Edit Details & Transfer Entry
The event organiser has given you the ability to edit your details and transfer your entry should you no longer be able to take part. Please ensure that you do this before the closing date as you will no longer be able to use this facility after this date.
Editing Details & Transferring Entries Close: 21st May 2026 09:30:00
Information
After a break in 2024 we are back for 2026 with more route options and a choice of start dates, with all riders aiming to get back for the finishers party on Sunday 14th June.
This is a departure from previous editions where everyone has started together but finished at very different times, with many riders unable to stay around for the arrival of others and the finishers party. Instead there will be a choice of starting at 9:30am on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
We’ve also increased the route options so that you can pick your preferred challenge – go longer over 4 days, go shorter with more relaxed daily targets over 3-4 days, or blast round one of the shorter loops in a couple of days – the choice is yours! And if you change your mind as the start gets nearer you can always switch to a different start time/route.
All rides follow fixed routes, are self-supported, and will be fully GPS tracked for Dot Watching (but no prizes or podiums).
Entry numbers will be limited to 60 riders across all routes, as we want to maintain the friendly atmosphere that the Blaenau is known for, and we have worked hard to keep the entry fee at £99 for all distances (our overheads are the same regardless of route option chosen).
Entry Options
| The Blaenau 2026 (all routes) | £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 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 via email to the organisers. Entrants can also withdraw and request that their entry is carried forward to the net running of the Blaenau. Entries can only be carried forward once and transfer/carry forward requests must be received 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 following Blaenau.
- Riders are fully and solely responsible for their own actions and safety at all times during the event. The event organisers (the Cross Cartel) and the event host (Epic Cycles Ltd) carry no liability.
Refund Policy
If you wish to cancel your entry to the Blaenau and withdraw from the event we are not able to offer any refunds. However, entrants can transfer their entry to another person via email to the organisers.
Entrants can also withdraw and request that their entry is carried forward to the following Blaenau. Entries can only be carried forward once and transfer/carry forward requests must be received 21 days in advance of the event date.
If the event is cancelled for any reason, including extreme weather, entries will be carried forward to the following running if the event.