The Trans Cambrian Cyclo Sportive - September 15th 2013

The Cambrian Mountains form the spine of central Wales. With peaks of around 500m-600m, and hidden valleys holding reservoirs of clear water, it is a region of outstanding natural beauty. The winding roads that cross these mountains see a relatively small amount of traffic, making ideal cycling country.

Forming the backbone of Wales, the Cambrian mountains are in places wild and desolate, in places green, leafy and tranquil, but always a great place to be on your bike. The Trans Cambrian Cyclo Sportive takes you on an 87 mile tour of the central part of the mountain range, starting on the western side in the scenic Elan Valley, climbing over to the Dyfi Estuary at Machynlleth, and running down the coast as far as Talybont. From there you rise back up to the tops of the hills at Nantymoch. On this 5 mile climb, if you care to look over your left shoulder, you will be rewarded with a fine view of Cardigan Bay. Having reached Nantymoch Reservoir, you will pass beneath Plynlimon, the source of both the River Wye and the River Severn. From there, your journey takes you through Devil's Bridge and Cwmystwyth, culminating with a tour of the reservoirs of the Elan Valley, to the Finish at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre.

As an alternative to this arduous route, we have 2 shorter route options.

The Devil's Return, at 46 miles, heads out over the 3½ mile ascent of Penrhiwen and Cwmystwyth to Devil's Bridge, and then returns viaThe Arch and the Elan Valley. The route is largely through long stretches of open hill country, the roads having neither fences nor hedges.

If you want a taste of this magnificent area, tackling a big climb and riding through open hill country, but without doing big mileage, there is the Tour of the Elan Valley. Despite being just 18 miles long, it includes the climb of Penrhiwen, an altitude gain of nearly 300m, and a real challenge for any cyclist.

All riders will receive a certificate recording their time, and riders of the Trans Cambrian will be graded as Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on their time, age, and gender.

The minimum age for the Trans Cambrian and the Devil's Return is 16. The minimum age for the Tour of the Elan Valley is 12. All under 18's on all 3 courses must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Click here to view maps of the 3 courses

Start/Finish
The Elan Valley Visitor Centre is the venue for the Start/Finish for all 3 routes. There is ample car parking at the Centre and in the Elan Village. The Centre has toilets, a café gift shop and exhibitions. The post code is LD6 5HP. Registration starts at 7.30 am on the Sunday, and you may start as soon as you have registered up until 9.30am. All riders are expected to arrive back by 5.30 at the latest. A hot meal is given to all riders of the Trans Cambrian and Devil's Return who finish before this deadline. Finishers of the Tour of the Elan Valley are provided with tea and cake. There are no showers or changing rooms at the Centre.

Feed Stations
The Trans Cambrian route has feed stations at Machynlleth (36 miles), and at The Arch (66 miles). There is 1 feed station for the Devil's Return, which is at The Arch (25 miles). Water, energy powder, and solid foods will be available at each.

Please take some food with you from the Start as a precaution, and be sure to start with full water bottles.

Broom Wagon
A broom wagon will bring up the rear of the Trans Cambrian for use in emergencies. It will be carrying a small amount of food, water and spares.

Course Marking
The 3 routes will be fully marked with arrows. Where more than one route uses the same road just one set of arrows will be used. CAUTION signs will be placed at particularly tricky parts of the course. Take heed of them. Note: You will be riding on public highway at all parts of the route, and other vehicles, pedestrians and animals will also be using the road. Please adhere to the Highway Code and respect all other road users at all times. Even though you are being timed, this event is not a race. The timings are for your interest and to help us keep track of riders.

Preparation
You may use any type of bike as long as it has brakes that work on both wheels.Aero bars are not permitted. Helmets are obligatory for all riders Your bike needs to be in good condition for the event. Apart from being in a roadworthy condition, make sure there is plenty of rubber left on your brake blocks because there are long steep descents and sharp corners. Also make sure that your tyres are in good condition. Besides checking that there is plenty of tread left, look out for nicks and cuts, and frayed beads on the edge of the tyre. Why not treat the bike to a proper service at your local bike shop. Physical training is an obvious must. Get out on your bike regularly to ensure that you are in the best possible shape when the big day comes. You will be going up to altitudes of 500 metres or more. Even if the weather looks nice at the Start, take a jacket and spare clothing with you. It can get very cold fixing a puncture in the breeze at the top of a Welsh mountain. Remember to pack tools,a pump, and a spare tube or 2. Make sure that you set off with full water bottles and take some food with you, just in case.

Photographer
A photographer will be on the course. You will be able to obtain photos from his website, which will be announced at a later date.

Accommodation
B&B
The Horseshoes 01597 810928
Brynteg 01597 810052
Brynafon 01597 810735
Riverside Lodge 01597 810770
Elan Valley Hotel 01597 810448
Camping
Wyeside 01597 810183
Llanfadog Field Caravan Park 01597 810326

For more possibilities go to www.midwalestourism.co.uk or www.visitwales.co.uk

ENTRIES
Entries may be made online here
Or by downloading the Entry Form here, and sending it off with a cheque, made payable to Clive Powell, to:
Clive Powell Mountain Bikes
Cwmdauddwr Arms
West Street
Rhayader
Powys
LD6 5AB

Entry Fees

Trans Cambrian	£26 (£30 on the day)
Devil's Return	£21 (£25 on the day)
Tour of the Elan Valley	£10 (£15 on the day)