Iron Mountain Sportif
Event Date: 20 & 21 June 2009
Return to the Iron Mountain for two days of challenging rides!
Ride one or both stages on the roads the British Road Race Championships will be contested. Mix the distances, the choice is yours.
Starting from the historic town of Abergavenny the Iron Mountain Sportif will once again take you through the stunning scenery of Monmouthshire and the spectacular Brecon Beacons National Park.
With its mix of hills and valleys the event is has proved very popular with riders in the past and has always been a challenging event.
Day One - Saturday 20th June
With its mix of hills and valleys this route has proved very popular with riders in the past and has always been a challenging event.
Bronze Ride:- 25 miles on the flatlands of Monmouthshire taking in Usk and Raglan
Silver Ride:- As above but then turning east to Monmouth for another 25 miles and the undulating roads back to Abergavenny via the picturesque villages of Newcastle, Grosmont and Cross Ash.
Gold Ride:- As above, through the finish area in Bailey Park of the Silver Route and on to tackle the Iron Mountain (1500 feet) and 50 more miles of the tough rugged countryside that is Southern Powys. After climbing for three miles the snaking road descends through the World Heritage Site of the Old Iron Masters and on to the Brecon Beacons and Llangynider. Over the packhorse bridge on the Usk to pass Llangorse Lake before the final climb at Talgarth and the descent back through Crickhowell to Abergavenny.
Family rides and activities will be taking place in Bailey Park throughout the day.
Day Two - Sunday 21st June
The Bronze ride:- 25 miles on the easy roads of North Monmouthshire through Raglan and returning along the Usk Valley.
Silver Ride:- Leaving Abergavenny in the direction of Monmouth to Raglan, turn south leaving the Usk plains to head for Chepstow. Ascending to the forests of Tintern before dropping to the floor of the Wye Valley and the Abbey at Tintern. Head North in the valley alongside the River Wye towards Monmouth through the village of Llandogo before climbing back into the forests and onto the ridge and heading for Trelleck before descending to Monmouth. Taking the picturesque route back to Abergavenny through the Hendre village of the Rolls estate (who put the Rolls in Rolls Royce) to return to the park at Abergavenny and the finish of 50 miles.
Gold Ride: - As above continuing through the park heading west and into the lanes under the shadow of the Iron Mountain. Coming out of the shelter of the leafy lanes you quickly arrive onto the bare mountain, Pwll Du with it's 1000ft. near vertical drop to the valley below, not recommended for the faint hearted. Pushing on over the Llangynidr moors to descend to the Usk valley to turn north towards Brecon. Alongside the canal and river through Talybont and to the outskirts of Brecon before turning East to Lanvihangel Tal-y-llyn, skirting the lake at Llangorse and on to start the final climb through Cwm Sorgwm before descending to Crickhowell and on to Abergavenny.
(The 100 mile event is only recommended for experienced riders)
Entry Costs:
Individuals: 25GBP (100mls) 20GBP (50mls) 10GBP (25mls)
Families: 50GBP (100mls) 40GBP (50mls) 20GBP (25mls)
Online Entry:
Gold Ride: CLICK HERE FOR 100 MILES
Silver Ride: CLICK HERE FOR 50 MILES
Bronze Ride: CLICK HERE FOR 25 MILES
