About
Our Objectives
Ride Mendips is a registered charity run by a team of local mountain bikers. We aim to channel the collective weight of the local off road biking community to promote their interests across the Mendip Hills and surrounding areas.
Protect existing and pursue the opening of new rights of way for off road cyclists.
Construct and maintain sustainable cycling facilities & trails to a high standard.
Act as an information and communication point for local off road cyclists.
Promote a code of conduct among the off road cycling community.
Promote the importance of off road cycling to other user groups and organisations.
Registered Charity Trustees
Grant Garge
Ride Mendips Chairman
Matthew Coxhead
Trail Maintenance Officer
Sam Lees
Ride Mendips Treasurer
Stuart Beauchemin
Trail Inspection Officer
Matthew Latham
Ride Mendips Secretary
Colin Baker
Design Officer
Committee Members
Adam Clutterbuck
Ride Mendips Committee
Paul Mackie
Ride Mendips Committee
Kit Merryfield
Safeguarding Officer
Rich Loveridge
Ride Mendips Committee
Steve Sayer
Ride Mendips Committee
Heath Pimm
Ride Mendips Committee
Dave Parke
Ride Mendips Committee
Howard Swanwick
Ride Mendips Committee
John Howkins
Ride Mendips Committee
Our History
Spring 2018
Began to link up various local mountain bikers & engaging with Forestry England (FE).
Summer 2018
Met Rowberrow Warren landowners & FE. Got go ahead for 1 year trial.
Autumn 2018
Formalised Ride Mendips (RM) as a small charity with committee & constitution.
Developed Cheddar Pump Track Project idea & initial team.
Winter 2018
Began preparations for dig days. Raised £1,000 online for insurance & tools.
Ran first Cheddar Extravaganza event and raised £2,000 toward pump track project.
Spring 2019
Started dig days. Began to link up the official trails. Began work on signage.
Secured £1,000 grant from Mendip Hills fund for on site signage.
Summer 2019
Linked up the majority of trails & installed signage. Held AGM. Completed the trial stage.
Cheddar pump track team formalised and started work.
Autumn 2019
Began planning for 2020. Initial plans for speed control features on crossings.
Planning for second Cheddar Extravaganza event for pump track project.
Winter 2019
Prioritised trail crossing points & began speed control feature design.
Ran second Cheddar Extravaganza event and raised £5,000 toward pump track project.
Spring 2020
Ran one dig day & completed first cut of Jump Line. COVID hit. Tree felling works on Pump Track.
Registered Ride Mendips as a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Cheddar pump track design prepared. Secured £2,500 grant from Sedgemoor District Council.
Summer 2020
Dig days cancelled. Installed speed control features on crossing points using a contractor.
Secured planning permission for Cheddar Pump Track & £20,000 grant from National Grid.
Autumn 2020
Dig days cancelled. Trail conditions deteriorated, but unable to address.
Secured £2,500 grant from the Thatchers Foundation & £500 from Mendip Rotary Club.
Winter 2020
Tree felling works across Rowberrow Warren. Both official trails closed & damage to trails.
Passed stage 1 of British Cycling Places to Ride Fund.
Spring 2021
Rebuilt Lumps and Bumps, The Chippy, Twins and Pig Pen.
Faced issues with covenant on land where pump track to be built.
Summer 2021
Built and opened Christmas Trees Jump Line.
Secured new location for pump track and submitted updated planning.
Autumn 2021
Met with Forestry England to discuss trail improvements for 2022.
Secured planning permission for new track location.
Winter 2021
Secured funding for new trail tools. Secured approval for trail improvements.
Signed agreement with Cheddar Parish Council for Cheddar Pump Track Project.
Spring 2022
Begin 2022 trail improvements to Happy Valley & Jump Line.
Initiate Cheddar Pump Track Project build with Velosolutions.
Summer 2022
Completed trail improvements to Happy Valley, Pig Pen & Pump Track.
Grand opening of Cheddar Pump Track.