Crudwell 24-Hour Ride Report - 21st–22nd June 2025

The Crudwell 24-hour ride was a quintessentially English event—an endurance challenge wrapped in community spirit. Though not a race, the ride tested stamina and teamwork as teams of cyclists looped a 7-mile circuit continuously for 24 hours.

The Westbury Wheelers team, consisting of 13 riders, completed 62 laps, totalling 434 miles, with an average pace of 2.6 laps per hour and claimed the trophy for most laps completed. Team members included Heather, Sharon, Mel and her son Gabriel, Fiona Gibbs, Grace, Ade, Keith Withers, John Naish, Darren, Alan Best, Tristan, and me. We rode in pairs, each duo taking on two-hour shifts and swapping riders every lap.

Originally intended as a social weekend, the mood shifted as the competition heated up. By 6pm Saturday, we had climbed into the top three. By 4am Sunday, we were leading by one lap—and suddenly, it all got competitive. (Remembering of course it wasn’t a race!)

The event was a charming blend of different generations and cycling abilities, with at least two under 11 teams from the local school lining up excitedly with their rainbow baskets and handlebar streamers! Overhead, Spitfires soared, the Scouts kept us fuelled with a barbecue and breakfast butties, and the village green—where we camped—came alive with a silver band and live music. Special thanks to Heather for providing an enormous tent for our HQ and sleeping pods.

It was a really fun and inclusive weekend, we raised £355 for charity (Crudwell Village Hall and The Alzheimer’s Society) with the win - remember it’s not a race -being the added bonus. Are we going back in 2026 to defend our title? Of course we are….if you’d like to join the team keep an eye on FB for event details and pencil the 20th -21st June 2026 in your diaries.

By Maria Harryman