LATEST NEWS

March 2026

New(ish!) Charity Partner

After three years of helping to raise awareness and funds for our favourite local charity, Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, we’re going for a change in 2026 - and we're absolutely delighted to announce that Prostate Cancer UK will once again be our official Charity Partner across all our events this year.

This excellent charity has always been important to us for a number of reasons, and it has moved on enormously since we first supported its vital work via our GWR event in 2011 – but so has this terrible disease.

In fact, so much so that prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, with record numbers of men receiving a diagnosis.

The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer has shot up by 42 per cent in the last 10 years and, as you can see, it’s now more commonly diagnosed than even breast cancer.

The good news is that prostate cancer is curable if you find it early enough, before it spreads to other parts of the body. But it often has no symptoms in the early stages, making it hard to detect when it’s easier to treat.

Sadly, no-one knows that better than British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who was diagnosed out of the blue with incurable advanced prostate cancer in 2024.

And the same goes for many other men, including a good number of regular participants in our cycling events over the years.

Sir Chris has just turned 50 years of age – no age at all to have to contend with such devastating news – and he’s done so much for his country and for the sport of cycling.

So let’s see if we can all give something back in his honour, and in support of all those other men in his position: £50 or £500 or any amount in between or beyond, it doesn’t matter - we'd just like to ask ALL our riders to consider if they could possibly fundraise this year for this fantastic game-changing and life-saving cause.

Head to our Charity Partner page for further details on how to sign up to be part of the Prostate Cancer UK peloton at the 2026 Mendips Lakes & Lumps!

THANK YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HUGE SUPPORT ONCE AGAIN FOR OUR NEW/OLD CHARITY PARTNER! :)

January 2026

2026 Rider Medals

We're pleased to say that we've settled on our rider medal design for 2026 - it's another fab-looking bespoke medal specifically designed for what is the 7th year of the Lakes & Lumps, and one of these will be waiting at the finish for everyone who completes the 2026 Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride in June.

The Lakes & Lumps route is spectacular with some fabulous scenery along the way and, while it's not without its challenges, it isn't overly long and so it's a really nice way to start the Summer.

However, it's just worth noting that a good chunk of the climbing comes in the latter stages of the route - so it's definitely a good test, and you will KNOW that you've well & truly earned your medal when you cross the finish line.

And all you need to do to get your hands on one of these is to make sure that you get signed up for the Ride via our Online Entry page, then get some training in over the coming weeks & months if you can (the more you can do the easier it will feel!).

Thereafter it's just a case of going out and enjoying the challenge on the day, so please do come and join us if you haven't entered already and bring as many friends, colleagues, family, etc with you as you can.

November 2025

Our 2026 Summer Cycling Events

Once again we’ve got THREE great West Country cycling challenges coming up in 2026 – the dates have now been set and we’re pleased to say that they’re ALL open for entry.

Which of course means that you can give yourself something great to aim for and look forward to next Summer if you rise to the challenge and sign up for one (or more!) of these fab, friendly cycling events right NOW!

Here’s a very brief summary of how they shape up:

Saturday 13th June 2026 – Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride

Our Summer 2026 series starts with this wonderful event, taking place on a Saturday once again next year.

Described as “a perfectly balanced route with varied countryside, quiet lanes, decent climbs, and stunning views” the Lakes & Lumps is a fabulous outing that takes in the very best bits of the magnificent Mendips Hills National Landscape.

It’s what we’d describe as a ‘moderate’ challenge – not overly long but still a decent test for most people, especially with a large part of the climbing towards the back end of the route. Plus there’s a very testing additional (but entirely optional) section for anyone who’s looking for an added degree of challenge!

The Lakes & Lumps is actually part of a whole weekend of outdoor activities that also includes mountain biking and trail running challenges (among other things), and there’s also an on-site camping option for the weekend so there’s plenty going on for all you active, outdoorsy types – check it out!

Sunday 26th July 2026 – Great Weston Ride

Then in the middle of Summer we’ve got our crown jewel event – the 17th edition of the magnificent and hugely-popular GWR.

This one's been described as “a bloody amazing day, one of THE BEST rides we’ve done (including Ride London three times)” and “being a veteran of many sportives, from Inverness to Brussels, I have to say I enjoyed the GWR the most”, so it really is one not to be missed.

With EIGHT route & distance options on offer from 58-76 miles there’s something to suit pretty much everyone and, whatever route you choose, it all finishes with a fabulous reception and BBQ by the sea with family and friends. It’s a very relaxed event and a wonderful atmosphere is guaranteed throughout.

Sunday 6th September 2026 – Great Exmoor Ride

And we take it up another level to round off the Summer with what will be the TENTH edition of our little ‘leg-burner’, the GER.

It has been described as “a beautiful but challenging route” and “a real challenge of my mental fortitude and legs”, as well as "one of the nicest routes I've ridden on Exmoor - packed with lots of quiet lanes and stunning views", and riders overwhelmingly agree that it’s a fantastic personal challenge that delivers a huge sense of achievement and enjoyment, both along the route AND at the seafront finish.

The scenery is certainly fabulous along the way, and it’s definitely one for anyone who wants and/or is up for a seriously BIG (but eminently achievable) challenge to finish the Summer with – and we always see so many of our GER riders surprising themselves with what they’re actually capable of doing on a bike!

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So please take a good look at each of our events and, who knows, you may decide to join the growing number of people who are choosing to take on ALL THREE of these wonderful West Country cycling challenges!