The MMMAAADDD

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City of Bristol, GB

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Pedalution

Creating mass participation cycle rides across the UK

201 km

4 009 m

aka Mental Mendip Melee And Airport Ascents; Dundry Double Descent

A hill climbing extravaganza; attempt it all or select the hills for you. This will show case The Mendips in all their glory!

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Détails de l'itinéraire

To experience The Mendips and surrounding landscape between Bristol you are going to encounter a few hills. This route conquers all of The Mendips west of the A39 plus a few extra around the airport and of course Dundry; 20 in all! You get the full spectrum from persistent "gentle" climbs like East Harptree to brutal lung burning, stomach wrenching, leg exploders such as Draycott. Attempt them all in one go and become a master. Select a few, still enjoy @photo[The Mendip landscape](1279105) and go home proud; hopefully wanting more!

If you are looking at this, shaking your head and saying it isn't possible, [it is!](http://ridewithgps.com/trips/6678467)

# Route

## The START/FINISH

* Preferably you'll be able to make your way to the start on your bike or by train. However there is various parking near the start eg. [Temple Meads](http://www.apcoa.co.uk/parking-in/bristol/bristol-temple-meads.html)
* Road works are currently underway at Temple Gate so there may be some road/lane closures in place at various times. Once complete the route will be updated.
* Facilities available: 
     1. [Starbucks](http://www.starbucks.co.uk/store/2911/gb/bristol-templemeads-station/bristol-temple-meads-station-bristol-eng-bs1-6qf) - from 6am (7am Sat & Sun).
     2. [Knights Templar](http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-knights-templar) - from 7am (8am Sun).
     
#
## CAUTION

The route will take you out from the centre of Bristol to Dundry on the outskirts, similarly for your return. These urban roads can be busy so familiarise yourself with this part of the route before hand. There are cattle grids at several points, they are clearly signed, take care especially when descending. See the following for particular points to be aware of around the entire route.
   * @point[Temple Gate](d,463.11) - busy multilane section; move over to the right lane ready for the roundabout.
   * @point[Victoria Park](d,1263.66) - narrow cycle gates on entrance and exit.
   * @point[Path](d,2554.14) - easily missed entrance may be blocked by parked cars.
   * @point[Chew Stoke](d,13259.64) - narrow section, no one has priority.
   * @point[Cheddar Gorge](d,85735.89) - can be busy with vehicles and people in the road in high season.
   * @point[Shipham Rd Quarry](d,98357.69) - watch out for large lorries.
   * @point[A38](d,104979.34) - busy but wide.
   * @point[A38 again](d,162081.37) - busy, prepare for right turn.
   * @point[Brockley Coombe](d,179402.51) - busy depending on time of day.
   * @point[Again the A38](d,187416.33) - left at traffic lights, this may take a while, then immediately right.
   * @point[Exiting Dundry](d,193688.3) - SHARP RIGHT at junction on descent.
   * @point[The A38 once more](d,197825.3) - busy multilane section, you'll take the 2nd left along A38 to Bedminster.

#
## The HILLS

The majority you will get to descend before climbing, take care but also make a mental note of the tough points.

1. @slice[Dundry - Broadoak Hill](d,6785.04,8366.96): 1.2km avg 10%. A good warm up! 
2. @slice[West Harptree Hill](d,17829.19,20503.03): 2.2km avg 7%, hardest part as the trees close in about 2/3rds way up.
3. @slice[East Harptree Hill](d,27076.47,30768.74): 3.0km avg 6%, predominantly consistent grade with a few steeper sections.
4. @slice[Wells - Old Bristol Rd](d,39515.51,42824.83): 3.0km avg 6%, a respite 1/3rd way up. Local facilities available in Wells centre taking the left at the traffic lights where you would U-turn.
5. @slice[Ebbor Gorge - Deerleap](d,52169.2,56249.5): 4.3km avg 5%, with a section around 20% . Fantastic views at the top across the @photo[Somerset Levels](1279106).
6. @slice[Westbury-sub-Mendip - Stancombe Lane](d,64097.98,66382.84): 2.1km avg 10%, consistent.
7. @slice[Draycott](d,71588.62,73311.54): 1.9km avg 12%, consistently steep ramping up to about 20% at one point. I consider this the toughest. If doing them all in one go though the later 'easier' ones will feel just as tough!
8. @slice[Cheddar Gorge](d,82837.65,87045.52): 4.2km avg 4%, steadily getting steeper until one killer turn of about 20%, getting easier after. If any then this is the iconic one to do. Stop at the cafe on the way down for a late breakfast/early lunch.
9. @slice[Shipham Hill](d,100542.02,102435.52): 1.9km avg 7%, steepest part about 1/3rd in.
10. @slice[Churchill to Longbottom](d,106207.17,111585.49): 5.4km avg 5%, save a bit for the end. Admire the views across the Bristol Channel on the way down.
11. @slice[Burrington Coombe](d,122028.4,126143.24): 4.0km avg 5%. Don't be fooled by the second cattle grid, it keeps on going.
12. @slice[Butcombe - Yewtree Batch](d,131101.37,133194.43): 2.1km avg 5%. This one is after descending Blagdon so you will go up it before coming back down, to do....
13. @slice[Blagdon](d,137970.41,140600.44): 2.6km avg 9%, the toughest bit being 1/2 way. When I did this route a young lad was grinding up with his parents - chapeau!
14. @slice[Compton Martin to The Wrangle](d,146765.06,148068.75): 1.3km avg 10%, another consistent one. Take care on the descent as the road surface isn't the best in the world, especially under the trees nearing the bottom. Great views from the top.
15. @slice[Nempnett Thrubwell](d,154645.77,159769.08): 5.2km avg 3%, two hills with 10%+ sections interspersed with a flattish section in the middle. Great name!
16. @slice[Wrington Hill](d,165032.11,166749.38): 1.0km avg 11%. This one will catch you out, steep at the bottom levelling out around the left hand bend at top.
17. @slice[Cleeve Hill Rd](d,168808.13,170667.48): 1.9km avg 6%.
18. @slice[Wrington to top of Goblin Coombe](d,172756.97,176673.86): 4.0km avg 4%. Watch out for low flying planes at the top but also more views across the Bristol Channel. On a clear day you can make out Pen y Fan, the highest point of The Breacon Beacons.
19. @slice[Brockley Coombe](d,182583.16,186573.78): 4.0km avg 3%. By this point you'll either be hanging or buzzing knowing this is the penultimate one!
20. @slice[Winford to Dundry](d,190235.07,192201.8): 2.0km avg 6%, get ready to finish with a tough section midway! When descending check out the views in Dundry on your right; a great vista of Bristol (through the houses).

# 
# Notes

* A good level of fitness is required to master all of this route. Be safe, don't over push yourself.
* If you are local you can always increase the number of hills you do over time and use this as a great training tool for the short sharp shock of the fantastic British hills.
* Don't try this if there is any chance of ice.
* Pay attention in the Autumn when leaf litter may build up leading to slippery conditions.
* Don't dehydrate! 
* Some form of food or energy bars carried with you are recommended especially if attempting all in one go.
* You are never too far from civilisation where a shop or pub can be located to rest and stock up on supplies. Recommended stops are marked on the map.
* Expect to get hot on the climbs and cool down on the descents. Remember the weather can be considerably different up top compared to in Bristol.
* On a well maintained bike all you will need for the day barring a major mechanical is spare tube, puncture repair kit and pump; obviously some good lights if you are going to be out in the dark.
* Oh, unless you are extremely fit, I highly recommend your granny [gear] accompanies you!

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