Mixed · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 492
A hilly 25 km road cycling route from Cwmbrân, Torfaen through Five Locks, Sebastopol and Pontymoile, with 356 m of climbing. 94% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 25.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 356 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 48 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Cwmbrân
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 356 m
- 25 km
Route description
- Cwmbrân
- Five Locks
- Sebastopol
- Pontymoile
- Pontnewynydd
- Pentrepiod
- Fairfield
- Abersychan
- Gallowsgreen
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.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 428 m, 22.1 km in.
- 94% on cycle paths or lanes.
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 | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 4 km | 2.3 km · 42 m · 1.8 % · max 2.4 % | 155 m |
| Unnamed climb | 7 km | 2 km · 43 m · 2.2 % · max 3.8 % | 196 m |
| Unnamed climb | 11.6 km | 2.8 km · 67 m · 2.4 % · max 4.3 % | 300 m |
| Unnamed climb | 19.1 km | 3 km · 73 m · 2.4 % · max 4 % | 428 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 94% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 94% cycle path · 2% quiet street · 2% path · 2% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 23.6 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 94% is mapped as paved, 4% as unpaved or gravel and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 46% climbing · 10% descending · 44% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.6 km from 22.4 km, dropping 184 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 61 cafés and restaurants, 17 shops, 1 water point, 4 petrol stations, 2 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
Stay after this ride
- Best Western Ebbw Vale · hotel · 3.6 km from the finish
- Wern Watkin · hostel · 3.8 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Workingmen's Club (220 m), Pontnewydd Bakery (520 m), Page's Fish & Chips (280 m)
- Shops
- Aldi (160 m), Lidl (270 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café/shop/water: 4.2 km from 20.8 to 25 km
