It’s only about two weeks before the Gore Bike Wear Road sportive series will descend onto the smallest town in Britain – Llanwrtyd Wells. The birthplace of lots of high profile cycling events LLanwrtyd Wells (only 10 minutes from Builth Wells) will be hosting the opening round of the sportive series.

The summer is finally here and has shown everything you would expect from a UK summer so far but it has hopefully given everyone the chance to ride their bike (road or off road) as often as they wanted.

The first round of the Gore Bike Wear Road Sportive Series offers two different courses (50mile or 90mile) and expects the riders to climb 1600m or 2600m over the chosen distance. Both routes start from the Show Field, Llanwrtyd Wells and will split immediately on leaving the venue. The 50 mile route heads west through Llanwrtyd Wells towards Abergwesyn. The 90 mile route heads east, gently descending towards Llangammarch Wells, then along undulating B roads through Garth and Beulah and then west to rejoin the shorter route in Abergwesyn.

Both routes then turn towards Tregaron, eventually reaching the Devils Staircase, one mile long and very steep, this has been on route for both the Milk Race and the Kelloggs Road Race.

After the staircase you drop steeply, only to face another climb almost as steep and a bit longer. On descending from this second climb you will turn south down the Tywi Valley towards Llandovery, reaching the first feed-station and checkpoint at 33 miles for the longer course and 25 miles for the shorter course. Take your time and enjoy the view as this viewpoint overlooks the Llynbrianne Reservoir, one of the most beautiful valleys in Wales. The road continues through Rhandirmywn passing The Royal Oak Public House.

On reaching Llandovery the shorter route turns east and climbs over the Sugar loaf and then descends back to Llanwrtyd Wells. While the longer route follows the main road for a few miles before turning onto B roads towards Brecon. The second feed station is near the village of Cradoc, at approximately 67 miles. Just past Cradoc the route turns left towards Upper Chapel and then left again over the Eppynt Military Range, descending to Llangammarch Wells and continues back through Cefngorwydd to Llanwrtyd Wells.

More details, including profiles and course details at www.gorebikewearsportives.com/llanwrtyd_wells.php.