Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Cycle Across the Beacons
- 92 km
- 837 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 837 m
- 92 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for a 92 km route with 837 m of climbing.
A 92 km ride across the Beacons from Abergavenny to Llandeilo in Monmouthshire with 837 m climbing.
The ride starts just beyond Abergavenny and passes through several villages including Llanfoist, Govilon, Gilwern, and Crickhowell before reaching Brecon at 37 km. The first notable climbs occur early at around 1.6 km for 3.6 km with an average gradient of 2%. The route includes 14% gravel or unpaved surfaces, mainly on paths and tracks. The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 35.2 km between 53.7 km and 88.9 km. After Brecon, the route climbs twice more with gradients nearing 3% at 37.2 km and 43.8 km. Smaller climbs occur near 60.8 km and 74.9 km with gradients up to 9.4%. The ride peaks at 354 m elevation around 67.4 km then descends to Llandeilo. The road types include 59% minor roads, 16% main roads, and 12% paths, with 15.3 km on main roads lacking cycle lanes. The B4558 is the longest named road used for 13.3 km. There are multiple places to buy food and drink early on including cafés and pubs near the start and at Talybont-on-Usk and Brecon. Shops and water taps are available up to about 53 km but none between 53.7 km and 88.9 km. Bailout points with stations are at the start in Abergavenny and finish in Llandeilo.
Highlights
- Near Slwch Tump at 35.6 km
- Peak elevation 354 m at 67.4 km
- Longest descent 4 km from 86.5 km
- Crossing Brecon at 37 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1.6 km | 3.6 km | 69 m | 2 % | 3.8 % | 115 m |
| — | 37.2 km | 2.2 km | 65 m | 2.9 % | 5.7 % | 202 m |
| — | 43.8 km | 2.2 km | 61 m | 2.9 % | 5.5 % | 229 m |
| — | 60.8 km | 2 km | 75 m | 3.8 % | 6.1 % | 326 m |
| — | 74.9 km | 2.1 km | 85 m | 4 % | 9.4 % | 205 m |
| — | 79.1 km | 1.6 km | 67 m | 4.1 % | 6.1 % | 259 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 59% minor road · 16% main road · 12% path · 6% cycle path
- Main roads
- 15.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 6.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 5.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B4558 (13 km)
- Surface
- 84% paved · 14% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 21% descending · 58% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.4 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8% at 77 km
- Longest descent
- 4 km from 86.5 km, dropping 216 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 35 km, from 54 km to 89 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmWhistle Stop Cafe · café · on the route
- 0.9 kmRepair stand · 480 m off route
- 7.5 kmLondis · convenience store · 130 m off route
- 7.6 kmPharmacy · 70 m off route
- 8 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 13.5 kmHorse Shoe Inn · pub · 370 m off route
- 19.9 kmcyclebasket.com · bike shop · 100 m off route
- 21 kmCoach and Horses · pub · 40 m off route
- 26.1 kmCanalside Cafe · café · on the route
- 26.1 kmDrover Cycles, Talybont on Usk · bike shop · on the route
- 28.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 33 kmWater tap · 50 m off route
- 36.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 36.7 kmAldi · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 37.2 kmBiped Cycles · bike shop · on the route
- 52.1 kmSpar · convenience store · 240 m off route
- 89.7 kmCafe Braz · café · 50 m off route
- 89.9 kmNigel Williams · pharmacy · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0.1 km — Abergavenny (station), 60 m off route
- 90.3 km — Llandeilo (station), 80 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.9 km — Castell Y Fenni (castle)
- 20.4 km — Castle Farm Stone (archaeological site)
- 37.3 km — Brecon Castle (castle)
- 70.6 km — Red Kite Feeding Station (attraction)
- 84.4 km — Pen y Lan (peak, 268 m)
At the start
- Abergavenny · station · 60 m
- Whistle Stop Cafe · café · 20 m
- Oasis Sandwich Bar · café · 510 m
- Aldi · supermarket · 520 m
- Tŷ Fferm · supermarket · 660 m
At the finish
- Llandeilo · station · 80 m
- CK's Supermarket · supermarket · 230 m
- Cafe Braz · café · 520 m
- Diod · café · 460 m
- Well Pharmacy · pharmacy · 350 m
Stay after this ride
- Cawdor Arms · hotel · 450 m from the finish
- The Plough Inn · hotel · 1.4 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 6 h 35 min
- May to Sep — daily highs of 16–21 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 35.2 km without café, shop or water from 53.7 to 88.9 km
- 15.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 6.6 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 1.3 km gravel or unpaved track