I'm starting work on next year's all new Epic sportive. Here's the first draft of a possible route:
Starts as usual Knighton but leaves in opposite direction and climbs to Clun and then again to the Anchor - so completely different. More new roads all around Newtown and Llanidoes before a new approach to Rhayader - and a new exit.
Yesterday (Mon 21st Sept 2020) I rode the Newtown, Rhayader and Bwlch-y-Sarnu section:
Newtown - easy route through the town - logical and probably not needing that many signs to get you on the right road.
Good roads after Newtown - wide, good tarmac and not very busy despite being a "B" road.
After a drop to Caersws the road got a bit boring - but the plan is to turn right and head up towards Staylittle and return via the big reservoir (subject to another recce ride devoted to this bit alone).
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| Possible route around Lyn Clywedog reservoir |
After Llanidloes there were a couple of long climbs on very quiet roads before a steep descent to Llangurig. After this it goes very flat following the River Wye, then gets lumpy and also features at least 3 gates you have to open and shut behind you (I'll be asking people what they think of this - makes for a very car free road).
Just before Rhayader the route joins the old Epic route (in reverse and for 2 miles only) - this means there's an optional extra - go around the Elan Valley loop for 15 additional miles, making a total of 120miles! I'll be asking people what they think about offering a 200km sportive...
Route exits Rhayader up a wide, long hill and eventually turns for Bwlch-y-Sarnu - there's a very steep approach to that hamlet. After that the route goes East to Llanbister but I headed home via Newtown.
Strava route here - https://www.strava.com/activities/4092884759