Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon and Vitus Sportive - Abergavenny: 4th – 5th August 2012
The fourth round of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Series takes us to our latest addition to the series and to a brand new location – Abergavenny, the gateway to Wales. Abergavenny is only 20miles from the English border yet is famous for its quality riding and breathtaking countryside. The Abergavenny round will explore some never before (at least not by the MTB-Marathon Series) visited areas with stunning views of the Brecon Beacons. There will be completely new and never before used courses added to the 2012 line-up. Exciting times for the regular marathon riders and road riders alike we think. Exciting times for the organisers too, not only do we get to design five cracking new courses, we also get to say hello to old friends and hopefully some new ones too! And to top it all off we are going to run the MTB-Marathon on the Saturday of the event weekend with the Vitus Sportive following on Sunday.
This new addition to the line-up should bring in a lot of pre-entries. So if you are keen to join us at the Abergavenny round then make sure that you get your entry in soon.
MTB Marathon – Abergavenny 4th August 2012:
The Abergavenny round is the only round in 2012 where the MTB-Marathon runs the day before the Vitus Road Sportive. For 2012 we have a totally new mountain bike route, giving you a fantastic mix of open hill, forestry paths and of course, miles of single-track. Starting off by travelling north you climb steadily through the Mynydd Du forestry and onward past Gwyne Fawr Resevoir making your way to the summit of the Black Mountains(713m), after taking in one of the most stunning views in Wales you then descend on what must be one of the longest single track descents in Wales, being 11Km long. After a short climb the descending continues through the foresty, crossing the outward course and then climbing back through the forest to Pen y Gadair Fawr,(715m). From here you start your second single track fest, this one being only 10km long! After a short spell on the road there is the third and final climb of the day, over the Sugarloaf Mountain and back to basecamp.
The route will cover three different courses:
Middle marathon – approx 78km course
Half marathon – approx 50km course
Mini marathon – approx 30km course
Start time:
The marathon will start at approx 10.00am on Saturday 4th August at the Abergavenny location (TBC).
Registration opens:
Friday from 6.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday from 7.00am – 10.00am
Entry fee:
£32, £27 (for Mini Marathon) or £22 (for Mini Marathon if you are under 16 years old) or reduced price of £47 if you take part in the discounted ‘weekend ticket’.
For a full list of entry fees, visit the entry page.
Campground:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the Abergavenny location (TBC). It will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.
Don’t forget our event photographer Jon Brooke will be at the event taking photographs of you all! The photos will be up on www.rightplacerighttime.co.uk to view and purchase a few days after each event.
2012 sees the return of the Road Sportives in form of the Vitus Sportives at more locations across the UK – four in fact. Contrary to the other rounds the Abergavenny sportive will take place on the Sunday of the event weekend.
The fourth round of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Series will start and finish at the Abergavenny location (TBC). On top of the usual marathon action this round of the series will feature once again a round of the Vitus Road Sportive on the Sunday of the event weekend (5th August). Around 400-500 riders will opt for either one of the two fantastic but demanding sportives on offer. John, excited by the new location will be going all out and will no doubt have some ‘proper’ climbs up his sleeve to turn what may appear to be a gentle stroll into a real challenge. These routes will take you through some stunning valleys and over a couple of memorable mountains. The routes start by travelling north along the Llanthoney valley through the black mountains over Hay Bluff, here you will see stunning views of the Wye valley and the picturesque town of Hay on Wye. Then after descending down and following the Wye Valley you travel west towards Brecon where you’ll join the Usk Valley and follow the Monmouth canal to Llangynidr and the second big climb of the day over Llangynidr Mountain overlooking the Heads of the Valleys. From here you descend steeply down the notorious descent off the Blorenge to the usk valley, meandering back towards Abergavenny.
Both routes are also likely to be popular and bring in a lot of pre-entries. So get your entry in quick. For more information, visit the event homepage or go straight to the entry page to secure your entry.
Start time:
The Vitus Road Sportive will have an open start between 8.30am – 9.30am at the Abergavenny location (TBC).
Distance:
The sportives will have two distances to choose from:
standard sportive: approx 55 mile course
classic sportive: 90 mile course
Registration opens:
Friday from 6.00pm – 9.00pm
Saturday from 7.00am – 8.00pm
Sunday from 7.00am – 9.30am
Entry fee:
£27 or reduced price of £47 if you take part in the discounted ‘weekend ticket’.
Tea, coffee and cake will be served at the finish line of the sportive.
Campground:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the Abergavenny location (TBC). Riders will benefit from all facilities provided at the campground and event village across the weekend. It will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.
For information about local services and accommodation, visit the local info page.
