This weekend sees the return of the daunting Brecon Beast, a epic 109km (or 71km if your legs aren’t up to the full distance) romp through the hills of the Brecon’s in Wales.
Much of the route follows by-ways and bridleways across open mountainside and but some sections, including forestry sections, cross private land which it is not possible to ride at other times of the year.
To make it even more worthwhile for those taking on the challenge, all profits raised by the event’s entry fees are donated to local charities – your efforts go to help others in need.
Last year Jason Humphries rode the Beast, and far from being put off is heading back for more. Here’s his take on the event:
“In 2010 we had good weather for The Brecon Beast. Although it was hot and sunny on the day, the day before we had very heavy rain which left a lot of the route very very wet.
“Starting off in Brecon on the road the pace was high. We went off road across some very wet moor land. This got everyone wet and very dirty. Up and over a small climb we had a bumpy descent down into a valley with a river crossing. I went though the river, slipped, and got a good soaking. I followed another rider. The rider behind me took the bridge.
“A bit of road riding, some large fire roads and then some more road we got to the start of the Gap road riding from the north. With about a 10meters of off road Gap road done my chain snapped. I guess it could have done with some more lube and less mud. Chain fixed and I was back on my way with the small group I was in out of sight.
“Riding up the rocky Gap road I never saw the riders again until I caught two of them on the down hill the other side which was great fun on my Lapierre X Control. I caught up my mate from the London Beastway XC series, Antonius Wubben, and one other rider. We then did the rest of the route together until they dropped me on some nice single track. With the rest of route back to Brecon on the road I managed to catch the pair and pass them riding as fast as I could to the finish.
“Coming across the line to collect my t-shirt I knew I had to come back and do it in 2011. Although there was plenty of road on the course the off road was fantastic and it was great to race over the Gap Road.
“This year we are riding the slightly shorter course backwards. Looks great and with the forecast for Sunday being Bloody Awful it is going to be EPIC. Let’s see how it goes on my Scott Scale 29er hardtail with semi-slicks!”
The course sounds tough
The ride starts and finishes in the historic market town of Brecon in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Both the long and short routes depart from and return to our base at the Penlan Sports Fields.
The route for 2011 heads east from Brecon through the villages of Groesffordd and Llangorse and up a steep road section on to the challenging Mynydd Llangorse.
Some say the views from here are the best in the park.
This first taste of off road is mainly single sheep track which flows smoothly when dry but will test the best when wet. There is also a woodland climb and some moorland riding before you get your first fuel station at 22k.
We then head across the valley to Talybont where we have a combination of old tram roads, forestry trails and some great single track. This is where the long and short courses split at three points with the longer route leaving and then re-joining the shorter route.
The final homeward stretch for all riders is the Brecon classic down the Gap with a short tricky decent into Brecon town to catch out those who thought they were ‘Home and dry’.
The ride takes place on Sunday 11th September and starts at 9am. Online entry costs £28, or £30 on the day. The price gets you entry, free camping, pasta party, t-shirt, spot prizes and en-route refreshments.
Share