Here's where you'll find all the latest news and developments regarding the 2026 Great Exmoor Ride:
August2026
GER Event Update
Entered riders will receive detailed pre-event briefing information a few days before the event itself - we'll do this in a timely manner that hopefully requires no further revision or amendments to avoid any possible confusion or misunderstanding about how things will operate on the day itself.
And hopefully reading the briefing info shortly before the event will mean that it's fresh in riders' minds and, therefore, easier to remember on the day.
In the meantime we have updates on some other aspects of the event, as follows:
2026 GER ROUTE
We’re pleased to say that we’re able to follow the same route as last year so, barring any last-minute issues, the 2026 GER route is now confirmed.
Please note that the most up-to-date links are now available to download via our Route Details page, and we strongly recommend that anyone who has downloaded any of the links previously should do so again now just to ensure that they have the correct version for this year.
Of course the route will be fully signed as well with our branded direction arrows, and please be aware that the signage on the day always takes priority over the route downloads (to accommodate any very last-minute issues or needs that may arise).
There will be further route checks up to & including the day of the event and, while we don't anticipate any changes, any further adjustments will be notified via email to registered riders or, if absolutely necessary, on the day of the Ride itself.
REFRESHMENTS
Along the route there will be two official stops available exclusively for our riders - the first of these is at Brushford Parish Hall (c. 28 miles into the route), and the second stop is once again at the delightful Exford Bridge Tea Rooms (after 40 miles).
The stops are fairly close together in distance terms but there are limited options available along the route for decent facilities once up on Exmoor and there's also a fair bit of climbing in-between the two stops so it will probably seem further, and these two have served us very well in the past.
Riders will be able to top up water bottles and make use of toilet facilities at these locations, and there will also be a plentiful supply of food & drink available to buy at each location.
And, as always, we'll have hot food waiting for everyone at the finish - food for riders is FREE, and friends & family who gather at the finish are also welcome to purchase food and drink if they wish.
And, courtesy of our partners Sheppy's Cider, riders will also receive a FREE can of the very best West Country cider along with their bespoke 2026 GER medal 😁
GER rider medal
Sheppy's Cider
Burger
GER rider medal
POST-RIDE TRANSPORT
Our aim is always to allow for a reasonable amount of spare capacity within the overall transport offering, however you should book ASAP via the Online Entry page if you wish to use this service and haven't booked it yet (please note that we'll be closing the service for advance bookings fairly soon).
Riders don't need to book a particular departure time so there's no pressure from that perspective, but obviously some departures may be busier than others - however there WILL be space on the day for everyone who's booked the service.
Where we do have space(s) on the transport service on the day we're very happy to accommodate people, it's just that we can't absolutely guarantee this and it should also be noted that, in any case, priority for each departure goes to people who have pre-booked the service.
Otherwise, we trust that anyone who hasn't booked this service has alternative plans in place for their journey home.
We hope all of the above makes sense and is clear, and further detailed information will follow for entered riders a few days before the event.
March 2026
New(ish!) Charity Partner
After three years of helping to raise awareness and funds for our favourite local charity, Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, we’re going for a change in 2026 - and we're absolutely delighted to announce that Prostate Cancer UK will once again be our official Charity Partner across all our events this year.
This excellent charity has always been important to us for a number of reasons, and it has moved on enormously since we first supported its vital work via our GWR event in 2011 – but so has this terrible disease.
In fact, so much so that prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, with record numbers of men receiving a diagnosis.
The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer has shot up by 42 per cent in the last 10 years and, as you can see, it’s now more commonly diagnosed than even breast cancer.
The good news is that prostate cancer is curable if you find it early enough, before it spreads to other parts of the body. But it often has no symptoms in the early stages, making it hard to detect when it’s easier to treat.
Sadly, no-one knows that better than British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who was diagnosed out of the blue with incurable advanced prostate cancer in 2024.
And the same goes for many other men, including a good number of regular participants in our cycling events over the years.
Sir Chris has just turned 50 years of age – no age at all to have to contend with such devastating news – and he’s done so much for his country and for the sport of cycling.
So let’s see if we can all give something back in his honour, and in support of all those other men in his position: £50 or £500 or any amount in between or beyond, it doesn’t matter - we'd just like to ask ALL our riders to consider if they could possibly fundraise this year for this fantastic game-changing and life-saving cause.
Head to our Charity Partner page for further details on how to sign up to be part of the Prostate Cancer UK peloton at the 2026 GER!
THANK YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HUGE SUPPORT ONCE AGAIN FOR OUR NEW/OLD CHARITY PARTNER! :)
January 2026
2026 GER Rider Medals
We're pleased to say that we've sorted our rider medal for 2026 - it's actually the TENTH year of the GER this year so we've come up with a rather nice design to mark the occasion, and one of these will be waiting at the finish for everyone who completes the 2026 GER in September.
Previous participants routinely confirm that the Ride consists of a spectacular but also fairly challenging route and, while it's eminently do-able if you're properly prepared, once the climbing starts it keeps coming at you and it's undoubtedly a good test of anyone's cycling legs.
All of which means that it's definitely a significant personal challenge and you will KNOW that you've well & truly earned your medal when you cross the finish line (but you'll also feel extremely pleased that you did it!) :)
So, to get your hands on one of these 1) make sure that you get signed up for the Ride (enter via our Online Entry page if you haven't done so yet); 2) get some training in beforehand (the more you can do the easier it will feel!); and 3) then just go out and rise to (& enjoy!) the challenge on the day.
And maybe see if you can get a few pals to do this with you - you'll be glad of the company, especially if (when?) the going gets tough, and it just makes a challenge like this even more enjoyable when you've got a few mates along with you.
We're seeing more & more groups riding together every year and it's clear what a difference it can make and also how much fun it is, and it's definitely the way to go!
So sign up NOW and make sure that one of these fab 10th anniversary medals has got YOUR name on it!
November 2025
Our 2026 Summer Cycling Events
Once again we’ve got THREE great West Country cycling challenges coming up in 2026 – the dates have now been set and we’re pleased to say that they’re ALL open for entry.
Which of course means that you can give yourself something great to aim for and look forward to next Summer if you rise to the challenge and sign up for one (or more!) of these fab, friendly cycling events right NOW!
Here’s a very brief summary of how they shape up:
Saturday 13th June 2026 – Mendips Lakes and Lumps Ride
Our Summer 2026 series starts with this wonderful event, taking place on a Saturday once again next year.
Described as “a perfectly balanced route with varied countryside, quiet lanes, decent climbs, and stunning views” the Lakes & Lumps is a fabulous outing that takes in the very best bits of the magnificent Mendips Hills National Landscape.
It’s what we’d describe as a ‘moderate’ challenge – not overly long but still a decent test for most people, especially with a large part of the climbing towards the back end of the route. Plus there’s a very testing additional (but entirely optional) section for anyone who’s looking for an added degree of challenge!
The Lakes & Lumps is actually part of a whole weekend of outdoor activities that also includes mountain biking and trail running challenges (among other things), and there’s also an on-site camping option for the weekend so there’s plenty going on for all you active, outdoorsy types – check it out!
Sunday 26th July 2026 – Great Weston Ride
Then in the middle of Summer we’ve got our crown jewel event – the 17th edition of the magnificent and hugely-popular GWR.
This one's been described as “a bloody amazing day, one of THE BEST rides we’ve done (including Ride London three times)” and “being a veteran of many sportives, from Inverness to Brussels, I have to say I enjoyed the GWR the most”, so it really is one not to be missed.
With EIGHT route & distance options on offer from 58-76 miles there’s something to suit pretty much everyone and, whatever route you choose, it all finishes with a fabulous reception and BBQ by the sea with family and friends. It’s a very relaxed event and a wonderful atmosphere is guaranteed throughout.
Sunday 6th September 2026 – Great Exmoor Ride
And we take it up another level to round off the Summer with what will be the TENTH edition of our little ‘leg-burner’, the GER.
It has been described as "a beautiful but challenging route” and “a real challenge of my mental fortitude and legs”, as well as "one of the nicest routes I've ridden on Exmoor - packed with lots of quiet lanes and stunning views", and riders overwhelmingly agree that it’s a fantastic personal challenge that delivers a huge sense of achievement and enjoyment, both along the route AND at the seafront finish.
The scenery is certainly fabulous along the way, and it’s definitely one for anyone who wants and/or is up for a seriously BIG (but eminently achievable) challenge to finish the Summer with – and we always see so many of our GER riders surprising themselves with what they’re actually capable of doing on a bike!
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So please take a good look at each of our events and, who knows, you may decide to join the growing number of people who are choosing to take on ALL THREE of these wonderful West Country cycling challenges!
GER riders
GER rider climbing
GWR club riders
GER riders
Charity Partner
Event Partners
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