Route Preview

Dicky Hibbert

Tom Reynolds

Nathan Woodhouse

Colin Smith

Graham Spiller

James Gill

Rhys Clarke

Alli Holland

John Wilson

Anna Carlqvist

Patrick Cope

Alex Thorel

Ian Trevis

William Marston

Andrew Graff

Thomas Saunders

Nick Hodgson

David Wong

Dan Spinney

Sean Parrett

Laura Massey-Pugh

Hashim Hassan

Matt Slater

Jonny Packham

Helen Oldridge

Ben Bradley

Adam Jones

Colin Cartwright

Alex Grahame

Genevieve Hull

Laura McAuley

Andy Georges

Jon Pugh

Lizzie Dunthorne

George Kitto

Nick Dobinson

James Pearce

Adelice Ashworth

Clive Cosby

Jess Wood

Steven Smith

Steve Cole

George Morris

Nicky Shaw

Michael Wykes

Harriet Goers

Alex Boswell

Harvey Tye

Matt Dipper

Musa Akinosho

Benjamin James Bollans

John Adamson

Will Ward

Samuel Russell

James Page

Jon Cox

Elizabeth Brown

Laurence Brown

James Scrivener

Alison Dockney

Crew 3

Crew 2

Crew 1

Welcome to this year’s coverage of The Wild West Country, which is returning for the fourth time. It’s Rob Gardiner here and I’ll be quickly introducing the event before I hand over to Robbie Britton, who is back at the keyboard for WWC25.

## Introducing The Wild West Country
This fixed-route event is 845 kilometres long, with just over 11,500 metres of climbing, and sticks almost entirely to paved roads. Beginning and ending in the Cotswolds, it loops through the southwest of England, an area renowned for its short, steep climbs and narrow lanes.

60 riders will set off to tackle the route, departing in waves of eight at two minute intervals from 09:00 on Friday.
<iframe src="https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=50074535&metricUnits=true&sampleGraph=true&distanceMarkers=true" style="width: 1px; min-width: 100%; height: 700px; border: none;" scrolling="no"></iframe>

## What is new for 2025?
We have a few small changes for 2025 - the most obvious of which is the addition of our first manned checkpoint. This checkpoint is the Old National School in the tiny hamlet of Sampford Spiney, on the edge of Dartmoor. It offers riders an intermediate target, where they will be welcomed by the Windover Bikes crew.

Otherwise, the route remains largely unchanged, save for a few minor tweaks. The largest change is in the first 30 km, where we have had to detour around a closed road, meaning a slightly different (and marginally slower) route out of the Cotswolds.

What is not new - thankfully - is our start location, which remains The Bike Drop at Brimscombe Mill. This time last year, we were expecting the mill to have to close, but in a rare [good news story](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz04zdvz8dmo), sense has prevailed. 

## The Route in More Detail
### A fast start
The riding begins very slowly with a steep climb up Brimscombe Hill, but it soon speeds up as the riders cross the gently rolling landscape of the southern Cotswolds, so progress will be fast. The altered route for this year uses smaller lanes, so the pace may be slightly down on previous years though.

This deceptively fast progress will be a feature of the first 150km of the route. Passing over Clifton Suspension Bridge and descending Cheddar Gorge, the riders will be treated to some of the tourist sights. However, a headwind on this section is highly likely.

![wwc24-cheddar-gorge-12 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/Zr74468GGAOTAXjb6WIkM/990d9f2a0a847c20e41099278d6a90f0/wwc24-cheddar-gorge-12__1_.jpg)

### The climbs begin
Once the riders pass Bridgwater (not one of the aforementioned tourist sights), the difficulty begins to slowly ratchet upwards as the climbs become steeper and more frequent. Their fresh legs will likely get them over the Quantocks with little difficulty, but the toughest section of the route lies at around 200km.

Here, they begin the first of two ascents of Dunkery Beacon, which are swiftly followed by the Porlock Toll Road. Although gentler than the main road, this is still a tough climb after what precedes it.

The following section contains yet more climbing through Exmoor and over to Woolacombe, before they finally happen upon some respite on the Tarka Trail. This multi-use path is the only flat bit of tarmac for miles and will likely be empty by the time most riders reach it, if they do not stop before then.

![wwc24-porlock-toll-04 (1) (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5ukNRk38yCGDIFd2WxhJbl/b2abd9500642ed80a3e534ac440bf677/wwc24-porlock-toll-04__1___1_.jpg)

### Across Dartmoor and towards the Purbecks
The recovery on the Tarka Trail does not last long before Dartmoor appears. Here, the manned checkpoint greets them, offering some additional recovery.

The route crosses the national park via a succession of tough climbs, culminating with Haytor, which is at roughly the halfway point on the route. For the riders who have gone through the night, they can expect to be getting here around sunrise.

Some gentler riding will follow as the riders make their way through Exeter, before they begin a beautiful stretch of Devon and Dorset coastline. For the next 100 or so kilometres, the climbs are a little smaller but just as steep and unrelenting.

This section culminates with the last few sharp climbs on the (misleadingly named) Isle of Purbeck, with spectacular views over the coast below. From the beautiful ridgetop road, the route drops towards CP3 on the coast. The final 1.5km are on a toll road with views over Kimmeridge Bay, where the CP is located.

![sam-dartmoor-wwc24-1 (1) (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5KK6qKmklB90wXq7Cg8qh9/04e647f62970bf16c8ce1fe4a48f3a47/sam-dartmoor-wwc24-1__1___1_.jpg)

### Inland and away from the hills
Swinging north, the route leaves the coastline behind. This inland riding brings with it much gentler gradients and faster roads, as the rolling countryside resumes. In fact, this section is relentlessly rural and actually offers surprisingly little in the way of resupply, which may present an unexpected challenge for riders.

With just over 100km to go, the Wessex Downs will rise up and greet the riders with a carved white horse. They will then fly between the standing stones of Avebury’s ancient circle, as the flatlands south of the Cotswolds offer up some precious easy riding.

A final loop of the idyllic Yanworth Valley is included to give a taste of the best of the Cotswolds (and some bonus climbs), before the route swings back towards the finish.

![wwc24-finish-04 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5eZULUC2STgN0qaF5duiOV/efe89e2643ed46b15a25cf0208a6d50b/wwc24-finish-04__1_.jpg)


It's day one and the fun is only just beginning, so we need to start our race posts as quickly as the riders have set off for the 2025 edition of the Wild West Country. 

Quick reminder, it's a fixed-route event of 845 kilometres, with just over 11,500 metres of climbing and day one features highlights such as Cheddar Gorge, Dunkery Beacon and a plate of left-over chips outside a pub in Porlock. 

The main challenge of the first few hundred kilometres is always the double ascent of Dunkery Beacon, where if you chose the wrong gearing you might be pushing your bike up the steep inclines. It's the Mortirolo of the south-west, if you've never visited Italy. 

__No time for sight-seeing__

Some of the riders might have missed the sights though, as paces are quicker than ever and Dicky Hibbert was 45 minutes quicker to CP1 compared to last year's winner. Having flown past at least one supermarket in Cheddar with locals trying to follow his draft, the team on the ground have said he is fuelling on "digestives, chocolate bars and spicy sporty sausage". We are yet to discover what makes them sporty, but we hope they have little pairs of running shoes on. 

Over 10km behind both Nathan Woodhouse and Tom Reynolds are moving well and the tailwind of day one is helping push our riders west so far. It might seem like a big distance, but in bikepacking  we all know it's just a power nap in a ditch or extra long time in a Spar choosing biscuits and it's all back together again. 

A similar distance apart Ali Holland and Nicky Shaw are the front two women, with Holland already through Lynmouth at the time of writing and Shaw dropping into town shortly. Jess Wood and Anna Carlqvist, like many riders, are taking advantage of the refuelling in Porlock, which we can only imagine is a happening place on a Friday night. 

The pairs racing sees three duos battling it out and James Page and Jon Cox the furthest along tonight. We should be able to come up with a celebrity style single name if they are still leading tomorrow. Like Brangelina. J.Pox? 

__Snack Gossip__

With food in mind, it's not clear whether this is a heinous or beautiful act, maybe a bit of both, but George Morris (cap 20) left nearly a full bowl of chips outside a pub in the town, with a message to those following that they were fair game if anyone could beat the seagulls to them. Plot twist to come, eater of said chips passes George in the night on the energy provided by them. 

![Porlock Helmet and pizza debate](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4dbCMm7e0jQieNZTz94miZ/c5a81ef5c8bf2fac823b8c750df23331/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-09_at_20.52.30.jpeg)

Last, but not least, important discussion topic for riders and readers alike to consider in the wee small hours. Should you take off your helmet for food and sleep? On the one hand, it's super efficient and I have been known to nap in a bus stop with helmet on for good neck position, but just how dangerous are the cafes and restaurants of Porlock on a weekend? It's 50-50 in the picture above. 

James Gill reported to race director and part-time wacky, waving inflatable man Rob Gardiner that he had "not even cursed your name yet". It's early doors James, don't you worry. 


Double Dunkery on day one

### It might not be your normal Friday night out, but it sure looked like a whole load of fun for the Wild West Country riders on the first night and second day of adventuring. 

Dickie Hibbert, clearly nominated by the other riders as the man to go ahead and check if road works proved passable or not, has been performing his job with aplomb. At well over 700km into the race, his lead is around 30 kilometres over last year's winner Tom Reynolds. 

Hibbert, who got a wee bit lost during the night and had to surge to keep ahead of feisty chaser Reynolds, is apparently running low on sporty sausage supplies, but has been feasting on a fine selection of Milky Ways, Crunchies and some Snickers to "get some nuts in" (if you know the race staff you can guess who to attribute that quote to). Combined with Lucozade, Coca-Cola and a pain au chocolat, the carb train is leaving the station and Hibbert is in first class. 

Front runner for the ladies is still Alli Holland, who has found the road nature of the course too easy at times and taken the parallel coastal path alternative (not recommended for speed, but lovely for sight-seeing). Coming up to 600km and CP3, Holland is apparently testing the limits of two new knees that she had installed last year. Maybe they got Chris Froome's out of storage and they're back being put to good use. 

J.Pox are still the lead pair, although it is unclear whether combined pair names will become a Dotwatcher staple for the future at this stage. 

![Dartmoor ice creams](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2g6d9BSqs3CFthf4vzRXEA/3ec24f0317b0670b0deee492ea336a93/20250510_155832-2.jpg)

__Ice cream Saturday__

The word on the street is that the weather is toasty, with some impressive cooling techniques being used by the riders including Magnums, 99s and, hopefully, some calippos. Who needs an ice vest and some tights full of ice when you can seven ice pops and call it science. 

The Dartmoor ice cream van has done some good business today, but you can't help feeling they need to invest in some bigger cones to match the appetites of bikepacking races coming past during the May season. Maybe Tom Saunders needed an extra flake in this one below too. 

![Big Whippy](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4ZoLyFQDyLUaLd04l73fpJ/9e61fa3f7fdf4ae31481b07077006d34/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-10_at_14.46.48.jpeg)

__Not all heroes wear capes__

Whilst you may get a good picture of the placings, paces and distances from our live leaderboard and map, what you might be missing is the number of animals saved by our riders during the race. 

On day one, it was the birds and the bees, with Paddy C being caught in the middle of their first swarm of the season and James Page stopped to save a wee birdie in the road. 

![Wee birdy save](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6z81CpkRBkSyZvLLfrlyVW/fd9ec8947b647a2e6f107c3b8401a4be/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-09_at_20.51.36.jpeg)

Top prize for animal saving goes to Laura Massey-Pugh, who saved this wee lamb from it's self-inflicted fencing dramas and returned them to their Ma. Certainly feels like this should be worth a time bonus? 

![Lamb fence](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/bYwMfNg4CMbHMi8xMzDYA/b561c4f8fe50f4b998ef5b3a5f3af325/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-10_at_10.30.02.jpeg)

Laura McAuley didn't save a lamb, but has until the end of the race to save additional wildlife (or the same lamb if they get into trouble again, but further down the fixed route). This will not impact the general classification. They should add that to the Giro d'Italia though, make Roglic save a baby llama or hedgehog. 

__The night is young__

As we drift into the Saturday evening, with good weather in the day potentially bringing cold temperatures at night, we have already seen our fair share of scratches. Usual suspects of knee pain and overall exhaustion are joined by Perfidious Albion specials "ran out of brake pads/gearing" as the steep gradients of the Wild West Country take their toll. 

Such is the quality of weather and route so far, there hasn't been a huge amount of cursing of the race director's name thus far, but semi-professional Mr. Tickle impersonator Rob Gardiner will likely incur more wrath from our riders as sleep deprivation and low glycogen availability really sets in. Ride safe.

![Sunset riding](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2OuPiHponNIVib90XDuQj5/e0177b2f806bec09a9da5bd012ef11d3/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-10_at_18.32.27.jpeg)


Ice cream weather on Dartmoor - Day two

### __We have a winner, and it will come as no surprise that Dicky Hibbert is first home in an astounding 37 hours and 22 minutes. __

Rumours abound in the race Whatsapp group that Hibbert had a late entry into the Bristol Half Marathon today and needed to pop home to get his running shoes, but in reality our sausage savouring victor had more important things to do, such as greeting others at the finish. 

90 minutes and 2 hours behind were second and third placed Tom Reynolds and Nathan Woodhouse respectively and in part this was due to a distinct lack of chocolate bars left in village shops by Hibbert. 

Nine riders have thus far made the finish line and one of those was new-kneed Alli Holland, the first woman to complete the 875km route this year in 51 hours 28 minutes. Upcoming documentary on Holland's ride will have to be called "Kneed for Speed" or I'm not watching it. 

![The Not Wild Enough West Country](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4qmoHkAQT3p8UjlMcpnu6N/415973bf28ef93f8946463b30ddd773b/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-10_at_13.35.52.jpeg)

Four riders broke 48 hours, and a large number are in the last 100km aiming for a finish in time for Sunday dinner. Likewise there are big numbers heading towards CP3 and apparently the weather has gone from too hot, to a little bit too wet, but after weather on day one that even Goldilocks would have been happy about, a bit of variety is keeping everyone happy. Well, entertained maybe. Possibly just wet. 

A more complete update to come this evening but cap 36 Laura McAuley is working hard to keep the animal kingdom safe having helped a caterpillar across the road. In response an Albanian goat has head-butted an Intermarche rider and their bike in the Giro d'Italia, but fortunately neither were harmed. 

Retired children's climbing frame & RD Rob Gardiner has apparently made the route faster this year, according to some riders, but we're not sure how much impact Perfidious Albion has on the retarmacing of roads. This is maybe why several riders have added their own gravel/trail diversions. 

Winner winner sausage dinner

__As we approach the final 24 hours of the 2025 Wild West Country, riders continue to push onto the finish and all-nighters might be on the cards for some. __

An impressive 50% of our 60 valiant starters have made it back to the Bike Drop at Brimscombe Mill, 17 have scratched and 13 lucky riders have got more bike riding to come. 

The final loop of Yanworth Valley might be good for any remaining cursewords not yet used to describe 2004 Olympic javelin and RD Rob Gardiner, as the route is so close, but still so far from the sweet bliss of the finish line. 

The mind can play cruel tricks at this stage, because you're less than a day-ride away and in comparison to the entire distance it feels like a short way, but with fatigue, sleep deprivation and a lack of Snickers bars in shops because of Dicky Hibbert, the mental task of the last 100km can really beat you up. 

J.Pox secured the first pair spot, but there may have been a bike throw on the line as James Page is listed as a winner and poor Jon Cox had to settle for second. Given that Cox's moving speed is a little higher than Page's, we imagine it's just punishment for being that guy who cycles to the top of the hill and then looks backing taking pictures. 

__The important factors in bikepacking__

After several days in the saddle, the little things that keep you going strong can really vary. 

For some like Jonny Packham it's inspiration from love hearts and a chicken kebab and chips from the Wilton Grill & Pizza, at the same time as the year before (how is that for consistency), others like Laura Massey-Pugh have pushed on through the entire night just to show herself (and everyone else) she could. 

After visiting a donkey sanctuary and discovering all the animals had already been saved, Laura McAuley showed a world class approach to bikepacking PR with the below perfume as part of her kit. After many cyclists ahead would have brought the multi-day funk into small shops and petrol stations along the way, a little effort will go a long way to let the local population know their nostrils needn't fear all riders. 

![Packing perfume](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7kjWLW4IfjlYLN6CvqHEur/da868d4acae0818ec2bb8c78ef4982e1/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-12_at_11.58.08.jpeg)

Whilst the race management crew have been busy discussing the dangers of sugar-free gummy bears and the steady stream of riders preventing finish line naps, our athletes have been avoiding live firing ranges (always worth avoiding in life in general, but especially when riding bikes) and dealing with some busy traffic on the roads of the South-West. 

David Wong had to wait for everyone to Mooo-ve on. I'll get my coat.

![Traffic Jam](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/0XY1nA7UCMbKW6gY98NTM/7cf8250a3f66249ef6aeb870394e4a2e/WhatsApp_Image_2025-05-11_at_16.57.43.jpeg)

The Final Countdown 


__Much like the Wild West of the USA, which is generally agreed to have ended in the 1890s when everything got a little less wild, our riders must also return to normality as of 8pm Tuesday night.__ 

Gone are the opportunities to sleep in bus stops and call it a performnce decision or refer to the entire contents of a 24hr all night petrol garage as "sports nutrition". Some of it is sports nutrition, just not all of it. 

Our final trio arrived of riders arrived just after 1700, with James Pearce, Adelice Ashworth and Nick Dobinson making the most of the final day sunshine and cruising into the finish after a day of really strong riding. 

A 73% completion rate, with 43 riders out of 60 reaching the finish line is a strong rate for any bikepacking event where luck is a essential item on everyone's kitlist. As much as some feel that over-used Stretch Armstrong doll and race director Rob Gardiner has created a route that criminally links the steepest and gnarliest inclines of the south-west, it really is a fantastic parcours that people can enjoy...a high percentage of. 
![My mate Ben who I'm well proud of](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1qQI5cWogoYuVmErywANyY/5ec8efbb2993e2e8c9f9173e0487ed56/P1054662.jpg)

__The memories and mementoes__

Beyond the rather classy finisher's tee shirt there are plenty of other things that will help riders overcome the short-term memory loss from sleep deprivation and the Whatsapp group seems that many have numb hands and fingers from the pressure on nerves during the hours on the handlebars. 

Those concerned can take comfort that "if it's just the tip that's numb that doesn't sound too bad" but I feel this advice is best without the full sentence it was once within. Saddle sores, tingly toes and a ravenous hunger is also keeping Wild West Country in people's minds. Hopefully not too many people have ticks, but the wild campers best check everywhere for those wee buggers. 

What was on the menu for the finish line? Well many are just doubling or tripling normal meals. Why have breakfast when you can have double breakfast and who fancies a triple lunch? Yorkshire puddings, cheese boards and triple lasagne. One rider reported having a bartered sausage but we don't know they swapped for it. 

Well done to all the riders who tackled the race this year and if you enjoyed the commentary then why not put yourself on the other side of the dotwatching next year and it could be you getting lambasted for someone else saving a lamb. 

![Finishers tee for the ages](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/34uRslwX0QBige1GP1lf77/474a4bd6e9429fff7f430e16f63e4530/P1054726.jpg)


And that's a Wild West Wrap

Robbie Britton

The Wild West Country is a display of some of the finest roads in the South West of England, and ticking off some National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty via some short sharp climbs and winding lanes.

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