Wales North to South Cycle Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: Year Round
Wales North to South Challenge Ride
Bike Adventure
Join us for a beautiful yet challenging ride, taking in three mountain ranges and some stunning coastal riding. We'll climb mountain passes, speed along clifftop roads, and swoop past lakes on thrilling descents. This challenge is not for the faint-hearted, but with the right training, and with our event support, you will be sure to make it successfully to Cardiff, having crossed a country in the space of 3 incredible days!
Upon leaving Llandudno we'll have a gentle warmup along the North Wales seafront cycle path, including a lap of the iconic Great Orme, making sure our legs are up-to-speed before tackling the first proper climb of the trip; the beautiful Llanberis pass. After conquering this classic ascent through the centre of Snowdonia National Park, we'll then drop down to west coast, passing through scenic seaside towns to finish our first day's riding in the tourist village of Barmouth, right on the Mawddach Estuary, considered one of the most beautiful places in the whole of the UK. Day two sees us climbing up and over the Cambrian mountains, including taking in the infamous Machynlleth Mountain Road, the view from the top is said to be one of the best in Wales, which more than makes up for the lung-busting climb to get there! After dropping down past Llyn Clywedog, we'll roll through the Cambrian foothills to the historic spa town of Llandrindod Wells for our night's accommodation. Our final day sees us finishing in central Cardiff, but only after crossing our final mountain range; the Brecon Beacons. The second half of the day is a long gradual descent back to sea level, where we'll have a well-earned meal to celebrate your completing of an incredible challenge; the crossing of a country all in a long weekend!
Itinerary
Day 1 - 116km / 1310m climbing
08:30 Meet your event challenge team for safety briefing.
9:00 Depart Llandudno
Ride Highlight - Llanberis Pass
16:00 Arrive Barmouth
Day 2 - 118km / 2072m climbing
08:00 Depart Barmouth
Ride Highlight - Machynlleth mountain road followed by little-used mid-Wales back lanes.
16:30 Arrive Llandrindod Wells
Day 3 - 120km / 1067m climbing
08:00 Depart Llandrindod Wells
Ride Highlights - Brecon Beacons traverse followed by long descent to Cardiff.
16:30 Arrive Cardiff
(Please note that all timings are approximate and will be dependant on group speed)
Accommodation
We will be staying in comfortable hotel accommodation in twin rooms. A limited number of single room supplements may be available on a first come first serve basis.
What is a Level 3.5 Cycling Challenge Like?
These challenge rides are either longer, with more ascent, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 10 hours cycling. In the case of a multi day ride, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be a keen cyclist for these events, and to enjoy training, and to ride regularly. If the ride is outside the EU, it is likely to be easier in terms of the physical riding, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to more basic living conditions (in the case of Asia / Africa especially)
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Bike Ride’?
You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing long rides in the countryside - 6 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - with some serious cycle training. Your typical comfortable cycling speed will be at least 22-24 km/hr, and you should be able to cycle at high speed for up to 1 hour or 25 km. You may also be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (ie sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - however cycling is the best preparation (obviously!)
Visas / Redtape
Non EU passport holders should seek travel advice.
Included In Trip
- 2 nights bed and breakfast accommodation (Barmouth and Llandrindod Wells).
- 2 evening meals (Barmouth and Llandrindod Wells).
- 3 picnic style lunches.
- Snacks and water on ride days.
- Experienced cycle leader with the group at all times.
- Support vehicle with mechanical and first aid support, including spare bikes.
- Baggage transfers.
Excluded From Trip
- Pre-event accommodation in Llandudno.
- Post-event accommodation in Cardiff.
- Evening meal in Cardiff.
- Transfers to/from the start/finish.
Equipment Required
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike / Mountain Bike (with Touring Tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf
Small Rucksack (or small pannier)
Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Lamps (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Under Saddle Pouch (recommended - can be used to carry asterik* items)
Duck Tape (small folded piece off the reel)*
Puncture Repair Kit*
2 x Inner Tubes*
Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Oil/Lube*
Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Medikit
Suncream, Plasters
Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc
Washkit
Pack Towel (lifesystems recommended), Soap (small bar)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste
Warm Clothing
Medium Weight Fleece, Lightweight Gloves, Fleece Hat
Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts
Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (Dryflo type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable)
Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Underwear
1 Set Casual Evening Wear
1 Pair Cotton Trousers
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
1 Pair Outer Waterproof Bottoms
Other
Camera, Memory Card
Wallet, Credit Card, Cash
Sunglasses, Mobile Phone
Penknife, Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure..
Safety Information
Helmets are compulsory.
Please have your bike fully serviced before this event.
Headphones whilst cycling will not be permitted.
Weather
We can hope for clear calm weather for this trip. However as with any UK based challenge we should still come prepared for the worst, especially on the mountain passes.
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events