Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride

Distance: 43 miles with 800m ascent
How much: £36.50 for adults and £16 for under 16s
Fundraising target: Raise as much as you can
Included: Fully supported and marshalled route, medal, and more

Ride for Bristol and Weston hospitals

Join the Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride and fundraise for Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, the official charity partner, as part of another fabulous event-focused Top of the Gorge Adventure weekend.

It's a full weekend to celebrate the great outdoors with a weekend full of organised activities, including the Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride, running running and mountain biking challenges and the option to camp with family and friends.

The Ride

The Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride offers you a great personal challenge and the opportunity to experience the wonderful Mendip Hills Area of Natural Beauty from the seat of a bicycle.

It's designed to be a physical challenge, but it's also intended to appeal to as many people as possible. The main route consists of 43 miles of cycling and 800m of climbing in total, meaning that it is in fact accessible and achievable for a lot of people. But, of course, a bit of determination, a sense of adventure, and a degree of prior preparation undoubtedly also help!

It's a wonderful route that sees participants visiting both Chew Valley and Blagdon lakes, and it also incorporates two spectacular and challenging Mendip climbs - Burrington Combe and of course the iconic Cheddar Gorge. It’s a fantastic personal challenge and a great all-round Mendips cycling experience.

“Must be something to be said about your events as I keep coming back. Another lovely well organised event. Thanks very much.” Quote from participant

The ride is fully supported with clear signs, marshals, refreshment stops where riders will be able to fill up water bottles, buy food and drink and make use of toilet facilities, and free food at the finish area. We hope you won’t need it but there is also a recovery service and medical team available - riders are looked after every step of the way!

Your fundraising

By taking on the Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride, or any challenge provided at the adventure weekend, and fundraising for Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, you’ll be helping the 10 hospitals that we support in the Bristol and Weston area. Every year, over 93,500 patients from the Mendips visit our hospitals.

That's 18,200 inpatients, 45,800 outpatients and 29,500 emergency department visits

It's more than 24,210 emergency visits and 18,691 outpatient appointments at Weston General Hospital

And it's more than 2,800 inpatient stays at St Michael’s Hospital.

The Route

The exact route will be confirmed nearer the time but the map below gives you a good idea of the challenges that await. For more details on the route click here.

Mendips Lakes and Lumps cycle route

WHY JOIN BRISTOL & WESTON HOSPITALS CHARITY?

We’re excited to be partnering with the Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride to help raise money for our local NHS hospitals and bring more moments of joy, comfort and hope to those who need it most.

By taking part in this challenge, not only will you feel a great sense of achievement, but you will also be making a big difference by fundraising for your hospitals across Bristol city centre, South Bristol and Weston-super-Mare.

To help you with your fundraising you will receive:

Fundraising support, tips and nutritional advice from our fundraising team

Digital resources and support setting up a fundraising page

Additional fundraising materials.

set up your fundraising page

It’s a wheely great event, for an even greater cause

By taking part in this challenge, not only will you feel a great sense of achievement, but you will also be making a big difference by fundraising for your hospitals across Bristol city centre, South Bristol and Weston-super-Mare.

From funding life-changing treatment and equipment to creating welcoming environments, your fundraising will help transform the experiences patients have in our hospitals wherever the need is greatest.

Find out more about just some of the great things we have funded for our hospitals.

FAQs

How much does it cost to take part?

Adults: £36.50

Under 16s: £16

Riders will be provided with FREE post-Ride food at the finish area as part of their entry.

How much do I need to fundraise?

There is no minimum sponsorship, which means you can raise as much as you want for your hospitals with no pressure!

Do I have to be an experienced cyclist to take part?

One of the aims of the Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride is to be all-inclusive - all types of riders and bikes are welcome and actively encouraged. The event is particularly supportive of newer or less experienced riders and we really mean it when we say it's NOT a race. There's still plenty to challenge (and delight) experienced riders.

It's an event for anyone (regardless of cycling experience) who wants the challenge - and enjoyment - of a great day out on a bike.

Do I have to complete the ride in a certain time?

This is not a race and riders are welcome to take as long as they need to complete the course. This is not a traditional 'sportive' where timing chips, energy gels, and time-based rider listings are the order of the day - these are simply not part of this ride and the emphasis is very much purely on participation and the sheer enjoyment of riding a bike in a wonderful area!

How do I get there?

You'll need to make your own way to the starting point. Free parking and drop-off areas are available (BS40 7XR - see map).

For more information or with any questions, please email [email protected] or call us on 0117 927 7120.