The Swansea & Gower Cycling Festival returns after a five year absence.
Swansea CTC have taken on responsibility for organising the festival which will run for 5 days from Thursday 24th to Monday 28th August.
The programme will consist of up to three rides each day, catering for a wide range of cycling abilities, from those fairly new to cycling, to more experienced riders looking for a challenge. We plan to run short, flat rides of 8 - 10 miles for families with children (all young riders under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult), intermediate rides in the range of 15 - 30 miles for regular, experienced riders; and more challenging and hilly rides of up to 65 miles.
Our Rides Programme takes advantage of the stunning coastal scenery of Swansea and Gower, as well the exceptional cycle paths and quiet country lanes that wind their way through the beautiful, hilly terrain further inland.
None of the rides in the programme are competitive. They are social rides, and will feature regular stops to regroup at junctions and the top of climbs, breaks for coffee, and, for longer rides, a lunch stop. Each ride will have a specified ride leader, a back marker and one other support rider. As with our regular club rides, we adopt a ‘no drop’ policy, meaning no rider gets left behind. Rides will be graded according to the difficulty of the route (distance and amount of climbing), and pace. See our ride grade system in the link at the bottom of the page.
Rides will be over routes on Gower and the greater Swansea area, extending into Carmarthenshire and Neath/Port Talbot (for longer rides). Family friendly rides will be all or largely on traffic-free cycle paths, although the majority of rides will feature at least some parts of the route on public roads.
Cycling is recognised as benefiting not only our physical health, but also our mental health. Being on a bike gives you time to think, enjoy nature and the spectacular views. We have an enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteer ride leaders ready to welcome you to Swansea and Gower, and share with you their knowledge and experience of our wonderful cycling routes.
Before booking, please read our terms and condition, then see the Festival Rides Programme below.
A Festival Pass costs £10 and entitles registrants to take part in as many rides as you want, while individual rides cost £3 if booked in advance, or £5 on the day.
Festival rides are free to members of Swansea CTC and to children and young people under 18.
Regular updates on the festival will be posted on our Facebook page here.
Swansea & Gower Cycling Festival Organising Committee
Any queries, please contact Mike O'Driscoll at revenant@gmx.co.uk or 07878 994708 Twitter: @gowercycling2
The festival is sponsored by the following local businesses:
The Three Cliffs Coffee Shop. The Railway Inn. The Pilot of Mumbles. The Bay View
Ride no. & Destination: 1a & 1.b. Around Swansea Bay
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Leisure
Distance & Ascent: 1a: 17 miles, 160 feet; there is a shorter option, ride 1b, which is 10.5 miles.
Ride Leader: Adele Stuart
Ride Description: An easy, flat ride down the cycle path (NCR 4) to the coast, heading south on the promenade to Mumbles, where we can stop for coffee or ice cream (the shorter option return to Dunvant RFC from here); head back north around the bay to the marina, before returning to Blackpill to rejoin NCR 4 and back to start.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 2. Southgate & Three Cliffs
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Intermediate
Distance & Ascent: 24 miles, 1184 feet
Ride Leader: Mike O'Driscoll
Ride Description: A great route down the cycle path (NCR 4) to the sea front, then south to Mumbles Head, joining the road where the route becomes more undulating and through Langland, Newton, Murton and Bishopston onto the South Gower Road to Southgate. Cycle along the grassy path to viewpoint over Pobbles and Three Cliffs Bay. Return on a road via Fairwood Common and Three Crosses, and down to cycle path back to start.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 3. Penlle'r Castell
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Challenging
Distance & Ascent: 35 miles, 3020feet
Ride Leader: Jon Robbins
Ride Description: A challenging ride going north to both the highest and most northerly point in the county of Swansea with great view to south and west.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 4. Rhossili
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Intermediate
Distance & Ascent: 36 miles, 2086 feet
Ride Leader: Ian Davies
Ride Description: Out to the penisula's most westerly location - the stunning Rhossili Bay - via Welshmoor, returning over the heights of Cefn Bryn.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 5. Rhossili
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Challenging
Distance & Ascent: 40 miles, 2360 feet
Ride Leader: Rob Stanowski
Ride Description: A tougher route out to the penisula's most westerly location - the stunning Rhossili Bay - via Welshmoor, returning over the heights of Cefn Bryn.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 6a & 6b. Pembrey Country Park
Start Location: Loughor Boating Club, Gwydr Place, Loughor, Swansea SA4 6TW
Time: 10.00
Grade: Leisure
Distance & Ascent: 27 miles, 361 feet; there is a short option for this ride, of 17miles and 204 feet of ascent
Ride Leader: Mike O'Driscoll
Ride Description: Follow the Millennium Coastal Path (NCR 4) through Llanelli and Burry Port to Pembrey for views of Gower from across the estuary. We’ll have lunch in the park, before having a go on Wales only closed circuit 1.9km cycling track. We follow the same route back to Bynea. The shorter option, 6b, will stop at the Pavilion Cafe, which is before Burry Port, and return to the start.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 7. Kidwelly Castle
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Intermediate
Distance & Ascent: 43 miles, 1660 feet
Ride Leader: Diane Clement
Ride Description: Follow the Millennium Coastal Path (NCR 4) to Llanelli and join NCR 47 north through Swiss Valley to Horeb. On through Five Roads and down to Carway, heading west past Ffos Las racecourse and on to Kidwelly for our lunch stop. Return via Pinged and coastal path offering great views of Gower from across the estuary.
BOOK.
Ride no. & Destination: 8. Sylen & Cross Hands
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Challenging
Distance & Ascent: 41 miles, 2713 feet
Ride Leader: Jon Robbins
Ride Description: Up the Swiss Valley Cycle Path (NCR 47) to Horeb, then on to road for the great climb up through Sylen with some spectacular views south across the estuary to the Gower penisula, with a possible stop at a blue plaque commemorating the 1839-1843 Rebecca Riots. Continue on to Cwmcerrig Farm shop just north of Cross Hands for a coffee break, before returning via a challenging climb to Llannon and back toward Gowerton.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 9. Henrhyd Falls
Start Location: Sainsbury's, Swansea Marina, SA1 8JA
Time: 10.00
Grade: Intermediate
Distance & Ascent: 43 miles, 1527 feet
Ride Leader:
Ride Description: North along the river Tawe (NCR 43) through Clydach, Pontardawe and Ystradgynlais, before climbing up to the car park for Henrhryd Falls. Option to walk down to see the falls, before returning via the same route.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 10. Henrhyd Falls
Start Location: Sainsbury's, Swansea Marina, SA1 8JA
Time: 10.00
Grade: Challenging
Distance & Ascent: 46.6 miles, 2017 feet
Ride Leader: Nicolette Hoekstra
Ride Description: Out the same way as ride 9 to Henrhyd Falls, but returning a hillier route.
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 11. Clydach
Start Location: Sainsbury's, Swansea Marina, SA1 8JA
Time: 10.00
Grade: Leisure
Distance & Ascent: 14 miles, 262 feet
Ride Leader: Adele Stuart
Ride Description: A mostly flat there and back ride following the charming river cycle path to the village of Clydach (NCR 43)
BOOK
Ride no. & Destination: 12. Upper Lliw Reservoir
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Intermediate
Distance & Ascent: 34.4 miles, 1980 feet
Ride Leader: Elaine Rohman
Ride Description: North along the cycle path (NCR 4) to Gowerton, on through Gorseinon, before swinging east and climbing up above Felindre. Drop down into the village and climb on up to the reservoirs. Return via Craig Cefn Park, on to a new cycle path through Clydach Park, before joining the NCR 43 cycle path south along the River Tawe back to Swansea and around the bay.
Ride no. & Destination: 13. Bettws Mountain
Start Location: Bikeability Wales (behind Dunvant RFC), SA2 7RU
Time: 10.00
Grade: Challenging
Distance & Ascent: 39 miles, 3835 feet
Ride Leader:
Ride Description: A tough route via Gorseinon and Penllergaer to Clydach and on to Pontardawe before the serious climb up Betws Mountain, before swinging south to Lliw Reservoir and returning through Felindre, Pontlliw and Gowerton.
BOOK
How to Register and Book Tickets for the Festival
A Festival Pass will allow registrants to participate in multiple rides, or you can book individual rides by clicking the relevant BOOK button above, and this will take through to our Ticketsource Booking system.
You can book your Festival pass Here.
Camping and caravan facilities are available at Bikeability Wales - the start and end of the majority of rides - but spaces are limited. Pitches for both campervans/caravans and tents is £20/night with electric hookup and showers, or £15 without electric. To reserve a pitch, please contact us with your details & request - Arrival and departure dates, tent or caravan/campervan, electric hookup or not. Email Mike O'Driscoll revenant@gmx.co.uk
There are plenty campsites in the Swansea and Gower area, including the following, which are the closest to the start of most rides: Gowerton Club Campsite, (near the cycle track to get to Dunvant RFC) Three Cliffs Bay, & Nicholaston Farm Campsite.
Before booking, please read our the entrants disclaimer, and our terms and conditions below. Through the online booking, you will be asked to confirm you agree with our T&Cs.
Disclaimer for all entrants: I confirm that I understand and will abide by the terms and conditions required by The Swansea & Gower Cycling Festival organisers for safe participation in these activities, and to act responsibly and adhere to the rules of the road and countryside. I hereby maintain that I am fit and healthy enough to participate in the activity described above and my cycle is in a safe, legal and rideable condition. I also accept that the festival organisers cannot be held responsible for any personal injury, accident, loss, damage or public liability during the event.
Ride routes may be altered at short notice due to road works or closures. In the event of extreme weather, rides may be cancelled.
