We start from a new HQ - just 100ft from the old one, on the same slip road outside the Airbus factory in Broughton. Lots of car parking is available opposite:
This year we go left out of the slip road (at the traffic lights) and have a great flat ride for the first 5 miles:
Small rises from Hope onwards start to develop into proper hills:
1st food stop comes at mile 18 - it's slightly off route so don't ride past thinking you're getting ahead. Once you've had food you need to turn back to regain the route:
Next it's around to the Panorama Walk but watch out for the route split - 100s drop left halfway around - descending down a twisting road to a steep set of roads into Llangollen:
Get through Llangollen and prepare for Gwernant - your first big challenge - very tough and long:
Once over that you're got a steep descent to Glyn Ceriog (please note this descent is currently being mended by the Council) and then a great rural road with the odd rise all the way around to the 2nd food stop:
2nd food stop is also off route so remember to go back, and prepare for the longest, highest but not very steep climb on the course:
Llangynog climb comes right after the food stop and has 1,000ft of ascent. Once completed you go right and start heading around to Corwen:
Through Corwern and on to quiet lanes brings you to The Grim - your 2nd really significant challenge of the day - steep and long:
It brings you out, eventually, on to high moors for a remote ride over towards the 3rd and final food stop:
3rd food stop - again off route so remember the go back the way you came. Fuel up as it's Penbarra next:
Penbarra - biggest challenge on the whole course - very long - make sure to reserve plenty of energy for this one and don't go too hard at the beginning:
After that there's no further challenges. You'll be mostly on quiet back roads all the way around Mold:
Stats and Maps at www.rideclwyd.co.uk
