Favourite Routes
Thee Bridge to The Bridge Strava segment
Thursday Evening Chain Gang (summer only)
Originally known as Fight Club, these Thursday evening rides started out as a ‘last man standing’ test of speed and endurance with those who cracked being left to roll home on their own.
Since then they have become more collaborative with the group working together to get the fastest time – revolving the lead in true team TT fashion. People still get popped off the back but usually with a wave to the rest of the group to ‘go on, and I’ll catch you at the end’
We usually start chain gang from mid to late May, going through to early September if the weather holds.
The format, which worked well last year, is a meet at Church Bridge in Bruton around 6:15pm. A slower group sets off then with a faster group departing 10-15 mins later with the aim of overhauling the ‘hares’ before the end of the circuit. Honours were divided last year with the hares outrunning the hounds as often as they were caught. After a quick chat and a breather at the railway bridge in Castle Cary, we warm down with a gentle cycle back to Bruton and some important rehydration at The Castle.
We had 2 good groups last year and were also joined on many occasions by our friends from Castle Cary Road Cycling Club which made it more enjoyable with some new faces. We hope this year to continue the event and go even faster!
Strava segment “Thee Bridge to the Bridge”
Bruton Shearwater loop
An obvious route but a good one for newish cyclists - a challenging climb at the outset up Druley Hill but followed by an easy route through Maiden Bradley to Longbridge Deverill returning via Shearwater.
Head out on the Frome Road, turning right onto the Brewham Road. This is then a steady climb up to the top of Druly Hill. Head on through the trees, do not turn off the road. When you get to the top of Gare Hill veer right towards Maiden Bradley. In this village cross straight over the road to Longbridge Deverill. At the junction with the main road (petrol station opposite) turn Left. About a mile up the road turn left again signed Crockerton and Shearwater. A few hundred yards further on turn Left again to Shearwater. Stop at the Cafe and lake if you choose. Then continue on to retrace your steps to the road back to Maiden Bradley to return back to Bruton with the whizz down Druly Hill - watch the adverse camber in sections on your descent.
36km Easier Climbs
Here you go with an easy ride for those wanting to get back on their bikes, although as always with this area there is still 428mtrs of climb.
Description: Go out of Bruton via Wyke, nice slow climb up to the top of Wyke then you are down into the Somerset levels. Out through Ditcheat then take a challenge up Ditcheat hill to see the great views over the levels. Turning south to Parbrook then head to Castle Cary after Lovington and North Barrow. Taking the back lanes from Cary back home to Bruton.
Shaftesbury - there and back
Up our favourite Druley Hill, before turning right and flying down into Mere.
From there it’s a steady ride, until the hill from Motcombe to the B3081 – hopefully with everyone behaving in lockdown, you’ll be able to pop out on to the main road and continue up the hill, taking the first right turning to get into town.
All very straightforward with the route back, and you’ll be back on Druley before you know it!
Bruton to Sherborne loop
Head out of Bruton towards Shepton Montague, cruise along the old A303 before turning left and taking on Sigwells – a well deserved breather is waiting for you at the top!
From there it doesn’t take long before you’ve arrived into Sherborne. Normally this route will include an excellent coffee at the Beanshot cafe, but for now it’s a quick spin through town before turning back to Bruton.
A few lumps and bumps on the way back through Corton Denham and the Cadburys, before taking the peaceful lanes through Yarlington and Pitcombe.
Bruton to Wells
Some lovely country lanes on this route – including the first part of our Thursday chaingang loop – hopefully you’ll feel inspired to give it a go on your next ride!
Once you get to West Pennard, it’s a quick pedal down the A361 before turning left towards North Wootton. We hop on to the bike path to get to Wells – no need to head into town at this time, so it’s a left to on Glastonbury Road to start heading for home.
The return leg brings the only significant hill – Stickleball – steady wins the race and if you can conquer this, you’ll be grand on any of our Saturday rides once they are able to be reinstated.
Bruton to Longleat - with hills
Now just remember - hills are fun! If you’ve been heading out on some of our fav routes, you’re probably feeling pretty good and ready for the next challenge. Well we have quite the treat for you…
Before getting to Maiden Bradley and heading to Longleat House (the cycle path is still open through the grounds), you will first conquer both Druley and Gare hills. Once done and at Longleat, it’s a climb before a lovely descent to Shearwater Lake where you will turn for home.
Bruton to Sweets Tea Room
This is quite a lovely ride, and we’re not just saying that because there’s a café stop! A nice steady route to Glastonbury and out onto the Levels. Sweets Tea Room is located just after Meare – they are operating a brilliant drive thru/contactless service.
After refuelling, time to keep travelling through the Levels to Wells, before heading for North Wootton and Stickleball hill – hopefully you will have digested your cake by this point. Once at the top, it’s along familiar roads to home.
Bruton to Langport
Take it steady out of Bruton as there’s a few lumps and bumps on the way to Castle Cary. More hills to encounter into Somerton, High Ham (you can go via Low Ham if this is one detour too many), plus aptly named road The Hill in Langport.
It’s pretty whizzy all the way home, including a quick stint on the A372 to really get the average speed up.