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Cycling in the South West of England offers a rider an overwhelming sensory sensation – From stunning beaches, green spaces, woodlands, lakes & more, covering a wide range of landscapes. There’s so much to explore in Somerset and the neighbouring counties, including Dorset to the South East and Devon in the South West.
From wildflower meadows, beach waterfalls, ancient wells, unique carvings and underground reservoirs, these hidden gems can be found in addition to the well-known landmarks, such as Glastonbury Tor, Cheddar Gorge, Wells Cathedral and Exmoor, all of which have secrets of their own to be explored.
The breath-taking landscape allows you to forgive the area for the challenging inclines that you get, as you ride into the pretty villages or up on to the top of spectacular moors with beautiful vistas, but remember the highs create great downhill opportunities.
If you have signed up to a cycling event, are looking to give your cycling performance a boost ahead of a long winter, or just want to join us to ride in this incredible area of the UK, our Port Velo Tours offer the perfect solution. With the assistance of our professional guide team our Somerset Port Velo Tours combine luxury accommodation, three days of fully guided and supported riding with breakfast, lunch & dinner included, to create a truly professional level experience. Best of all, with a three-night itinerary and a location easily accessed from across the UK, guests can leave work on Thursday, complete the full tour ready to depart on Monday a stronger and more knowledgeable cyclist.
- Riding in areas of outstanding natural beauty
- Complete three of the UK’s Top 100 Climbs
- Visit the UNESCO world heritage centre of Bath
- Enjoy the trail through Longleat
- Enjoy visiting some of our national treasures such as Stourhead, Lacock & Castle Combe
- Experience the sights of Bristol
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation in beautiful hotels selected by us on a single occupancy basis (Double Occupancy Available)
- All meals starting from dinner on arrival day until breakfast on Day 5. (4 Dinners, 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches)
- Coffee & snack stops along the way
- Support Vehicle Providing Basic Mechanical Support plus First Aid / Medical kit
- Rider Leader/Guide
- Daily ride briefing and route information
- GPX route provided for information
- Nutrition and post ride snacks each day
- Luggage transfer service
- Daily photos & Video
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any meals/services not mentioned in the inclusions
- All Fights/Travel to and from the start of the tour
- Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, not included with meals
- Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
- Insurance
Welcome to Port Velos ‘Three Counties’ riding adventure. Four nights, staying in hand selected hotels along our journey within the stunning South West of the UK which we have the privilege of calling home. We will guide you on a three-day riding holiday, one you will not forget, around a place many people know for its wonderful landscapes but few people know to ride.
Upon arrival at Cadbury Hotel, feel free to walk and stretch your legs and discover the hotels facilities. These include a spa & facilities with beautiful grounds where you can assemble & prepare your bike. A welcome briefing & meeting your guides & fellow riders will conclude with dinner at 7:30pm
DAY ONE
Congresbury to Sherborne
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Destination: Sherborne
Distance: 68.6miles
Climbing Total: 3749ft
Lunch: Castle Cary
Dinner: 7:30pm
Cheddar Gorge is one of the must-ride climbs of not only the South West, but of the entire UK thanks to how it’s seemingly carved into the surrounding rock and is an exciting and challenging experience.
As a result, if ridden hard, this is a painful climb – suiting the masochists among you. What’s more, as the gradient almost completely levels out to three per cent near the top, you can genuinely sprint to the finish line at the junction.
Cheddar Gorge
As we wind our way towards Sherborne, we pass through Bruton, towards one of our favourite climbs. It is not on any top 10 or 50 list of climbs but is one of those that when you have ridden it you appreciate it for what it is.
We don't have very many long climbs here in the UK, and this is only 1.42 miles long with an average gradient of 5.3%. It is also not very technical, yet it is a climb that slowly catches up on you. We love it because it is a steady gradient that allows you to tap it out and only really ramps up near the top as you pass through a beautiful, forested area. You can look left and catch glimpses of what lies in the valley below.
Druley Hill
It is nearly all down hill then to your second overnight stay at the Grange at Oborne where you will enjoy some post ride nutrition before dinner.
DAY TWO
Sherborne to Devizes
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Destination: Devizes
Distance: 69.7miles
Climbing Total: 3972ft
Lunch: Mere
Dinner: 7:30pm
After a good nights rest we depart on our second day, where we will take in two more iconic climbs of the South West, but also enjoy visiting one of our countries own safari estates, Longleat.
Before we get there we have to navigate what is as iconic as one of the jewels of Europe, not only because it was immortalized by the famous advert for Hovis bread but because of its picture-perfect chocolate box setting in the whole of Britain. The view from the top attracts visitors from every corner of the globe. So if you're going to attempt this climb then beware (subject to weather and general conditions on the day), as soon as you begin your ascent you too will become part of the attraction. The good thing is that we will have the option of a coffee at the top.
Gold Hill
Just south of Shaftesbury sits the sweeping tangled bends of Zig Zag Hill. It is often referred to as one of Britain’s ‘bendiest roads’. In a country where hairpins are rare, Zig Zag hill is an excellent example of a continental style engineered road with near 180 degree hairpins giving a smooth gradient throughout the climb. This mini-mountainesque ascent is perfect for you to hone your uphill cornering technique before heading off to the Alps or the Pyrenees.
The slopes are steepest at the bottom, but not outrageous at 10%. Round a final sweeping left-hand bend and you exit the trees to ride the smooth upper slopes into Wiltshire to summit at the brow.
Zig Zag Hill
Once these two climbs are out of the way, we make our way to the famous Longleat estate. We won't have much time to stay but its an opportunity to get some memorable photos of the house and the sweeping drive way down, before we head out towards Devizes and our third night, where you will be in need of food and drink and a good nights sleep at the Bear Hotel, before we embark on our final day back to Congresbury.
DAY THREE
Devizes to Congresbury
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Destination: Congresbury
Distance: 72.4miles
Climbing Total: 3073ft
Lunch: Bristol
Dinner: 7:30pm
This is the final day, and you will already have a lot of climbing in the legs. It is now time to slow down and take your time to immerse yourself in the best of the Cotswold countryside. Where rivers wind through rolling hills, to traditional Cotswold villages of golden stone and thatched cottages. Leaving Devizes, we descend Bowden Hill into the postcard perfect village of Lacock. After some time, meandering through the village as we ride pass the Abbey, we continue our journey into the Cotswolds and the wonderful village of Castle Combe.
Leaving Castle Combe we take in the amazing sweeping views as we head into the UNESCO town of Bath. After spending some time taking in the sights of Bath we pick up the cycle path for a relaxed journey into Bristol.
Bristol has numerous wonderful sights including the Harbourside, the world famous SS Great Britian & the beautiful open space of the Downs. After we visit these we sweep over the wonder that is Brunel's suspension bridge.
The last leg of the journey takes us through some quiet North Somerset towns before returning to where our wonderful adventure started, with a mindful of wonderful memories and legs that have earned a rest , you are now a stronger and more knowledgeable cyclist.
DAY FOUR
Departure day
