[svccridesupdate] Swansea and Gower Cycling Festival
Dear Members,
It is early January and your thoughts are probably focused on whether the weight you put on over the holiday season can be removed easily, the parlous state of your bank account and the risk of black ice on rides during January.
But thanks to Richard Maggs, we have become aware of the Swansea and Gower Cycling Festival at the end of May, when the weather will hopefully be warm and sunny, you will be back to your normal weight and your finances will once again be on an even keel.
The Festival will take place from Wednesday 27th May to Sunday 31st May and is based at the Dunvant Rugby Club, near Swansea.
The rides programme will consist of fifteen or more rides over the five days.
All the rides will have a leader from CTC Swansea, a back marker and another support rider.
There will be regular stops to regroup at junctions and at the top of climbs.
There will be breaks for coffee and a lunch stop on longer rides.
There will be a ‘no drop’ policy, so that nobody is left behind.
The 2026 programme of rides has not yet been published but will feature the following rides:
Family Leisure Rides: Flat rides of up to 15 miles, on dedicated cycle or shared use paths, suitable for new or relatively inexperienced cyclists, as well as families with children
Leisure Rides: Longer rides of up to 30 miles, with some easier climbs, on cycle paths and quiet country roads, with a pace of no more than 12 mph. Suitable for more experienced cyclists who enjoy a social ride
Moderate Rides: Rides of between 30 and 50 miles, including a few climbs, up to a total of c.2500 feet, generally between 10-12 mph. For more experienced cyclists used to riding up to 4 hours on hillier routes.
Challenging Rides: Longer and hillier routes with extended and steeper climbs, between 40-70 miles, a pace of 12 mph plus. Suitable for experienced riders who enjoy longer routes and plenty of climbing.
To participate in the Festival you can purchase a Public Festival Pass at a cost of £10.
Individual rides booked in advance cost £4 or £5 if purchased on the day.
Camping facilities will be available at the rugby club.
Campervans, caravans and tent pitches can be booked for £15 per night or £20 per night with electric hook-up.
We are undertaking research on local accommodation in Bed and Breakfasts and other possible accommodation options.
At this stage we are just looking for expressions of interest in participating in the Festival in some shape or form.
You might want to stay for all five days or just a day or two.
If you fancy cycling to and from the Festival that would be possible but it will take a full day, it is 113 miles and 2,500 feet of climbing on GoogleMaps but better routes can definitely be devised though they will probably take longer.
You may want to await the publication of the rides which will be available before making a definite decision but securing accommodation is probably the most urgent priority at the moment.
So if you are interested in registering your interest, without any commitment, please let us know and we will set up a dedicated WhatsApp group to take this project forward.
Best wishes,
Steve Brawley and Liz Cowan
It is early January and your thoughts are probably focused on whether the weight you put on over the holiday season can be removed easily, the parlous state of your bank account and the risk of black ice on rides during January.
But thanks to Richard Maggs, we have become aware of the Swansea and Gower Cycling Festival at the end of May, when the weather will hopefully be warm and sunny, you will be back to your normal weight and your finances will once again be on an even keel.
The Festival will take place from Wednesday 27th May to Sunday 31st May and is based at the Dunvant Rugby Club, near Swansea.
The rides programme will consist of fifteen or more rides over the five days.
All the rides will have a leader from CTC Swansea, a back marker and another support rider.
There will be regular stops to regroup at junctions and at the top of climbs.
There will be breaks for coffee and a lunch stop on longer rides.
There will be a ‘no drop’ policy, so that nobody is left behind.
The 2026 programme of rides has not yet been published but will feature the following rides:
Family Leisure Rides: Flat rides of up to 15 miles, on dedicated cycle or shared use paths, suitable for new or relatively inexperienced cyclists, as well as families with children
Leisure Rides: Longer rides of up to 30 miles, with some easier climbs, on cycle paths and quiet country roads, with a pace of no more than 12 mph. Suitable for more experienced cyclists who enjoy a social ride
Moderate Rides: Rides of between 30 and 50 miles, including a few climbs, up to a total of c.2500 feet, generally between 10-12 mph. For more experienced cyclists used to riding up to 4 hours on hillier routes.
Challenging Rides: Longer and hillier routes with extended and steeper climbs, between 40-70 miles, a pace of 12 mph plus. Suitable for experienced riders who enjoy longer routes and plenty of climbing.
To participate in the Festival you can purchase a Public Festival Pass at a cost of £10.
Individual rides booked in advance cost £4 or £5 if purchased on the day.
Camping facilities will be available at the rugby club.
Campervans, caravans and tent pitches can be booked for £15 per night or £20 per night with electric hook-up.
We are undertaking research on local accommodation in Bed and Breakfasts and other possible accommodation options.
At this stage we are just looking for expressions of interest in participating in the Festival in some shape or form.
You might want to stay for all five days or just a day or two.
If you fancy cycling to and from the Festival that would be possible but it will take a full day, it is 113 miles and 2,500 feet of climbing on GoogleMaps but better routes can definitely be devised though they will probably take longer.
You may want to await the publication of the rides which will be available before making a definite decision but securing accommodation is probably the most urgent priority at the moment.
So if you are interested in registering your interest, without any commitment, please let us know and we will set up a dedicated WhatsApp group to take this project forward.
Best wishes,
Steve Brawley and Liz Cowan
Sent from my iPad