04\ THE ALL-TERRAIN TRIAL
At 70 miles, this is not an easy ride but neither is it excessive. If you’re used to getting out at the weekend, it shouldn’t dent you too much. It’s also the perfect ride for a keen amateur, due to its mix of rolling terrain, town roads and climbs.
Kicking off in Cardiff, head northeast through the National Cycle trails toward Newport, adopting the quiet back lanes across to Chepstow before dropping down toward Tintern in the valley of the River Wye. By now you’ll be in need of a break, so stop for a cuppa to give you the energy required to climb back out of the valley.
This is the most difficult section of the ride. In fact, it’s so long and steep that it was used in the 2014 National Road Race Championships, making it a great way to test your body against a climb the pros often use. If you’re in shape you should be able to do it in 20 minutes.
The way back loops through Usk, Caerleon and Newport. There are lots of options here, depending on what sort of ride you want. If you go left at a certain point you can add five minutes. Going right at another will cut 10. In terms of terrain and distance, it’s perfect for adapting the ride to your day’s training plan. The key is to experiment – as long as you have a good map to hand it’s nearly impossible to get lost. The Rest Stop – The Filling Station Cafe in Tintern is run by Rob Partridge, a fellow cyclist who represented Wales in the Commonwealth Games. Treat yourself to one of their teacakes, which are about the size of a dinner plate.