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Still Time to Enter Iron Mountain Sportif
Posted: 7th July 2010
HUNDREDS of people from across the country will be descending on Abergavenny this weekend for one of the biggest weekends of the year.
And the 2010 Abergavenny Festival of Cycling is even bigger and better than previous years, having joined forces with the town's Carnival to give riders a fantastic day on the road as well as superb entertainment out of the saddle.
Riders can turn up on the day to enter the Iron Mountain Sportif on Saturday and take a tour of the Monmouthshire countryside in the tracks of the British stars who are currently in the Tour de France field.
Organiser Bill Owen said: "We have combined with the Abergavenny Carnival this year which will mean there is great entertainment for everyone once they have finished the Iron Mountain Sportif in Bailey Park."
The Sportif gives families, friends and individuals the chance to ride part or all of last year's National Championships course which ended in Abergavenny town centre.
It is the fourth year that the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling has held a Sportif and Owen added: "It will be great for visitors and riders who come to our town and enjoy a excellent day out.
"All those who enter - and they can do so on the day - for the Gold, Silver or Bronze rides over 100 miles, 50 miles or 25 miles - will get entry into Bailey Park for the Carnival festivities which normally costs £5.
"We also have feeding stations for everyone around the rides so it is real value for money."
The Bronze event will see riders enjoying the flatlands of Monmouthshire which take in Raglan along the Usk Valley.
The Silver ride adds another 25 miles with some outstanding views to be discovered.
Riders on the Silver event will leave Abergavenny and go out towards Monmouth and then Raglan. Then they will turn south towards Chepstow before riding through the forests of the Wye Valley, past historic Tintern, famous for its' medieval Abbey, and head north alongside the River Wye.
Then, after passing through the village of Llandogo, riders return to the forests and onto the ridge towards Trelleck before descending down towards Monmouth.
They then take the picturesque route back to Abergavenny through the village of Hendre over some undulating roads and past the Rolls estate, owned by the ancestors of Mr Charles Rolls - of Rolls Royce fame.
Riders then cross the finish line in Bailey Park, Abergavenny, to enjoy the town's carnival which will be taking place on the same day.
Those going on the Gold ride, however, will not be able to dismount their bikes as quickly as the 50-milers as they will be only half-way around their course.
After returning to Abergavenny along the same route as the Silver ride, they will climb up the Iron Mountain - The Tumble - and then into the countryside of South Powys and onto the Brecon Beacons and Llangnider.
Then, after crossing the packhorse bridge alongside the River Usk, they pass Llangorse Lake before a final climb at Talgarth and then a fast and relieving descent to the finish line through Crickhowell and into Abergavenny.
Owen said: "These will suit everyone and, of course, those people who enter will have access to the fun of the carnival at Bailey Park, with the cost of going to that event included in the Sportif entrance fee.
"So there is every reason why people should make a weekend of it and stay over in our town for this year's Festival of Cycling and Carnival. It should be a great time for everyone."
