The Iron Mountain Sportif

The Abergavenny Festival of Cycling
(2013 British Cycling Best Event Organisation Award)

The Iron Mountain Sportifon August 8thwill see five Sportive Rides of a different terrain and distance to suit everyone.
A new 50 mile event to the Abergavenny Sportives will be the Iron Mountain 50 Sportif which will take in the Iron Mountain shortly after the start. In the past the Iron Mountain (Tumble climb) has only been reserved for the endurance riders who took on the 100 mile event. Now in the 50 with the Tumble climb out of the way you can relax in the knowledge that you have conquered the hardest climb of the route and the rest of the Brecon Beacons/Black Mountains will be a piece of cake.
After the success of the 2014 Women’sChampionship Sportive we have also decided to run a women’s only rideover a similar course to last year.
Iron Mountain 100- (the original Tumble Mountain sportive) With the infamous climb coming at half distance of the 100 miles/160km route.
The Monmouthshire 50- Again the seventh year for this cycling friendly route of 50 miles/80km through the villages and on the quiet undulating roads of North Monmouthshire.
The Iron Mountain 50- New for this year 50miles/80km which includes the infamous Tumble climb
Women’s Ride- 40 miles/65 km Similar but less demanding than the 2014 Women’s Championship Sportive course
Leisure Ride- 20 miles/31kmof easy riding on fairly flat roads in the Usk Valley.
Five feed stations with toilet facilities around the routes and the Service Cars,Medi-Bike, sweep vehicle and the Wales National Escort Group as used in The Grand Prix of Wales Road Race. All this to make for a special experience and most important a safe as possible day out in the capital for cycling in Wales.
Can you conquer the Iron Mountain?

Routes
Riders will line up at the start in Bailey Park and depart through the town of Abergavenny under escort of the accredited marshals through the traffic lights with the traffic at a standstill and onto the open road at the Hardwick. Taking the flat roads of the Usk valley over the river at Chainbridge and past the windmill at Llancayo (the Leisure route returns to Abergavenny via Bettws Newydd). Into the town of Usk and onto Raglan and Monmouth and the start of the undulating roads of North Monmouthshire. Through Rockfield and past the recording studios (where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody) to start climbing to Newcastle (Women’s route turns for Abergavenny) and the feed station at Hilston Park.
Descending to Norton and across the Skenfrith road and into the Monnow valley and onto the historical village of Grosmont. The undulating roads lead you to the climb of Grosmont Wood then via Cross Ash and past White Castle, back to Abergavenny and the finish of the Monmouthshire 50 mile route in Bailey Park. Relax in Bailey Park to the carnival atmosphere and the Welsh Cycling Go Ride and other cycling activities are taking place.

The 100 mile route which continues and takes the Abergavenny bypass through the village of Llanfoist and to the foot of the infamous Tumble climb of the Iron Mountain, the scene of many a classic fight including the Grand Prix of Wales British Championship of 2009 when Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome fought it out with Mark Cavendish and Kristian House.
The Iron Mountain 50 and the continuation of the 100 takes you on through the trees at the base of the three mile climb and then onto the open mountainside as you head towards the summit of the Tumble climb. The descent then takes you to Blaenavon and past the World Heritage Site onto Brymawr and the Second Feed Station. Climbing then across Llangynidr Moors before the long descent back into the Usk Valley. Through the village of Llangynidr and over the packhorse bridge across the river Usk to Bwlch. Along the valley through Llangorse, past the lake into Talgarth and to the third feed station. The accent of the Dragons Back awaits but after cresting the summit the road descends back to the Usk Valley and Abergavenny. Enjoy a well earned rest and relax in Bailey Park with new and old friends you have met on the way.

See website for details:-www.abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk