“Deep valleys, rolling fields, limestone pavements, pristine beaches and miles of varied coastline, Wales’s mountainous terrain is a paradise for bikepacking – a style of adventure riding that is self-supported and largely off-road.” – Bikepacking Wales, by Emma Kingston
“There are several popular long-distance routes in Wales, including Lôn Las Cymru, a 380-kilometre route from Holyhead to Cardiff; the Wales Coast 2 Coast, a 430-kilometre off-road route between Conwy and Worm’s Head; The Racing Collective’s Wales DURO, a 300-kilometre self-supported race from Bangor to Cardiff, among others. But the eighteen trails featured in mountain biker Emma Kingston’s new guide, Bikepacking Wales, prove that routes do not always have to be epic in length to be memorable.”
“The eighteen trails vary in distance, technicality and remoteness and are spread across the country’s three national parks, as well as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and three World Heritage sites.”
Kingston said; ‘The routes cover the full gamut of off-road biking to be found across the country from coastal riding and scenic gravel rides to remote singletrack and technical rocky descents. Many of the routes are perfect for an overnight trip that can be fitted into a weekend. Some lend themselves to shorter, relaxed ‘microadventures’ and a few would benefit from being split over multiple days, such as the well-established Trans Cambrian Way and the less well-known Triban Trail. Gower and the South Pembrokeshire Coast each gives riders an unforgettable coastal adventure around spectacular peninsulas, sea cliffs and golden beaches, and a number of routes incorporate classic mountain biking descents such as the Gap Road and the Doethie Valley.’
“Each trail includes advice about when to ride, refreshment stops, accommodation and nearby bike shops and hire, and fourteen of the routes start and finish at a train station to provide plenty of options to travel without a car.”
“Despite growing up in Bristol, Kingston spent most of her childhood weekends and holidays in Wales walking in the mountains around Abergavenny, mountain biking above Crickhowell or swimming and waterfall hunting near Ystradfellte. She took up bikepacking when she realised it meant that she could stay out and ride her bike for longer and take the time to explore interesting places off-route; heading for Wales for her first bikepacking trip: a solo adventure around the Elan Valley. Specialising in mountain biking, she has travelled extensively around the UK, Europe and further afield in search of ever more flowing singletrack.”
Bikepacking Wales is available for pre-order from AdventureBooks.com
