Cycling - slow and steady

Our most recent ride:

Twenty intrepid cyclists braved the 22-mile Crushing Croscombe route, navigating a windy Long Drove and some fairly steep hills out of Launcherley, along the Strawberry line with some of the treaders peeling westward into Wells before the remainder continued through Croscombe up the long and challenging Sleight Hill before turning towards Wells for a well-earned coffee, cake and de-frost of the toes and fingers in the Loaf café before returning home via Burcott lane, Coxley and Long Drove. An especial well done to those treaders who finished the entire course. 22.4 miles to home for us. Hope you all made home safely.

Thanks to Ian and Sue for devising and leading the ride and Sue for the write up, much appreciated.

On our twenty-one mile, Pedal Pounder led by Lyn, we unusually went up the High Street, out on the Kennard Moor Drove and across to North Wootton then on to Wells for delicious cake and coffee at the lovely Quick Shifter Cafe in Cathedral Avenue, Wells, then a gently bit of pedalling back on the Long Drove. Thanks to Lyn for devising and leading the ride and Barry for volunteering for the arduous task of back-stop with fifteen on the ride.

On our twenty-one-mile, Train-Spotting Trek, led by Sandra on 8th October 2026, we did the new cycle path along the Street bypass, the lanes by Butleigh, Keinton Mandeville and Charlton Adam with a break at Newlands Farm Shop, then a gentle return via Baltonsborough. The weather was lovely for cycling. And the route was undulating with some long level straights. Some trains were spotted at Newlands Farm Shop. Twenty-one members showed up for this ride, giving Sandra the record number for leading a ride. However, it did raise questions about a possible solution, when such numbers show up, as it is hard work keeping the group as one. Thanks to Sandra for devising and leading this charming outing, much appreciated.

Fourteen members enjoyed a wonderful September Indian- summer morning riding the villages to the east and south of Glastonbury on 24th September 2026. At Butleigh War Memorial we stopped for a team photo and then down the hill to Sourdown cafe, the Coop, for our pit stop on the 🐓Run. Could be the last ride in shorts, we shall see. It was a nineteen-mile outing. And thanks to Sheila P for devising and leading the ride, much appreciated.

Fourteen members enjoyed excellent weather for their winding, nineteen-mile route on the Levels taking in Godney, Polsham, Fenny Castle, Coxley Wick, Upper Coxley then a break at the lovely cafe at Brownes Garden Centre., After the coffee and the cake, it was a short spin back up the Long Drove and the Common Moor to Glastonbury. Thanks to Barry for doing the back stop.

Fifteen members enjoyed a lovely, mostly-level, thirty-two mile outing to Peasey Farm Shop, Bawdrip for a lunch stop and Sweets Tea Room for a tea stop on Thursday, 3rd September 2026. We had lovely weather and a good pace, despite some headwind on the way back. Thanks to Sandra for devising and leading this Summer Special and arranging for a little English history talk at Peasey Farm, which had a significant role in the final day of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, when a gun went off in error alerting the King's troops to Monmouth's presence.

Eighteen members set off from Glastonbury on the Butleigh Wheelers ride led by Lyn on Thursday, 27th August 2026. The weather looking looking overcast but warm. With eighteen today, this ride matched the record number of riders on a club outing.

Lyn wrote the story of the ride.

We meandered down Cinnamon lane towards the river Brue and all the all New Age travellers caravans. The breeze was warm and the sun peeped through winding across the moor road. We stopped at the junction to wait for everyone and then carried on round to Canters Green and taking the first right turning past Westbrook House on the left. This country lane takes you up into Baltonborough, along a charming road called Tea pot Lane. At the junction, we turned right and then cruised down over through the village, passing the date palm factory on the left and after the bend at the bottom, the village hall on the right.

We waited to regroup at the crossroads and turned left and carried on past the lovely old late Victorian St Anne’s, once a school for daughters of clergy and professional men. It’s now
a Millfield Senior School boarding house for young men.
Cycling out of the village, and carrying on along Honeymead Lane, along side the River Brue, towards Barton St David. We crossed over the Brue on the very old stone arched bridge, named Tootle Bridge, which marks the boundary between Baltonsborough and Barton St David.

Entering the village of Barton, we lost two of our cyclists; they were busy chatting away and they missed the turning right into Park Lane, passing Wilf's Cottage & Wilf's other Cottage.
We regrouped at the bottom of Jarmany Hill and our two stragglers, had turned and caught us up again.

Keeping a steady pace we carried on to Butleigh and turned right at Henley Lane to the village hall. The coffee and cake stop was roughly at the half way point and we were all ready for a break. The Pavilion in Butleigh is a community run cafe only open on a Thursday. We stopped here for a welcome break, with some delicious homemade cakes and some friendly helpers serving us.

We continued on through the pretty village, passing the school on the corner and crossing from the high street over to some quieter lanes, where we stopped for our professional u3a cycle group photographer, Danny to take a group photo. Finding it a bit of squeeze to get us and himself, all in the shot.

After carrying on along Wood Lane, we turned into the little farming hamlet of Butleigh Wootton. The lanes are very uneven at this point and we had to cycle carefully, fortunately it wasn’t wet and it was sunny and a good to be alive kind of cycle. At the Blagrove Hill junction, with the road going back to Glastonbury quite a few had to peel off early for various reasons. The rest of us carried on to Street and then we lost a few more riders there. 5 of us carried on down over Bovemoor and back to Glastonbury Road and behind the Red Brick building and back into Glastonbury.

Thank you all for joining me. We missed a few friends today, but hopefully we see them next time. And thanks to Barry for being backstop.

On 13th August 2026, six members rode the 19-mile Westhay Zigzag Circle on a rather hot afternoon with our DIY air conditioning (the bicycle breeze) with a lovely stop at Sweet's Tea Room. The route was relentlessly flat to match the weather with one hill towards the end for a bit of fun! This was an afternoon ride due to the u3a Enrolment Morning.

Reporting on our most recent two-day outing on the ninety-mile Somerset Circle for Cyclists on 6th & 7th August 2026, the ride leader, Ian, wrote,

"The time had come to test ourselves on something more challenging. The Somerset Circle was our chosen one. Training rides were undertaken, and the day dawned when the test began. Nine intrepid riders set forth with great determination and drive.

Over the two days, we found our chosen route beset with diversions. But we sorted things out and triumphed. I'll remember with fondness the laughter companionship and the caring when this doddery old sod fell over. For those of you who like the technical, both days were around 50 miles.

When asked if we would do something like this again, the answer was a resounding, hell yes. So watch this space for future adventures."

And a big thank you to Ian for organising the outing and leading on the two-day event, much appreciated.

For our previous ride, Barry wrote, "Thank you for the 11 members who joined me on our Thursday ride. The skies were grey to start but soon the sun came out and we enjoyed a gentle ride to Wedmore, the Blue Bird café for a welcome break before we returned to Glastonbury in a refreshing light rain. I made 21 miles," Thursday, 30 July 2026.

Thanks to Barry for devising and leading this lovely ride across the Levels keeping hills to a minimum, much appreciated

Six turbos and one hardy treader (aka Charlie) set off down Long Drove towards North Wootton and above Brown cow organic picked up an old farmer sat under a tree with his turbo at the ready. We rode through West Compton and into the Ridgeway to the Shepton cycleway over the bridge to the rear of Tesco for a stop for ice cream at Collett Park.

We were then down through the high walls of Gaol Lane and under the Waterloo Road viaduct to Windsor Hill. There we rode the cycleway through the tunnel and over the Ham Woods viaduct towards Rocky Mountain for well earned refreshments. Our route home took us via Wells, Burcott and Godney. A hilly route for our treader but worth the climb or two.

Quite an achievement and a lovely ride for all who took part on 23rd July 2026. It was a twenty-seven mile outing with a total 1500 foot climb, adding all the hills together. Thanks to Sheila for devising and leading the ride, much appreciated.

Thirteen riders completed the 18 mile Wookey Widdershins route on Thursday, 16th July 2026, stopping at Wookey Hub for coffee, ginger beer and cakes various, which were unanimously declared as delicious. The journey continued on via the long Ford and across the moors to Godney then back to Glastonbury just before 1 o'clock. Excellent weather, albeit with the usual head wind along Long Drove. Towards the end the temperature was really climbing so the decision to make it a slightly shorter ride was well founded. No major incidents. All in all a good ride in with good company. Many thanks T&V.

And grateful thanks to Tim and Veronica who devised and led the ride, much appreciated.

Six members enjoyed a breeze on their bicycle as they made their way on the Eden Adventure Summer Special, thirty-three miles out across the Levels in brilliant sunshine. Three refreshment stops: Fika Kitchen, Chilton Polden, Wall Eden Adventure, Highbridge and Sweet's Tea Room, Westhay. Thanks to Lyn for devising and leading this lovely outing, with a lot of flat cycling creating a breeze on a very hot day.

Despite rain overnight, the morning became sunny and clear with a warm breeze to aid sixteen cyclists along Cinnamon Lane to Coxbridge, then on to Breach Lane, Woodlands and Parbrook on Thursday, 2nd July 2026. A steady uphill to Lottisham and lanes to Catsham Docks, past Lyn’s allotment and Barton St David where we climbed Jarmony Hill and free-wheeled down Barton Road into Butleigh to Sourdown Farm for excellent coffee and cake. Back via Butleigh Wootton, Millfield, Bovemoor and Street Road causeway to Glastonbury. The 19-mile Butleigh Chicken Run, simply a better run than the last one, everyone enjoying the weather and exceptionally good company.

And thanks to Sheila P for devising and leading the ride, much appreciated.

Twelve members enjoyed ideal cycling weather out on the Levels doing the 17-mile, all-level-bar-one-hill Westhay Zigzag Circle and a very pleasant break at Sweets Tea Room on Thursday, 18th June 2026.

Six members braved the changeable weather to join Lyn leading the 23-mile, Wells Golf Club Swinger Cycle Ride led by Lyn on Thursday, 4th June 2026. It was an eventful cycle, with misty rain to start with. Lyn kept a steady slow pace and tweaked the route a little. As we approached the Wells Bishop's Palace Moat, someone had gear trouble and wanted to to tail off for Halfords and told us to carry on. We should have stayed with him a little longer sheltering under a tree by the moat. He insisted we carry on. So, we did and as we got to St Thomas Street the heavens opened!! We all got soaked and it was like a river coming down as we all cycled up towards Wells Golf Club. We had tea/coffee and a selection of scones & cakes. My treat; sorry to the other members for not joining me. We had a mad panic, when one member lost her keys after locking her bike. Luckily they turned up in her jacket back pocket! We left the Golf Club refreshed but soggy and wet on a mission to get back before anymore downpours. Cycling through Wells, a chain came off and had to have help to get it on. Unfortunately, the helper cut his finger and someone had to sort him out with some plasters.

All of us being on electrics turbo’s, we high tailed it out of Wells to Coxley Wick and Haymoor on the country lanes, back to Godney and home to Glastonbury. Roughly 23 miles. Luckily no more heavy down pours! And no more unforeseen events; just another adventurous cycle 😊

Thanks to Lyn for leading this eventful ride, supplying the cake and enjoying every minute 😁

Seven members enjoyed our first Summer Special of the season, riding the thirty-three-mile Somerton Circle anticlockwise with stops at Ashcott (The Albion Inn), Somerton and Keinton Mandeville on Thursday, 28th May 2026,

We rode in lovely weather, the heat gentled by a breeze of our own making! The day’s high point was an adventurous climb through Kingsdon Wood, which was necessary to take in the picturesque lanes before and after but not quite picturesque enough to compensate for the labour of pushing up the rough, steep (not to be repeated) track.

"Thank you to the twelve who took on the Aller challenge today. The weather was ideal. It’s just a shame the roads weren’t so too ideal as one member can testify losing control of his bicycle. Luckily only minor scrapes and thanks to Julie for administering the wet wipes. Lovely to see you and thanks for supporting our ride." Danny & Sheila. 21st May 2026

And, a big thank you to Danny & Sheila for devising and leading the ride, much appreciated.

Four members enjoyed a slow-and-steady seven-mile ride on the Glastonbury Circle stopping at Middlewick Farm Shop on Thursday, 14th May 2026, which was in lieu of the postponed Somerton Circle Summer Special (31 miles), now on 28th May. Sorry, no photographs despite the stunning cloud display all the way round and only a spot of rain at the start.

Thirteen members enjoyed a leisurely, afternoon, nineteen-mile ride to Wedmore and back led by Barry on Thursday, 7th May 2026. We have a gentle warm up on the flat via Godney to Panborough, then a bit of climbing up Snake Lane over to Wedmore for our stop at the Bluebird Cafe for tea and cake. Then, another climb out of Wedmore and down to North Chine Drove and a lovely flat return to Glastonbury. We had favourable weather but a little wind in our faces on the return. Thanks to Barry for devising and leading the ride, much appreciated.

Seventeen members enjoyed a challenge on the rather hilly, Pilton Circle but the weather was glorious for cycling and had lovely views all the way round and a delicious cake and coffee stop at the New Room, Pilton. Thanks for Ian for leading us on this outing and taking great care of the treaders bringing up the rear with lots of rest time!

We had sixteen riders today, 9th April 2026. It was a shame the sun didn’t shine for us as it did yesterday but it was dry. Wind was against us across Godney, Tilham and Tadham moors. At Blackford we did the Sexey bit! Then we rode on to Heath House and Sand. Great down hill run at Mudgley, then into Sweets for our well deserved coffee and cake. Back on the road we did Westhay Meare and the old railway line from Ashcott corner to Sharpham. Then home!

And thanks to Sandra for devising and leading the ride, much appreciated.

The baker's dozen enjoyed a lovely outing on the nineteen-mile, Lovington Loop led by David on 26th March 2026, stopping for a feast of delicious hot cross buns at Lievito's Bakery. Thanks to David for devising and leading the ride. David wrote, "Thanks everyone for not getting punctures, losing chains or getting lost. It was a good ride to lead." A good time was had by all.

Nine members enjoyed a challenging ride on the twenty-two mile, Crushing Croscombe outing on Thursday, 12th March 2026. We were challenged by some hills and high wind but helped by a delicious refreshment break at Loaf, Wells on the return loop. Thanks to Ian and Sue who devised and led the ride, much appreciated.

Eleven members enjoyed a lovely ride in dry weather led by Barry on his seventeen-mile, Westhay Wander with a lovely coffee stop at the always delightful Sweets Tea Room on Thursday, 26th February 2026. Thanks to Barry for devising and leading the ride. We had just one hill to climb and our average moving speed was 8.9mph, which was nice and comfortable for the two treaders.

We enjoyed a lovely outing in suitable weather, with just a bit of wind on the run back, out to Wheathill Golf Club and back led by Lyn on Thursday, 12th February 2026. Thanks to Lyn for devising and leading the 21-mile ride and also the gift of cake to celebrate her birthday, much appreciated. The route was just right and the cake was delicious. Nice to meet Jenny at West Bradley on the way out and see Sheila P was okay following her fall from grace, tipping off the road bodily into the ditch!

Twelve members enjoyed an outing between rainy days, avoiding floods, going out on the railway path, through Meare and Burtle to Chilton Polden for a coffee break on Thursday, 29th January 2026. We had the first of a drama of small groups going astray in the Shapwick-Ashcott section and turning the wrong way on the return journey. But everyone reached home safely. Thanks to Alan for devising and leading the ride and finding a detour for the flood on Meareway.

Eight members enjoyed a winter outing on the Butleigh Chicken Run led by Sheila of West Pennard in foul weather. It rained most of the way round. Yet a nice time was had by all. Thanks to Sheila for devising the route and leading the ride on 15th January 2026.

Eleven members enjoyed a splendid, New Year's Day run to Chilton Polden and back in nice winter weather and a following wind on the way home. Thanks to Barry for leading the ride. on 1st January 2026.

Eight members took on the challenge of the Middlewick Circle (7.5 miles) and a Christmas lunch stop at the end on Friday, 19th December 2025. It was an enjoyable outing with lots of sunshine, following lots of rain the day before, but we should have done a few more miles to justify that second mince pie!

Eleven members enjoyed a cold and wet outing doing fifteen miles on the Avalon Marshes Loop with some sunny intervals on Thursday, 4th December 2025. Nice coffee and cake at the Avalon Marshes Centre. Today's most popular jacket colour was yellow.

Twelve members braved the cold weather on a return ride to Beer Cafe, Aller lead by Danny and Sheila on Thursday, 20th November 2025.
It was an eventful bike ride. Danny’s bike light jumped off bike onto road and smashed on the way to Glastonbury. Sheila had a puncture after we left Walton church and after three tyre inflations changed inner tube at cafe. On the hill after the cafe Julia came off her bike and bruised her hand. Luckily she had her helmet on as she did make contact with the ground with her head; also a bent mud guard. Then as we departed Walton on the way home Gill's chain came off. Quite eventful. A beautiful day and otherwise a good ride. Thanks to Danny and Sheila for devising and leading the ride, much appreciated.

Fourteen members enjoyed a mainly flat, eighteen-mile outing in fine, autumnal weather on the Westbury Wander, which should really be named Westbury Wonder or Wookey Wheel as we left out the Westbury bit following our nice coffee stop at Wookey Hub on Thursday, 6th November 2025. Thanks to David who devised the route and was back-stop for the first part. Thanks to Tim who was backstop for the second part.

Ten members enjoyed a lovely sunny outing, before the cold and the rain, on the nineteen-mile Pilton Circle on Thursday, 23rd October 2025. It's the hilliest of our regular routes. Maybe it should be renamed, Pilton Peaks! Today, was particularly hard for the sole member of the group pedalling with no e-assist. But, the other nine were very kind and waited patiently at the top of each hill for the pedal-only person to catch up, much appreciated.

Thirteen members took the twenty-one-mile Keinton-Charlton Challenge led by Sandra and Graham on Thursday, 9th October 2025. We had glorious cycling weather on the way out, a nice stop at the Newlands Farm Shop and a good romp home when the weather was a bit chilly. Thanks to Sandra and Graham for a lovely outing, much appreciated.

Sixteen members enjoyed at sunny outing led by Barry on 25th September 2025. Lyn wrote, "Super cycle, thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, my bit of market research on tasted tea cakes, Sweets (Tea Room) is in the lead so far. Thank you, Barry".

Six members set out on the Castle Cary Circle on Thursday, 18th September 2025. A slightly drizzly start but otherwise the weather stayed dry for the most part and we enjoyed some good views from higher up. The route went past Butleigh to Charlton Mackrell & Adam, crossed A37, looped round towards Babcary, Foddington & North Barrow, followed railway line into Castle Cary where we enjoyed lunch at The George. Our return took us out of Castle Cary past the railway station, to Alhampton, Ditcheat, West Bradley. Glastonbury folk peeled off to return home via Kennard Moor Drove. Granville & I went back via Baltonsborough and Middle Drove. 36 mile round trip from Street.

This was the last of this year's longer summer rides, led by Julia and Granville on Thursday, 18th September 2025.

Eight members enjoyed breaking a sweat on the nineteen mile Street & Shapwick, Hills & Heath ride led by Tim and Veronica with two nice climbs onto the Poldens with splendid views to the north and the south. then doing a welcome bit of flat to the Avalon Marshes Centre for our coffee break. We were fortunate with the weather as the forecast rain did not arrive until we were home. It was a lovely ride.

Thanks to Tim and Veronica for leading our ride on 11th September 2025.