LATEST NEWS
April 2024
Camping & Other Activities
We just want to make sure that everyone knows that once again there's a 'no-frills' camping option available to everyone who's taking part in any of the challenges that form part of this year's Top of the Gorge Adventure Weekend.
The onsite camping is an optional extra that's exclusively for people taking part in at least ONE of the Top of the Gorge activities (which of course includes the Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride), and it's open to people staying in tents or in campervans - click HERE for further details and to book your place.
We can also confirm that all of the well-established running and cycling challenges will be back again this year (there's mountain-biking as well as road cycling, plus trail running options from 1km to full marathon distance), and there will be food & drink available onsite across the weekend for anyone who chooses to camp.
Plus there will be a range of other free activities on offer over the weekend, eg guided nature-themed walks, archery, axe-throwing, Land Rover safaris, and more (final details TBC shortly).
Cycling at the Mendips Lakes & Lumps Ride
Running at the Top of the Gorge
Yoga at the Top of the Gorge
Cycling at the Mendips Lakes & Lumps Ride
So there's certainly going to be plenty going on for active, outdoorsy people who like a challenge (or two!), and it's great to be able to offer a cheap & cheerful camping option that will enable people to make even more of the weekend if they wish.
This means that it should be a lot easier to take part in events or activities on BOTH days if you want to or, if it suits you better, you could just go off and do your own thing in the area on the Saturday before jumping on your bike to join us for the Lakes & Lumps challenge on the Sunday morning!
And, of course, families and partners etc are very welcome to camp too (they don't need to be entered for an event if they're accompanying a participant), so feel free to bring along some company if you wish and make a real weekend of it :)
So get your entries in if you haven't done it yet & get ready for a great start to Summer 2024!
January 2024
2024 Rider Medals
We're pleased to say that we've settled on our rider medal design for 2024 and, once again, a fab-looking bespoke medal will be waiting at the finish for everyone who completes the 2024 Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride :)
Rider medal for 2024 Mendips Lakes & Lumps Ride
Rider medal for 2024 Mendips Lakes & Lumps Ride
Rider medal for 2024 Mendips Lakes & Lumps Ride
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 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.
Sign up NOW and make sure that one of these medals has got YOUR name on it!
September 2023
NEW! Lakes & Lumps Withdrawal Policy
We want to do everything we can to make it easy for people to enter our events at the earliest opportunity, because it can make a big difference to us AND to our riders:
FOR US
Having a good idea of likely numbers helps us massively with our planning and preparations, especially when so many elements have to be booked/ordered/paid for well in advance in order to be able to deliver the standards, services & facilities that we want to offer.
FOR RIDERS
Entering early gives people plenty of time to prepare & practise for their challenge; it can provide the motivation that's sometimes needed to get out & ride; it's definitely something positive to look forward to over the winter months; and, for those who make good use of the available preparation time, it should hopefully lead to those people generally feeling fitter, happier and healthier as a result.
So, to encourage & facilitate early sign-up, we've come up with a very clear and transparent 'withdrawals policy' for our riders for 2024 that we believe is both fair to riders and to us.
Obviously, hopefully everyone appreciates that there comes a point at which we have to fully commit on all our services & expenditure etc (exactly the same as any other event) so the options available to us inevitably reduce as the event date approaches, however if anyone who's entered for any of our events in 2024 needs to withdraw for ANY reason then the following options will be available:
ANY TIME UP TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT DATE
Entry fee refund (minus £5 admin fee);
or
Entry transferred to one of our other events in the same year, if still available (FREE);
or
Entry carried forward to the same event for the following year (FREE);
or
Entry transferred to another person (FREE).
UP TO 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT DATE
Entry transferred to one of our other events in the same year, if still available (FREE);
or
Entry carried forward to the same event for the following year (FREE);
or
Entry transferred to another person (FREE).
UP TO 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT
Entry transferred to another person (FREE).
So, as you can see, if something unexpected happens or crops up after you've entered with us there are options available right up until just THREE DAYS before the event - our view is that this is a fair & reasonable approach to take; we believe it's more flexible & accommodating than most other equivalent events offer; and hopefully it will give you the confidence & the peace of mind to get your entry in NOW via our Online Entry page.
So come on, it really does make a difference - enter early and help us to help you!
