The Beacon Message Board

Advanced notice, l shall be organising a long weekend ride to Weston Super Mare next June.

Similar format as a few years back, leisurely ride via the Forest of Dean, lunch in Witherspoons in Chepstow then over the Severn Bridge and round the costal road into Weston.
Plenty of cafe stops en route.

Compulsory photo in front of the pier, then ride to the Premier Inn for the overnight stay.

The plan would be for two people to share a room in order to keep the cost down.

The return journey will be more direct, but it will still be at a leisurely pace, at least two cafe stops will be planned.

It's not a race or a training bash, the pace will be that of the slowest person.

I might be interested, Alan, but I flatly refuse to patronise Wetherspoons.

George wrote: ↑

16 Oct 2023 20:35

I might be interested, Alan, but I flatly refuse to patronise Wetherspoons.

Other venues are in close proximity

Alan

Count me in
I will be the slowest rider but carry on, I'll catch up at some point whilst you are at a cafe

I am working on the date of Saturday 22nd June, as this is the closest date to the longest day. With that in mind I'm just looking at prices, the Premier Inn for one night (not the one of the sea front) for two people sharing if you booked it now would be £114, so £57 pp

However, if I block book the New Birchfield Hotel (just for example) for ten people, we can stay there for just £30.40 each, or for eight people it would be £32.12 pp

The route down will be scenic but it will be a long day, roughly 125 miles and 6000' of climbing from the Black Horse. But please don't let that discourage anyone, we have all day in which to do and hopefully enough people in the group to provide the support.

Of course, I know that it is hard to say what you will be doing in June next year, but if we don't start making plans and booking the accommodation now, I fear that we may struggle nearer the time.

So, I guess its now down to numbers and as I will have to pay for the hotel in advance, I will probably require a non-refundable deposit in order to secure your place. But until I speak to the hotel, I will not know for sure how much they will require as a deposit and if it would be refundable or not.

That would be a mighty challenge for the little one. Still, wouldn't put it past him, though.

Not convinced that we could contemplate riding back.

The block booking idea appeals to me, Alan. It would create a great atmosphere at the accommodation. However, as I'm only a "possible", the views of the "probables" should prevail.

On a separate note, If I do come, I do the same as last time: start and finish from home, rather than the BH, and meet the main group part-way to Weston. Starting from my place significantly reduces the distance (although my main motive is simply convenience, plus not having to get up so early). If there's anyone who is unsure about managing the full distance, you are welcome to drive out to our place and park overnight in our lay-by. We can accommodate a couple of visiting cars up there.

Thanks George, let's see if anyone takes up your offer.

Can we all share and discuss this ride during your club ride today as l really need to be getting some idea of potential numbers.

That way l can then block book a hotel so that we can save us all £'s

Alan, I’m a possible for this.

Me, Rob and maybe Phil Marsh are interested

By means of an update, I have now mailed a few hotels in Weston who claim to offer discounts for groups. Therefore, as and when I know more I will update you again.

I was really hoping to take advantage of the new 13-mile Pier to Pier route that goes from Clevedon to Weston, which should have been open earlier this year.

However, I've just checked and as of July this year it's still not open and people have been told not to try and use it. But I'm optimistic that come June next year it will be so I have based my route on that assumption. But if it's not then we can just revert to the tried and tested route via Yatton and the Strawberry Lane, it might add a few extra miles on that's all.

https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/p ... r-pier-way

The three hotels that I have contacted so far are already booked up for the whole of June!

But the good news is that I have first refusal on the Royal Grosvenor Hotel -https://www.royalgrosvenorhotel.co.uk/

However, by sheer coincidence there just happens to be a charity cycle event on the same weekend as we want and they have enquired about booking the whole hotel.

The lady that I have been speaking to at the Grosvenor Hotel has promised to call me back tomorrow to confirm if we can book a number of rooms or not. As ever, once I know more, I will update everyone.

Subject to the cost of course, but are those that have shown an interest happy to stay here?

Are people happy to share a room with one other person, single beds of course.....

It’s too early for me to confirm attendance, as I’ll be in France a couple of weeks before, so got ahead without me.

Hi

What about moving date 1 week earlier or later
Also doing the ride midweek, might free up more overnight options

Yes, moving it a week in either direction is certainly an option, but l'll know more tomorrow l hope.

But l want to stick to doing it over weekend so as to hopefully attract more people to participate in the ride.

Date change to the following week, Saturday 29th June. The hotel is provisionally booked, but more details to follow in a new thread.

I have now confirmed the booking with The Royal Grosvenor Hotel and a deposit has been paid for Saturday 29th June 2024.

https://www.royalgrosvenorhotel.co.uk/

I have booked five twin bedded rooms, and the price per person will be £55 which will also include breakfast. They will also provide secure parking for the bikes.

If we get anymore interest than the ten people l have allowed for, l may be able to add more rooms, but hotel accommodation is booking up quite quickly.
I'm not looking for a deposit at this moment in time, but nearer the date, probably a month before hand, l will be asking for the full payment please.

Please express your interest and l will create a specific WhatsApp group for all concerned.

Spread the word folks!

Put my name on the list, please, Alan. As indicated above, I'll ride from home, and join you somewhere in the middle. Details to be worked out later. Presumably you'll be stopping somewhere before Chepstow? If so, that may be the most convenient rendezvous point, but I'll decide all that closer to the time.

Will do George

Raised the issue with the small one today. Very much up for it and confident that he can make it. And probably the return journey too.

Sign us up as definites.

Great stuff, l'll add you to the WhatsApp group

BrumJim wrote: ↑

13 Jan 2024 17:58

Raised the issue with the small one today. Very much up for it and confident that he can make it. And probably the return journey too.

Sign us up as definites.

I hope he can hold his beer, Jim.

George wrote: ↑

13 Jan 2024 21:48

BrumJim wrote: ↑

13 Jan 2024 17:58

Raised the issue with the small one today. Very much up for it and confident that he can make it. And probably the return journey too.

Sign us up as definites.

I hope he can hold his beer, Jim.

He’s holding my beer. ‘Cos I know he won’t drink any of it.

Look forward to seeing you both.

I enjoyed that ride last time. My mum lives in Weston and I stopped with her. I’d be up for the ride.

Euge wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2024 20:52

I enjoyed that ride last time. My mum lives in Weston and I stopped with her. I’d be up for the ride.

Great stuff, l'll add you to the WhatsApp group.

My favorite photo of all time was taken on the way home

You can put me down for this Alan, although I probably won't be riding the full distance

By means of an update, we have all five rooms full now, plus an extra person.

Therefore l intend to call the hotel tomorrow and see if l can add maybe one or two rooms, so l will need another three people in order to fill those rooms.

I would dearly like to get more people to do the weekend and enjoy the whole club experience. Failing that if l cannot get any more rooms booked, if anyone else is interested then you will need to source your own accommodation.

But if anyone is interested, please give me a shout but you will really need to get something secured sooner than later.

As mentioned above, all the places at the hotel are now booked. However, if you would still like to join us on this weekend ride, either let me know ASAP and I'll see if I can reserve more rooms at the hotel or if you prefer you can source your own overnight accommodation. Just let me know if you intend to join us please.

I have now also updated the event details in the clubs RWGPS section and added the routes. Two possible routes for the trip down, one via the new Pier to Pier route which should be open by then, but as a backup another route via Yatton.

https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Ev ... OFFr01m1oT

Alan, I've done a little provisional route planning, and I reckon that the best place for me to meet you on the outward journey is probably going to be Newent. There are a couple of cafés in the town where we could meet. If it's not a convenient distance for the group to stop, we'll just meet on a corner or something. Going back, I'll leave you at either Gloucester or Tewkesbury, but that doesn't really need planning in advance.

Okay George, once we have decided on the leaving time from the BH we can try and work out a rough ERA in Newent

Unfortunately one person has had to drop out, therefore we now have a bed that we need to fill.

UPDATE - Beacon Weston Weekend - Saturday 29th June to Sunday 30th

We still have maybe two spaces available in the Royal Grosvenor hotel on the sea front at Weston. However, even once these spaces get taken, if you still want to join us for the weekend there is nothing stopping you sourcing your own accommodation elsewhere. That said, if you do intend to take that option, you really need to be thinking about booking it sooner rather than later.

Plus, after speaking to a few people today at Broad Acres cafe, the distance for the weekend is maybe putting people off. Yes, the first day is 123 miles and yes, the Forest of Dean is a touch undulating, but folks we have all day (12+ hours) in which to do it. The departure time still hasn't been agreed, but we are "probably" going to depart the BH at 7am (sharp please), but happy to start earlier if that's what people want?
Just to also endorse, it's not a race, it's not a challenge in so much there is certainly no time constraint, we will start as a group and finish as a group. It might be the longest distance that some people have ridden, but don't worry, there will be boat loads of moral support and experience to make sure you do it and of course cafe stops!

But as a suggestion/option, if the distance is still putting people of, what about if I can find secure car parking in Crowle for the weekend. So, Crowle or just South of Crowle is around 23 miles South of the Black Horse and is on the route out and also back, which means the first day would be around 100 miles and the return leg is roughly 75 miles.

EDIT - l forgot to add that George Barker has also offered to accommodate vehicle parking by his house, which is another option maybe?

If you are interested or you have any questions on concerns, either ask on here, PM me or call me - 07761 786828

NOTE - in the event that it is bad weather on the outgoing journey (Saturday), we may opt for the more direct route.

Alan

Good post, agree with the Crowle Car Park, what about the Crowle Village Store, they have a creche by the shop with good parking so you or i could go and ask if we can park there, its just getting back the sunday and shops closed and gate locked or we could look at Himbleton Cricket Club by the brook

Depends how many cars there will be parked up

or

whats the nearest train station, could
get a train to Worcester from Bromsgrove station, the first trainon a saturday from broms us 7-12 arriving Worcs at 7-30

Paul,

I actually know a few people that live in Crowle, so we have a number of options, just depends on what interest we get from my most recent post above really?

Oh good one Alan

lets see what happens

If its nice weather it'll be a cracking ride to Weston & back, all the time in the world and won't get dark till 10 pm

Quiet country lanes, good laffs, great coffee stops (as many as you want) with a few good cold beers at the hotel

I'd like to go if there is still room for a slow rider . Thanks.

Yep, consider yourself in!
PM me or text me (number above) your mobile number and l'll add you to the WhatsApp group

joelsubash wrote: ↑

25 Mar 2024 10:54

I'd like to go if there is still room for a slow rider . Thanks.

Joel,

We are pushing hard now to fill the two remaining spaces, so if you would still like to join us, can you send me your contact details please.

Joel

Dont worry about being slow, me & Rob will keep you company as we are the slowest of the group

Just one space remaining at The Grosvenor Hotel, but people are still more than welcome to join the weekend if they would like to source thier own accommodation.

Hi Alan,
Email is joelsubash@gmail.com
Phone number is 07534289590

Welcome aboard Joel.

So that's all the beds taken now, but please don't let this stop you from joining us for the weekend. It just means you will need to source your own accommodation for the Saturday evening.