The Merlin Ride The Route | The Route |
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The Merlin Ride 2010. For 2010 Druid (50miles) and Cothi (70miles) will use the same routes as last year, however the Merlin has a brand new 104 miles route with the split from the main field at Llansawel (3rd feed station). Merlin Riders continue on a loop north of Carmarthen. The Merlin, 104 route is now very demanding with a total of 7,399 feet of ascent. From Llanybyther to Llandysul (A.475) there are several short steep climbs and fast descents which are going to take all of your energy, however you will still have a climb of 952 feet out of Newcastle Emlyn. It will take all your determination to stick with this route and not put your bike in the broom wagon. Are you up for it! All three rides start at The National Botaic Garden of Wales with a mass start on the B4310 to Porthyrhyd. Riders then follow the unclassified road to Ffoelgastell and at Gorslas Square join the A476 through to Carmel. This section is 6 miles long and has two significant hills, taking you from 138 feet at Porthyrhyd to 734 feet at Carmel. Continue on A476 to Ffairfach, turning right onto the A483 to Ammanford. Leave Ammanford on the A474 with first feed station at Pontamman (20 miles). From here you start climbing up through the Amman Valley, turning left at Gwaun Cae Gurwen onto the A 4069 through Brynamman and onto the Black Mountain. Ascent from 117 feet at feed station to 1,681 feet at 29 mile point and summit of Black Mountain = 1,564 feet gain over 19 miles. Now enjoy similar ratio descent to Llangadog and second feed station at 38 miles. This is the first split of the routes with Druid riders following the unclassified road through Bethlehem to Ffairfach Square where they follow the B4300 through Llanarthne to Nantgaredig where they then turn left onto the B4310 and climb the last 300 feet over a distance of 1.5 miles to return to the Garden via the rear entrance. Cothi and Merlin Riders continue into Llangadog and out onto the A40 turning right to Llanwrda where they turn left onto the A482 following signs for Lampeter. This is a climb of 622 feet in 6 miles. At Cruig y Bar riders will take the B4302 heading for Talley, but turning right for Llansawel within 2 miles. Third feed station and public toilets at Llansawel, following this Cothi riders will split from the Merlin Ride. Cothi riders will follow the Cothi valley on the B4310 through Abergorlech and Brechfa. They have 17miles to return to National Botanic Gardens with a climb out of Brechfa of 600feet over 2 miles and the last 300 feet climb over 1.5 miles from Nantgaredig to Gardens. MERLIN RIDE From Llansawel Merlin riders stay on the B4377 climbing up through Rhydcymarau, a climb of 602 feet over 6 miles, before fast descent to Llanybyther. Riders cross straight over A485 and through Llanybyther mart to feed station at Jaguar Garage junction of B4338 and B4337. From here they join the A 475 with its steep short climbs before emerging out onto the A486 at Horeb. First climb at 62 mile point: 457 feet over 1 mile. Second climb at 66 mile point: 234 feet over 1 mile. Third climb at 68 mile point: 298 feet over 2 miles. At Horeb turn left onto A486 for Llandysul. Riders will use the new by-pass to travel down to Pontwelly and use the A486 to link with the A484 to travel through Henllan to New Castle Emlyn. Now they turn left and commence the last big climb of the day on the B4333: At 80 mile point start an ascent of 952 feet over 4 miles to the last feed station at the picnic spot/lay-by near wind farms (84 miles). From here riders enjoy the crest of the mountain with views of Carmarthenshire laid out before them then the serious descent into Conwyl Elfed with caution into village, descent of 855 feet over 5 miles. From Conwyl Elfed enjoy the gentle descent alongside the river Gwili to Carmarthen before joining the A40 to Nantgaredig and return via B4310 to Nantgaredig and Base. Full route profile will be published in near future. Significant climbs summary: Mile point Ascent Length 1 mile 596 feet 6 miles 20 miles 1,564 feet 10 miles 40 miles 622 feet 6 miles COTHI 59 miles 608 feet 2 miles MERLIN 50 miles 602 feet 6 miles 62 miles 457 feet 1 mile 66 miles 234 feet 1 mile 68 miles 298 feet 2 miles 80 miles 952 feet 4 miles |