Clifton CC

The Three Bridges audax is running again, this year it's on July 14th. It's the usual 161km (100 mile) loop, taking in the wolds and the Humber Bridge, a cafe stop at the bridge before heading home via Boothferry and Gunness bridges and another cafe stop at the waterways centre in Goole. There are usually a good couple of groups to ride with, the route is almost all flat and you'll cope fine if you're comfortable with Kevin's Saturday rides. This is an ideal first imperial century if you haven't done one of those before, as well as being – in my opinion – the easiest 2 points in the Clifton challenge series.

The Bridges and Beaches is something new I've cooked up this year, for those who like an extra challenge, and it appropriately earns you a massive 3 points (!) for the challenge series. To win this coveted prize you turn up at the scout hut an hour early and start by riding through Thixendale and Sledmere, up to Bridlington for an ice cream on the beach at the first control. You then head south, winding your way between the main roads until you reach the Humber Bridge, where you rejoin the Three Bridges route to head home via Boothferry and Gunness.

Both rides start from Stamford Bridge Scout Hut, Low Catton Road, Stamford Bridge.
The Bridges and Beaches 225 starts at 08:30 and the Three Bridges 161 starts at 09:00. The scout hut will be open from 07:30.

Entry is online, here for the Bridges & Beaches or here for the Three Bridges, and costs £3.50. You can also enter by post for a bargainous £3.00, using the entry form from the Audax sites I linked. Entry is open until July 4th, after that you can just turn up and enter on the day but if you plan to do that, please bring a filled-out entry form with you to save time, and I'd also be grateful if you could drop me a line to say you're coming so that I can plan the food.

I hope to see lots of you in Stamford Bridge!
Greg

For those contemplating a day out, I’m definitely up for this ride. I’ll be doing the extra 40 miles to the beach to get both the extra challenge series point and an ice cream at Brid, certainly not to chase the sun which I’ve given up on. If the ride is as bonkers as the organiser, we’re definitely in for a great day! Hopefully see some of you in the Scout Hut in a couple of weeks.

D.

PS. I had previously stated the difference in distance between the two rides was 25 miles due to the Challenge Series section of this website showing (incorrectly) the longer ride as being 200km. There is actually approx. 65km difference between the two rides, equating to c.40 miles...so you get even more value for money than I first thought!

Hi Greg

I hope to be there, if the weather is ok. I'll enter on the day. Will try get there for 8am but not sure if I want to do the 225 or 161, I'll see who turns up. A Big Tony sort of pace ride would suit me nicely.

Hi Greg,

could you provide a bit more info for the uninitiated (me!)? Is the route marked out or is it a map read jobby? And on the three bridges will there be a group I can ride round with who know the way if it is a map read?

Thanks
Ross

Hi Ross,
Basic navigation from a turn-by-turn by route sheet, which you pick up at the start if you haven't pre-entered, or which I can email to you. If you've got a GPS, you can download a track from here. You can ride at your own pace throughout the ride (as long as it's over 15kph) but there will undoubtedly be a group or two who you can follow. Does that help?

I took some photos on the ride two years ago, they're here and should give you some idea of what you're letting yourself in for.

Oh dear I've made a blooper!

I see I mistyped 08:00 as the starting time for the Bridges & Beaches. It's not, it's 08:30. You can still turn up at 08:00 if you want, but you'll have a while to wait before the main group sets off.

Hi Greg, have you a track including the Bridlington section?

IanH

Hi Ian, here is a Google map of the Brid route, though it takes diversions at Brid and at the Humber Bridge, where the route goes on cycle paths. I'll get a proper track up on Sunday or Monday.

Sorry Greg, I'll have to give it a miss. I'm Soft I know but I've given in to pain, need to give the knee a rest.

I hope to be there tomorrow for 3 bridges. Haven't done a long ride for a few years so this should get me back into the swing.

Hi Greg, planning on the 160k ride