Start & Finish in the beautiful town of Llandeilo
Ceremonial roll-out from Newton House in Dinefwr Park
WELCOME TO THE RACE AROUND WALES 2023
THE ROUTE
Riders will leave Llandeilo and head off through Bethlehem (You read it correctly!) and immediately start the climb of The Black Mountain (Y Mynydd Ddu).
There follows a gradual ascent up the Swansea Valley past Dan yr Ogof caves to the Crai Reservoir before descending to the Brecon By-Pass.
From here it's rural roads up to Newtown (Time Station 1).
(Copy and Paste the blue highlights)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40086865
Riders and crew then follow a truly beautiful route over the Cambrian Mountains to Lake Bala and then on via quiet roads, passing through the picturesque town of Bettws y Coed. You are now into the Snowdonia Mountain Range soon climbing to Pen-y-Pass. The iconic Mt Snowdon is off to your left.
After the thrilling descent to Llanberis, you soon turn right towards the famous Menai Bridge (Time Station 2)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38198313
After circumnavigating Anglesey you go back over the Menai Bridge and on to the historic town of Caernarfon. You bypass the town and Time Station 3 is at the old Roman Fort.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39555955
From here you will be travelling on a very quiet road through the heart of the Snowdonia National Park before exiting and heading downhill to Dolgellau. The route takes you around the peninsular through Aberdovey and on to Machynlleth (Time Station 4).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38197933
There is a short ride down towards Aberystwyth and just before reaching this famous University Town (King Charles studied here), the route swings left and up the Rheidol Valley. At the top of the valley, the route turns right up to Devil's Bridge and then onto a beautiful single track road that delivers you into the Elan Valley and it's wonderful reservoirs. (Time Station 5).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31891979
Another very fast road takes you to Builth Wells (The Royal Welsh Show Ground is to your left) and on to Llanwrtyd Wells. (Time Station 6).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40086810
This small town is famous for all sorts of strange sports including the Man vs Horse running event and The World Bog Snorkling Championships. Please look them up as it will take many pages to explain these bizarre events properly!
Now comes a wonderful section of the route as a quiet and picturesque road takes you up through Abergwesen to the Devil's Staircase. This iconic climb is only a few hundred metres long but ramps up sharply to the first hairpin and again just after the second one. The old "Milk Race" (now The Tour of Britain) has used this climb but once up it, there follows probably the most spectacular scenery of the entire 500 miles. The route follows the contours of the Llyn Brianne Reservoir and no matter how tired the riders are feeling at this point, the views will give them a welcome and uplifting boost.
The ride then swings west towards Lampeter (Time Station 7) and then south just before Newcastle Emlyn to Carmarthen.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40015943
The A40 trunk road then quickly delivers the riders back to the finish in the grounds of Dinefwr Park.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40024327
Expected Finishing Times
Teams, providing the conditions are favourable, will probably complete the ride in 24- 30 hours, whilst solo riders will take between 30 and 45 hrs.
NO time cut-off this year and a medal for everyone who finishes.
"Finisher Jersey to follow"
This route has been designed to showcase the most beautiful areas of rural Wales, whilst avoiding all the busy towns and trunk roads.
Rider safety has been paramount when planning the route.
In view of the current economic environment, every effort has been made to keep entry costs as low as possible. They are very competitive when compared with similar events around the world.
We look forward to welcoming you to a truly beautiful part of the world in May 2023.
Wyn Jenkins
Race Organiser
