Of all my GoCycle multi-day routes, my Somerset Circle is one of my personal favourites. This route has it all: vibrant cityscapes (yet with traffic-free paths), absolutely flat roads, some challenging climbs, rural idyll, gravel routes, several tunnels, modern and 1000-year old buildings, more history (ancient and more recent) and miles and miles of traffic-free bliss.
Full disclosure: the Somerset Circle was never my idea. No, credit for the concept belongs to the good people behind the Strawberry Line. However, their vision is many, many years from becoming reality. Once they built it all, their version of the Somerset Circle will be the best, but until then, my version is as good as it’ll get.
Why change the route?
For starters, the vision behind the Somerset Circle relies heavily on converting disused railway lines into shared paths. I wanted my route to stay as close to the old railway as is reasonably possible, to stay as near to that vision as possible.
In addition, the people behind the Strawberry Line added several new traffic-free segments, and those obviously needed to be included. They’re continuously working to add even more segments, too.
Actually, though I cycled it, there’s one new section – complete with smooth tar surface – that I didn’t include, despite having cycled it.
The reason I didn’t include it is because currently, it remains marooned, and doesn’t link up to anything. On one end there’s a huge metal fence blocking you, and on the other it ends at a sign saying “Private. Keep out!” I have no doubt that, in years to come, that segment will be extended and included, but at the moment it’s a road to nowhere.
What changed?
At only 83 miles, the updated route is roughly 15 miles shorter. Of course there are plenty of cyclists that can easily cycle 83 miles in a day, but to ride the Somerset Circle in a day is to deprive yourself! After all, a ride like this is all about the journey, stopping often, and actually enjoying the environment through which you ride.
What next?
What’s next is for you to go cycle the route! If getting there by train, you have the option of starting at Bristol Temple Meads train station, or either Bath or Yatton.
Regardless which you choose, it’s a stunning route that will delight you, so go cycle it! The route guide contains a detailed PDF document, as well as a GPX (just the route) and a TCX file that’s brimming with additional information about the landscape through which you’ll be riding.