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The annual Real Ale Wobble in Llantwrtyd wells (which, as the locals are fond of telling you, is the smallest town in Britain) was held last weekend in conjunction with the Mid Wales Beer festival and took in some fantastic riding around the hills surrounding the town. This year’s event folowed the same format as previous years, with a choice of short (18miles), medium (24miles) and long (28miles) rides, all starting and finishing in the centre of town at the Neuadd Arms Hotel.
Once registered on the Saturday (£16 for two days riding and beer tokens) we braced ourselves against the cold and headed off into the hills along with around 600 like minded souls. The riding was well waymarked and a good mix of fire road, doubletrack and singletrack. Although it was slightly gloopy in places, all the riders I came across were grinning from ear to ear behind their nice mud facials. As the name of the event suggests, the real fun begins when you arrive at the feed stations. This year there were two feed stations serving a variety of ales from UK breweries, although if you were feeling delicate from the night before you could opt for a cup of tea and a piece of cake instead.
After everyone had wobbled back to town and queued up to use the bike wash in front of the pub, the evening’s entertainment began with a massive selection of beers, a hog roast and a thoroughly entertaining local punk(ish) band. A large proportion of the assembled bikers opted to add to the day’s exercise with a bit of slam dancing along to covers of the Undertones, the Clash and the Sex Pistols.
Sunday was a similar, if slightly more hungover, affair with only around 150 riders signing on to collect more beer tokens. Unlike previous years however, the route for the organised rides was not reversed on the Sunday, so many bikers chose instead to pick their own way for the day – including both of the beer checkpoints, of course.
All in all a well organised and extremely sociable event. Good riding, stunning scenery and of course, some excellent beer. Roll on next year.
The Wobble is organised by Green Events Ltd, Ty’r Sospan, Llanwrtyd, Powys, LD5 4TA. Accommodation queries should be addressed to Ty Barcud, Llanwrtyd, Powys LD5 4RB.
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