See below for a selection of riders' comments & feedback regarding the Great Weston Ride:
Riders' views are really important to us as they help us to shape and improve the event from year to year, and the feedback we receive is always very much appreciated.
(2024)
What a bloody amazing day, one of THE BEST rides we've done (including Ride London 3 times) - even though this was an open-road event it didn't feel like it. Super well signposted, great feed stations, superb marshals, and a burger & cider at the end! We'll be telling as many as we can about this event - just do it!
Peter Miles - 'Awesome'
*****
First experience on GWR for myself and my son George - we had an amazing day. So well organised, with friendly helpful supportive staff - it really was a brilliant ride. And the scenery & route were stunning - go sign up, it's a wonderful day out :)
Linda - 'Awesome'
*****
Thank you for a fantastic day. So professional and extremely friendly. As for the ride, it was absolutely fantastic - well signposted and I chose to do all 3 extra sections but it was great that if you wanted to miss any that was possible too. The scenery was amazing, especially the Rock of Ages and Cheddar Gorge, and the finish was great with everyone enjoying their burger and a drink. I'll certainly be back.
Mitch - 'Awesome'
*****
The GWR gets better and better year on year, maturing like a fine wine. Turns out I've done it 10 times now and each year there are little improvements made - it continues to be the highlight of the Summer cycling season.
John Loy - 'Awesome'
*****
Another excellent event - so well organised, and I don't have to worry about being on my own throughout the ride. I can only recommend it, and always do when I get the chance!
Anita Vegh - 'Awesome'
*****
The 3rd GWR for me but first time up Cheddar, and the GWR is just as fabulous as ever - always a fun, relaxed day of cycling. So enjoyable.
Andrew Waldren - 'Awesome'
*****
A massive thank you to your support crew - we were last but they gave us all the encouragement needed to finish. It was hard but we did it. I really couldn't have done this without your help & support - thank you from the bottom of my heart, you made it possible for me.
Helen James - 'Awesome'
*****
An absolutely fantastic ride and the first time I've done anything like this! Had a really great day and everyone was so nice :)
Harry - 'Awesome'
*****
My first GWR and I cycled with 3 friends of different speeds - using the options we were able to meet at the feed stations & finish at the same time. A quality shirt, a quality medal, and a quality massage - from the highest-quality event! See you next year.
Martin Casey - 'Awesome'
*****
It was a brilliant ride with my 15-year-old son - we absolutely loved the challenge and the BBQ at the end. Thanks for an amazing day.
Richard - 'Awesome'
*****
One of the best GWRs I've ridden and I've done a few! The route was perfect - yet another magnificent event!
Alan Bennett - 'Awesome'
*****
My first-ever GWR - really well organised and a fantastic route. Thank you.
Stephen Phillips - 'Awesome'
*****
(2023)
After 11 consecutive years of doing this amazing event what else can I say that I haven’t already said before, apart from that if you are only concentrating on doing one event a year make sure it’s the GWR - you won’t be disappointed.
Paul Rogoll - 'Awesome'
*****
Fantastic, well-organised ride, it was the first time I'd taken part in a cycling event and loved that it was so inclusive. Will definitely take part again.
Emma Green - 'Awesome'
*****
A superb day out. Meticulously organised and everyone is so friendly. We look forward to it and thoroughly recommend it.
Phillip Hims - 'Awesome'
*****
My eighth GWR and one of the most enjoyable for me! Can't wait for next year. Superbly organised as always, keep up the good work!
Adrian Collins - 'Awesome'
*****
Once again a superbly organised event! Always feel so well looked after & supported. Love the ride into the finish, awesome atmosphere at the finish line. Well done to all!
Emma Gwyther - 'Awesome'
*****
First timer with his son and thought it was brilliant. Good choice of routes. Well signposted. The support on the route was great and a cheerful finish! Will definitely do it again.
Steve Baldwin - 'Awesome'
*****
Fabulous experience to get to know new inspiring souls and discovering the beauty of Somerset. Great barbecue at the end as a reward. Tears appeared when I arrived. I didn’t think that I could do it but I did it!
Anne Gallien - 'Awesome'
*****
A tremendous route, friendly people from start to finish and the welcome at the end was superb. The signage was perfect and I just cannot fault my first GWR - will not be the last and will try and organise my club to get a group to join next year.
Neil Dunn - 'Awesome'
*****
Another great year - the headwind on the levels was quite challenging, but Darren and his team do a great job of looking after everyone. I've never felt so pleased to see the burger at the finish line and a pint of Butcombe!
AJ - 'Awesome'
*****
I loved the route. This was the furthest distance I have ever ridden (I did the 57 mile route). I like the option of the 3 extra bits and next year I will go a bit further.
Emma Coles - 'Awesome'
*****
I’ve done this ride a few times and all I can say it’s one of the best rides and best-organised events going.
Danny Rimell - 'Awesome'
*****
Always a great day out, beautifully run by Darren and the team. Probably the closest thing the West Country has to the classic London-Brighton bike ride in terms of scale, rider numbers and with an equally feel-good factor.
John Loy - 'Awesome'
*****
(2022)
Fantastic ride from beginning to end. Organisation fabulous. 100% recommended - everyone should ride this.
Nigel Barge - 'Awesome'
*****
My first cycling event and loved every minute of it, look forward to doing another one. Well done to the organisers, plenty of stops, refreshments, signs, marshals. Great Event!
Jackie Whittle - 'Awesome'
*****
I did my first GWR in 2013 a year after taking up cycling & haven’t missed one since, including 2016 after my stroke & heart operation. The heat issues were less of a factor than feared, thanks mainly to the superb organisation & pre-planning by the GWR guys & gals. Is there a more enjoyable inclusive cycling event in the UK? I don’t think so!!
Paul Rogoll - 'Awesome'
*****
I do A LOT of these type of events and have to genuinely say the Great Weston Ride is one of the best organised, planned, communicated and routes I have come across. This year was my first, see you next year...:)
Emma Hooper - 'Awesome'
*****
My first ever major group sport activity and it was really great. Had such a good time, everyone was considerate and kind. The last minute adjustments were worth it, the last section was really hot already! Thanks to all.
Anna Cleave - 'Awesome'
*****
Absolutely superb day, a very well organised event. Signage was spot on and very clear. I've done a number of sportives and I have to say this event is among the best. Looking forward to 2023!
Mark Jenkins - 'Awesome'
*****
Superb organisation, route planning & understanding of riders' needs - the best ride by far.
Graham - 'Awesome'
*****
Well organised, friendly (as always) and despite the heat great fun! Really nice to ride an event that feels so inclusive of all abilities.
Ben Walton - 'Awesome'
*****
This was my first GWR and I was very impressed from the start by how well run everything was and how friendly everyone was. The organisation was slick, the route was well signed and easy to follow, the route was great too, the stops well placed. I'm already trying to convince some friends to join me for next year's ride.
Andrew Waldren - 'Awesome'
*****
Really well organised, well signposted, kind friendly organisers, great course, lovely medal, & welcome food. Overall, highly recommend this event.
Sarah Waldron - 'Awesome'
*****
Excellent all round. From latest news, course signage, briefings, mitigation, feed stops and finish. Really enjoyed my day out! Bravo and well done.
Kevin Waite - 'Awesome'
*****
A fantastic event and was made to feel very welcome by the team and felt supported also in terms of the adjustments made due to the weather. Thank you so much for the professional organisation to what contributed to a fantastic day.
Mark Nicholson - 'Awesome'
*****
Thank you to the whole awesome GWR team - good vibes all round. This was my first GWR and it was a brilliant day, didn’t think I’d make it up Burrington Combe but I did! Huge sense of achievement and so happy to see the 1 mile to go sign!!
Sarah Hislam - 'Awesome'
*****
Massive thanks to the team and all the helpers along the route who did such a fantastic job of making this a great day out on the bike. The route has some spectacular views and after a hilly first half of the ride, the gentle, flat finish is always welcome.
Tizzie Chandler - 'Awesome'
*****
Fantastic day as always very well organised, fantastic marshals, and great food - definitely will be back next year for the 7th time.
Jacqui Perriman - 'Awesome'
*****
(2021)
"Wow - what a day". Fabulous as always, great organisation and fantastic route changes. Thanks for a great day in the saddle.
Matthew Steel - 'Awesome'
*****
Superbly organised, very friendly, it was my first-ever sportive and the furthest I’d ever ridden by 27 miles! Great atmosphere and I’ll definitely be back next time! Thank you so much to all the crew and volunteers they were amazing, especially in that heat. Brilliant. Hooked on cycling now! Best 5 hours I’ve had in a long time!
Christine Grosart - 'Awesome'
*****
By far my favourite event of the year. It is always brilliantly organised, and it draws a great mixed crowd of cyclists. Everyone is friendly, encouraging and supportive. Each year is different - this year with new twists to the route (excellent) and of course one of the hottest days of the year (challenging!) . The ride provides excellent opportunities for a real challenge if you want it in addition to the basic route. There is a real sense of community about the ride - less about being a competitive race, more about being together and where possible raising money for a good cause as well. Thanks to the team for laying on something special again.
Bob Callaghan - 'Awesome'
*****
Amazing day! Super well organised, clear communication throughout and very friendly helpers. Couldn't have done more to make everyone feel welcome all the way through. Can't wait for next year. Thank you all very much!
Lizzie Hims - 'Awesome'
*****
The GWR is always the highlight of my cycling year. This year was no exception, and I really enjoyed the new part of the route to avoid much of Burnham. The quieter roads were so much more pleasant. The heat and sun were manageable with lots of fluids and sun cream. Another triumph - thank you Darren and team!
David Derbyshire - 'Awesome'
*****
Fabulous day out as usual. Excellent route and great people along the way. Love it!
Geraint Jones - 'Awesome'
*****
First time riding this event and what a great ride it was. The whole day was brilliantly organised - registration quick and simple, well managed start, clearly-marked route and welcoming finish area. Add to that a fantastic group of volunteers, marshals and supporters and this really is a 5-star event, looking forward to coming back to do it again next year, thank you!
Ed Tristram - 'Awesome'
*****
Brilliant event, really well organised with incredibly friendly staff/volunteers/marshals. It was my second time and I will be back next year!! Thank you!!
Sam Froud - 'Awesome'
*****
My 1st GWR and I will definitely be back. Despite all the Covid requirements and extreme heat, this didn’t dampen the day at all. It was extremely well organised and the whole event had such a great atmosphere from start to finish. All GWR marshals were very helpful & friendly and the reception at the finish line with everyone clapping and cheering and the ‘cow bells’ jangling was so up-lifting. Thank you GWR Team for a fantastic sportive! See you in 2022!
Wendy Fox - 'Awesome'
*****
Absolutely amazing day, superbly organised. Thanks to all the volunteers and organisers that made this so good & keep up the good work. Thank you :)
Mark Cook - 'Awesome'
*****
Another truly fantastic GWR, brilliantly organised, signposted, marshalled. We loved it!
Jane Woodruff - 'Awesome'
*****
From a rider’s perspective the ride was amazing. This is the gold standard for organisation and you met this once again. Looking forward to GER in September and doing all three again next year!
Steve Marshall - 'Awesome'
*****
So well organised and a fabulous day out. I was impressed to see marshals riding back and forth and everyone was just so nice and friendly. I am not a cyclist but absolutely loved it so thank you so much.
Sally Groves - 'Awesome'
*****
My first time with GWR and anything similar so I came with an open mind. The organisation, signage, the “ride infrastructure“ and the route were all excellent. The marshals and volunteers were all friendly and helpful. It was great to see the MH AONB volunteer Rangers helping with the marshalling and handing out chilled water. There was a very happy and positive atmosphere amongst all of the riders. Many thanks and many congratulations on an excellent event.
Nigel Campbell - 'Awesome'
*****
Another great GWR. Organisation spot on. A superb event that I would highly recommend to anyone. Roll on 2022.
Ian Robinson - 'Awesome'
*****
Thank you to all the super marshals, organisers and volunteers. The route was fabulous, stupendous views, well signposted and full of happy, cheerful cyclists. It was a great day’s cycling.
Kate Carr - 'Awesome'
*****
Yet another brilliant Great Weston Ride! As usual it was incredibly well run and organised, an absolute treat to be a part of. Thanks!
Russ Day - 'Awesome'
*****
Hi Darren and team. Once again many congratulations and thanks to you all for all the work you do to make this event happen. Against the adversity of restrictions and extreme weather you have again provided us all with a most spectacular and memorable GWR. Love the new route for the latter section across the levels too. Thanks again for everybody's hard work. Looking forward to next year's already.
Simon Derrick - 'Awesome'
*****
Such a friendly and enjoyable day. Extremely professional, and so nice to see all kinds of cyclists rise to the challenge....until next year, thanks to all those involved.
Adrian Collins - 'Awesome'
*****
Fantastic experience. Will be back next year for sure. Thank you to all the support staff from start to finish, you made it safe and possible!
Ben Robinson - 'Awesome'
*****
This year I wanted to attempt the GWR on a tricycle, I had some great communication with the team in advance with regards to transport back and sections of the route that could be an issue, no problems at all. Loved every minute and will be back again next year.
Mark Nash - 'Awesome'
*****