Black Rat 3 Bridges Ride

After a very successful Bristol sportive in May 2013, we are now delighted to give you details of our 2014 event which will take place on Sunday May 18th.

After a lot of discussion between ourselves and riders that have taken part in our previous events, we have decided that this year we will take a completely different route to ones we have used in the last 4 years. When we organised our first sportive there were no others around the Bristol area and we naturally chose routes that took riders over the Mendips. However, there are now several sportives that use these well ridden roads so we believe that now is the time to offer you something completely different!

We present to you the Three Bridges Ride!

We will have two routes to choose from, 100km or 100 miles. 

Both routes start at Gordano School in Portishead, near Bristol. 

After leaving the school you will ride along Clapton Lane in Easton in Gordano and head towards the village of Portbury. Here you will find the first climb of the day, Failand Lane. It isn't too tough with some flatter sections between steeper parts. At the top of the climb you will head along the B3128 until you reach Beggar Bush Lane which you will take until you reach the junction with the A369 at Abbots Leigh. 

After joining the main road for 100m, a left turn along North Road will bring you out at the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, which you will cross, giving you fabulous views of Avon Gorge and in the distance, Wales, which is where you are headed. 

After crossing the Suspension Bridge you will cross Bristol Downs and head towards Sea Mills and on to Hallen. Quiet country lanes will take you through the villages of Severn Vale to Aust where you will cross the Severn Bridge. At this point, 100km riders and 100 mile riders will take different routes. 

100km riders will follow the A466 for about 1 mile towards Chepstow Racecourse before turning left along the beautiful riverside road towards Usk. Before you reach Usk you will turn right and climb up towards Devauden where you will join the 100 mile riders on the best descent of the day. Just so you know, the ride from the Severn Bridge to Devauden is a 20km climb - although a lot of it is quite steady (but some not quite so!) 

As a 100 mile rider, after the Severn Bridge you will follow the A48 past the outskirts of Chepstow before turning left towards Tutshill and on into the Forest of Dean. You will now be climbing for several miles until you reach St Briavels - although the road isn't too steep for the majority of the climb. After riding through St Briavels you will head on to Coleford and then to Monmouth, taking the outstanding descent of Staunton Road which brings you to the bridge crossing the River Wye. 

After riding through Monmouth, another stiff climb awaits which will take you to the top of the ridge that runs back towards Chepstow. The climb is a couple of miles long and is an effort most of the way but everyone who climbs is says how great it is with the great views over to the Brecon Beacons. (Personally I say how great it is that I have reached the top!) Once you have ridden along the ridge towards Chepstow, you will enjoy the best descent of the day. For about 3 miles you will drop down from Devauden to Chepstow on an excellent road through the forest. 100km riders will join the road near the top of the descent. 

Once you have negotiated Chepstow, you will cross back over the Severn Bridge and head along the Aust - Avonmouth road which can get a bit windy! (That's windy as in breezy, not twisty!) When you reach Avonmouth, we will direct you through the village to avoid the main road and you will cross the M5 Aonmouth Bridge on the cycle lane to get to Pill and Easton in Gordano. Once you have crossed the A369 to go into Portbury, the finish is just a couple of flat miles away! 

The ride will be fully supported with mechanical back up, marshals and well stocked feed stations. After finishing the ride you will be able to get your time for the ride plus a quality souvenir and some free Black Rat Cider and a hot pasty.

Event Website http://www.blackratcycle.co.uk HQ/Start Address Address Line 1 Gordano School Address Line 2 St Mary's Road Town Portishead County Bristol Postcode BS20 7QR		Event Facilities Adequate Car Parking Facilities Changing Rooms Showers Food & Drink (Pre/Post Event) Sign-on at HQ Support for Participants Route card with emergency contact details SAG wagon following laster rider(s) Organiser Details Name Jeremy Humphries Email County Bristol Postcode BS20 7QR