On Road &Off Road Trails

If you lovecycling you’lllove SE Wales.South East Wales has become a favouritedestination for professional & amateur roadcyclists. You want hill climbs ? We’ve got them !We have many challenging road routes thatsnake high up through some of the mostinspiring scenery in our country. And if you arelooking to swap tarmac for something a bitmore natural, we have hundreds of miles ofmountain and forestry trails to choose from.

To help you plan your next adventure, we havecreated an online interactive map that willmake it even easier to explore our regionby bike. Look out for the NCN (National CycleNetwork ) symbols that accompany most sites -they make extremely useful navigational tools.

The Interactive Map is a mine full of information. You will find hundredsof trails that cater for all cycling abilities, useful pointers for cafes andrestaurants, accommodation for overnight stays, interesting things tosee and do and bike shops for spares & repairs.

South East Wales isalready host to severalhigh profile races forthe professional andamateur cyclist alike.

Thousands of individualriders and teams

converge on our regionto compete in races likethe Velothon Wales.The race starts in

Cardiff and attracts upto 18,000 riders in the

Sportive category,and the world’s mostprestigious teams and

professional ridersentering the Pro Race.

Our online Interactive Map for useon desktop PC’s is the must-see guidefor anyone planning to exploreSouth East Wales on two wheels.Click on the icon to launch the map oruse the following link in your browser:

www.cyclewales.org

SE Wales

Eat & Drink See Stay Toilets Repairs

Plan your next cycling adventurewith our online Interactive Map

Velothon Wales Stage - Aberdare

www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk

www.velothon-wales.co.uk

www.juniortourofwales.org

www.tourofbritain.co.uk

Click hereto launch theInteractive Map

Sometimes, cycling can be more about the journey thanthe race. There are quite literally thousands of miles of quietcountryside roads to be ridden in SE Wales - choose fromchallenging mountain climbs, scenic valley routes and evencoastal roads with beautiful beaches to stop at for a rest.

If you like the soundof the extreme physicalchallenges thatCyclo Cross offers,there are manyorganised leagues tocompete in throughoutSE Wales. You can findmore details by visitingthe following website:www.ukcyclocrossevents.co.uk

Be prepared for someserious hero worshipas Stage 5 of the2016 Tour Of Britainbegins in SE Wales atAberdare, then headsacross South Walesand through theForest of Dean intoGloucestershire beforethe finish in Bath,a first for the city.

Cyclo Cross - Monmouthshire

South East Wales plays host in 2016 tothe Velothon Wales.

Up to 18,000 riders willparticipate in the UK’sthird biggest Sportive

over a gruelling 140 kmroute that starts in

Cardiff, passes throughNewport, Usk, Pontypooland Caerphilly before

finishing back in Cardiff.

British National Road Cycling Championship 2014 - Monmouthshire

The Monmouthshire 40 Cyclo Cross Sportif

Every January South East Wales becomes the regularhost of the 40 mile Monmouthshire Cyclo Cross

Sportif event. This endurance race, usually around atough circuit of 1.5 km (1 mile) in length, is perfect forthose riders who don’t mind getting down and dirty,

both in and out of the saddle !

Abergavenny has a long tradition for hostingcycling events, and has once again been chosen fora stage of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Series 2016.This professional cycle race forms the finale of the‘Abergavenny Festival of Cycling’.

British National Road Cycling Championship 2014 - Monmouthshire

British National Road Cycling Championship 2014 - Monmouthshire

The Taff Trail is South East Wales’ cycling jewel in thecrown. The 88 km mixed surface route starts in thecapital Cardiff and winds its way through the heritagerich Valleys to finally finish in the beautiful old markettown of Brecon. You can ride the length of this route inone day, but expect an early start and a late finish !

The Vale of Glamorgan is probably one of the bestkept secrets in SE Wales. The NCN Route 88 tightlyhugs the coastline here and offers the experiencedroad cyclist a very flat, fast section of road withincredible views along the famous natural beautyof the Glamorgan Hertitage Coastline.

Click hereto launch theInteractive Map

There are many urban routes within our Cities todiscover around SE Wales. Try the popular ‘Bay Trail’,a circular 10 km route which takes in all attractions of

Cardiff Bay via Pont-y-Werin and the barrage.

The legendary ‘Tumble’route takes cyclists upa steady 6 km 10%gradient climb.The climb is regularlyfeatured in cycle racesand is listed as one ofthe 100 GreatestCycling Climbs inBritain. The effort willbe well rewarded asthe views from thetop of the Blorengeare spectacular.

The 52 km Four Castlescircular road routeincludes severalchallenging hillclimbs passing thecastles of Abergavenny,White Castle, Skenfrithand Grosmont. Althoughnot particularly difficultit is suited to moreexperienced cyclistsused to sharing theroad with other traffic.

The Valleys mountainpasses with their

snaking switch-backsand often steep

ascents provide theroad enthusiast with as

much hill climbingexperience as you

could wish for.There are three notableroutes in SE Wales youcan try out - The Bwlchpass that joins OgmoreVale to the RhonddaFawr, the Rhigos that

joins the Rhondda Fachto the Cynon Valley,

and the mountain passbetween Maerdy andAberdare - each a firm

favourite with theserious road cyclist.

Bwlch-y-Clawdd - Rhondda Fawr to Ogmore Vale

The Bay Trail - Cardiff

Taff Trail - Cardiff to Brecon

Four Castles Road Route - Monmouthshire

‘Y Tymbol’ ( Tumble ) - Blaenavon

The Glamorgan Heritage Coastline - Vale of Glamorgan

Visit Wales have designated 2016 as the Wales 'Year of Adventure’.

As part of this, the 10 Local Authorities in South East Wales are working in partnership tobetter promote visitor attractions and products via the cycle route network in the region.The project is supported by Visit Wales of the Welsh Government through the Partnershipfor Growth Fund. This fund was established to help destinations across Wales promoteand develop the tourism offer, encouraging more people to visit Wales.