Roam Bikepacking

Key Info

Duration:
2 days

Terrain:
Tarmac - 78%
Gravel - 22%

Choose your comfort
Camping
B&B

When to go:

2 – 3 May 2025
3 – 4 May 2025
4 – 6 May 2025
27 – 28 Jun 2025
28 – 29 Jun 2025
20 – 21 Sep 2025

Start/Finish:
Rhayader

Distance:
Miles - 57
Uphill - 1300m

Price (per person):
£335 (Camping)
£375 (B&B)

Group Size:
2 - 8

Difficulty Rating:
Moderate - Challenging

Expect a few long gradual climbs, with the odd short steep section, exposed moors and a long gravel track. Be rewarded with peace and quiet, great views and long descents.

Highlights

  • Ride through the stunning Elan Valley
  • Wild swim in the lush Hafod Estate forest
  • Visit the epic Devil's Bridge waterfalls
  • Get your gravel fix crossing the Cambrian Mountains
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  • Day 1: Reservoir Gravel / 29 miles / 5 hrs / 675m

    We’ll meet you in little town of Rhayader, the gateway to the Elan Valley, where we’ll give you your briefing, pack your kit into bags, strap them to your bike and set you off. Today you’ll head into the beautiful Elan Valley, looking out for Red Kite and Peregrine Falcons. As you gradually gain height you’ll leave the treeline and emerge Claerwen dam. From here you leave the road behind and take an epic gravel track across the moors. As you re-join tarmac, you’ll pass the Teifi lakes, then it’s generally downhill to the Ystwyth Valley before climbing up to spectacular Devil’s Bridge Falls.

  • Day 2: Elan Valley / 28 miles / 4 - 5 hours / 630m

    Heading back the way you came to start, you’ll drop down into the beautifully lush Hafod Estate, keeping your eyes peeled for swim spots, before starting the long climb up through Cwmystwyth, passing the old metal mines and onto the tops. With the climb behind you descend gradually through vast open moorland, tracking the Afon Ystwyth, passing a series of spectacular dams before hooking back onto the cycle path back to Rhayader.

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A comprehensive package. You’ll get a bike, all the equipment you need, a GPS route, accommodation, as well as a pre trip informational video and a full kit demo and briefing on arrival.

INCLUDED

Bike
Bikepacking bags
Accommodation (B&B or Camping)
Route, preloaded onto a GPS device
Bespoke guide book
Bike setup and kit demonstration
Pre trip informational video
Backup support service
Helmet & gloves
First aid kit
Bike lock
Water bottles
Tool kit

CAMPING

1 night campsite fees, pre paid
Tent (2 or 3 person to share)
Rollmat & inflatable pillow
Sleeping bag
Headtorch
Gas stove
Breakfast pouches
Tea, coffee, mug, & spoon

B&B

1 night B&B accommodation
Breakfast included

NOT INCLUDED

Food & Drinks
Insurance
Logs for campfire (camping only)

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Embrace the elements or a temporary pause from nature. Camping or B&B, the choice is yours.

Select which option you would prefer on the booking enquiry form.

B&B

The wonderful Hafod Hotel, perched on the edge of the Devil’s Bridge Falls. A bit of luxury at the end of the day.

Pros & cons

+ Less equipment to carry

+ Sleep in a proper bed

– Temporary pause from wilderness

– No marshmallows on the fire

Camping

A small, straight forward and friendly campsite close to Devil’s Bridge and a short walk to the Hafod Hotel for a hearty dinner.

We provide 2 or 3 person tents, let us know what combination works for your group.

Pros & cons

+ Full nature experience

+ Evenings around a campfire

– More kit to carry

– Camping even if it rains

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Food and drink are at your own expense. We can recommend our favourite pubs and cafes, but it’s entirely up to you where and when you eat.

Breakfast

B&B – Breakfast is included.

Camping – The rural location of this campsite means there isn’t always a café close by for breakfast, so to make sure you have something in your belly before you set off, we provide Firepot porridge pouches which you simply add hot water to cook, along with tea and coffee making facilities.

Lunch

B&B – You can request a packed lunch from the B&B, or there is a small shop in the village where you can make your own packed lunch & snacks.

Camping – If you speak nicely to Matt at the campsite pub, he will do you a packed lunch.

Dinner

Whether you are camping or B&B you’ll be within walking distance from a good pub, but it’s the only pub for miles around, so we will book you a table in advance to avoid disappointment. Expect good pub grub and plenty of it.

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START/FINISH LOCATION & TIMINGS

Start: We will meet you at the start point in Rhayader at 10am. The exact start point location will be sent out closer to the time of your trip.

You should arrive in the clothes you’ll ride in and with your kit packed in the dry bag we posted to you.

Bike set up and kit briefing will take about 1 – 1 ½ hours depending on the group size.

Finish: You can expect to be back at the start point in Rhayader by 3pm on Day 2

If travelling by train, allow at least 3 hours to hand back bike, kit and get to the train station

HOW TO GET THERE

Train: The nearest train station Llandrindod Wells. 

It’s a 20 minute taxi ride from LLandrindod to Rhayader. We recommend booking a taxi in advance.

There are regular trains to Llandrindod Wells. Connections with Shrewsbury from the north and Cardiff if coming from the south.

You can leave any stuff you don’t need for your trip with us, like clothes to travel home in.

Car: If you plan on driving to the start point, feel free to contact us for advice on where to park and leave your vehicle for the duration of your trip. 

All vehicles will be left at your own risk. 

ARRIVING THE NIGHT BEFORE?

If you’re travelling far, why not take the pressure off and stay overnight in Rhayader.

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Remember, you will be carrying your kit with you and space on the bike is very limited, so stick to the kit list and pack light. You need less than you think. When packing, think light and packable. Avoid bulky fleece and denim, and go for merino wool, microfiber or cotton.

Prior to your trip, we will send you a dry bag which all your kit will need to fit into. We'll also send you an short video to explain how you'll attach you kit to the bike.

TO CYCLE IN

  • Trainers
  • Shorts – (padded shorts are a good investment, but not essential)
  • 2 t-shirts/tops
  • Waterproof jacket – (it’s worth investing in a good one)
  • Thin thermal layer or microfleece
  • Socks & underwear

EVENING WEAR

  • 1 t-shirt/top
  • Lightweight compact footwear (flips flops, Toms, sandals)
  • A warm layer like a synthetic jacket (not a bulky jumper, hoodie or fleece)
  • Warm hat
  • Leggings, tracksuit bottoms or other lightweight trousers
  • A warm pair of socks for the evening

OTHER STUFF

  • Swimming gear
  • Small travel towel
  • Sunglasses
  • Toiletries (decant into mini bottles)
  • Suncream

Save time and bring you packed lunch with you for Day 1

Bring a set of clothes for your journey home. If you’re travelling by train, you can leave any stuff you don’t need with us.

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Our routes are designed to blend the rewards of physical challenge, with space to discover the unexpected and time to appreciate the journey. The distances are not massive and should allow for you to take your time, follow the more scenic route and experience the places between the places. It’s as much about the lazy lunch, taking in the view or finding a spot for a wild swim as it is about knocking out the miles.

This route is graded MODERATE/CHALLENGING, based on someone with a good level of cardiovascular fitness.

Expect some meandering climbs, steep at times, passing over exposed moorland with a long section of gravel track, occasional rough and bumpy bits and a big stream to cross. You should be happy spending 3-5 hours in the saddle each day.

You should also note this route passes through remote landscapes, where you are exposed to the elements with very few shops or cafes in between start/finish points.

Preparation

If you’re not a regular cyclist, get your body bike trip ready by commuting to work, or do some spin classes. It all helps.

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Bikepacking is strapping the essentials that you need for a multi-day, self sufficient adventure to your bike and going on a journey. It's about avoiding busy roads, instead picking out quiet country lanes, unpaved tracks and forest roads to take you deeper into the wilderness for a proper adventure. The recent development of ‘gravel’ bikes and more efficient methods of attaching your kit to your bike, has made wild areas which would have previously been out of reach, more accessible and enjoyable to anyone with an appetite for adventure and a yearning to get off the beaten track.
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No, you will go on a journey, moving on to a new place each day, but ending up where you started by the end of your trip.
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Yes, we believe that by being self-sufficient you will have a much more rewarding experience. You will pack everything you need on your bike into the specifically designed bikepacking bags. So stick to the kit list and pack light!
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It would be very easy for us to ferry your luggage for you each day, but in doing that we are taking away your sense of freedom and diluting your adventure. It may be a little bit more challenging, but you’ll appreciate what you’ve accomplished all the more by being self-sufficient.
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As you will be carrying all your belongings on your bike with you, there is a limit to how much you can bring. In plenty of time before your trip, we will send you a detailed kit list and a bag which all your stuff has to fit in. We'll also send you an informational video to show how you'll stash your kit to your bike, so you know in advance.
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No, we provide everything apart from your personal clothing. All we would recommend is investing in a pair of padded cycling shorts and it's wise to have a decent waterproof jacket, just in case. If you have your own cycling shoes and pedals, please feel free to bring them along. If you have your own helmet, you may choose to bring that as well, otherwise we will provide one.
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Our trips are designed to be challenging but achievable when tackled at an enjoyable tempo. The challenge coming in the form of some hefty hills and occasional unpaved tracks, the relatively modest distances making it achievable. Our difficulty ratings of Mellow, Moderate and Challenging are based on someone with a reasonable level of cardiovascular fitness. If you’re not a regular cyclist, then some preparation is recommended to cope with the physical demands of a full day in the saddle over hilly terrain. See the difficulty rating section on the trip info pages to make sure you choose the right route for you. And if you’re not sure, just get in touch.
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You need to be confident riding a bike, but not a mountain biker. Up to 25% of your route will be on what we refer to as gravel tracks, this could be a bridleway, a forest fire road, an ancient horse & cart route, or an unpaved farm track. We wouldn't class it as offroad, which might conjure up images of mountain biking, just not smooth tarmac. If you do come across a section of gravel track which is steeper or bumpier than you feel confident riding down, you can always get off and push your bike down that bit.
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This is an all inclusive package. We provide the bike, bikepacking bags, accommodation, camping equipment (if camping), a GPS preloaded with your route, guide book, support service and a pre trip informational videos. You just need to get yourself there, bring some clothes and sort out your own food and drinks.
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You are provided with a gravel bike from Temple Cycles, donned with great components. They’re a dream to ride, fast on the road and comfortable on the unpaved sections. Check out the ‘how it works’ section of the website for more details.
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You are welcome to use your own bike, although we would recommend using ours as we selected them specifically to be ideal for the routes our trips take and the type of terrain you will encounter, plus you save yourself the hassle of lugging your bike on the train/car. If you do choose to use your own bike, we can offer you a discount of £10 per person/per day.
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It means you don't have a guide coming along with you, cramping your style. Instead, we provide you with a GPS navigation device preloaded with an awesome route to make sure you don’t miss a turn and a comprehensive guidebook full of local knowledge and tips. So you can travel at your own pace, stop when you want and pedal your own adventure.
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Your group will be provided with a small navigation device which fits onto your handlebar. It uses GPS (Global Positioning System) technology to pinpoint your exact location against detailed, cycling specific, digital mapping. We preload it with your route and the arrow on the screen shows you which way to go, just like using a sat nav in your car. As a backup, you will have a paper map to follow. If you do manage to get lost, you can call us and we’ll figure out where you are and tell you which way to go to get you back on track.
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We use really good tyres so punctures are rare, but do happen occasionally, so you will have the basic equipment needed and instructions on how to fix a puncture yourself. If you are not confident doing that, or you have any other issues with the bike that you can't fix yourself, just give us a call and we'll come and find you and get it sorted. We could be up to 2 hours away though.
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Barring a freak storm forcing us to postpone your trip for safety concerns, your trip will go ahead. Wales has its fair share of rain, which is one of the reasons it's so lush and beautiful. We run our trips from April to September and although it's not uncommon for it to rain in the summer, as long as you have a good weatherproof jacket, it's generally mild enough that if you do get wet, it's nothing an evening in a cosy pub with a sticky toffee pudding can’t put right.
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If you were to have a serious accident, you should call 999 or 112 in the first instance. Then we would appreciate you calling us, so we can help out as much as we can. Thankfully, accidents are rare.
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When you book, you will choose whether your group would like to camp, or stay in B&Bs. For camping groups, you can expect no frills, but friendly campsites with the essentials we would want ourselves. Toilets, hot showers, firepits and within walking distance from a good pub. Our B&Bs (Or guesthouse, Hotel or Country Pub) are often located in a small town or village, with bike friendly owners, a hearty breakfast provided and always within walking distance of a good pub.
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Food and drink is the only real additional cost on top of the price of the trip. For B&B groups, your breakfast is included in the price. You will source your own lunch along the way, stopping in a café or taking a packed lunch. It's up to you where you eat dinner, in a pub, restaurant or fish and chips. We’ll recommend our favourites. If you’re camping, the campsites are located within walking distance, or a short cycle, from a good pub where you can get dinner. Expect traditional pub grub. For breakfast, if there is a café nearby, you may choose to head there to fuel up in the morning, but the rural location of some campsites means that isn't always the case, so we also provide you with tea/coffee, a compact stove to heat up water and some porridge pouches to get you going in the morning. Lunches you source on the go, cafe or packed lunch, it's up to you.
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Camping does come with its challenges, especially if the weather is against you, but it's also the ultimate way to escape everyday life and be in nature. The equipment we use is high quality and easy to use. We can show you how to use it all and even provide you with a video of how to put up your tent. If you can’t figure it out, there’s usually an outdoorsy type on most campsites who will happily help! Or you can call us anytime with questions.
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We would strongly encourage you to use the gear we provide. Space is limited when bikepacking and we have carefully selected top quality, lightweight and packable tents, sleeping bags and mats to make sure you can pack all you need into the limited space on your bike. We would hate for you to turn up with your own stuff only to find you can’t fit it into the limited space you have on your bike.
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There isn't really any maximum group size, but if you have more than 8 in a group get in touch before you make your booking.
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You must be over the age of 18 years old on the start date of your trip, unless you are accompanied by a parent or guardian, in which case, it is up to the parent to judge if their children are capable of taking part. Please get in touch before booking if this applies to you. We would also need to consider their height, as we do not have child specific bikes, yet!
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To book, make a booking enquiry through the website. We will get back to you within 24h to confirm your chosen dates and accommodation choice availability. We would then ask for a 25% non refundable deposit to be made within 7 days to confirm your group booking. The final balance is due 28 days prior to your trip start date. Payments to be made by bank transfer.
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Exact details will be emailed to you in the build up to your trip and vary a little depending on which route you choose, but as a general rule, you would need to be at the start, dressed in your cycling gear, ready for your briefing and bike fitting at 10am.
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Let us know if you are planning on driving and we can let you in on some free parking areas to avoid official car park fees. Or, if you would feel happier parking in an official car park, you can expect to pay anywhere up to £20 per day. We cannot take any responsibility for the safety of your car for the duration of your trip.

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