T
he longest of our
five recommended
routes, there’s a bit
of every thing on this
South Wales loop.
A lthough it ’s long, it only features
a moderate amount of climbing
so this isn’t as arduous as some
of our other routes. There is some
climbing, you’re in or skirting
round the Brecon Beacons after
all, but we’re confident it ’s a route
manageable by anyone with a good
level of fitness.
The highlight for us is the
ominously named Black Mountain
Pass as you head south to the coast.
Touching on 513m altitude, it ’s by
far the highest point on the route.
It ’s a devious route though, as the
effort is back-loaded in the last
half and specifically on the roads
between Glynneath and Ebbw Vale.Reasons to ride
1
Pro training ground
The Brecon Beacons is fast
gaining a name as an excellent
place to ride your bike. With events
like the famous Dragon R ide basing
itself there, it clearly has mass
appeal, and is also home to Ineos
riders Luke Rowe, Owain Doull and
Tour winner Geraint Thomas.2
Into the record books
Writer R ichard Abraham
rode this route and in doing
so set an R RA record. It ’s a new
route for the association as it bids
to attract more attempts. Doing so
is some undertak ing mainly for the
personnel required, but use your
GPS and see how close you can get
to R ichard’s time of 5:03.47.ROUTE FIVE
RECORD-BREAKING WALES
20INSPIRE YOUR RIDING