Chocolates, romance and a Sex(e)y location brought a touch of romance to the Mendips Sportive on Sunday 17 August. This was the fifth Wiggle Super Series event I had entered this year but it was the first one that was not based at a race course.
The venue was the the old Cadbury Fry's chocolate factory in Keynsham, just outside Bristol. The factory was bought by American company Kraft a couple of years back and they controversially closed it down. All that really remains are the old Fry's Social Club, some football pitches and plenty of parking whilst houses are starting to be built on site.
I arrived as registration was opening around 7.30am and there was a steady stream of vehicles waiting to park as over a thousand people had signed up for the event. Marshalls were on hand to ensure the parking was efficient and orderly. The registration area was slightly more cramped than for previous events but still adequate. An added bonus was that everyone received a voucher for a free tea or coffee.
Queues soon built up to register, but they were as nothing in comparison to the toilet queue which snaked through the premises and into the car park. I tied a knot in it in order to get out on the road in the first wave of riders.
Two courses were available instead of the usual three for other Wiggle Super Series events. The Standard course was 61 miles (98 km) with 4586 feet (1398 metres) of climbing. The Epic course went 91 miles (146km) and contained 5862 feet (1787 metres) uphill. Both routes went up Burrington Coombe and Cheddar Gorge, but the Epic also took in Priddy Hill.
The organisers grade the courses for "difficulty" out of five as a guide. The Standard was rated 3.5 and the Epic 4. I paid £30 to take on the Epic, although I believe both courses were similarly priced.
Anyway, I was out of the gates like a (retired) greyhound, but riders were soon strung all along the road as there was a short, sharp climb in to the Bristol suburb of Stockwood almost immediately. Medium to heavy rain accompanied us for the first 20 miles along undulating roads that took us down to Chew Valley Lake and the small villages dotted around it. The scenery was wonderful, especially around the lake area, but the wind was strong and gusty and would remain so throughout the ride.
This sportive was practically a home event for me as I live in North Somerset, so I knew what was coming in terms of terrain. The bottom of Burrington Coombe was a very gentle slope past the bike shop and pub, over a cattle grid to the first feeding station. This was in a big layby with a small permanent toilet block. The usual food was on offer - bananas, flapjacks, biscuits, jelly beans, jaffa cakes, one gel per rider, and water and energy drinks along with some other delicacies. There were some temporary bike stands and a mechanic to deal with any problems.
As I arrived the rain stopped. I ate my fill but I was struck by the sight of a couple of participants who seemed oblivious to the food and their bicycles. Instead they appeared to be huddled together in a romantic embrace. They may have been just trying to stay warm, but there appeared to be more than a hint that cupid's arrow had struck home.
I made my excuses and started up the rest of Burrington Combe. It was a long, steady but not too steep climb. I was up and down my lowest three gears all the way up rather than just grinding it out in the lowest gear.
The ascent of Cheddar Gorge that followed soon after was quite similar. We swooped thorough Cheddar itself with all its tourists and then were straight on the climb. The lower part of the gorge was the steepest with one section of about 30 metres around a bend where it was definitely time to get out of the saddle and grit my teeth. However, after that the rest of the climb was a long, steady ascent going up and down the lower gears. The steep sides of the gorge at the bottom also provided some respite from the wind.
After some riding along the escarpment at the top and a descent, the two courses split. The Epic continued for about 25 miles on the pan flat Somerset Levels, but far from being a respite the wind had me on my guard at all times to prevent from being blown off the bike.
Just before the second feed station disaster also struck with a puncture right outside Hugh Sexey Middle School, although I spotted no shenanigans during the change of inner tube. The second feed station for Epic only riders was at Burtle Village Hall after 53 miles. As with all events run by UK Cycling Events there were permanent toilets and all the other facilities previously described.
I was gearing myself up for the big one at around 63 miles - Priddy Hill. Not as famous as the two previous climbs, it is my nemesis as I've never made it up there without stopping in three previous attempts. The climb isn't as long as the Coombe or the Gorge, but it is steeper and contains hidden traps. The first is that you can't get a run at it as there is a sharp left turn taking you onto the hill. The second is that it is a single track road and traffic is often quite busy as there is a parking and picnic area at the top.
Anyway, I steeled myself and turned onto the climb only to be confronted with a truck trying to come downhill and Granny in a Fiat Panda attempting to go up. Momentum killed, I had to stop whilst they sorted themselves out. Too steep to remount at that point, I pushed to a shallower section a few metres further on and made the rest of the climb without incident, but still not having fully conquered the ascent.
There was a third feed station on the descent at 73 miles. This was the second feed station for the Standard riders. The rest of the ride was largely uneventful, although there was a short, sharp ascent towards the end which provided a shock to the system. I crossed the finish line and collected my medal and T-shirt and the welcome free cup of coffee. The bar was also open for something stronger and Sunday lunches for those so inclined.
The event was well organised and signposted as I've come to expect from UK Cycling Events, and the romance of the road was also there to add spice to the occasion - at least for some of the participants.
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