Information
Now in its fifth year, the Blaenau is a self-supported ultra cycling event, taking in all of the key upland ranges of Wales and the borders, with a choice of route distances so you can choose the level of challenge that suits you.
It’s relaxed and friendly, with as few rules as possible. Ride how you want. Solo, in a pair, as part of a group. Fast or slow. It’s entirely up to you. Despite its relaxed feel, the Blaenau is a high quality event, with tracking, a rider party, stunning routes, and great company.
The choice of routes makes the Blaenau accessible to a wide range of riders. The XL route is the ultimate Welsh ultra challenge for even the most experienced of ultra riders, with just one successful completion so far! At the other end of the scale, the shorter Blaenau North route is not in any sense ‘easy’, but it is less remote and time pressured, making it a great option for riders who are newer to the discipline.
Blaenau Classic (620km/11,000m+ of climbing) – taking in the Clwydians, eastern Snowdonia, Cambrains, Brecons and Black Mountains amongst others
Blaenau XL (750km+/14,500m+ of climbing) – including Snowdonia with some proper ultra cycling hike-a-bike
Blaenau North (480km/8,500m+ of climbing) – covering the northern ranges of the Classic route, before returning to Ludlow via the Elan Valley and Trans Cambrian Way
And to help widen accessibility even further we will provide a range of pre-event hints, tips and guides to try and de-mystify the world of ultra cycling.
Entry Options
| The Blaenau 2027 | £99.00 |
Terms & Conditions
By registering for this event you agree to the following:
- Riders take full responsibility for their own health, safety and any accidents, incidents or mechanical issues of any kind that may arise during the event.
- Riders must follow the Highway Code and the Countryside Code, and obey all UK traffic and Access Laws during the event, and respect other road users.
- Riders are responsible for deciding when and where to sleep, and when and where they obtain publicly available supplies. The route takes in large stretches of remote countryside with few places to obtain food and drink.
- Riders must only access supplies, shelter and outside assistance that is publicly available. No private support or accommodation is allowed. The event checkpoints are unmanned, with no facilities. Unlike many other events, riders will be allowed to book accommodation in advance, as long as it is commercially available to all.
- Riders must not ride in a state of exhaustion and sleep deprivation that poses a risk to either themselves or others.
- Riders should be considerate of others, especially local residents and pedestrians, and should aim to ‘leave no trace’.
- Riders must wear a cycling helmet, and fit two front and two rear lights to their bicycle. A properly functioning and suitable bicycle with appropriate tyres for rough off road conditions must be used. Gravel bikes with large volume tyres or mountain bikes are suitable. Road bikes are not.
- Riders must dress appropriately for remote mountain conditions at all times. Even in summer the weather in the Welsh uplands can be unpredictable and extreme, especially at night. Riders should carry enough equipment and clothing to cope with unexpected stops, changes in weather or mechanical issues. The following mandatory items of equipment must be carried or worn by all riders at all times: outdoor shelter, such as a bivvy bag or tent; waterproof jacket; full leg cover, such as over trousers, biblongs or thermal leg warmers; full arm cover, in addition to waterproof jacket, such as long sleeved jersey, puffer jacket or thermal arm warmers; emergency whistle.
- Riders must have their own personal 3rd party liability insurance.
- Riders must understand and acknowledge that the route includes remote and rough off-road terrain, and have the fitness, self-sufficiency and equipment to handle such conditions. It is strongly recommended that riders carry at least two GPX devices, spare batteries and/or charging capability such as dynamos or power banks.
- Riders must inform the event organisers of an emergency or if they decide to withdraw during the event. In the case of an emergency riders must inform emergency services. The organisers are not responsible for providing any emergency assistance. If riders withdraw they will have to make their own way back to the finish or home.
- Riders agree to carry a tracking device and for their position to be published live on a tracking site.
- Riders agree to post time-stamped photos on social media at the start, each checkpoint, and the finish.
- On completion of the event riders must email the organisers with a GPX file of their ride.
- Riders must be at least 18 years of age.
- The organiser reserves full right to refuse the participation of a rider, and will issue a full refund if they do so.
- There will be photography during the event, and riders must agree to be included in photographs, which may be used for promotion and social media purposes by the Cross Cartel (the event organisers), event sponsors and Epic Cycles (the event host).
- Event Cancellation and Withdrawals: if you subsequently wish to withdraw from the event we are not able to offer any refunds; however entrants can transfer their entry to another person or to the next running of the event. Entries can only be transferred once, and transfer requests must be received via email to the organisers 21 days in advance of the event date. No refunds will be issued under any circumstances. If the event is cancelled for any reason, including extreme weather, entries will be carried forward to the the next running of the Blaenau.
- Riders are fully and solely responsible for their own actions and safety at all times during the event. The event organisers (Epic Coffee House) and the event host (Epic Cycles Ltd) carry no liability whatsoever.