Mixed · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 2 · Lôn Las Cymru (Central)← Stage 1
Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr to Llanelwedd
A hilly 30 km road cycling route from Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr, Powys to Llanelwedd through Llanwrthwl, Newbridge on Wye and Builth Wells, with 298 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 29.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 298 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 08 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr → Llanelwedd
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 298 m
- 30 km
Route description
- Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr
- Llanwrthwl
- Newbridge on Wye
- Builth Wells
- Llanelwedd
Starting at Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr, the route heads through Llanwrthwl at 6.2 km and then Newbridge on Wye at 16.3 km. The first half mainly consists of climbing, as 66% of the elevation gain occurs before halfway. There are three climbs: first at 8.1 km with 59 m gain averaging 5.6%, next at 11.2 km with 77 m gain averaging 3.7%, and a final one at 20.9 km with 41 m gain averaging 2%. The highest point is 248 m at 13.3 km. From there, it descends to near 124 m at 27.7 km.
The route surface is 90% paved with 10% gravel or unpaved sections. It covers 19.4 km on minor roads, 4.4 km on cycle paths, 2.8 km on tracks, and smaller distances on major roads, quiet streets, and main roads. There are 1.8 km on main roads lacking cycle lanes. Facilities along the way include pubs, cafés, shops, petrol stations, bike shops, and toilets concentrated near towns, but there is an 11.4 km stretch between 16.4 km and 27.8 km without cafes, shops, or water. A bailout point is at Builth Road station at 25.4 km.
Highlights
- Climb at 8.1 km averaging 5.6%
- Passes through Llanwrthwl and Newbridge on Wye
- Longest descent of 2.1 km starting at 24.3 km
- Builth Wells near the end of route
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 8.1 km | 1.1 km · 59 m · 5.6 % · max 8.6 % | 247 m |
| Unnamed climb | 11.2 km | 2.1 km · 77 m · 3.7 % · max 6.5 % | 248 m |
| Unnamed climb | 20.9 km | 2.1 km · 41 m · 2 % · max 3.5 % | 200 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.8 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 65% minor road · 15% cycle path · 9% track · 4% major road · 7% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Cycle paths
- 4.4 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 90% is mapped as paved, 10% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 29% descending · 45% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.5 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 17.7% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 2.1 km from 24.3 km, dropping 78 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 23 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 4 petrol stations, 5 public toilets and 3 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmTriangle Inn · pub · 140 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 160 m off route
- 0 kmNeil's Wheels · bike shop · 220 m off route
- 0 kmRowlands Pharmacy · pharmacy · 450 m off route
- 6.5 kmGreggs · fast food · 160 m off route
- 6.5 kmSpar · convenience store · 170 m off route
- 6.5 kmPetrol station · 170 m off route
- 16.2 kmThe Golden Lion · pub · on the route
- 16.2 kmConvenience store · on the route
- 16.4 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 16.4 kmPace · petrol station · 210 m off route
- 26.8 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 27.7 kmToilets · on the route
- 27.8 kmCwtch Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 27.8 kmBoots · pharmacy · 60 m off route
- 28.1 kmTuffins · convenience store · 70 m off route
- 28.1 kmSmithfield Garage · petrol station · 60 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 25.4 km — Builth Road (station), 990 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Rhayader Castle (castle)
- 27.8 km — Builth Castle (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Lion Hotel · hotel · 1.5 km from the finish
- White Horse · hotel · 1.6 km from the finish
- Bronwye Guest House · guest house · 1.8 km from the finish
- Greyhound · hotel · 1.9 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Bikes and repair
- Neil's Wheels (220 m), Clive Powell Mountain Bikes (380 m)
- Food and coffee
- Triangle Inn (140 m), The Lost ARC (280 m), The Horseshoe (350 m)
Know before you go
- 11.4 km without cafe, shop or water between 16.4 km and 27.8 km
- 1.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 10% gravel or unpaved surface
