CLICK FOR INTERACTIVE MAP 185 km Route Profile - 3,863m Ascent 137 km Route Profile - 2,686m Ascent   Starting from the Village of Lanvihangel Crucorney you will head due North and straight into the first climb, which at 18 km is the longest of the day and takes you over the Gospel Pass the highest road in South Wales. The climb starts very gently as the road undulates up the perfect "U" shaped valley with waterfalls cascading off the tops of the valley walls until the road steepens for the last 3 km, before a sweeping descent with some technical sections on the way to Hay on Wye. On leaving Hay you will head towards Brecon, where the 85 and 115 mile routes split at the 57.5 km with the 85 mile (137km) route following the A470. The 115 mile (185km) route takes the minor road over Myndd Illtud towards Sennybridge, avoiding much of the main road section along the A40 used in previous years. For those doing the 115 mile route after passing Sennybridge you will turn left off the A40 towards Glasfyndd Forest and the second major climb of the day, you will then spend the next 90km traversing the upland heathland of the Black Mountain range and the Massif central of the Brecon Beacons. The climb with no name will signal the second feed at the sumit. This is hard work indeed as Merthyr Tydfil looms on the horizon where both routes will join again, but you must gather yourself as again as you start the climb towards the three spectacular Resevoirs: Pontsticill, Pentwyn, and Talybont. Now if you have made it this far you are doing really well but nothing can really prepare you for the next climb which arrives right on cue at 158km  or 110 km depending on which route you have chosen. For those of you in the vanguard you will have the satisfaction of knowing that those following you can watch your painful progress up the mountain as the road swiches back and forth. Now all you have to do grind your way back to the finish!!!!!