Long Route
119km | 2,400m
Medium Route
73km | 1,700m
Short Route
50km | 1,000m
Ride Overview
One of our biggest rides of the year in the amazing Cambrian Mountains, home to some super smooth gravel & glorious views.
The full 119km epic route takes in classic forest gravel roads through Hafren Forest, some lovely riverside bridleways, some of the longest (up to 7km) climbs in the UK & amazing road descents in the Elan Valley.
The short (50km) and medium (73km) routes are almost all on super smooth gravel & back roads, the long route has a few rougher sections on broken roads as we go into some very remote areas. An absolute Welsh classic day out on the glorious gravel!
Highlights
- Stunning smooth forest gravel roads through Hafren Forest.
- Some of the UK’s best back roads in the beautiful Elan Valley as well as some wild, remote gravel.
- Take in lovely views of rural Wales on the gravel of the classic Glyndwr’s Way.
Included in Entry
Fully Signed Route
Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride.
Checkpoints with Proper Food
An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30 - 35km
Accurate GPX Files
A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs.
Mechanics Available
At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more .
Rider Support Vans
We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away.
Beer at Finish Line
You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders.
Event Program
30th May: GPX files and pre ride briefing video sent by email to each rider.
1st June – 7.45am: Ride village in Llanidloes opens. Collecting your ride number takes approx 10 mins.
1st June – 8am to 9.30am: Ride start. We will give you a short ride briefing and set you off in small groups.
1st June – 6.30pm: Rider village closes
1st June – 7pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email.
Long Route
Get ready for an absolute epic day out. This region of mid Wales is a must for gravel riders with some glorious off road sections and a great variety.
Starting out in Llanidloes, we head west and are straight onto gravel and straight onto our first climb after 4km. After a sharp 1.5km and a more gradual 3.5km climb, we are into the beautiful forest trails of Hafren Forest. The gravel here is really smooth and flowy and we have an amazing 20km in the woods until the first feed stop.
We then have a great gravel descent before the lunch stop and then one of the big climbs of the day – 5km on a mix of gravel and tarmac. From the summit, we descend (with a couple of punchy climbs to get over) for 35km into the Elan Valley passed the reservoirs. This starts on good gravel, turns into bridleway and then rougher farm tracks and broken roads before turning onto tarmac for some beautiful road miles.
Our final feed is in Rhayader before heading north on the Glyndwr’s way before a final descent back into Llanidloes. A tough but brilliant day in an incredible part of Wales.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 75%
Distance:
119km
Elevation:
2400m
Difficulty:
5/5
Medium Route
A (slightly) easier day taking out the Southern part of the route in the Elan Valley. The route follows the long route into the Hafren Forest all the way to the lunch stop at 45km.
From here, we head back east and loop around to join the long route for the final 10km.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 70%
Distance:
73km
Elevation:
1700m
Difficulty:
4/5
Short Route
A lovely short route giving a great feel for the region. We follow the long & medium routes for the first 30km going through Hafren Forest and then heads back to Llanidloes on some nice off road sections.
There are two climbs to get over so this is still a challenging ride but its mostly off road with few technical sections so ideal for anyone that wants a shorter ride that still takes in the essence of this fabulous region.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 85%
Distance:
50km
Elevation:
1000m
Difficulty:
3/5
Bike Selection & Packing List
Bike Choice: A mostly off road route on some brilliant gravel. The long route contains some rougher sections not long after the medium route split. A mountain bike will be fine but slower, road bikes are not suitable. E-bikes are allowed on all of our rides.
Tyre Choice: We suggest 40mm+ all rounder tyres. The short & medium routes are smooth and rolling, the long route is slightly more technical. We will send an update on conditions closer to the ride.
Packing List: Bring equipment to be self sufficient on the route as we go very remote (inner tubes, sealant, multi-tool, pump or CO2 etc). We recommend a bell to warn walkers / runners of your presence.
Clothing: Expect anything for early June in mid Wales. You will be very remote for a lot of the route so check the forecasts and layer up accordingly (arm & leg / knee warmers, gilet, waterproof jacket etc). Helmets are mandatory, you will not be able to ride without one.
FAQs
The ride starts and finishes in Llanidloes. There is free parking onsite as well as toilets & refreshments. We will send the ride village address by email.
Yes, e-bikes are allowed on all Glorious Gravel ride. These must comply with UK law.
We have first aiders & mechanics at the feed stops. There will be a phone number on the back of your ride number – call this if you need collecting.
Yes, we start between 8am and 9.30am and set people off in small groups so the off road sections are not too busy. Please come to the start line with anyone you want to ride with, we will give a short ride briefing and set you off.