Last recce ride to explore the Knighton to Newtown section of the new Autumn Epic. This was about checking out the 2nd half of the new 50 mile route and choosing which way to approach the Anchor:
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| Its not just in the Alps that you can encounter cows on the road |
The 50 route then descends (via the old Epic's first climb) heads along the flat Wye valley back to Knighton - very car free and good quality tarmac.
With that all checked out I turned to sorting out how to get to the Anchor - 2 options:
- Go to Clun and ride along the valley climbing steadily to Anchor
- Stay high about Clun and take the ridge road
First up I did the ridge road in reverse (I know most of it anyway) and was pleasantly surprised - great views and absolutely empty, straight road. Only problem came at the end where there's a tricky descent on a potholed road.
The Clun to Anchor valley road was also good - more sheltered, little bit more traffic and a steady 3% for miles and miles. On balance I felt the high ridge road offers more views and less traffic.
After the Anchor there's more easy climbing before a fast descent towards Kerry - approaching from a side road than goes past a potential first food stop (only one for the 50s):
After Kerry the route split will come - 50s going left and starting the steady climb I did at the start of this recce ride, and the 100s zooming down to Newtown and on to Lyn Clewedog.
This concludes the recce riding for the new Autumn Epic. All roads have been ridden, sometimes several times and alternatives have also been ridden. I'll publish the final draft versions of the route next...