The Ride

You don’t have to be Chris Hoy!

It’s a ride not a race (although you can race if you want to)! RFPL is open to anyone who wants a challenge, young or old. We welcome new riders of all abilities, there will always be someone you can ride with at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

The Route

The ride connects up the two existing hospices with the site of the proposed third hospice just outside St Austell. Luckily there is a beautiful and well signposted Sustrans route that we can follow almost the whole way.

You can look at our Google map to get a good sense of the route and we’ll be adding downloadable maps and other route details soon so look out for those.

Navigation was a challenge to a few riders last year so make sure you are well equipped or know someone who is!

St Austell to Bideford
The hardest day! 87 miles from just south of St Austell to Bideford. Along the way we have to climb on to Bodmin Moor where it is pretty exposed; pray for a westerly wind! Lunch is at a great pub in Marhamchurch and is the only one you’ll need money for. We finish with a 7 mile descent into Bideford which is a great way to let your legs recover.

Bideford to Taunton
After breakfast and a 5 mile warm up to Little Bridge House (CHSW’s first hospice located in North Devon) where we will do a quick but premature victory lap its through Barnstaple and on to the second moor, Exmoor. A long hill brings you to some fantastic scenery and some truly stunning riding. Lunch on top of Exmoor is a must! From the top it’s almost (almost!) downhill all the way to Taunton, 73 miles in all.

Taunton to Bristol
Last day and last hill! We could skirt round the Mendips but we’d miss out on Glastonbury, Wells and the amazing views. From the top we drop down past Chew Valley lake then head to Bristol stopping off at Charlton Farm (CHSW’s second hospice in North Somerset) before setting off for a processional ride into Bristol at 5pm. Crossing Clifton Bridge up onto the Downs as one group is a really memorable finish.

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