Into the Wilds of Wales: Battling it out on the Blaenau

Last week we hosted the 3rd edition of the Blaenau; a multi-terrain cycling adventure through some of the best scenery that Wales has to offer.

The Blaenau 600 route completes a circuit of Wales, taking in most of the key Welsh upland ranges, from the Berwyns, via the edge of Snowdonia and the Mid Wales Desert to the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains.

Covering either the full 600 kilometres, or a shortened but still spectacular 480 kilometres, riders conquered a full range of beautiful yet brutal landscapes. During fleeting encounters out on the trails, and extended debriefs at the finisher’s pizza party, we heard tales from their epic adventures. From the inspiring, to the comic, and a fair share of type two fun, it’s the stories that unfold along the way that make these events so special, so we thought we’d share some of them with you here.

Record breaking rides

Although not a race, there was plenty of competition amongst riders pushing themselves at the pointy end of the field this year. With returning riders aiming to put some unfinished business to rest, and a few newcomers hoping for a successful debut at the Blaenau 600, the pace at the front was rapid.

Throughout the opening 12 hours five riders fought it out for the lead, until slowly the scratches began rolling in. From mechanicals, to issues with fuelling made more serious by Type 1 diabetes, and a recurring knee injury, ultimately there were only two pace setters left out on the road.

Barely stopping throughout the two days of riding, a new men’s course record was set in a time of 37 hrs 32 mins, and a new women’s in a time of 38 hrs 50 mins.

Storms, and the strange sleep spots they brought

As evening drew in on night two of the Blaenau, so did the weather for all but the leading pair. An unexpected interlude in the otherwise warm and dry conditions over the long weekend put a halt to progress, the torrential rain and plummeting temperatures meant a change of plans for many of our riders. This is all a part of the adventure, but making good decisions and keeping yourself mentally and physically strong is much more challenging when you’re already fatigued. Add in the fact that you’re in the middle of nowhere, and you have a recipe for some weird locations for a night’s sleep.

The lucky ones found hotel rooms, an airbnb in a pub beer garden, or even a luxurious bothy found deep in the forest, but the less fortunate had to settle for some stranger options. The public toilet perhaps wins for the most stereotypically ‘ultra’ as this is almost a rite of passage in events like this, while one rider’s request to sleep in the polytunnel at the end of a stranger’s garden was met with the most confusion, but also led to a warm bivvy spot and an unlikely friendship. Trail angels often appear in the most unlikely of places, and leave you with some of the most unexpected moments of kindness.

Epic Women’s Rally

This year saw the inception of the women’s rally, a semi-supported version of our 480 event for those who wanted a little more backup while out there in the unknown. Having this run alongside the other events, and bring a different perspective to the journey, was really special. Witnessing riders conquer their first ultra ride of this scale, push through conditions far more challenging than we had perhaps all hoped for, and make smart decisions on the move to keep the wheels rolling, was really cool to watch. The rally brought some real comradery out on the trails to keep everyone moving, and we hope to see this women’s specific side of the Blaenau grow and evolve over the coming years.

The first single speed finisher

It’s taken a few years for someone to attempt the Blaenau 600 on a single gear, and against all odds they finished with a smile still on their face. It’s an impressive achievement to complete this route at all, there’s almost no easy miles out there, but to do so without the relative luxury of gears is worthy of a shoutout! Rough surfaces under wheel, unforgiving gradients, and the relentlessness of the Welsh terrain make this one a ride to remember.

Three is the magic number

The success stories that come out of an ultra event like this are often not found at the front of the field. The longer you’re out on the trail, and the loftier the challenges are to overcome, the more meaningful the ultimate personal victory can be. Our final few riders to roll home kept each other motivated and positive to finish the full route together. Smiling, laughing, and supporting one another along the way, they really became the people’s champions out there. The 2024 Blaenau 600 wasn’t over until they rolled back into the store, and what a great way to end this edition.

Congratulations to all, no matter where this journey took you, and see you next year!