March 2018| 63
Explore the Heart of Mid Wales
B
ased in the tranquil market town of Tregaron with the majestic Cambrian
Mountain as a back drop, Campau Caron have something for everyone;
a hilly Mountain Bike Enduro, a challenging 1mile Hill Climb on a
closed
private road and the signature event - the Caron Sportive on
July 14th, 2018.
Th e Sportive off ers three routes; the longest includes two of the toughest climbs in Mid
Wales – the famous Devil’s Staircase, and Route 72 which takes you from valley to hill-
top in a matt er of miles!
Th e shortest route on off er is Route 20 which traces the same opening 8 miles as the
other routes before taking an undulating loop and dropping down through local lanes
into sight of Cors Caron and the fi nish line.
Th e middle-distance Route 40 takes riders to the world famous village of Devil’s Bridge,
before climbing up to Th e Arch, a spectacular old masonry arch which was built in 1810
to mark the Golden Jubilee of King George III. It then heads back through Cwmystwyth
and descends through the glorious Ystwyth Valley. But be warned; the short but fi erce
climb up the local leg zapper that is Trefriw Hill awaits before heading home.
Route 79 takes riders through the hills of the
picturesque Elan Valley and an extremely scenic
loop of the dams and reservoirs before reaching
Rhayader. You then head on to the hills and mounds
of Newbridge, but having covered 60 miles you’d be
a fool to think that you were on the last leg. Climbs
come thick and fast as you head back over the
mountains towards Tregaron, and the famous Devil’s
Staircase awaits! Aft er almost thirty minutes in the
saddle you reach the summit and realise that the last
few miles home will be long and hard.
However, the welcome at the fi nish is always warm and a pint of ale and bite to eat at the
famous Talbot Hotel makes the hard work worth it. With beautiful scenery and a route
for all abilities, there is nowhere bett er for your weekend adventure than Tregaron.