National Cycle Route 492
- 25 km
- 356 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 356 m
- 25 km
Route overview
A medium-distance route with moderate climbing, suitable for riders comfortable with some sustained climbs over 25 km.
National Cycle Route 492 is a 25.1 km point-to-point ride from Cwmbrân with 356 m climbing, mostly on cycle paths.
The route starts in Cwmbrân and quickly passes through several suburbs including Southville, Northville, and Pontnewydd. Early climbing sections start around 4 km with a 2.3 km climb gaining 42 m at an average gradient of 1.8%, reaching 155 m altitude. More climbs follow near 7 km and 11.6 km, the latter being the longest at 2.8 km gaining 67 m with an average 2.4% gradient to 300 m elevation. The route consists predominantly of cycle paths (94%) with small parts on quiet streets and paths. Climbing continues towards the end with a 3 km ascent from 19.1 km gaining 73 m up to the highest point at 428 m elevation. Descents total 10% of the route with the longest being 2.6 km from 22.4 km. The surface is mainly paved (94%) with minor gravel or unpaved sections (4%). Facilities along the way include shops and supermarkets in the first 6 km near Cwmbrân. There are food stops such as bakeries and pubs mainly in towns like Pontnewydd, Pontypool, and near Blaenavon. Water tap is at 4.7 km. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 4.2 km from 20.8 km to 25 km. Bailout points with stations are near the start in Cwmbran and around Blaenavon High Level at 17.7 km.
Highlights
- Climbs near km 4, 7, 12 and 19
- Highest point at 428 m elevation
- Mostly cycle path surface
- Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway attraction at 19.9 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 4 km | 2.3 km | 42 m | 1.8 % | 2.4 % | 155 m |
| — | 7 km | 2 km | 43 m | 2.2 % | 3.8 % | 196 m |
| — | 11.6 km | 2.8 km | 67 m | 2.4 % | 4.3 % | 300 m |
| — | 19.1 km | 3 km | 73 m | 2.4 % | 4 % | 428 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 94% cycle path · 2% quiet street · 2% path
- Cycle paths
- 23.6 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 46% climbing · 10% descending · 44% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.6 km from 22.4 km, dropping 184 m
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0.1 kmAldi · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 0.6 kmPontnewydd Bakery · bakery · 120 m off route
- 4.7 kmWater tap · 210 m off route
- 5.7 kmTesco petrol station · petrol station · on the route
- 5.9 kmTesco · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 5.9 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 6.1 kmToast Bakery · bakery · 100 m off route
- 6.1 kmChanging Gearz · bike shop · 80 m off route
- 6.3 kmMayberry Pharmacy · pharmacy · 80 m off route
- 12.4 kmThe Globe Inn · pub · 110 m off route
- 12.6 kmThe Co-operative Food · convenience store · 360 m off route
- 17.9 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 400 m off route
- 18 kmThe Co-operative Food · convenience store · 390 m off route
- 20.8 kmWhistle Inn · pub · 70 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.6 km — Cwmbran (station), 690 m off route
- 17.7 km — Blaenavon High Level (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 19.9 km — Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway (attraction)
At the start
- Workingmen's Club · pub · 220 m
- Aldi · supermarket · 160 m
- Lidl · supermarket · 270 m
- Pontnewydd Bakery · bakery · 520 m
- Page's Fish & Chips · restaurant · 280 m
Stay after this ride
- Best Western Ebbw Vale · hotel · 3.6 km from the finish
- Wern Watkin · hostel · 3.8 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 48 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 18–21 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café/shop/water: 4.2 km from 20.8 to 25 km