I felt the unmistakable feel of a rapidly deflating tyre, a quick inspection showing a large Thorn in the tread of the tyre. A quick tube change and we where off. The climb up Dundry seemed fairly easy and I was left wondering why it used to fill me with dread.

A quick descent and we where heading back into Bristol on the A38 and soon, we where in the Nova Scotia sampling their wares.

One of Bristol's many historic buildings. Well worth a visit

All in all, a great day out and a fantastic ride.

Ride buddy Alexis looking suitable impressed

I would say it's a poor photo but unfortunately, that's what I look like, sorry

A big thanks to Joe Prosser for organising. My first ride of the season and maybe the start of something big? Stay tuned..

Finally, the Garmin file!


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