For those that have never ridden the event, the following passage may be of interest.
The ride leaves the Bulwark Community Centre (please refer to the event page on the AUK website for actual start location), and heads north along the Wye Valley to Monmouth. The initial few km are gently up hill, but there follows many more km of downhill. Once through Monmouth the route can best be described as like corrugated iron, the route continually undulates, some of the climbs are shallow and some are not - some of the descents are long and sweeping, and some are not.
Once you reach the southern end of the Golden Valley, the routes flattens for a benign passage through many small villages and hamlets. The final approach to Hay-on-Wye is a long descent, please be aware that there is a 30 mph limit, so cars could be in your way as you hit town. I will be ready to stamp your brevet card either in the car park if it's wet, or just by the bus stop if it's dry. There are numerous places to eat breakfast in Hay, I will advise on the morning.
On leaving Hay, you once again follow the river Wye all the way to Builth Wells. The route gently rolls, with only one or two efforts out of the saddle needed on the way to Builth. Once leaving town the route rolls for many kms as you work your way steadily west towards Llandovery. There's a long stretch downwards just before Llandovery - please be aware of those around you - particularly those on tandems (they will fly past you) and those on fixed-wheel (who will probably be going slower than your free wheeling). The West End Cafe will cater for you and stamp your card in Llandovery, the team there are an integral part of the event - so please support them.
The ride enjoys a few km of flat road (A40) after leaving Llandovery, but this soon comes to an end when you take a right turn. The route then climbs steadily for a considerable distance, you are rewarded with a long(ish) descent - oh joy. This pattern is then repeated on a slightly longer scale on the way to Cwmman. Just before you get to Lampeter, the route turns right and follows the river valley to Tregaron, passing through amongst other places Llandewibreffi - please don't be tempted to remove the village sign as a souvenir. The control at Tregaron is The Talbot Hotel, please use the entrance on the left - they are expecting you, and have a stamp for you to use. Initially after leaving Tregaron the route does undulate, some of the climbs can hurt on cold legs - but in the main the lanes aren't too lumpy. The real fun starts after Felinfach, the first climb does go-on a bit, then a bit more. However once your on the top, you can almost see your next salary increase (but if it's like mine it will be a long way-off, and very small). Back to the route, the route now rises and falls all the way to Newquay, thankfully the last bit is downhill. The Mariners Cafe is your control in Newquay - these guys (and gals) have supported the event for many years, and will be staying open late especially for those of you that are going for max VFM.
I can't lie to you, the climb out of Newquay does persist - for about seven miles, so don't try to set the world alight by using the route as a hill climb tournament, Synod Inn marks the end of the initial climb, you maybe into the last 100 miles - but they're quality miles.and there's still plenty left in front of of you - so dig deep. After climbing out of Llanbydder, you will descend to Llansawel, by now you'll be getting used to the pain followed by joy ritual, and the next bit of "pre-joy" will be the rise back up on to (and retrace) part of the outward track. Once down onto the A40, you fairly soon find your self back at Llandovery and The West End Cafe. Mark and his team will be staying open specifically for your benefit - and will again stamp your brevet card. The next stage will probably be the night section for most of you, navigation is kept very simple - you follow the A40. And continue to follow it all the way to the the next control Bwlch. The A40 has very few flat bits, so you either be looking forward to your next bit of down hill, or keeping warm and playing eye-spy on the climbs.
Please, please, please don't make too much noise when you're outside the Bwlch control - it is a residential area, and if nothing else - the locals enjoy their peaceful slumber.
Soon after leaving the Bwlch control, you'll be enduring one of those downhill bits - except this one really is the mother of downhill's (and it has a bend at the bottom). SO BE ALERT AND AWARE. You'll carry-on along the A40 (and downhill virtually) all the way to Abergavenny. As you leave town there's a bit of navigation to keep you awake, so pay attention on the double roundabout, and follow the B road to USK. As you get to Usk, you'll probably hear the River Usk gurgling to your right, God put Chepstow in the Wye Valley, so you can look forward to a couple of opportunities to keep warm again. The first starting at Llangwm - and this finishes at the crossroads beneath Shirenewton. There then follows a lovely little descent through Mynneddbach. You'll probably have chilled a bit on this descent, so to warm you as you enter Chepstow, there's one final rise back into Chepstow. For the eagle-eyed amongst you - you'll recall this from earlier the previous morning, yes your back on the outward route, and the good news is - you're only a couple of km from Arrivee. So enjoy and sing-out loud as you pass the hospital for a freewheel all the way back to the finish at Bulwark.
