Now into its fifth year, the Tour of the Black Mountains is an Etape de Tour style mountain ride on some of the most challenging roads in the UK. There are three routes to choose from: 120 miles (192 km), 101 miles (162 km) and 63 miles (100 km). Even the 120 km route takes in the climbs of the Gospel Pass and Mynadd Illtud, Bwlch Cerrig, Bwlch Bryn-Rhudd and Fan Llia Pass before the 7 km climb up Cwm Claisfer (Llangynidr) at 100 miles, followed by the reverse side of the Tumble.
Expect to see members of the UK’s pro peloton on the ride; two years ago it was used by members of the British Olympic squad before they headed of to Beijing as part of their preparation and this year will see riders from Rapha, Willier and Pendragon using it as preparation for the final race of the 2010 Premier Calendar series
The 2010 event is promising to be a cracker, the main change being to the final 15 miles which replaces the six short and steep climbs after Crickhowell with just two longer climbs and a descent of the “Tumble” to the finish in Abergavenny.
