Start / Finish Location and Timings:
Start
You will meet you at the start point in Llandovery at 10:00. The exact start point location and timings will be sent out closer to the time of your trip.
You should arrive in the clothes you’ll ride in and with your kit packed in the dry bag they posted to you.
Bike set up and kit briefing will take about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the group size.
Finish
You can expect to be back at the start point in Llandovery by 15:00 on Day 2.
If travelling by train, allow at least 2 hours in which to hand back the bike, kit and get to the train station.
Difficulty Rating
The routes are designed to blend the rewards of physical challenge, with space to discover the unexpected and time to appreciate the journey. The distances are modest and should allow for you to take your time, follow the more scenic route and experience the places between the places. It’s as much about the lazy lunch, taking in the view or finding a spot for a wild swim as it is about knocking out the miles.
This route is graded moderate, based on someone with a good level or cardiovascular fitness.
This is their easiest route and is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The route is gently undulating, with occasional short steep sections. You can expect to spend 3 to 5 hours in the saddle each day.
Preparation
If you’re not a regular cyclist, get your body bike trip ready by commuting to work, or do some spin classes. It all helps.
Itinerary:
Day 1: The Tywi Valley
- Distance: 28 miles / 45.1 kms
- Elevation: 600 m / 1969 ft
- Riding time: 4 - 5 hours
They will meet you in the bustling market town of Llandovery where they will sort you out with your bikes and all the kit you need and set you off. The day starts with a short crisp climb out of town, onto your first section of gravel through Llwynywormwood. From there, the quiet country lanes rise and fall as the lush Tywi Valley opens up as you descend into Llandeilo.
A spot of lunch and on through the Dinefwr Castle Estate and a hike-a-bike section through a field before hitting tarmac again to reach the River Cothi which you follow to Brechfa.
Day 2: The Cothi Valley
- Distance: 29 miles / 46.7 km
- Elevation: 485 m / 1591 ft
- Riding time: 4 hours
Today you follow the picturesque Cothi Valley for most of the day. It’s a gentle rolling start along the valley to Abergorlech before the road ahead rises and falls to the village of Llansawel.
Following quiet lanes, through open meadows, the valley widens as you gently make your way to the Dolaucothi Gold Mines. From here, the picturesqueness cranks up a notch and you often feel as if you have the valley to yourself before you swing back to Llandovery. A quick stop at the Towy bridge Inn before the final roll to the finish.
Type of bikes provided
You are provided with a gravel bike from Temple Cycles, donned with great components. They’re a dream to ride, fast on the road and comfortable on the unpaved sections.