Ride 5: Around Longtown and Grosmont Castles - Page 1
The Ride
An incredibly scenic ride criss-crossing the Herefordshire and Monmouthshire borders. From the Monnow valley to the high plateau on Campstone hill returning along the slopes of the Skirrid; stunning views, unspoilt borderlands, medieval parishes and Norman castles. There is also an option to do a much shorter ride looping back around the Skirrid at Llanvihangel.
At the start of the ride there is an exhilarating long descent either down through Llanellen or Llanover into the village of Llanfoist which is on the border the Blaenafon World Heritage Site. The route then circles through the outskirts of Abergavenny, around the base of Derri hill northwards to the Gavenny valley. A virtually flat and easy ride along the Monnow valley, crossing over Offas Dyke path which can be seen ascending Hatterrall Hill and then disappearing over the top of ridge to Hay Bluff in the north west.
| Route Information | |
|---|---|
| Start and Finish: | Blaenafon Ironworks |
| Distance/Ride Time: | Distance: 55 miles, Ride Time: 5 1/2 hours |
| Energy Level: | *** to **** |
| How Easy is the Ride: | A fairly long but not difficult ride with plenty of down-hill flat and gently ascending sections; a half mile steep low gear climb leaving Longtown; a not difficult low gear one mile moderate climb from Pontrilys; a short low gear climb up Cupids hill to Grosmont. The first 20 miles from the Ironworks to Longtown is mostly downhill and flat give or take a couple of small rises here and there. Ride ends with a moderate 3 mile ascent around Gilwern Hill to Pwlldu and Blaenafon |
| What Sort of Terrain: | Virtually all tarmac minor roads except for the optional Garn-yr-erw mountain crossing and Dynes Incline (G3). |
| Off Road Grade: | G1/G3 |