JUST hours before the Tour of Britain comes flying through Llandrindod Wells, another big mountain biking event is taking place just up the road.
The Trans Cambrian Cyclo Sportive is an annual road cycling event that traverses the Cambrian mountains, often described as the ‘spine’ of Wales.
Now in its fifth year, the course starts from Rhayader, goes past Llyn Clywedog and the Star Inn down to Machynlleth and the sea, then snakes back through the mountains via Nant-y-Moch reservoir, Devil’s Bridge and the Elan Valley dams, finishing back in Rhayader.
It is 87 miles long, the highest point is 509m, and the lowest point is just 6m above sea level.
Registration is online, costs £20 and will close when the limit of 500 riders is reached.
The start and finish is at Rhayader Smithfield on North Street. It will be open from 7am on the day. There is a limited amount of parking at the start. Other car parks can be found at Rhayader Town Football Club, St Harmon Road, the Triangle Inn, and the Elan Valley Trail.
Registration begins at 7.30am on Sunday and starting is from 7.30am to 9.30am.
According to organisers, your bike needs to be geared to suit climbs of up to 15 per cent. Likewise, there are some long, steep descents so fit a new set of brake blocks for the event.
There are some stretches of narrow lanes, flanked by thorn hedges. Organisers have stressed that it is essential to take spare tubes, a puncture kit and a reliable pump or fit puncture-resistant tyres.
Other essentials include a basic tool kit, water or energy drink, bars or bananas, and appropriate clothing as the ascent will climb over 500 metres. Massage will be available at the finish from about 2pm onwards. The cost of a 10 to 15 minute session is £5, payable at the time.
There will be two feeding stations, one at Machynlleth and one at The Arch. There will also be a hot meal at the finish.
The course will be fully marked with black arrows on a yellow background and ‘caution’ signs are placed at tricky parts of the route.
A ‘broom wagon’ will bring up the rear for use in emergencies carrying a small amount of spares, food and water.
The bike shop at the Cwmdauddwr Arms will be open on both the Saturday and the Sunday from 9am to 5.30pm.
Organisers would like to make riders aware of steep descents and sharp corners; the cattle-grid on a corner at Nant-y-Moch which can be very slippery in the wet; oncoming traffic on narrow roads; road junctions and fellow riders.
For more details, call 01597 811343.