***Depart 8.00am from Castle Dell Car Park, Chepstow, NP16 5HD***
The first in our series of summer challenge rides heads over to Wales for a climb up to the Gospel Pass. At 549 metres above sea level it’s the highest road pass in Wales, with fantastic views on a clear day.
We’ll depart from Castle Dell Car Park, next to Chepstow Castle at 8.00am prompt.
All day parking costs £4.40.
Meet outside the Tourist Information Centre.
Our route takes us over the River Wye for a gentle climb up to St.Briavels, from where we descend down to Monmouth for an early morning coffee stop. We’ll then head into the Monmouthshire countryside and across to the Usk valley, where we’ll follow the quiet lane between the river and canal as far as Llangynidr. From here we take a rolling road around the west side of the Black Mountains via Llangorse to Bronllys, for lunch at the lovely Honey Cafe.
A few gentle miles down the road after lunch our climb up to the Gospel Pass begins. We are trying a different route from the usual climb out of Hay-on-Wye, which should give us great views of Hay Bluff in front of us as we ascend. The road takes a sharp right at the Hay Bluff car park and then continues up to the Pass with the Twmpa (aka Lord Hereford’s Knob) in front of us. After re-grouping at the top we begin the 20km descent down the long lane through Llanthony and all the way to the Skirrid Mountain Inn, where we can replenish our water bottles and enjoy a cold drink if needed. The route then takes us back over to Monmouth for a cruise down the Wye Valley to Tintern for a final pit stop at the Filling Station Cafe. We finish with a mostly gentle climb up the Anghidi River valley, followed by a fast descent to St. Arvans and back into Chepstow.
A note about Challenge Rides:
All riders should be comfortable with the challenge of riding longer distances. It’s intended to ride the routes at a steady pace, so the group can stay together. If some people prefer to ride faster and/or if there are sufficient numbers we’ll split into separate groups. All participants should be competent and completely self-contained, carrying tools, tubes, spares etc, and enough food/drink/money to see them through the day. There is no ride-leader, no back-marker, and no route sheet. Everyone is advised to familiarise themselves with the route in advance and to carry relevant maps and directions (paper or GPS, or both!). Lights are recommended on the longer rides, in case it’s getting dark at the finish.
Any questions about this ride, please ask Sheni, sheni@jiwa.me.uk