Update with a couple of days to go until entries open...
Over the winter I’ve been busy reworking the route from that used in 2010, and this is now more or less complete. The start is still at Upton Magna, but the start time is now a civilised 11:30am. From Upton Magna a 260km first day heads through the Welsh Marches to Hay-on-Wye, over the Gospel Pass and on to Monmouth and the Wye Valley. The Usk valley and Mynydd Eppynt takes you to your first overnight control at Llanwrtyd Wells.
Day 2 seeks spiritual salvation at St David’s on the furthest tip of wild and woolly West Wales via the peaceful valleys of the rivers Teifi and Tywi; and the rugged crumpled coastline of Pembrokeshire before returning to Llanwrtyd once more.
Having warmed you up, Day 3 takes in the (literal) highlights of the Cambrian Mountains including the Devil’s Staircase, Elan Valley and the Dylife mountain roads. A coastal run through Barmouth and Harlech takes you up to Snowdonia and over Pen y Pass to a final overnight control in Betws y Coed.
But you’re not finished yet…there’s the final leg back across Snowdonia, past Llyn Celyn and Bala to the last major climb of the Bwlch y Groes and Lake Vyrnwy. Then finally the return to The Shire.
Audax UK’s Altitude Award (AAA) man has cast his eye over the route and based on analysis of the GPS tracks, worked out an official climbing figure of 16,000m and 16AAA points for the event. Plenty of undulations, does of course mean plenty of scenery to enjoy
The route has been planned with overnight manned controls at Llanwrtyd Wells (265km & 575km) and Betws y Coed (868km) where there will be basic sleeping facilities (airbeds & blankets) available. Both these controls have shower facilities and there will be a bag drop to Llanwrtyd Wells.
The entry fee is £75 and will include a pre-ride brunch on the morning of Friday 27th June, food at overnight controls (plus potentially some other controls), basic sleeping facilities and a bag drop to Llanwrtyd Wells. There’ll also be a commemorative event jersey available to purchase and free finishers medal. Entries will open at midnight on 1st March and are limited to 100 places. You can enter either online or via post through the Audax UK website – see
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/14-1000/.
More info, including route maps and GPS files is on the event website
www.millecymru.com "One ride to rule them all, one ride to find them. One ride to bring them all, and in the green hills bind them. In the land of Cymru, where the dragons lie."
