Ride to the Sea - Johnsons Coaches

This message was received from John Johnson (a very keen cyclist) at Johnsons Coaches - Kelvin has ridden the previous editions and recommends it!

THE 2017 'RIDE TO THE SEA' - SAT 22/SUN 23 JULY 2017 - HERE IT IS!

After last year’s roaring success with our trip to Barmouth, I know you are all keen to find out about next years ‘Ride to the Sea’ weekend, so that you can put the date in your diary, book up, and plan your training!  

So, with all this in mind, I am delighted to offer the following challenge, in plenty of time, just as you are thinking of starting on your diaries for 2017!

Here’s the details of our ‘2017 Ride to the Sea – Weston Super Mare by Bike!’

Yes, I thought we’d have a change from Wales!  So next year’s route, is pretty, and varied.  And it’s not hilly either – in fact it’s fairly flat, well except for three major-ish, cat 2 or 3 climbs!  Namely up the Cotswold escarpment at Snowshill; up The ‘Wrangle’ onto the top of the Mendips, and then finally Bleadon Hill, again on the Mendips, at just 5 miles from the finish line!   In between the last two is a great downhill through the spectacular Cheddar Gorge!  

You’ll be pleased to know that the journey, from our yard is about 139 miles – an ideal distance!  We know because Anne and I drove down there last weekend, following the proposed route, which is about 90% on B roads and minor roads.  You’ll be impressed, because it took us 6.5 hours through the lanes, with me driving, Anne navigating and with us taking numerous U turns when we realised we’d gone off the route!  

We checked out a few hotels and have found one that will suit us fine…the York Hotel, on the seafront, right opposite the pier!  So read on for the itinerary.

SATURDAY 22 JULY 2017

Depart our yard, nice and early! Probably 05.00 to 0600 – ladies you might choose to start earlier as usual – us chaps hope to catch you – unlike this year!  Our coach will provide enroute support and will meet us in probably three places on the way.  Therefore, once again, you don’t have to do the whole route! You can join the ride where you like, or you can come to our yard and go with the coach and then jump out and go, from almost anywhere enroute basically!  The idea is that we are all happily at Weston by 6pm, so that we can all have a few beers on the hotels nice seafront patio, followed by dinner together at about 19.30 latest.  

SUNDAY 23 JULY 2017

A leisurely breakfast, then free time to enjoy the seaside.  We’ll depart for home by coach, after lunch at approx. 1400 with the plan being to be back at our yard here at Henley by 17.00.  

VARIATION AND EXTENSION.

We’ll use the same well tried arrangement as this year.  Riders can ride at whatever speed they like.  Generally we’ll try to stay in groups.  And, you can extend your trip if you want to by booking extra nights.  So you can take 2 or more days to come home in your own time and make your own tour of it.  Obviously I am only organising the coach travel as per above, and the one night in the hotel.

MAKE IT A TWO DAY RIDE?

Some of you made the trip into a very enjoyable two day ride.  You can do the same again next year, and we recommend you take your overnight at somewhere like the nice market town of Malmesbury, which is just past half way at 80 miles.

COST.

The cost this year will be only £65 per person.  This includes coach travel,  bed and full English breakfast with twins or doubles in the York Hotel, which is on right on the sea front at Weston Super Mare, close to the town centre. The accommodation is of course all ensuite; singles and 3 bedded rooms may be available upon request.  See more details on www.theyorkhotel.net We’ll receive a warm welcome and we’ll be well looked after.  

This price is £15 less than this year, which is because dinner is not included.  We’ll circulate a menu nearer the time, and the cost of your choices will go on your room bill.  

Again, you are welcome to join us and just use the coach element and organise your own accommodation; in which case the coach travel/support will cost you just £20 per person.

Hope you can join us.  You’ll need to book quickly please so that I know soon, how much support there is.  It will be a brilliant ride – I’ll sort out the detail of the route and send it out soon, but for now, I’ve attached the route listing from town to town – you’ll get the idea of it from this.  Anne and hope intend to take a huge leap soon and get a Garmin!  So hopefully the route will be on there soon!?

Finally, this challenge is open to your friends too, so feel free to forward it on to whoever you like.    

To book just call our friendly sales team on 01564 797000 and payment can be made over the phone or by cheque to the address below.