It's time for your Wild Wales Mountain Adventure
We are sooo looking forward to seeing you at the start of an epic weekend of riding, camping, pizza, music and all-round good times.
We've been blown away by the natural beauty, the unforgettable trails and breath-taking scenery for a weekend adventure. We’re pretty sure you'll be too!
Massive thanks to Hamish, Nell and family for throwing open the gates to Hangingheld Farm - home to the Degmo Foundation - a very special place for Wild Wales' base camp.
Here is all the information you’ll need to prepare and join in the fun.
- How to get there
- Camp site
- Parking
- Weekend programme
- Routes
- Safety briefing
- Guidelines
- What to bring
Wild Wales is non-competitive event. Rides are self-guided (GPX's provided) and although representatives from Wild Cycles may participate, you are responsible for your own safety and decision-making during throughout the event and the rides.
Know your capabilities and limits and adapt the routes to suit your ability and preferences.
Be prepared - so please make sure you’re familiar with the guidance, routes, safety briefing and checklist below. As the event takes place in a remote area you should effectively be self-sufficient - especially when out on the rides.
Before 16 September
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the routes, features and profiles
As this is a self-guided event you need to download route GPX's from komoot onto your GPS - this will be the only means of navigating your way around the routes (below)
Check out the guide and checklist below to make sure you know - and have all you need to make it your best and safest cycling weekend ever
Study the safety briefing below - we’ll ask you to sign the waiver and confirmation you have read and understood ride features, risks and safety aspects when you sign on
Add the mobile numbers below to your contacts
If you haven't already when booking - please let us know by Monday 12 Sept - if you have any dietary preferences so we can prepare the right pizza for you!
PRE_ORDER
Wild Cycles' creative team (of 1!) has been working hard on producing an exclusive range of must-have Wild Cycles or Smiles-not-miles t-shirts to help you get into the right frame of mind and look for the event - watch this space
The bicycling, brewing bros at stohk have crafted a wild range of brews to compliment your mountain-top experience - link to follow to pre-order your stohks to ensure you remain refreshed throughout the weekend
The folk at Footprint coffee will be joining in the fun and providing a selection of their fab brews - lookout for the discount code to follow
Let us know if you have any questions!
Friday 16 September
Arrive at base camp between 5 – 9pm.
Hangingheld Farm, New Radnor, Presteigne, LD8 2TH
what3words: rare.straying.untruth
When you leave the main road follow the drive for approx. a mile until you see signs to the car park.
Please park up and head over to the campsite to sign on, choose your pitch and join others for a chat.
A few spaces are reserved for vans - specifically for those of you who have asked. Please follow signs to van park.
There is a fully equipped field kitchen with cooking facilities to prepare your meals. As well as BBQ’s for grilling. Please bring your own food, drinks, utensils, cutlery et al.
Friday evening is for chilling around the camp fire, meeting folk and contemplating Saturday and Sunday's rides!
Saturday 17 September
Have a good breakfast (7-9am) and head over to the starting zone for 8:30 - ready to roll out onto the trails between 8:45 and 09:00.
Make sure you have the best day ever out on one of the spectacular routes, soak up the fabulous views and stay safe!
You should head back to base camp by 6pm. If you decide to stop riding at any point you must phone or txt one of the mobile numbers (below).
You must clock in at the end of your ride.
Join in the post-ride banter and evening vibes around the camp fire. Enjoy a delicious wood-fired pizza served up from the iconic kitchen yurt from 7pm onwards.
Soak up the sounds of local folk band - Angus, George & Forbes - a very special trio.
Sunday 18 September
After your breakfast (7:30-8:30)- you’ll have the option of a Sunday wind-downer of approx. 30 km on a very scenic local route taking in the fabulous Water-Break-Its-Neck waterfalls.
Roll out at 9:0am
Return to base camp by 3pm. If you decide to stop riding at any point you must phone or txt one of the mobile numbers (below).
You must clock in at the end of your ride.
Break camp by 5pm and head on home after a fabulous Wild Wales Mountain Festival.
Planning and preparation is key!
With that in mind we have prepared a SAFETY BRIEIFING and CHECKLIST to help you to prepare for your up-coming self-guided ride.
The following is essential reading so please be sure to digest and familiarise yourself with the crucial information provided. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or need any more information.
routeS
There are 3 routes to choose from on Saturday and one for Sunday - which are all challenging as far as terrain, gradient, surface and profile is concerned. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you have the fitness, skill and capability to complete your chosen distances and profiles.
All rides are self-guided and although representatives from Wild Cycles may participate, as a rider - you are responsible for their own safety and decision-making during the rides. Know your capabilities and limits and adapt the routes to suit your ability and preferences.
Routes feature very steep, technical climbs and descents, loose, slippery, uneven and rutted surfaces requiring a very good level of fitness and advanced riding skills. Featuring a mix of loose and hard surfaces, flint, roots and ruts – they include gravel, woodland trails, sand, grassy fields, bridleways, public roads and lanes. It is therefore essential that you have experience of riding on public roads and off-road on varied terrain. Routes use and cross public roads used by motorists (light, medium and heavy vehicles) where extra care and vigilance is required. Conditions, degree of difficulty and speed will be significantly impacted by weather conditions. Check the weather forecast beforehand.
Conditions, degree of difficulty and speed will be significantly impacted by weather conditions. Check the weather forecast beforehand.
Download the routes from komoot - following links below.
Wild Cycles gifts you a komoot region bundle for the area you'll be riding in (worth £8,99).
Click through link: https://www.komoot.com/account/gift/?code=WWMFSEPT
Redeem your komoot voucher now by going to komoot.com/g and entering: WWMFSEPT
Region bundle for Powys, redeemable until 19.09.2022
What you get at a glance:
Komoot is an app that lets you find, plan, and share adventures with the easy route planner
Driven by a desire to explore, and powered by the outdoor community’s recommendations, it’s komoot’s mission to inspire great adventures, making them accessible to all
Offline functionality: Save individual tours or entire regions offline for reliable navigation when you’ve not got a phone signal
Available on all your devices: Use komoot on all your favourite devices, such as your phone, Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, or practically any GPS devise or wearable
Turn-by-turn voice navigation: Whether cycling, hiking or mtb, just listen to the instructions or follow them on-screen to keep your adventure on track
Automatically follow the Wild Cycles komoot profile
Saturday - 30km, 45km OR 70km Gravel routes
30km 730m climbing
Short & punchy gravel ride with all of the best bits including the epic descent from the highest point at the TV mast. Also a good short off-road option for Sunday for the challenge-seeker before heading home.
45km 1000m climbing
A longer and more challenging ride incorporating more of the best including spectacular views from the Hergest Ridge @ 425m. Shops, cafe's and pubs in Kington!
70km 1520m climbing
Incorporates the 45km Saturday route with an extra northern loop, loads more climbing as well as the sublime and amazing descent from the TV mast. Shops, cafe's and pubs in Kington!
For the MTB'ers!
We're finalising the route for all you MTB'ers who prefer a ride with more a technical challenge and some more of that twisty, windy single track stuff.
Watch this space as we'll be publishing details and the final route nearer the time.
Sunday Wind Down
Join the "family" for a delightful and scenic mystery tour of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls (no GPX required!)
Alternative SUNDAY ROUTE
45km 500m climbing
A gentler ride for Sunday - mainly on quiet back roads and sections of gravel with gentle gradients. From km 13.5 to km 21.4 the route follows a busier B-road.
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safety briefing and waiver
All routes listed in this guide feature very steep, technical climbs and descents, loose, slippery, uneven and rutted surfaces requiring a very good level of fitness and advanced riding skills. Featuring a mix of loose and hard surfaces, flint, roots and ruts – they include gravel, woodland trails, sand, grassy fields, bridleways, public roads and lanes. It is therefore essential that you have experience of riding on public roads and off-road on varied terrain. Routes use and cross public roads used by motorists (light, medium and heavy vehicles) where extra care and vigilance is required. Conditions, degree of difficulty and speed will be significantly impacted by weather conditions. Check the weather forecast beforehand.
Familiarise yourself with the route distances, profiles and conditions and make yourself aware of the risks and hazards associated with undertaking your chosen activity.
All rides are self-guided and although representatives from Wild Cycles may participate, as a rider you are responsible for your own safety and decision-making during the ride. Know your capabilities and limits and adapt the routes to suit your ability and your preferences.
Please note the following aspects and Actions for your safety applies to all routes
1. Bike condition
See BIKE & EQUIPMENT below
Do a thorough bike safety check before the ride
Check and make sure your brake pads have more than sufficient life to complete the distance NB route profiles
Carry pump, spare tube/repair kit (see checklist)
2. Overhanging branches and fallen trees
Keep a look out and warn following riders
Adjust route if cannot be avoided
Wear a quality helmet and eye protection
Maintain awareness, be vigilant and exercise caution
3. Wet weather and terrain
Ensure correct tyre pressure and tread
Beware of livestock waste protect and/or clean water bottles & equipment
Wear appropriate clothing suited to weather
Know your abilities and limitations, ride and make decisions accordingly
4. Terrain - uneven, rocky, ruts, flint, roots mud & loose surfaces
Be vigilant and take extra care on these surfaces, watch your speed and ride within your abilities
Identify hazards and difficult, technical terrain
Be cautious
Ride within your ability
Warn following riders when approaching
5. Steep gradients - descents and ascents
Approach with caution
Use appropriate speed for the terrain
Know your abilities and limitations, ride and make decisions accordingly
6. Other users: Walkers, dogs, horse riders
Be respectful, give priority to walkers and horse riders
Leave plenty of space when passing
7. Warm, hot weather
Apply sun cream
Wear appropriate clothing
Stay hydrated and top up with fluids constantly
See NUTRITION & HYDRATION in the guide
8. Darkness and poor visibility
Unless you have the appropriate lighting - front and rear - should darkness fall or visibility fades you must call Wild Cycles for recovery
Monitor distance, average speed, progress in relation to time of day and sunset
9. Traffic and public roads
Obey the rules of the road and ride with the utmost care on public roads
Be vigilant and maintain high awareness of traffic on public and farm roads incl. cars, HGVs, farm machinery and implements
Maintain a steady line whilst riding on roads
Wear reflective/bright clothing
Be super vigilant and extra cautious when crossing roads and at junctions
10. Fatigue, accidents, injury
Carry a 1st aid kit with you to attend to minor injuries
Call 999 in the case of a serious injury to yourself or another rider
Monitor your performance and judgement and ride within your limits
If you feel exhausted and need to cut your ride short call us for recovery if required
11. Mechanicals
Carry the spares and tools listed below as there is no official mechanical support
See BIKE and EQUIPMENT in the guide
If unable to continue call us for recovery if required
12. Call us on one of the numbers below if you decide to stop riding at any point
13. Know your abilities and limitations, ride and make decisions accordingly
I hereby confirm that, with the exception of any liability which cannot be excluded by law, Wild Cycles Limited shall have no liability for any loss or damage I may suffer as a result of my participation in this event. Furthermore, I will indemnify and hold Wild Cycles Limited, its officers, agents and employees harmless from and against any and all expenses, losses, liabilities, damages and costs of any type incurred or suffered and any claims or legal proceedings which are brought or threatened, in each case, arising from my participation in this event.
To be signed at registration:
Name:
Date:
Mobile contact number (for the weekend):
Emergency contact name and number:
Signed:
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Contact numbers
Emergency services 999
Paramedic TBA
John 07501 006366
Jonathan 07305 973508
Hamish 07966 476036
Vincent 07435 715504
Bike & equipment
It’s your responsibility to ensure that your bike and equipment is suited to the routes and conditions. Have your bike serviced beforehand and safety checked before the start. Ideally start with a new chain, brake pads and tyres which are new or nearly new.
There is no formal mechanical support ono the event so you must be capable of repairing punctures en-route and at least one member of your group should have a basic mechanical knowledge and capable of carrying out roadside repairs.
We'd recommend a gravel bike or mountain bike depending on your preference - with a minimum tyre width of 40mm and tread pattern suited to a wide variety of terrain. Tubeless tyres are recommended.
Nutrition and hydration
Please note distances and route profiles. A significant proportion of the route is in remote areas which is great and part of the magic of these exceptional rides. However in light of distances, terrain and conditions you must plan ahead. Ensure that you carry sufficient nutrition, sustenance (fuel!) and hydration with you and plan your refuelling stops accordingly.
You must carry sufficient nutrition, water/hydration with you which takes into account the sometimes infrequent opportunities to top up in remote areas.
Campsite facilities
Our beautiful campsite is in a stunning setting on Hangingheld Farm - which is also home to the Degmo Foundation. There is a fully equipped kitchen for you to prepare your meals and make a brew. There are toilets, washing facilities, hot water and showers. You'll be shown where to pitch your tent when you sign on.
Catering & refueling
Please bring your own food, utensils, cutlery et al.
Base camp is in a remote rural area so be sure to stock up well before you get there.
You will be able to make use of the fully equipped field kitchen for preparing your meals as well as BBQ's for cooking on Friday evening.
Saturday is pizza night - included in your ticket price.
Check out the maps for lunch and refuelling stops on your rides.
There is a small shop in New Radnor, a number of shops and pubs in Kington.
Checklist
Essentials which you should bring with you:
For camping
Friday evening meal, drinks
Saturday and Sunday breakfast
Cooking utensils, cutlery, tableware, etc.
Warm clothing for evenings
Torch
Tent (van as arranged with specific people beforehand)
Sleeping bag suitable for weather conditions (check the weather forecast and your sleeping bag’s temperature rating)
Pillow
Toiletries
Sun-block
Personal medication
For riding
Your bike!
Ensure it's in perfect working order, safety-checked, serviced beforehand and is therefore safe and suitable to complete the full distance
Multi-tool
Tyre levers
Spare inner tubes and/or
Tubeless repair kit
Tyre boots
Spare tyre
Pump
Quick chain links
Spare cables
Spare brake pads
Chain lube
Zip ties
Lights recommended
Bike lock
Water bottles/hydration pack (also see nutrition/hydration guidance above)
1st aid kit
Your own quality cycle helmet which conforms to the latest safety standards must be worn whilst riding
Suitable clothing + extra/spare sets of clothing
Footwear
Eye-wear
Gloves
Waterproofs
Warm clothing for evenings
Tent (van as arranged with specific people beforehand)
Sleeping bag suitable for weather conditions (check the weather forecast and your sleeping bag’s temperature rating)
Pillow
Toiletries
Sun-block
Personal medication
Insurance
Ensure you have adequate insurance cover for your property and equipment including bicycles intended for your use as well as medical expenses.
If you have any questions - please ask.
e john@wildcycles.co.uk
m 07501006366