Bikes to Bruton

This is another pretty ride along some quiet lanes of Somerset to the busy market town of Bruton.  There's some fabulous views from Cranmore to Batcombe which means there's also some climbs - you gotta earn that view! This ride is perfect for someone with experience of riding 25-30miles but wanting to push themselves a little further in the saddle and have a go at some climbs.  I ride them very slowly and in my lowest gear whilst making the most disturbing noises as I breathe!  It's not a competition but it's such a fab feeling once the road flattens out and you realise you made it. We'll start in Horningsham, heading straight into the Longleat Estate and the across the almost deserted back lanes to Frome via East Woodlands.  Then it's a brief skirt around the southern edge of Frome as we head out to Nunney and the castle.  We'll be well warmed up by now as we head up Castle Hill away from village and out onto the Old Wells Road. There's a big down/up hill here as we pass the quaries and the road is slightly busier (our busiest stretch) - it's very wide though and plenty of space for any slower riders and cars to pass easily. We then take a left and head for Cranmore and Batcombe. Man is Batcombe pretty; rolling hills and fabulous views along this stretch.  The pay back is a stonker of a hill out of Batcombe - it's steep but mercifully short although not too sweet!  Then it's a roll into Bruton (one more climb which will feel like a breeze after the Batcombe one!) and a well deserved coffee stop.  At this point we'll have done 20miles.   After a coffee and a cake, it's back on the bikes as we head for the final 17miles home.  A lovely flat ride from Bruton to Witham Friary via North Brewham and Upton Noble.  At Witham Friary we have about 8 miles to go and just one more hill (there's only really 3 in the whole ride) - it's Gare Hill.  A long climb which will test your inner Nicole Cooke but it not as steep as that Batcombe one.  It's all relative! After Gare Hill, it's an undulating cruise back to Horningsham via Maiden Bradley.  We finish on a fabulous downhill back to the Bath Arms and a job well done! We'll ride at 8-11mph, take a proper coffee stop in Bruton and we can, of course, take a roadside breather or two if and when we need them.  We wait for any riders. Nobody gets left behind.  Please remember to check your bike the night before; air, brakes, chain. Carry a spare tube, a snack, some water and a bit of cash for a coffee and and cake. Any questions, please text me on 07779 121228 or email on [email protected] Hope to see you on the ride, Caroline  Route map here if you fancy it: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?authuser=0&hl=en&mid=zcrjFykhwkUs.khnbu-j0jR3Y