THE third Great Rugby Cycle starts today and will cover over 700 miles in clockwise direction around Wales in eight days, taking in some of the finest scenery the country has to offer.

The Inaugural Great Rugby Cycle 2019 covered 1133 miles in March 2019 from John O’Groats to Land’s End, the second Great Rugby Cycle 2021 covered over 1000 miles in 10 days round Ireland.

The peloton will be joined along the route by some rugby legends helping to raise awareness and funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Among those taking part is former Melrose rugby player Stuart Thom who earlier this year helped raise around £30,000 for the foundation through his 5in5 marathon challenge.

Itinerary.

The first stage is from Cardiff to Llanelli 94 miles.

Leaving from the Principality stadium the group heads south through Cardiff towards, Penarth and Barry, then follows the coast north through Port Talbot and Swansea.

Taking in the scenic route the peloton cycles past Swansea Bay, west towards Rossilli beach before heading Northeast, crossing the River Lougher into Llanelli.

Saturday 17th September – Llanelli to Pembroke 87 miles

Day 2 leaves from the home of the Scarlets, Parc y Scarlets and heads along the coast before cutting through the middle of Pembrey forest and continues through Kidwelly before the ‘gentle’ climb up to Carmarthen.

The peloton then heads past St Clears Castle and South through Laugharne as it follows the coast through Tenby, Jameston and Stackpole as it continues West through Freshwater West before heading East into Pembroke.

Border Telegraph:

Sunday 18th September – Pembroke to Aberystwyth 103 miles

The third day is the longest in miles and the highest in elevation gain of the challenge. The peloton heads North out of Pembroke, and heads through Milford Haven, Herbrandston and up past Fishguard where the ferry to Rosslare leaves from.

The ride then follows the coast and ventures inland as a lumpy ‘few’ miles take the group through Aberporth, Aberaeron, Llanrhystud and before arriving at Aberystwyth.

Monday 19th September – Aberystwyth to Caernarfon 98 miles

A relatively ‘flat’ day starts with a gentle climb up to Machynlleth before descending down to Aberdyfi then we follow the coast crossing the Barmouth bridge into Barmouth.

The riders then continue North past Harlech Castle, crossing at the Cob into Porthmadog for a coffee stop. The group heads west until reaching Y Ffor and then head North through Llanaelhaearn and then resting up in the Royal town of Caernarfon.

Tuesday 20th September – Caernarfon to Llandudno 96 miles

As the crow flies it is only 31 miles to Llandudno, however the peloton will travel round the Isle of Anglesey county, passing through Holyhead, Llanfachraeth, before stopping off at the Bull Bay golf club, before heading round the coast towards Bangor and onwards through Llanfairfechan before arriving at Llandudno.

Wednesday 21st September – Llandudno to Oswestry 78 miles

Leaving from the coastal town of Llandudno the peloton follows the coast through Colwyn Bay, Kinmel bay and flint are nice and flat. From Chester they head South towards Wrexham where the climbing starts.

Passing through Ruoban and chirk before crossing the border into England before stopping just outside of Oswestry where they stay for the Wednesday night

Thursday 22nd September – Oswestry to Crickhowell 97 miles

The penultimate day is the second longest in miles and second in terms of elevation gains.

The group will be heading south all day and hopefully a tail wind will help up the hills as we pass though Oswestry and cross the border back in Wales at Llanymynech.

They will continue to Criss cross over the border as we pass through Kington and Haye-on-way before crossing the river Usk just outside Llangynidr before heading east into Crickhowell.

Friday 23rd September – Crickhowell to Cardiff (Via Chepstow) 68 miles

The final day is only 68 miles back to Cardiff, via Chepstow which includes a few ‘nasty climbs’ as riders head through Abergavenny, Usk before climbing up round Golden Hill, before dropping down into Chepstow.

From Chepstow it is a flat ride through Magor and Newport before arriving to the Principality Stadium.